What Leads To Joint Stiffness In The Morning & How to Overcome It?

Do you find waking up in the morning a difficult task? Do your joints ache while moving out of the bed? Does your body feel stiff or tight in the morning? If the answer to all the above questions is yes then you might be suffering from morning stiffness. But then what leads to joint stiffness in the morning? Let us understand this in detail. This article focuses on this issue in detail.

What Leads To Joint Stiffness In The Morning?

People often mistake morning joint stiffness with aging, thinking their bones are now getting old. But in fact, this is a very common complaint found in people suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and rheumatism. But it is important to understand, what leads to joint stiffness in the morning.

Suffering from any joint or muscle condition is not the only reason for making them feel stiff every morning. It is due to various other causes which are listed below.

Exercise. If you are not in a habit of exercising daily and one day you indulge yourself into some strenuous physical activity, your joint and body are sure to feel stiff the next morning. And this can go for around a week to a month. This is one of the commonest ways that leads to joint stiffness in the morning. Sometimes a person might also require a painkiller or muscle relaxant to get relief.

Obesity. Being overweight leads to an excess of pressure on the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This may either lead to inactivity to avoid exertion or excessive pressure on joints, if you remain active. Either of the cases can lead to joint stiffness in the morning and obesity being the main factors that worsens it.

Poor Diet. If you lack a well-balanced and a healthy diet or if you are just taking carbohydrates then get ready for the weakness in joints and muscles. Excess of carbohydrates in the diet can cause weakness of muscles, bad posture, and lethargy, which can very well lead to joint stiffness in the morning.

Bad Sleeping Posture. A bad sleeping posture affects the circulation of blood by reducing the blood flow to the muscles, building up lactic acid and causing joint stiffness in the morning.

Cold and Damp Weather. A very cold and damp weather also affects the blood flow all through the body, leading to stiffness of joints and muscles in the morning.

Joint Inflammation. An inflamed joint becomes stiff due to the collection of fluid around the joint, limiting its mobility. Injuries, overuse or conditions that cause joint inflammation can lead to joint stiffness in the morning.

How Can You Overcome Joint Stiffness?

Stiff morning joints and be avoided, eased or can be corrected as well. If the joint stiffness is due to inflammatory arthritis, you need a doctor’s help to reduce the inflammation. Any medical condition leading to joint stiffness in the morning or any joint and muscle related condition must be diagnosed and properly treated with medical advice.

In other cases avoiding the cause that triggers or leads to joint stiffness in morning can prove to be helpful such as,

Sleep in a comfortable bed, and in a posture that supports the joints. Before getting out of the bed do simple stretching exercises.

Take warm showers. They really prove to be helpful in easing morning stiffness and pain.

Take a blanket while sleeping when the room feels cold or damp. A blanket will protect the joints from getting stiff due to the dampness and cold temperature.

A healthy diet is not only a solution for healthy bones, but it also keeps us in good shape. Eating a nutrient-rich diet helps in keeping the joints strong and healthy. Include lean proteins and calcium rich foods to keep your muscles and joints strong.

Following a regular exercise schedule keeps the joint moving and fluid. Regular physical activity not only helps to keep the bones and muscle strong but also provides better circulation and improves immunity to fight inflammation. It also helps in keeping a healthy body weight, which is also a reason for stiff joints or joints aches.

Getting out in the sun for sometime every day can prove to be useful. While it can give you a daily dose of vitamin D, it can also help the joints and muscles warm up, particularly helpful during winters.

Stiff joints affect the quality of life, ability to perform, and builds in a lot of frustration. Now that you know what leads to joint stiffness in the morning, you can take the necessary action. If by giving a simple healthy touch to everyday activities can prevent it, then there is no harm in incorporating them in your daily schedule.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:September 1, 2023

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