Waking up in the middle of the night is never fun especially if it is due to hip pain. As soon as the pain is relieved, better sleep will follow. When experiencing hip pain while sleeping, first determine the reason for the hip pain. Get rid of the cause, and there's an 80% chance that you'll then be fine.
Poor Mattress: Ordinarily a reason for hip pain during the night, is a mattress that is either too hard or too soft. Mattress firmness is of particular importance for people who sleep on their side. Both too soft and too hard do not adequately support the body and place pressure on the hip. This added pressure causes discomfort and is the reason when you change sleeping position your hip pain goes away.
Stiff back: If the spine is stiff, then unwanted tension may be placed on your hip joint during the night. Additionally, you may have hip and lower back pain at the same time. Correcting the mobility in your back by making use of a therapist or chiropractor will reduce the hip pain.
Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis is the deterioration of cartilage in the hip joint and is a common condition in adults over 50. When aggravated the hip joint becomes swollen, and the pain is often worse at night. Minimizing the swelling is the primary treatment. Stretching can help (as recommended by a physiotherapist) and take anti-inflammatory medication whenever the pain is severe.
Ways to Get Relief
Change Mattress: When experiencing Hip Pain during the night that does not continue into the day, points to the bed being your problem. Try sleeping on another foundation. There are many options out there: spring, foam, air, and water. Search for the mattress that best supports your body in the position that you most often sleep (back, side or stomach). Test the mattress in the store for at least 15 minutes before purchasing.
Healthy Sleeping Habits: Developing a good sleep protocol is central to avoiding Hip Pain While Sleeping. To get a good restful sleep at night, you can make changes in lifestyle like avoiding drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks at night. Having a consistent bedtime and wake-up time each day is also helpful. The human body likes a regular schedule and positively responds when one is in place.
Hip Exercises Before Bed: When you have stiff hip muscles or spine muscles which might be creating hip pain at night, then stretches of the hip and low back just before bed can help alleviate hip pain during sleep. Speak with a physician before beginning any exercises at home, so you do not aggravate the problem.
Changing Activities: Engaging in certain activities during the day could be the culprit. Take note if the hip pain only occurs on nights after you participate in a particular activity such as gardening, golf, hiking, tennis, etc. Identifying body motions that coincide with hip pain at night will allow you to alter or reduce that action to minimize the occurrence of the pain at night.
For more information, contact Dr. Dan Albright at 919-863-6808.
