Suffering from joint pain at night is very common, in fact, joint pain which keeps you awake at night has even been given the name ‘painsomnia’!
There are a few different reasons why joint pain can get worse at night time, including hormones and that at night we are more likely to stay still for longer periods of time, which may cause joints to stiffen.(1)
A good nights sleep is important for many reasons, including; (2)
- Better concentration
- Supporting your immune system
- Supporting your mental health
- Allowing your body to repair damaged tissue
Things to Consider
1. Exercise
Regular exercise can decrease symptoms of joint pain and can also help to maintain good motion in your joints, avoiding stiffness. Try speaking to a doctor or medical professional if you are not sure what exercises are best for you.(3)
2. Mattress
If you are suffering from back pain, this could be effected by your mattress. If your mattress is too soft, it may start to sag, which in turn prevents your spine from aligning correctly through the night. Alternatively, if you can’t invest in a new mattress, you may wish to look into supportive mattress toppers instead.(4)
3. Sleep Diary
Some people find it useful to keep a ‘sleep diary’ to track how much sleep they are getting each night. You may wish to include notes on times you went to sleep, times you wake up, whether you wake in the night, how easily you fell asleep, your diet throughout the evening before sleep, whether you had any caffeine, and other daily activities. This can also be useful to have when speaking to a doctor about your troubles sleeping.
4. Routine
Sticking to a routine in the evenings before going to sleep may help you to unwind and get a better nights sleep. This might include a warm bath to ease stiff joints, followed by an hour of reading.
5. Elevate your legs
It may help to place a pillow under your knees whilst you sleep. This alleviates pressure on your joints throughout the night. (5)
In a study published by the Journal of Neuroscience in January 2019, it was found that a lack of sleep may increase the experience of pain. (6) If you are struggling with loss of sleep due to joint pain, you may find it helpful to contact a doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.
Flarin 200mg soft capsules. Contains ibuprofen. Relief from rheumatic or muscular pain, also for the relief of pain of non-serious arthritic conditions (caused by swelling, stiffness and inflammation of joints), joint pain, back pain. Always read the label.
REFERENCES
(1) https://creakyjoints.org/acr-2018/painsomnia-tips/
(2) https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/sleep/
(3) https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/9-ways-you-can-sleep-better-osteoarthritis
(5) https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/living-with/sleep-remedies/
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