Is it a pain for you to get out of bed in the morning? Does it take a long time for your joints to get loosened? Well, if that's the case you're probably suffering from morning stiffness. Doctors say that the basic causes of morning stiffness are lack of daily physical activity, having a poor diet, being overweight, not sleeping properly and being in a cold environment.
“One of the reasons for morning stiffness could be poor sleeping posture that might decrease blood flow to muscles, making the body stiff. Inactivity for a prolonged period, sleeping in cold environment, consuming a diet that is high in carbohydrates all make your body lethargic and stiff. When the muscles and joints are not being stretched regularly, the fluid necessary to keep the joints lubricated is not passed to them. Hence, joints become stiff when one wakes up,” says a leading doctor.
“Morning stiffness generally lasts for 30 minutes. However, if you are experiencing prolonged pain, it might be a serious cause of concern. If you are experiencing morning stiffness frequently, it is recommended you consult an orthopaedist at the earliest,” he added.
The best way to treat morning stiffness is to exercise and stretch as this helps loosen the joints and also helps build up the muscles. Taking a hot shower when you wake up also works. You could even try and sleep in positions that support your joints. Plus, you should try and lose weight if you are overweight as this can put a lot of pressure on your joints. So, keep these tips in mind and you may just get rid of morning stiffness completely.
