If your back starts hurting when you lay down at night—or wakes you up once you’re already in bed—it can be confusing and frustrating. Many patients assume rest should make back pain better, not worse. Yet this is a very common reason people reach out to a chiropractor in Olathe, especially when symptoms don’t show up as much during the day. Nighttime discomfort often overlaps with patterns seen in Low Back Pain, Upper Back Pain, and even Neck Pain, depending on how the spine responds to lying still.
Back pain when laying down typically occurs when spinal joints, discs, muscles, or nerves don’t fully tolerate prolonged, unloaded positions. Reduced movement can allow stiffness or pressure sensitivity to become more noticeable.
During the day, your spine is constantly changing position—walking, sitting, standing, bending. At night, movement drops off. When you lay down, spinal joints settle, discs shift pressure, muscles relax unevenly, and the nervous system becomes more sensitive to irritation. If certain segments of the spine aren’t moving well or have been under repeated strain, lying flat or staying in one position can make discomfort more noticeable rather than less. This can affect both the lower and upper portions of the back, and sometimes the neck as well.
Patients often describe a wide range of symptoms when their back hurts at night. These include aching across the lower back when lying flat, tightness between the shoulder blades, soreness that worsens after rolling onto one side, discomfort that improves after getting up and moving, stiffness when first getting out of bed, pressure sensitivity in the mid-back against the mattress, pain that changes with pillow or sleep position, or symptoms that radiate slightly without following a clear pattern. Some people also notice headaches or neck tension developing overnight, patterns commonly discussed on our Migraines and Headaches page.
In the office, I see consistent clinical patterns with nighttime back pain. Some patients tolerate activity during the day but struggle with prolonged stillness at night. Others feel fine falling asleep but wake up stiff or sore in the early morning hours. Side sleepers may report upper or mid-back discomfort, while back sleepers often notice lower back pressure. These observations help guide care, but they are not diagnoses—they are movement and tolerance patterns that inform how the spine is responding to rest.
Chiropractic care focuses on improving how the spine moves and adapts to different positions, including sleep. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal joint motion so the spine doesn’t “lock up” during rest. Spinal or vertebral decompression can reduce stress on spinal structures that become irritated during prolonged lying positions. Hydromassage helps calm muscle tension that builds up overnight, while cupping therapy can improve soft tissue mobility in areas that feel stiff or compressed. Targeted exercise and stretch routines support better movement control so nighttime positions are better tolerated.
At Woodroof Chiropractic & Acupuncture, our treatment approach is individualized. We consider how your symptoms behave during the day versus at night, how different sleeping positions affect you, and which supportive therapies make sense for your situation. Care is guided by response and movement, not assumptions. Most patients begin noticing improvement within the first few visits.
FAQ
Why does my back hurt more at night than during the day?
Reduced movement can make stiffness or pressure sensitivity more noticeable when you’re laying still.
Is back pain when laying down a mattress problem?
Sometimes, but often the issue is how the spine tolerates prolonged positions rather than the mattress alone.
Can upper and lower back pain both show up at night?
Yes. Different spinal regions can respond differently to sleep positions and reduced motion.
Why do I feel better after getting up and moving?
Movement helps redistribute load and restore joint motion that may feel restricted overnight.
Can neck or headache symptoms be related to nighttime back pain?
Yes. Sleep posture can influence the neck and upper spine, contributing to morning headaches or stiffness.
If your back hurts when you lay down—whether it’s your lower back, upper back, or both—we can help. Call our Olathe chiropractic office at 913-735-6351, or click “Schedule Your Visit” to get started.
Dr. Ike Woodroof
Contact Me
