After a long day, all we want to do is go to bed and rest. But instead of getting the most wanted rest, you all deserve, you suddenly feel hip pain lying down. Bothered with the pain, it could be frustrating to the point that you can’t sleep. And when you do, getting up in the morning is another challenge because the pain only persists. It only goes away when you carry on with your day. But it comes back only when you are lying down or sometimes when sitting for long hours.
5 Common Causes Why You Get Hip Pain Lying Down
An underlying medical problem (or not) could be behind this kind of pain you are experiencing. But before you panic, let us help you shed light on this problematic situation.
1. Uncomfortable or inappropriate mattress and pillows or sleeping position.
Sleeping in an uncomfortable position can be the cause of hip pain. Moreso, if you sleep in a position that won’t allow you to move enough while sleeping, then your joints stiffen. And it will swell which will cause you to feel pain.
Another cause of pain while lying down is possibly the kind of mattress or pillows that you use. If your mattress or your pillows are either too soft or too hard, it could cause the problem. Not allowing your body to find a comfortable position can cause pain in the hips.
2. Pregnancy
Our hips are prone to pain because of their role to support our body and our movements. For anybody, especially pregnant women, lying down in particular positions can make hips hurt during the pregnancy. Lying on her back, her weight, and of the unborn baby all on one side. It puts all pressure on the spine and down to the hips, thus causing the pain. In addition, pregnant women are unable to move often while sleeping. And this causes the joints to swell and add to the pain.
To prevent this, she should place a pillow between her legs. Although a regular pillow will provide some support, a specially designed pillow for pregnant women is more ideal. This pillow is about the full-body size, in which a pregnant woman can arrange herself to relieve aches and pains. Sleeping to the left will also help as it will improve blood flow to the pregnant woman’s vital organs. This also goes well for the baby in the womb.
3. Bursitis can be one reason why you get hip pain when lying down.
People with bursitis do not feel any pain in the hips while standing. Strangely, they only feel hip pain while lying down. Around the hip bone are small sacs that are filled with a certain fluid. It helps the joints to not rub against each other when they move. Bursitis actually means that these sacs are inflamed and this occurrence results in hip pain.
4. Osteoarthritis is another cause of hip pain lying down.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis that attacks the hips. It causes the pain you feel even though you are paying proper attention to your sleeping position. Sleeping on either side can be also painful. Neither, using the right mattress and pillows also doesn’t help people with osteoarthritis.
If you notice any of the following symptoms persist, it would be best to consult a doctor.
- Hip pain in the morning upon getting up from the bed.
- Increase in pain when the weather changes
- Pain when getting up or walking
5. GTPS (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
The greater trochanteric pain syndrome or GTPS means that the tendons attached to the muscles to the hip are squeezed. Thus, resulting in hip pain when sleeping on either side.
To get a clearer picture of what tendons are, let us make a comparison like this :
- Tendons are very similar to ligaments. Both are made of collagen. The difference is that the ligaments connect the bones to each other. Tendons connect bone to muscle.
- If the tendons become inflamed, when they are used excessively (such as during sports) then this syndrome appears.
Beware of symptoms such as a feeling of squeaking or rubbing in the hip while moving, swelling, and redness. If you suspect you have this syndrome, it is best to consult your doctor. As a temporary relief, you may rest and apply cold compresses to the hip where you feel pain.
Conclusion:
Good rest and complete sleep are some of the key aspects that are important for human functioning. If something that is essential to you, is disrupted by factors such as pain, better have it checked. Getting proper sleep and rest is essential to having good health. If we don’t get enough of sleep, it may lead to various health problems.
Some hip pain can be relieved by simply changing your mattress or pillows. Be aware of the best sleeping position that is comfortable and allows you to move freely. It is important as well to get better sleep and avoid hip pain.
For pregnant women, sleeping on your back is not advisable because it only strains your spine. All your weight will cause you swelling and pain. Sleeping on your left is most advisable as it improves your blood flow. Thus, allowing your blood flow better your vital organs and the baby. Use a specially-made pillow about the full-body length. You may arrange your body comfortably with this kind of pillow where you can arrange your body comfortably.
Bursitis, osteoarthritis, and GTPS (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome) can also be the causes of hip pain lying down. If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, better to see a doctor immediately.
Our health should always be our top priority. If we experience discomfort we better seek the help of a doctor. When our daily activities are disrupted by such discomfort, it’s not good and may cause further harm to us.
While going to see a doctor is always a go-to solution, some problems can be resolved with practical remedies, like when what happens when we fall or trip. Please visit our previous post on this topic from this post here.
