Do you wake up in the morning feeling like you are just unable to get out of bed? Do you have joint aches and muscle stiffness? If you can answer yes to these questions then you may be suffering from a very common symptom of fibromyalgia – morning stiffness. As many as 90% of fibromyalgia sufferers complain that they are victims of morning stiffness. This stiffness is often long lasting and recurrent, and sometimes becomes a permanent symptom of fibromyalgia. If you think that you may have morning stiffness, learn more about its symptoms and consult with your health care provider. He may be able to help you find the treatment, like drug-free supplements, that’s right for you.
What is Morning Stiffness?
Morning stiffness is pretty self-explanatory – it’s stiffness that you feel when you first wake up in the morning. But what does this stiffness actually feel like? Well, most sufferers describe morning stiffness as a tightness in the muscles and joints throughout the body. This muscle joint stiffness usually lasts for at least 30 minutes, though it can last for hours. It also doesn’t exclusively occur in the morning – it can continue well into the afternoon and evening. This stiffness can impede movement and range of motion as well as cause aches and pains throughout the body.
The majority of fibromyalgia sufferers seem to experience morning stiffness at some point during their illness. At least 70% of people with fibromyalgia deal with morning stiffness on a regular basis. 50% of these people experience chronic morning soreness and stiffness that lasts for hours, day after day. This morning stiffness can have a huge impact on a person’s daily activities, making it difficult to sit, stand, or rest for extended periods of time.
Where Does Morning Stiffness Occur?
Morning stiffness occurs in the muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body. Stiffness can be felt in pretty much any connective tissue, but the extremities are particularly at risk for stiffness. This means that most people with fibromyalgia will feel their morning stiffness in their hands, feet, arms, or legs. The back is also particularly prone to stiffness, especially the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine areas.