As warm summer weather moves into Wisconsin, a unique condition arises in some people. It is usually marked by a sharp tight upper back pain that can impair range of motion of the neck and shoulders. What makes this condition interesting is that patients often report that the pain started while sleeping. Most people associate back pain and muscle aches with strenuous work or trauma. The concept that you can get this type of pain from sleeping really seems strange.
There is an explanation in Traditional Chinese medicine. The condition is a muscle stagnation. Many times this is caused by a poor sleeping position. A typical scenario is a spouse is tossing and turning in bed. This results in the partner unconsciously shifting into a precarious position at the edge of the bed. The odd sleeping position results in the person tightening muscles all night to keep from falling out of bed, or to hold the body in an unusual position. The muscles of the upper back then lock and spasm. Sometimes the muscles fail to relax in the morning resulting in the pain.
Another reason for this type of muscle spasm is something that happens this time of year. As the weather warms up, people leave their windows open or turn on fans. As the temperature shifts during the night, the person may also unconsciously adjust their position. Blankets that were kicked off during the warm part of the night are no longer available and the muscles tighten as the person curls into positions to avoid cold drafts.
This type of pain will often go away without medical intervention. In some cases it lingers for days and weeks. The best answer is to make sure that you are protected from direct moving air while you sleep. Make sure fans and windows do not direct air at you while you sleep. This condition often responds well to heat and massage and sports rubs. If that is not enough talk to an acupuncturist who can use traditional fire cupping to quickly relieve the pain.
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