Why Do I Have a Stiff Back and What Can I Do About It?

The two most likely causes of your stiff back are either a muscle or ligament strain or arthritis.

Muscle or ligament strain

You can strain your spinal ligaments and back muscles with repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement. If you are not in good physical condition, constant strain on your back can result in muscle spasms that can be quite painful.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis affects our joints’ cartilage which acts as a shock absorber and lubricant where the bones touch and move against each other. It is also found in between the vertebrae — the bones that make up your spine.

As the cartilage in your spine dries out and shrinks, the vertebrae cannot move against each other as smoothly resulting in inflammation and tightness in your lower back.

Although not common, other forms of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can also negatively impact joints including your spine.

It might be a result of a period of inactivity or you might have a rare type of arthritis of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis that causes irritation and swelling between the spine’s discs and, eventually, vertebrae fusing together.

This condition occurs more frequently in men and could have a hereditary factor.

Some home treatments may help with a stiff back.

• Heat. Heat can increase blood flow to relax muscles and relieve joint ache. If you have arthritis or an injury more than six weeks old, heat can make it feel better.
• Ice. Ice can constrict blood vessels to numb pain and reduce inflammation.
• Activity. Since bedrest can make stiffness worse, keep moving with light activity, such as yoga. Avoid activities that involve twisting your back or heavy lifting.
• Pain medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen — may help with pain and stiffness.
• Relaxation techniques. Meditation, tai chi and controlled deep breathing help some people relax their back muscles to decrease stiffness and discomfort.
• Massage. Massage therapy is designed to relax muscle tissue to reduce painful spasms and contractions.

TheAmerican College of Physicians recommends non-drug therapy as an initial treatment for low back pain. Suggestions, to be administered by providers with appropriate training, include:

• acupuncture
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• low level laser therapy
• mindfulness-based stress reduction
• multidisciplinary rehabilitation

Exercise can help strengthen your muscles and prevent low back pain in the future.

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• Your back stiffness has lasted more than a couple of weeks.
• Your back stiffness makes it too difficult to carry out your usual activities.
• Your back stiffness is especially severe in the morning.
• You notice pain and stiffness in areas, specifically muscles or joints.
• You have been previously diagnosed with arthritis or another condition, and your symptoms are getting worse.

Get immediate emergency medical treatment if your back stiffness and pain is the result of an injury and you are unable to move.

If you are experiencing the following symptoms along with back stiffness and pain, you should also get medical treatment right away:

• eye pain or visual changes such as blurred vision
• weak legs or sensation changes in your legs or groin
• loss of control of your bowel and bladder function
• fever and unusual fatigue

The good news is that lower back pain and stiffness generally gets better over time regardless of treatment. With that in mind, there are a number of self-care steps you can take to address your stiff back and make yourself more comfortable.

If the stiffness persists or you have other symptoms, visit your doctor for a detailed diagnosis.