How Can Sleep Help Chronic Pain
Now that weve gone over my picks, I want to take a second to talk about the purpose of this guide. While it may seem like the focus is on finding a mattress thatll make falling asleep with pain easier, its actually about finding the bed thats going to help you use sleep to actively deal with said pain.
Sleep is very important for restoring balance to the nervous system and improving coping strategies for pain, Dr. Poorbaugh told me during our chat . Normally, our central nervous system is downplaying or ignoring stimuli from multiple sources simply because the information is not important. A person with chronic pain, however, loses this important dampening ability, so many activities that were once well-tolerated now become pain-provoking.
Dr. Poorbaugh went on to cite a recent study, which showed that poor sleep patterns were directly related to higher rates of pain, poor mood, increased pain catastrophizing, and overall reduced physical function.
So what can be done? In order to get the kind of sleep you need to help deal with your chronic pain, consider the following when choosing the right mattress to deal with pain.
Q: What Mattress Firmness Level Is Best For Lower Back Pain
A: Extra-firm mattresses used to be the go-to for sleepers looking to alleviate lower back pain, but thats no longer the case. Your best bet is to try a medium-firm to firm mattress that allows your spine to rest in its natural S curve and provides cushioning for sensitive joints like the hips and shoulders.
How To Fix A Memory Foam Mattress Causing Back Pain
The main ways you can fix a problematic memory foam mattress are these:
- rotate and flip your mattress
- a too soft or too firm mattress can be fixed with a mattress topper there are soft and firm toppers and youre likely to find one just right for you
- get a new box spring/bed frame/foundation if the one you have doesnt match your mattress
- put plywood under the mattress to improve support
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#reason : Your Mattress Is Too Soft Or Too Firm
If you are using a mattress, you know the common factor firmness. It determines how soft or hard the mattress is. Mainly, two common types of firmness are available on the market such as soft and firm. Some people like soft mattresses and some prefer firm mattresses. Sometimes, the firmness may be one of the major reasons for causing your lower back pain.
If you are using a too firm mattress, it does not sink enough and you feel discomfort and pain on the hips, back, spine, neck, and shoulder. On the other hand, if your mattress is too soft, it cant hold your spine perfectly and aligned it in a wrong position which may cause your lower back pain.
Solution 1: Pick The Right Firmness of Your Mattress
So, you have to choose the right firmness while buying a new mattress. Here are some helpful tips for you to choose the perfect firmness of your mattress.
#Soft Mattress
Soft mattresses are perfect for side sleepers because it removes the pressure on the hips and shoulders while sleeping on the side. This is why a side sleeper can get more comfort and perfect support to the back & spine in the side sleeping position. The lightweight sleepers and slim sleepers can use the soft mattress for better pressure relief, ultimate comfort, and great back support. Do not use soft mattresses if you are a heavy sleeper like over 200 lbs. It may sink more and aligns your spine incorrectly and cause lower back pain.
#Medium Firm Mattress
#Firm Mattress
Solution 2: Make Your Firm Mattress Soft
A Zoned Model Thats Firm In The Middle And Softer At The Edges
- Materials: Pocketed coils, wool comfort layers
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
Made with layers of pure New Zealand wool and 100% organic cotton, the Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress is another eco-friendly mattress that can help alleviate back pain. It has two layers of pocketed steel coils, and its designed to be firm in the middle for back support and softer at the head and feet for pressure point relief and spinal alignmentgreat for combination sleepers. In between the coils is a comfort layer made from real wool, and the whole thing is wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
Memorial Day sale: While supplies last, everything is 20% off at Parachute. Act fast to take advantage of serious savings on this mattress and other bedding must-haves.
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How Can A Mattress Help With Back Pain
In many cases the right mattress can help to alleviate back pain. A good mattress will distribute your weight evenly, supporting the spine and allowing your muscles to fully relax, which in turn will help to relieve back pain and help you get a great night’s sleep.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, the wrong mattress can aggravate the problem. One that’s too soft or too firm can cause the spine to move out of the correct alignment, meaning you wake up feeling sore. The discomfort can also make you toss and turn through the night, meaning you dont get the sleep you need. As many back problems require adequate rest to heal properly, this can delay your recovery, triggering a repetitive cycle of sleeplessness and pain.
The best mattress for a bad back is one which is firm enough to support the spine and allows for good sleeping posture, while also being soft and cushioned enough to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders. This can help to break the cycle, restoring your sleeping pattern and helping you to feel comfortable, both at night and during the day.
Can A Firm Mattress Hurt Your Back
A firm mattress may cause more harm and disrupt your sleep. For example, a lightweight sleeper needs a softer surface and shouldnt go any firmer than a medium. In contrast, a plus-size sleeper needs a firmer surface for better support.
A firm mattress is best for plus-size, and back and stomach sleepers. Side and combination sleepers may find a firm mattress is too hard. A firmer surface wont compress as much in the hip and shoulder area, creating pressure points.
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Nothing Nothing Helps You Sleep Better Than This Mattress
Review of prior model .
For people looking for a personalized sleep setup with luxurious features.
- Full suite of customizable features for a personalized sleep setup.
- Zero Gravity position helps relax your body for balanced comfort.
- Anti-Snore raises your head and chest to reduce pressure on your airway and keep you comfortably asleep.
- Wall-aligning technology keeps everything you need within reach.
- Personalized presets save your favorite positions.
For people looking for an elevated sleep setup with customizable features.
- Offers flexibility to cater your individual sleep needs.
- Zero Gravity position helps relax your body for balanced comfort.
- Anti-Snore raises your head and chest to reduce pressure on your airway and keep you comfortably asleep.
- Customizable presets save your favorite positions.
For people looking for sturdy support and simple setup.
- No-tool, easy assembly
- Foundation slats perfectly spaced to support for your Casper mattress for years
- No-tool, easy assembly
For those who have aches and pains and want maximum support with cooling features.
- Top perforated foam layer increases airflow + 2 layers to keep you cool all night.
- A thin coating of cooling gel.
- Continuous ergonomic zones for full-body relief.
- Softer foam around the shoulders provides more relief to the upper body.
- Gel pods under the waist and lower back for healthy spine alignment.
For those who want a plush top layer without sacrificing support and cooling.
What Are The Memory Foam Mattress Problems And Solutions
The memory foam mattress is highly comfortable than other types of mattresses in the market but it may cause few problems due to the wrong choice while buying it. Most people do wrong in the following points such as wrong firmness, lack of support, cool or hot foam. The medium to firm range memory foam mattresses are good for all sleeping styles. The high-density support foam mattresses are great for better back support. The gel foam mattresses are good for cool.
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It Offers Support For Your Lower Back
When youre asleep, there are many ongoing processes in your body that you know nothing about. The spinal column needs to decompress, and the back muscles need to rest to resolve daytime tension.
Ultimately, the muscles remain tense if your lower back is not supported while sleeping. Furthermore, positions that do not preserve natural spinal alignment often prevent decompression. These factors can contribute to back pain and aggravate daytime pain during the day.
A top-quality foam from an online mattress store can help you relieve back pain. A memory foam mattress usually contours to your body to ease pain and give you stress-free nights. By contouring to your body, this mattress offers maximum support for your lower back while effectively helping your spinal muscles decompress.
Other Sleep Accessories To Prevent Or Relieve Back Pain
There are some changes in lifestyle that help maintain your spines neutral alignment, thus preventing back pain. First, avoid lifting heavy things. We also suggest using ergonomic furniture for a healthy posture, regularly exercising, and getting quality sleep to boost spinal health and keep back pain at bay.
A rejuvenating sleep can have a long-term positive impact on your back pain. It can prevent some of the causes that trigger back pain. In cases of existing back pain, quality sleep can help. Your bed plays the most crucial role in facilitating good sleep.
Other sleep accessories such as pillows, adjustable beds, and mattress toppers complement your mattress to enhance sleep quality.
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What To Do If You Wake Up With Back Pain Because Of Your Tempur Mattress
I read some people are desperate because they spent a lot of money on their new bedding that gives them back pain and, now what ? They cant just throw it away or return the mattress.
If this is your case, consider purchasing a topper: not a Tempur topper, nor a memory foam topper either: you have back pain in the morning because you need more support during the night and yes, I know, buying a topper is spending more money, but you dont want to spend you nights in pain or wake up with back pain in morning, so if you cant return the mattress, a topper is an acceptable option.
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
The Casper Nova® Hybrid Mattress is our most plush mattress, combining foam and springs for added lift, airflow, and edge support. Its Zoned Support Pro technology includes seven ergonomic zones to help keep your spine aligned.
The AirScape 2 technology provides two layers of perforated foam to help keep you cool all night. It also has hundreds of resilient springs that add lift, airflow, and a bit of bounce. The mattress is soft and inviting while still giving you the support your body needs.
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Which Is Better For Back Pain: Memory Foam Or Sprung Mattresses
Unlike traditional sprung mattresses, memory foam shapes itself to fit the contours of the body, rather than just the major pressure points like the hips, knees and neck. This reduces the pressure on these areas, and helps to keep the spine in a natural alignment. So, they can be very comfortable and effective for those with chronic back problems.
On the other hand, traditional coiled mattresses do provide effective weight distribution, which can make them a good option for taller or heavier individuals. Pocket sprung mattresses are especially effective at this, because the individual springs can move independently, allowing them to better follow the contours of the body than traditional open coil styles. So, ultimately, the best mattress for a bad back really depends on your build and sleeping style.
If you like the sound of both benefits, then a mattress which utilises both pocket springs and a layer of memory foam, like our hybrid mattresses and , could be the best solution for you.
The Ghostbed Flex Mattress
The GhostBed Flex is a luxury hybrid mattress that features a thick layer of supportive coils. However, its the three layers of cooling, cushioning foam above the coils that provide the support you need. The GhostBed Flex offers that coveted memory foam hug, contouring to your body and relieving pressure as you sleep.
However, the GhostBed Flex doesnt let you sink too deeply. The first layer of foam forms to your body and offers a cooling sensation, eliminating the buildup of body heat. The second layer, the Ghost Bounce layer, uses a material that cradles like memory foam but bounces and responds like Latex. This means that you arent going to sink in quite the same way as you would in a traditional memory foam mattress.
This layer also adds additional support. Paired with the thicker layer of memory foam beneath, these layers work to align your spine, relieve pressure points, and keep you comfortable all night long. Those who suffer from back pain can benefit from these supportive layers. The coil layer underneath includes additional edge support, motion isolation, and provides air circulation to the center of the mattress.
An additional double layer of coils around the perimeter provides edge support, which is great if you happen to sleep near the edge of the bed. Most foam and hybrid mattresses sink at the edges, making sleep uncomfortable for those already in pain. However, this edge support prevents a sinking or falling feeling if you sit or rest near the edge.
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King Koil Xtended Life Grayson Firm
- Price: $$
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 14 inches
The Xtended Life Grayson Firm from King Koil is a hybrid mattress that features a high density foam layer and a graphite-infused latex layer for coolness, pressure relief, and durability. The steel coils are placed to support your body shape and alignment and reduce motion disturbance.
King Koil is endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association. The mattresses are sold in stores, so you can try before you buy, but the company doesnt offer a trial period or sell online. The mattress comes with a 25-year warranty.
- Type: foam
- height: 12 inches
The Nectar is a medium-firm mattress with almost no movement transfer. Four layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam are designed to support you at pressure points and keep you cool. The top cooling layer of cotton and Tencel fabric molds to your body, and the bottom layers give you firm support.
This mattress is made to work with all types of bed platforms and sleepers. As with all foam mattresses, it may off-gas for a few days after shipment. Reviews are mostly positive, though some reviewers complain that the mattress didnt expand properly after opening.
With a 365-day trial period, free shipping, free returns, and a lifetime guarantee, you can feel comfortable buying online.
- Type: foam
- Height: 12 inches
With a unique Celliant cover, the mattress sleeps cool. Celliant is designed to increase your blood flow, and its recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a medical device.
A Buoyant Mattress That Contours To Your Body And Sleeps Cool
- Materials: Organic cotton, wool and Talalay latex
- Firmness level: Luxury firm
- Trial period: 120 nights
The Nolah Natural 11-Inch Mattress is a layered hybrid mattress that utilizes Talalay latexone of the most premium mattress materials you can findto provide targeted pressure relief. Theres one 2-inch latex comfort layer that conforms to your joints and pressure points, and another inch of higher density latex that supports your body weight so you dont sink into the mattress, which is a common reason for back pain. The latex is reinforced by a zoned coil base that allows some give where you need it, but extra support where you dont. These layers are sandwiched between organic wool and cotton that offer breathability and natural temperature regulation, a bonus for hot sleepers .
Memorial Day sale: Nolah is having one of the biggest Memorial Day sales events around, with savings of up to $700 on mattresses, plus two free pillows worth $198.
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Best Memory Foam Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain: Nolah Original 10
Nolah Original 10 mattress is a great option for side and combination sleepers. This mattress is for side sleepers, reducing shoulder pain and soreness. The Nolah Original 10 offers optimal pressure relief in the shoulders and hips. Responsive foam layers also prevent sleepers from feeling stuck.
Pressure-relieving AirFoam is a poly-foam comfort layer injected with large amounts of air. More air pockets create more airflow inside the mattress. This process also produces a more responsive foam. AirFoam gives optimal cushioning in the shoulders and hips.
High-resilience foam is stronger and more durable than latex. This responsive transition foam gives a nice bounce, making it easier to climb in and out of bed. Plus, sleepers wont feel trapped.
The high-density base is a durable support foam. The support layer also reinforces the contouring properties of the top layers.
SEE ALSO: Mattress Sizes and Dimensions
Can Sleep Help With Back Pain
Sleep has rejuvenating capabilities. It can heal your body and mind. Quality sleep for 7 to 9 hours at a stretch can prevent or reduce your back pain. Heres how sleep can help:
- Growth hormone released during deep sleep stages repairs muscles and relieves pain
- Sleep disruptions make your nervous system over sensitive to pain, reducing pain threshold
- Insufficient sleep causes depression, and depression can trigger or increase back pain
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