Can Your Mattress Make Back Pain Worse
Your mattress can certainly worsen or even cause your back pain. If youre getting the proper amount of sleep each night, youre spending around 7-9 hours sleeping on your mattress each night. If your mattress is sagging, too firm, too soft, or not supportive enough then youre spending a lot of time putting pressure on your joints and spine.
If you consistently wake up with pain in the morning, thats a good sign that your mattress is either causing or worsening your back pain and it may be time to start looking for a new mattress that offers better support.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Memory Foam
Gromer says that memory foam products may retain body heat, which could make them less comfortable in warm weather. However, Arand has not heard this complaint from her patients. “In our culture, most people can adjust their thermostats or blankets for the appropriate season,” Arand says.
When new, memory foam can produce an odd chemical smell — a phenomenon called offgassing. To minimize this problem, the Sleep Products Safety Council, a sleep products trade group, recommends airing out the mattress or pad for at least 24 hours before putting sheets on it. “If you follow directions, the smell dissipates quickly,” Arand says, “But I’ve never heard of anyone having reactions to it.”
Try It Out With Our Reassuring 60 Night Comfort Exchange
There’s only one true test for a new mattress: to sleep on it. It can take a little time to settle-in with a new mattress so when you buy a mattress directly from our website, we offer a comfort exchange that gives you 60 nights to get really comfortable before making a decision.
If you’re still not loving your new mattress within 60 nights from delivery, you can exchange it for another mattress. You can find out more about the 60 night comfort exchange here.
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Are There Any Disadvantages To Having A Memory Foam Mattress
Again, the disadvantages are typically dependent on the individual and their experience. For some, it can cause the hips to sink too low into the mattress. For others, it can more uncomfortable in areas where their body is heavier.When discussing disadvantages of a memory foam mattress, some new owners experience something called offgassing–the term often used when the chemicals of the material release into the area. This is a weird smell that comes from the memory foam mattress when it is new. However, it is something that can be remedied by waiting some time before putting sheets on the mattress and letting it air out.Another potential problem individuals may experience is the retention of body heat by the memory foam mattress. This is typically problematic in warmer weather as it could make it uncomfortable for the user to sleep. Once again, this is not an experience everyone has and is often dependent on the user.
Best Mattress For People With More Weight And Lower Back Pain
Helix Plus
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 12 inches
Designed with an additional support layer and the highest density foam, this mattress is made for comfort and support. A unique combination of memory foams, plus oversized wrapped coils with a reinforced perimeter, offer superior pressure relief and cradling for people with more weight.
This mattress leans toward the firm side of support, with an ultra-breathable cover for cooler sleep. Its made in the United States with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified materials.
Helix has a 100-night sleep trial with free U.S. shipping and a 15-year warranty.
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Other Mattress Performance Considerations
Your specific sleeping needs can also guide you to other important features.
If you sleep with a partner, look for mattresses with good motion isolation. Foam and hybrids with pocketed coils tend to reduce motion transfer best.
Edge support is also important for couples, since you dont want a rude awakening when you find yourself pushed toward the edge of the bed.
Learn About Different Mattress Materials
Every bed is unique. After all, mattresses are crafted with a mixture of materials to suit different needs. The different materials artificial or organic used in a mattress ultimately influence the users overall comfort, which is why familiarising yourself with the various components in a specific model can help you make a smarter and long-lasting purchase.
Thus, before you upgrade to a new bed, it is necessary to do your due diligence in researching the mattress materials that is ideal for you. If you are overwhelmed by the options available, why not look at what is popular and work your way from there? For instance, did you know that the most sought-after beds in Singapore are memory foam and latex mattresses? This is because they both have a host of attractive features and are known to guarantee a good nights rest!
If you are battling chronic lower back pain, the latter option is superb in ensuring your body is well-supported while you slumber, allowing you to achieve uninterrupted sleep throughout the night. Thanks to its firm structural support, it conforms to your body while relieving pain pressure points, reducing the strain on your spine and muscles.
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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.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Mattress Topper For Back Pain
There is a wide variety of different mattress toppers on the market that claim to do a number of different things. Rather than getting caught up in jargon and marketing claims, we encourage shoppers to look at the specific factors that contribute to whether or not a mattress topper will feel comfortable for them. Below, well share some of the most important things to take into consideration as you select a mattress topper.
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A Mattress With Special Layers Of Memory Foam For Softness And Support
Helix Sleep
Use code FORBES100 to receive $100 off + 2 free Dream Pillows when you spend $600 or more.
Use code FORBES150 to receive $150 off + 2 free Dream Pillows when you spend $1,250 or more.
Use code FORBES200 to receive $200 off + 2 free Dream Pillows when you spend $1,750 or more.
- Materials: Memory foam, Helix dynamic foam, wrapped coils
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Trial period: 100 nights
Helix offers mattresses that are tailor-built to your needsyou answer a short questionnaire, and the company will recommend the perfect mattress for you. The Helix Twilight is a top choice for back pain. It offers a firm feel with no sink or give, but its not so hard that you feel like youre sleeping on a rock. The mattress has a special Memory Foam Plus Foam layer to help cushion your pressure points, especially when youre sleeping on your side, along with a polyfoam transition layer for added support.
Many reviewers rave that their pain is gone after upgrading to this mattress, calling it the perfect combination of soft and firm.
Best From A Box: Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress
Casper invented the mattress-in-a-box game, then turned it on its head over and over again with further innovation.
Take its Wave Hybrid Mattress, for example. Created with strategically placed gel pods that focus on lower back pain, it promises better alignment and a more peaceful night’s sleep.
Buy it:Casper.com Price:$1,355.75$2,630.75
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What Makes The Nectar Mattress Stand Out
- It comes at a super affordable price point.
- Its an all-foam mattress that you can sink into. Youll get contouring comfort that allows your spine to stay aligned.
- The mattress is topped with a cooling cover and includes gel-infused memory foam to help you sleep cool.
Read the full Nectar mattress review
How The Right Mattress Can Cure Your Back Pain
Now that weve discussed how to tell if your mattress is causing back pain, weve found some advice on how to choose a bed that will relieve AND prevent back pain. Researchers in Spain recently studied people with long-term back pain and found that people who slept on a medium-to-firm mattress had less pain than those who prefer a soft or firm mattress. In an interview with NBC News, Gerard Varlotta, director of sports rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, explained why the findings make sense.
There needs to be an equal distribution of pressure, he said. Too firm of a mattress is not good. It doesnt provide enough contour to our bodies. Too soft is going to bend and cause problems as well.
But of all the medium-to-firm beds out there, its hard to tell which brands and models are best. One thing to look for is a material thats been proven to help back-pain sufferers sleep.
Sleep expert Michael Breus, PhD, says latex is a great choice. In WebMDs article How to Pick Your Perfect Mattress, he says, Quite frankly, I think one of the best materials is latex. Breus goes on to say that latex is firm and supportive, yet provides comfort similar to memory foam. But latex pushes back whereas memory foam doesnt, ultimately providing more support.
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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 that’s 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.
What To Know Before You Buy A New Mattress
Buying a new mattress is an investment, and Caldwell says there are a few things she recommends before taking the plunge:
- Rotate or flip your current mattress.
- Try sleeping in another bed in the house to see if pain is improved.
- Avoid lying on your stomach if you have neck pain.
- If you have neck pain, try swapping your pillow: Use just one pillow under your neck and head that supports your natural neck curves.
- For people who side sleep with back pain, avoid curling up into a fetal position and place a pillow between the knees.
You can also try relieving the pain by:
- Fitting in regular, gently exercise during the day, such as walking and yoga
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A Mattress That Has Three Separate Zones For Ultimate Comfort
Casper
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Trial period: 100 nights
The Casper mattress has three zones of targeted support to help align your spineand hopefully ease your back pain in the process. Softer foam around your shoulders cushions your upper body, while firmer foam under your hips, waist and lower back keep your spine in the right position. And the durable foam base underneath allows for added firmness and support, so the mattress doesnt sink or sag under your weight.
Reviewers say they finally understand why people look forward to getting into bed at night, thanks to the Casper mattress, with many reporting reductions in both back and hip pain.
Best Memory Foam Mattress For Back Pain
If a dull constant ache or a sudden shooting back pain keeps you from a good nights sleep, youre not alone. Theover 80 percent of Americans experience back pain at some
If a dull constant ache or a sudden shooting back pain keeps you from a good nights sleep, youre not alone. TheNational Institute of Health reportsVerified SourceNational Library of Medicine Worlds largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.View sourceover 80 percent of Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives. It often leads to lost workdays as well. Since you spend one-third of your life in bed, your mattress can go a long way in preventing or alleviating back problems.
Usually, a strained spine causes back pain. To prevent aches and pains, its best to maintain a healthy posture, even while sleeping. Memory foam mattresseswith their signature body-conforming and pressure-relieving featurescan maintain proper spinal alignment. But choosing the right firmness level suitable for your body type is crucial.
In this article, we discuss the best memory foam mattresses for back pain and help you decide which firmness level is right for your sleep position.
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Why Does It Matter
When the body experiences trauma, like a car accident, a fall from a ladder, or slipping on the ice, the body has to find a way to accommodate the damage, heal it, and keep us walking upright. These changes can create misalignments that sometimes last for years and cause pain.
If youre wondering what this has to do with sleep, the answer is two-fold. One, sleeping wrong can be enough trauma to cause these issues, and two, sleeping right is a big part of healing these issues. So while those with chronic back pain might think they have a rocky relationship with sleep, the real issue might be the habits or the mattress.
How Can A Memory Foam Mattress Help With Back Pain
Originally developed by NASA scientists as a multipurpose material for astronauts, memory foam is a visco-elastic material which changes shape under heat and pressure. This allows it to mould to the contours of your body, then return to its original shape when not in use. A memory foam mattress doesn’t use coiled springs: all the support is provided by the visco-elastic foam. This gives them an especially soft texture and allows them to cradle the body very effectively, reducing pressure on the hips and joints while keeping the spine in alignment. As a result, many people find that a memory foam style is the best mattress for a bad back.
Our memory foam mattresses are also available in a huge choice of sizes, thicknesses and comfort levels, making it easy to find something that suits your needs. To learn more about the science behind our memory foam mattresses, including how their antibacterial properties can benefit sleepers with allergies, check out our guide to memory foam.
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What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For Back Pain
When it comes to back pain, mattress type is less important than mattress firmness. Likewise, the number of foam layers or support coils wont matter as much as how the mattress feels. And if you have back pain, studies show that a mattress that feels medium-firm is the best type of mattress for you. According to one expert we spoke with, thats because a bed labeled medium-firm is likely to support your spines natural curves whether youre a side-sleeper, a back-sleeper, or a stomach-sleeper. Whether youre trying a mattress in a store or testing one you purchased online, ask yourself these questions to get a better idea of how comfortable it really is.
What Are The Advantages Of Using A Memory Foam Mattress
While heat retention is a negative to some, it may be a positive to others. Heat retention can actually help to soften the memory foam and makes it easy to mold to your body. When you get up and remove the body heat, the memory foams elasticity comes into play and puts the foam to its original position. Because the mattress molds to your body, it helps support your body in a way that works for you.Memory foam mattresses also offer the benefit of pain relief for many users. Certain pressure spots are damaged with the use of regular mattresses. This is worse for individuals who have arthritis, muscle and joint pains, and chronic back pain. Memory foam is typically more forgiving in these problem areas, providing necessary cushioning for a better night’s sleep.One of the often overlooked advantages of memory foam mattresses? It’s better than regular mattresses for individuals with allergies. Most memory foam mattresses not only act as a allergen barrier, but they are often made using hypoallergenic materials. This means less problems for your allergies and better sleep.
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What Makes The Helix Midnight Luxe Stand Out
- It has a perfect balance of comfort and support that should be ideal for back sleepers with back pain.
- Many side sleepers should get good pressure relief on the Helix Midnight Luxe.
- The mattress boasts excellent cooling features.
If you are deal with back pain and prefer a mattress that is a bit more traditional, the WinkBed mattress could be right for you its the best innerspring mattress on our list! The WinkBed is an innerspring mattress that features two sets of coils and a comfortable pillow top on top.
You have multiple firmness options to choose from, but the Luxury Firm model should be the best for back pain. It boasts an excellent balance of comfort and support that will help to keep your spine in proper neutral alignment. Whats more, the WinkBed is zoned and will provide extra support under your lumbar area.
Lastly, the WinkBed is one of the more durable mattresses on this list. People who struggle with back pain dont want a mattress that will sag too quickly. This could make the back pain worse! However, the WinkBed should last for a number of years and help ease that back pain.
