The Firm Mattress Myth
Pain is often a result of incorrect alignment, leading to improper weight distribution and pressure on specific body areas. A firm mattress does not contour to the shape of your body and therefore does not provide adequate support for the natural curves of your spine.
This can lead to misalignment and, ultimately, pain in the shoulders, neck, and upper back. In addition, firm mattresses do not have good pressure relief, meaning they do not reduce the amount of pressure placed on specific body areas. This can lead to stiffness and discomfort, particularly in the hips and lower back. Soft mattresses, on the other hand, contour to the shape of your body and provide support for the natural curves of your spine.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Get In Bed
If youre experiencing pain when youre getting into bed, dont ignore it.
Back pain is a symptom of an underlying problem. And when you feel those dull aches and sharp pains, its your bodys way of telling you, Something needs to change!
For many, back pain is just something they live with daily. They think that theyre stuck with it.
But in fact, back pain across the US has actually gotten worse over the years, according to The Lancet.
Graph of back pain across the United States
According to the study, the disability-adjusted life-years from back pain have risen substantially across all age groups.
This may be due to longer work hours, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, and more office work.
Simply put, if youre experiencing back pain in bed, its because theres an underlying problem that you need to deal with.
It could be poor posture, stress, or even a medical condition.
Sciatica: How To Find Relief
Sitting or lying down for long periods of time can cause sciatic pain in the back. sciatica can be caused by a variety of factors, including an inadequate mattress, poor sleeping position, or too much weight on the body. If you have sciatica, try sleeping on your side or back, avoiding sleeping on your stomach, and resting between your knees with a pillow between your legs to alleviate pressure on your lower back. The majority of people recover on their own as long as their pain is caused by a herniated or slipped disk.
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The Mattress Was Surprisingly Cheap
Whilst not every cheap mattress is going to be poor quality, those that are made from inferior quality materials are going to be more prone to sagging and softening prematurely, which can lead to discomfort and back pain.
Use A More Supportive Frame
Sometimes, a mattress can feel too soft because its resting on a bed frame or surface thats not supportive.
In many cases, putting an otherwise healthy mattress on a compatible frame can help to stop the support core from sagging.
In general, slatted frames with slats that are no more than 3 inches apart and solid platform frames are the most supportive although good quality adjustable frames are also an option.
The least supportive frames are typically those with a mesh base that lack proper structural support.
Most high quality mattresses these days dont need to be placed on a box spring and some mattresses can also be placed directly on the floor.
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Lower Back Pain Could It Be Your Mattress
Did you know that back pain is one of the most common types of pain felt by people in the US? We are constantly putting stresses and strains on our backs that culminate in back pain especially lower back pain. Its possible that your daily activities can cause your lower back pain, but if you are sleeping on a rough mattress or are sleeping in a certain position, this certainly wont help ease your lower back pain.
A mattress that is too firm or too soft can put pressure on your back, side, joints, and more, exacerbating your pain across the eight or so hours you sleep. You may wake up feeling stiff or unrested. One way you can tell if your mattress is to blame is if you wake up and immediately experience back pain. If you find yourself struggling to get a decent nights sleep, tossing and turning, and waking up frequently, your mattress may be to blame for that as well. It is said that your mattress should be replaced every eight years. How old is your mattress?
While your personal preference affects what kind of mattress you may purchase, make sure to avoid purchasing a too-firm or too-soft bed. While it makes sense that a too firm mattress will place pressure on your body, a too soft mattress can make you sink down into the bed and affect your sleeping posture.
Picking The Right Mattress For Your Back
Naturally, everyone has their own unique preferences, which can make it difficult to find the perfect mattress. When searching for a mattress, look for one thats not too firm or too soft.
If the mattress is too firm, it will push on your pressure points and cause misalignment. If the bed is too soft, it will allow your body to sink into the bed, causing bad posture while you sleep, which can also result in neck or back pain.
While mattresses can be a financial burden, you should always consider investing in a good one, especially when taking into account that youll be spending seven to nine hours on your mattress every night. This makes it an important piece of furniture.
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How To Sleep With Lower Back Pain
Aside from your mattress, other sleeping accessories can play a significant role in making your sleep surface conducive to quality, pain-free sleep. For instance, you can upgrade your bed base and pillows as a lower-cost way to improve your mattress, or you can buy these along with a new bed for a complete overhaul.
Is Memory Foam Mattress Topper Causing Back Pain
Almost all memory foam toppers are soft and comfortable. The common topper thickness is 2- 4. If you place a thin memory foam topper on your too firm mattress, it may feel uncomfortable and cause lower back pain and other joint pain while sleeping on different sleeping positions. Furthermore, if you place the topper and bed on an old bed frame that sinks, it may cause you back pain. I recommend you use at least 3 thick memory foam topper for ultimate comfort as well as great back support.
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Best Mattress For Back Pain
When it comes to the best mattress for back pain, theres no one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, the best mattress for back pain is one that provides you with the perfect mix of softness and support. It relieves pressure points and keeps your spine neutrally aligned.
But heres a reason to justify mattress shopping: Research shows that upgrading to a new mattress is likely to improve your sleep quality no matter what. The same study also showed that people sleeping on the cheapest mattresses saw less pain reduction than those who slept on mid- to higher-priced ones. Quality counts!
When in doubt, upgrading to a high-quality medium-firm mattress could be the best option for easing back pain so youll wake energized and restored.
The Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress with Zoned Support Max provides continuous ergonomic zones with gel pods designed to help give you perfect spinal alignment.
Try A Mattress Topper
Buying a mattress topper is one of the best ways of changing the feel of your old mattress without breaking the bank. Instead of replacing your entire mattress, toppers allow you to put a fresh layer on top of your existing bed. A major benefit of mattress toppers is that sleepers can take advantage of a comfort system that fits their unique needs and preferences. This includes changing the contouring or firmness to cushion your pressure points. For sleepers with lower back pain, the difference can be a meaningful step toward improved sleep. Note that: mattress toppers can’t make a deteriorating bed feel “like new.” If your current mattress is already sagging, your topper will also end up sagging. That said, a mattress topper is the best bet if you need to adjust the support or feel of your mattress, not when your bed has started to give out.
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Your Back Pain Fades After Waking
If stretching and a good hot shower alleviates your morning aches, they might be related to your mattress. But if your back pain is an all-day kind of thing, there may be other causes.
Even if you suspect your mattress is to blame for your sore back, its important to chat with your healthcare provider if your back pain persists throughout the day and is more than just a morning nuisance.
What Is The Best Mattress For Chronic Back Pain
As mentioned, the best mattress for chronic back pain varies. Some people with back pain prefer a firmer mattress, whereas others find that causes more discomfort. At the end of the day, Polos says the important thing to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all. It may take a bit of testing and learning to find a mattress that works for you, but that’s why most brands offer trials.
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The Age Of The Mattress
You shouldnt be sleeping on a mattress thats more than seven years old, explained Dr Smycz. It simply wont provide back support when the mattress is older than that.
A 2009 study found that newer bedding systems increased sleep quality and reduced back discomfort, whereas older and cheaper mattresses caused back discomfort and poor sleep quality.
Your Mattress Is Saggy
Unlike a sinking mattress that enfolds your whole body, a saggy mattress droops where you need support the most usually right under your lower back. Mattress sag can cause spine misalignment, which can contribute to back pain.
Select Casper mattresses include Zoned Support which is designed to ergonomically align your spine, giving extra support where you need it most.
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Look Into A Custom Mattress For Even Better Back Pain Relief
Last but not least, you may want to consider buying a custom-made mattress to help eliminate your back pain in bed.
A custom mattress is precisely what it sounds likea mattress made to fit your exact specifications and unique needs.
Custom mattresses can be made to fit almost any size . But they can also carry with them a wide range of other benefits like eliminating back pain, keeping you cool at night, and even eliminating certain sleep problems.
Effects Of Sleeping On A Soft Bed
The Hammock-effect.When the bed is too soft and sags too much, the body will follow the curves of the sagged mattress. In this case, we speak of the hammock-effect, illustrating the abnormal curve in the spine. Different researchers point out that in order to support the body, there should be no sign of the hammock-effect visible. As illustration A shows, the spine is not aligned correctly and will not relieve back pain.
Limited freedom of movement and moisture drainage. A mattress that is too soft, would contour the body too extensively. In this case, the sleeper would need to use muscles to stabilize the body in an adequate sleeping position. As continuously making use of our muscles during our sleep is next to impossible, the body will bend back into the sagged pit, causing limited freedom of movement and strain for certain muscle groups – this explains why you wake up feeling so tired and stiff in the mornings!
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How To Buy A Mattress That Wont Cause Back Pain
The most effective way to avoid back pain caused by a mattress thats too soft is to select the correct level of firmness choose a hybrid design with zoned support ensure the material type is suited to your needs and pair the mattress with a compatible adjustable base.
Instructions on how to do this are listed below:
Use A Pillow To Keep Your Spine In Alignment
Waking up with lower back pain often means your spine was rotated throughout the night. If you sleep on your side, try placing a pillow between your knees. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow behind the backs of your knees. And if you sleep on your stomach, try placing a pillow under your hips and lower abdomen and another thin pillow under your head.
The right pillow can go a long way in helping your back pain. But it can also help you reduce neck pain too, as long as you choose the right pillow.
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How To Pick A Good Mattress For Your Back
Every one has different sleep preferences, which can make it hard to find the perfect mattress. Look for one that is not too firm or too soft. If the mattress is too firm, it will push on your pressure points and cause misalignment. Similarly, if the bed is too soft, it will allow your body to sink into the bed causing bad posture while you sleep, which can then lead to pain. The right mattress should make you feel like you are floating on air.
Financial times might be tough at the moment, but one should consider in investing in a good mattress. Think about it, you should be spending 7-9 hours on your mattress each night, which makes it an important piece of furniture. You want to invest in something that will give you better sleep and less pain, instead of going frugal and buying a mattress that is not right for your body.
Choose A Hybrid Design
A hybrid mattress consists of a spring core and either memory foam, latex foam, polyfoam, or traditional materials in the upper comfort layer.
A high quality hybrid mattress with a pocket coil core and quality foam comfort layer in the right firmness for your body type is the best way to ensure that youre able to sleep in good posture without experiencing painful pressure points.
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What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Lower Back Pain
If youre dealing with lower back pain, the right mattress can make a big difference.
A mattress that doesnt hold up our body will cause pain in the lower back, explains Dr. Lynelle McSweeney, a chiropractor in Reno, Nevada. We need support to keep our joints from going into a stress point, which puts pressure on nerves and strains the muscles.
When To Contact A Doctor
When back pain routinely disturbs your sleep, its important to work with a healthcare professional who can help you determine the source of your pain and rule out any underlying health conditions.
Even if you suspect your back pain relates to a previous injury, youll still most likely want to check in with your doctor. They can order tests to make sure the injury is healing as it should.
It may be time to reach out if you:
- frequently wake up in pain during the night
- experience daytime fatigue, sleepiness, or discomfort
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What’s The Best Pillow For Back And Neck Pain
Weve discussed the best mattress for a bad back, but thats only part of the equation. While choosing the right mattress is hugely important in addressing back pain, its crucial to pair your pick with the right pillow, especially if you suffer from neck pain.
If you frequently wake up with a sore of stiff neck, its likely that your current pillow doesnt offer appropriate support, or worse, nudges your neck out of alignment with your spine.
Proper alignment of the spine is imperative to maintaining optimal neck health and function, so our suggestion is to choose a memory foam pillow, which will mould to fit the shape of your head and neck, relieving neck pain.
Best Mattress For Back Pain Video
Watch our video below to learn more about our labs top mattress picks for sleepers with back pain.
Below are the mattresses that weve awarded the highest ratings for sleepers with back pain, and each one has received an accolade showcasing its strongest points. Scroll down for detailed information about each mattress, including how and where to buy them. Weve also included a buyers guide further below that covers why people experience back pain in bed, which types of mattresses are best for back pain, and how to pick out the right mattress based on its materials and construction. If youre looking for more bedding solutions to help with your back pain, check out our list of Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain.
Black Friday is a great time to buy a mattress, with many companies offering some of their biggest discounts of the year. Head to our complete list of Black Friday discounts to learn about the most up-to-date deals. You can also check out our list of Cyber Monday mattress and bedding sales to learn about deals happening after Black Friday ends.
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