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Can Sleeping On A Bad Mattress Cause Lower Back Pain

Why Does My Back Hurt When I Get In Bed

Can A BAD Mattress Cause Lower Back Pain?

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.

Your Hips Sink Too Far Into The Mattress

If your hips sink too far into the mattress, this can put pressure on your lower back and cause pain.

This risk increases if you tend to lie on your front, are a heavier weighted sleeper over 230 lbs, and/or you are sleeping on a soft mattress.

Swap Or Flip The Layers

Latex mattresses often have individual, non-fused layers that can be swapped around.

Similarly, some mattresses specifically come with dual firmness settings so that you can pick and choose.

For example, the Mend Adapt has a flippable comfort layer that allows you to choose between firm and soft as you see fit.

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Try Changing Up Your Sleeping Position

Changing your sleeping position is one way to try to get back pain relief.

If you are a back or stomach sleeper with a soft mattress and you dont have the budget for a new bed, you can try switching to a side sleeping position that will receive more support from your existing mattress. In general, experts recommend that stomach sleepers try to adjust to side or back sleeping because its easier to get appropriate support in those positions.

For people with acute pain, temporary changes to your sleeping position may help to reduce stress on already sore or achy parts of your back. For example, people with lumbar pain might try a period of side sleeping to avoid the excess bending of that area that can happen on your stomach or back.

While changing sleeping positions is worth a shot, its often not a long-term solution because the change can be hard to stick with. Some people just cant get comfortable in a different position or they may quickly revert back to their old sleeping position during the night. In these cases, other approaches are more likely to be beneficial over the medium- to long-term.

Why You Should Get An Adjustment Before Going Mattress Shopping

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain ...

It is a very good idea to get a wellness adjustment from your local chiropractor before going mattress shopping. This can help alleviate pain and help you have improved posture and body support.

We hope after reading this, you can find relief from your back and neck pain if it was caused by your pillow or mattress.

If you have any chiropractic needs or concerns, help yourself by reaching out to us.

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Can My Mattress Sagging Cause Back Pain

Tags: mattress

Back pain can be a issue not only from a physical health point of view but it also affects your sleep which can then have an affect on your mental health.

The NHS and Mayo clinic have laid out causes, cures and preventions of the symptoms of back pain. Both agree that it is vitally important to visit a doctor in case the pain occurs for more than a few weeks without getting better or is servere in nature. However, if your back pain isnt a medical issue, can a mattress cause back pain?

The Dreamcloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

This mattress is individually wrapped coils which support your unique body shape and sleeping style.

Th DrmClud fturn tundngl tll rfl fr a mttr in a whng 15 nh. Th five-lr construction is brkn dwn nt fm and wrd l mnnt, which wrk in tndm tul th sleeper wth a frm nnrrng lft nd plenty of mf pressure rlf.

Other mattresses have just 2-4 layers. These five layers and how they work together is what makes DreamCloud so particular to look after your back.

Lets see briefly the different layers which DreamCloud contains and what they can do for you:

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How To Know You Are Sleeping On A Bad Mattress

Basically, the wrong mattress is due to various factors. Of course a comfortable mattress, it should offer proper cushioning and protect the body from strains. The appropriate way to get an indication that you are sleeping on a bad mattress is how you feel in the morning when waking up. If you experience any pain in the body, it means that there is something not adding up well in your bed. Either the mattress is too stiff or too soft and facilitating a lot of sinking and motions.

Ways Your Old Mattress Is Causing You Back Pain

How to Choose a Mattress & Pillow (For Neck, Shoulder, Hip, or Back Pain)

Sleeping on an old mattress could put you at risk of experiencing back pain according to scientific investigations and my own primary research , personal experience, and secondary research .

For example, a double-blind scientific study of 265 subjects revealed that theres a significant positive correlation between the quality of sleep and the quality of the mattress resulting in the conclusion that sleeping on an old mattress could worsen existing back pain conditions .

Furthermore, having slept on many old mattresses myself over the years, my experience correlates with the many reports that Ive read online and heard in person from other sleepers that sleeping on an old mattress can trigger back pain even when there was no pre-existing chronic back pain condition.

At the qualitative level, Ive concluded that the 3 primary ways that your old mattress could be causing you back pain are as follows:

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How Can I Tell If My Mattress Is Bad

There are some telltale signs that youve got a bad mattress. Some of them may surprise you. Here are our top five things to look for:

  • It takes you a long time to fall asleep: if youre not comfortable, its more difficult to fall asleep.
  • You wake up tired: your old mattress could be causing things like sleep apnea or other breathing issues that compromise the quality of your sleep.
  • Your sex drive is low: this is surefire sign that youre not getting enough Zzz’s
  • You wake up feeling congested or with a stuffy nose: Unless its allergy season and youve got hay fever, waking up congested or stuffy is a common symptom of a dust mite invasion.
  • Your skin looks lackluster or even starts breaking out: lack of quality sleep increase stress hormones, which result in acne, a loss of skin elasticity, and even wrinkles.
  • Can Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain

    Sleeping position can have a direct effect on back pain. Each sleeping position creates a unique set of pressure points and areas that need cushioning, and this is why our testers believe having the right mattress to suit your sleeping position is an important part of preventing and reducing back pain.

    Back sleepers tend to have their most serious pressure points around the lumbar area. Our pressure tests on various mattresses have shown that if a mattress is too soft, the weight of the abdomen will cause this region to sink out of alignment with the rest of the back and hips. If the mattress is too hard, it wont accommodate the natural curvature of the spine in the lumbar area. For this reason, a medium-firm to firm mattress usually works best for back sleepers.

    Side sleepers have high-impact areas where the body is the widest, notably at the shoulders and hips. A mattress needs to be contouring enough to cushion those pressure points but not so soft as to let them sink too deeply into the bed and out of line with the rest of the body. Most side sleepers on our test team get the best results from a medium to medium-firm mattress.

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    How To Sleep Better With Lower Back Pain

    Getting quality sleep is an important part of recovering from lower back pain, but sleeping well may seem like a tall task when your back hurts. While theres no guaranteed way to get better sleep, certain practical tips can help:

    • Find a supportive sleeping position. Ideally, you can sleep on your side, but regardless of the position, make sure your spine is well-aligned. If needed, use extra pillows for body support.
    • Be careful with alcohol and caffeine. Though alcohol may help you doze off, it can throw off the quality of your sleep. As a stimulant, caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
    • Try relaxation methods. Finding techniques to wind down can put you in the right state of mind for sleep with less focus on pain.
    • Reduce potential sleep disruptions. If you inadvertently wake up at night, pain may make it harder to get back to sleep. For that reason, try to eliminate excess noise and light from your bedroom or block them out with a sleep mask or earplugs. Set your bedroom to a temperature that will be comfortable throughout the night.

    Focusing on sleep hygiene can improve your sleep habits so that you can sleep better both during and after episodes of lower back pain.

    Signs And Effects Of A Bad Mattress

    10 Best Mattress For Back Pain Consumer Reports 2021

    Lauren Fountain, Certified Sleep Coach

    We regularly assess how the content in this article aligns with current scientific literature and expert recommendations in order to provide the most up-to-date research.

    Sleep impacts nearly every aspect of your health and wellbeing. Without restful sleep, your body doesnt have the resources it needs to function properly. One of the simplest solutions for a good nights sleep is a comfortable mattress. If your mattress is failing to deliver the comfort and support you need, it may be time for a new one.

    Many factors influence the durability and lifespan of a mattress. While all mattresses eventually degrade, a mattress constructed with high-quality materials tends to hold out for longer before developing sagging or permanent body indentations. Once these problems occur, your mattress is no longer able to provide adequate spinal support and pressure relief.

    Recognizing the early signs of a bad mattress can help you avoid some of the uncomfortable side effects of sleeping on one.

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    Can A Mattress Cause Back Pain 11 Warning Signs

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.

    Can a mattress cause back pain? If you constantly wake up with a stiff, sore back, you may wonder if your mattress is the culprit.

    If your mattress is old, isnt a good match for your body, or is otherwise not ideal for supporting your favorite sleep position, it could be contributing to back pain. Lets take a look at some signs that your mattress may be a factor.

    How Long Do Mattresses Last

    On average, most mattresses last about 7 to 10 years. However, many factors can influence the durability and lifespan of a mattress.

    The quality and materials of a mattress significantly impact how it performs. Mattresses made with denser foams, natural latex, thicker coils, or higher coil counts are better equipped to accommodate the weight of the sleeper and rebound back to their original shape time after time. By contrast, lower-quality foams and coils may break down sooner.

    Certain types of mattresses may last longer than others. Natural latex is durable and tends to hold up the longest. Low-quality innerspring mattresses often start sagging after a few years, and foam mattresses may soften and develop permanent body indentations. Hybrid mattress manufacturers often attempt to circumvent these problems by using higher-quality comfort layers and supporting them with sturdier coils.

    How much pressure the mattress supports also influences its lifespan. Single sleepers and individuals who weigh less than 130 pounds exert less pressure on the mattress, and may find their mattresses last longer. Likewise, a mattress that is used nightly sustains more pressure than a guest room bed. While a low-density polyfoam model may provide a perfectly comfortable option for a mattress intended for occasional use, your everyday bed should be made with sturdier materials that can hold up to consistent wear.

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    #reason : Your Mattress Cant Give Enough Support

    Another reason for creating back pain is that your mattress cant provide you adequate support to your back, spine, hip, and other joints of your body.

    Solution: Choose The Mattress That Provides Perfect Support

    Support is an essential part of all kinds of sleepers such as heavy sleepers, light sleepers, side & back sleepers, stomach sleepers, etc. The memory foam mattress that gives you a lack of support can cause lower back pain. You must choose a mattress for the right support. If you are a heavy sleeper like over 200 lbs, you must sleep on a mattress that has high-density base foam. It will give you the highest support and prevent sinking and safe your spine and back.

    Most memory foam mattresses use multiple layers for different purposes such as top foam layers for comfort or feel, the base support foam layer for providing adequate support, etc. When you choose a new mattress that has high-density support foam, it will give you more support than others. If you feel your mattress sinks, you should change it quickly and get a good high-density supportive mattress. So, I recommend you choose a mattress that will give you enough support. You can check my researched list of top-rated highest supportive memory foam mattresses.

    Early Morning Back Pain

    Choosing A Mattress For Back Pain & Sciatica

    Another clear indicator that your mattress is at fault is waking up with back pain. Usually, mattress-related back pain goes away with a few stretches and regular activity throughout the day. If you notice that your back pain diminishes by lunch time, its probably a bad mattress thats making your mornings harder. If left unaddressed, this morning back pain can develop into a chronic problem, especially if you dont replace your mattress for 5-10 years.

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    Select The Right Materials In The Comfort Layer

    Beyond the firmness, the materials that go into the upper comfort layer will also play a role in how comfortable you are in your mattress.

    Its a common misconception that just because the mattress contains foam, it will be soft.

    This is because the firmness is set independently of the materials so you can have both firm and soft foam mattresses.

    However, certain types of foams will sink in more than others so this is an important consideration, especially if you have back pain and are on the heavier side.

    The table below can help to guide you in regards to choosing the best type of foam to have in the upper section of the mattress:

    Material
    Provides reasonable pressure relief and support if the density is high enough.

    Could Your Mattress Be Causing You Back Pain

    By Joshua Abrams, DO

    People can suffer from back pain for various reasons, including a mattress thats too soft or hard. A good mattress provides the right support for your unique physical needs. Unfortunately, not all mattresses are created equally, and it can be difficult to find the right one. We will help you learn if your mattress could be the reason for your aching back, how to pick the right mattress and more.

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    Can Air Mattress Cause Back Pain

    Air mattresses are often recommended as a way to avoid back pain. However, there is some evidence that air mattresses can cause back pain. Air mattresses are often too soft and do not provide enough support.

    This can lead to back pain and other problems. If you are experiencing back pain, it is best to talk to your doctor about a good mattress for you.

    Can Mattress Cause Back Pain

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    Millions of people suffer from back pain every year. Many people experience back pain at some point in their lives, and it is not always easy to determine the source.

    Back pain can be caused by a variety of things, but the most common culprit is often the mattress on which someone is sleeping.

    In many cases, this pain can be traced back to the mattress on which they are sleeping. Also, Check out the Best Mattress for Spondylolisthesis.

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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.

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