Is A Memory Foam Mattress Bad For Your Back
Memory foam mattresses are often praised as being great for back and spine health. However, this just isnt the case for everybody.
A memory foam mattress can cause back pain by allowing the body to sink into the mattress in a way which misaligns the spine or which puts strain on your back muscles during the night.
If you are a heavier person, or if your body weight is not evenly distributed accross your body, certain parts of your body may sink too far into the foam, causing misalignment and strain.
This is a particular problem for women, who may find that they carry weight through their hips, buttocks and thighs. If your hips sink further down into the mattress then this can put great strain on the lower back and can cause your body to be out of its natural alignment.
How Do Traditional Plant
Traditional foams are the staple for many users. They’ve been around for quite some time and are consistently good at helping alleviate the problem areas for many users, including back pain.Plant-based memory foams give the user a natural feel and are more springy. They are quick to return their original shape than traditional memory foams. Many environmental-friendly users are happier with the use of more natural materials.For those who have a harder time sleeping due to heat retention, a gel foam may be the best option because it offers a cooler material and sleep. These types of mattresses are a combination of traditional and gel memory foam and many prefer to have this added aspect to their sleep.
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Your Back
Can a memory foam mattress help you to sleep better at night and support a healthier sleeping posture? It just might! If youre not getting enough restful and restorative sleep at night, or you wake up in the morning with a sore, stiff back, then your mattress may be to blame. You might be willing to try just about anything to improve your sleep situation, but is memory foam the answer? Heres what the chiropractors at The Joint have to say about his subject!
What is Memory Foam?
First and foremost, all chiropractors want people to know that every single person is different as is their body. What works for you may not work for someone else, so you have to keep that in mind as you seek out answers for your sleeping problems. Quite simply, mattress experiences are subjective, so your neighbor may swear by their memory foam but it may not be right for you. In order to have an idea if its the answer to your nighttime problem, you first need to learn about the good and the bad of memory foam.
The Pros and Cons
The pros of memory foam include:
- Long lasting, durable material
The cons of memory foam include:
- Can give off an offensive odor when new
- Dense material that results in a heavy mattress
- Traps heat causing the user to become uncomfortable
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Comparing Memory Foam To Other Mattress Types
Memory foam is not the best mattress type for everyone. If you are a stomach sleeper then they are likely to be too soft.
Yet, some people find that a memory foam mattress really helps to relive their back pain by supporting the shape of their body overnight, and reducing movement.
As memory foam warms through the presence of body heat, it molds to the shape of the body and allows a more natural shape for your spine, whilst still offering support.
However, some people find that they simply do not like sleeping on memory foam due to its different feel compared with standard spring mattresses. Memory foam is also more expensive than other mattress types, although the price is coming down all the time.
If you prefer a firmer mattress, either because memory foam hurts your back, or simply because you dont like the feel of a soft mattress, a latex mattress may be a good alternative for you.
The Mattress Is Not Thick Enough
For heavier sleepers, the thickness of a mattress plays an important role in sleep quality. A mattress that is not more than 10-inches thick can give a backache to a lot of heavier sleepers, especially if the mattress is not thick enough. Fortunately, there are ways to add up to thickness.
How to fix it:
- Add additional pillows, blankets, or other materials to add more support to your mattress.
- Use mattress pad or mattress topper for added support.
Also Read: Mattress Thickness Guide: Which One Should I Choose?
Also Check: Will Firm Mattress Help Back Pain
Level Sleep Black Friday Mattress Sale
Save $200 on the flagship mattress and get up to $399 of sleep accessories free
Level Sleep is offering $200 off the brand’s flagship mattress during its Black Friday sale, plus you can also get sleep accessories valued at up to $399 totally free with your mattress purchase. The queen size mattress is normally priced at $1,199, but you can get that, a sheet set, a mattress protector and two cooling pillows all for $999 today. We have yet to test the Level Sleep mattress, but the brand says the sleeper features a patented TriSupport layer meant to reduce the common causes of back and hip pain.
Your Mattress Is Too Firm Or Too Soft
While a cozy mattress might seem inviting at the end of a hard day, if its too soft then it can throw your spine out of alignment. The exact same thing can also happen if the mattress is too hard for your body weight and frame.
The key? To find a neutral sleeping position that is comfortable for your spine. In order to properly support your body, the ideal mattress should be medium-firm. If a mattress is too firm, it will push the shoulders and hips out of alignment causing the back to ache. Harvard Health reported that, one survey of 268 people with low back pain found that those who slept on very hard mattresses had the poorest sleep quality.
If your mattress is too soft then it will drop the spine into the mattress without any proper support, leading to bad alignment and body ache. Harvard Health also states: You might sink in so deeply that your joints twist and become painful during the night.
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Best Mattress Firmness For Back Pain
For many people, a medium-firm mattress is the best choice for reducing back pain.
One small study tracked the sleep quality of adults with lower back pain. After tracking the participants sleep quality for 21 days on their own mattresses, they were given medium-firm mattresses with foam and latex layers. After 12 weeks, the participants had progressively less back pain and stiffness.
Your mattress firmness may not be right for you if lying on it causes your spine to become misaligned. Look at it this way:
- Your mattress is too soft if your hips sink lower than your shoulders.
- Your mattress is too firm if your hips and shoulders lie flat on the surface.
- Your mattress is just right if your mattress contours to your body shape and keeps your spine aligned.
Looking for a mattress thats just right? We have thoughtfully designed mattresses at every price point, so you can say sayonara to nighttime back pain without breaking the bank.
- Casper Element® Mattress: A seriously comfortable sleep at our coziest price
- Casper OriginalTM Mattress: Our most popular mattress, engineered for cool, comfortable sleep
- Casper Nova® Hybrid Mattress: Our most plush mattress is also supremely supportive
- Casper WaveTM Hybrid Mattress: Our most supportive mattress, now combining foam and springs for added lift, airflow, and edge support
Can Good Sleep Relieve A Bad Back
Yes. As Dr. Nayantara Santhi says, Most often good sleep reduces pain perception. Whether it actually relieves bad back pain depends on the cause of back pain. Of course, it is the case that sleep serves a restorative function, and a good nights sleep may make someone feel better the next day.
Quality sleep can control a lot of other factors, such as stress, that may aggravate your back pain.
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#reason : Stomach Sleeping Can Cause You Lower Back Pain
Stomach sleeping is not good for your health and it may cause you lower back pain. If you are used to sleeping on the stomach, I suggest you avoid this sleeping position. When you sleep on the stomach, your memory foam mattress cant hold your spine, back, and neck perfectly aligned and cause back pain.
Solution: Try To Sleep on The Side and Back
If you are suffering from lower back pain due to stomach sleeping, I recommend you to switch your sleeping position. You have to try sleeping on the side, back, and stomach frequently. It will reduce the chance of creating back pain.
If Your Mattress Is Too Soft:
Mattress toppers are a great way to instantly improve your uncomfortable mattress and alleviate back pain.
A firm mattress topper, such as one made from latex, will provide instant relief if your current memory foam mattress is too soft.
You may also find that placing a harder surface under your mattress helps. If you are currently using a box spring bed frame, check that the frame is supportive and solid enough for the mattress. If not, consider investing in a new frame, perhaps a slat frame, or for a quick fix you can place hard wooden boards under your mattress to improve its stability.
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Cheap Mattresses Cause Back Pain High
A good nights sleep is essential for good health, but finding a comfortable mattress can be challenging. For many people, the cost is a major deciding factor when buying a mattress.
However, skimping on quality can have serious consequences.
Cheap mattresses are often made with inferior materials such as low-density foams that sag and lose their shape over time. This can lead to back pain, as the spine is not adequately supported.
In addition, cheap mattresses are generally uncomfortable, making it difficult to relax and recover properly. This has been proven by research.
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.
Also Check: What Can Cause Severe Lower Back And Hip Pain
Adjust Your Sleeping Position
A mattress can be too hard or too soft just while youre in a specific sleeping position. For example, if you rest on your side and feel that the bed is too stiff, try sleeping on your back.
If you like sleeping on your back or stomach but find yourself sinking too much because the cushion is too soft, consider sleeping on your side.
Notice how your body reacts, and your back feels the following day after changing the sleeping position. Perhaps you dont even need to change the cushion.
Make Your Soft Mattress Firmer
Research shows that more than 80% of people who sleep on a soft mattress experience back pain.If your soft mattress is causing back pain, there are a couple of things you can do about it. For starters, you can get a firm mattress topper. This will add an extra layer of support to your mattress and wont make it feel less like youre sinking into quicksand. Another way to make your soft mattress firmer is to flip it over. Mattresses can get softer with time and use. If your mattress is flippable, simply flip it over and enjoy the firmer side. Finally, you can place plywood between the mattress and the bed frame or box spring. This will help to distribute your weight more evenly and prevent you from sinking too deeply into your mattress. Of course, you can always keep doing these things if you have the money and the time. A cheaper and quicker method is simply investing in a new firmer mattress.
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Support Your Spine And Alleviate Back Pain
Although a mattress’s support and comfort are essential for a good night’s sleep, it is even more crucial for people who suffer from pain in their backs. Sufficient support from the mattress ensures that the spine is kept in proper alignment, which decreases pain and stiffness.
Where the support levels of a mattress are concerned, firmer is not necessarily better. A mattress that is too firm can increase pain in the lower back and hips. The best mattress for people with such pain strikes a balance between firmness and softness, providing support while still being comfortable.
In addition, to support, another important factor in choosing a mattress for back pain relief is the level of comfort it provides. People who suffer from pain in their backs often have difficulty sleeping, and a comfortable mattress can make all the difference in getting a good night’s rest. However, a mattress that is too soft can cause the sleeper to sink too deeply, leading to improper spine alignment.
Finally, it all boils down to finding a mattress that suits your preferences in support and comfort. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s essential to take the time to find the perfect mattress for you. Once you find a mattress for back pain that alleviates the pain in your back, you’ll get the restful sleep you need to feel your best.
Best Memory Foam Mattress For Back Pain
Dr. Nayantara Santhi
Dr. Nayantara Santhi holds an academic position at Northumbria University. After completing her Ph.D. at Northeastern University , she joined the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School as a post-doctoral fellow to research how sleep and circadian rhythmicity influence our cognitive functioning.
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
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 asleep, 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.
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It Is An Expensive Solution For Backache Compared To Other Alternatives
A memory foam mattress is a pricy solution for backache issues if you compare it with other alternatives. With the limited benefits that you get, you may switch to a more economical product too to help you with back support.
Invest in memory foam only if you have a specific brand that is known to aid in back support.
Diamond Mattress Intention Hybrid
Your sleep is more valuable than a diamond!
If finding a good nights sleep is important, then a Diamond Intention Hybrid Mattress may be the right choice.
There are three layers on this mattress. The basic and top one is the cool touch advanced temperature regulating fabric. This layer helps in dissipating heat from the body when you are sleeping. It also wicks away moisture so you wake up happy and dry.
The second layer is the exclusive Diamond hyper-conductive memory foam layer. This layer is made of memory foam but is better.
The third layer is the CertiPUR-US certified layer. This layer helps the heat and wick it out while keeping the mattress durable.
The final layer is the patented zoned support system layer. This layer is to protect the mattress from motion in all areas. While the layers are top of the class and work amazingly, we cant help but miss the OnMolecule coils on this mattress that provide exclusive support.
The Diamond Intention Hybrid Mattress includes features that help eliminate backache. This is possible because Diamond Intention Hybrid Mattress has a special feature that allows it to adjust to your body. This mattress will adjust to your body contours, hence eliminating back pain.
To make this mattress even more supportive, add the Diamond Sleep Easy Adjustable Pillow. This pillow is suited to roll up and taken anywhere. You can adjust the height according to your height and spine alignment on it as well.
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How Do I Know Im Buying The Right Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam mattresses are made of viscoelastic material. Memory foam conforms to the shape of your body, reduces pressure points and provides excellent support. The material also wicks away moisture and dissipates heat, making for a cooler nights sleep.
Memory foam mattresses were first developed and introduced in the 1990s and since then have become very popular. The material is now used not only for mattresses but also as cushioning in many household items such as pillows, couches and car seats. Memory foam has been used to make the mattress even more comfortable by adding special features such as cooling and odour reduction technologies.
