Is Latex Mattress Good For Lower Back Pain

Latex Mattresses Are Responsive Yet Contouring

Regardless of your sleeping position and sleep style, latex mattresses with their support core offer the combination of support and comfort your back requires to rest and maintain adequate alignment. The comfort layer hugs the most burdened pressure points of your body, like your hips and shoulders, to disperse stress away from them. This also makes a latex mattress ideal for side sleepers. Plus, latex isnt so soft that it ends up sinking beneath your weight like with certain memory foam mattresses, which can mess with pressure points.

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• layered memory foam provides additional side support

Latex As An Orthopedic Mattress

The first orthopedic mattresses were introduced in the 1950s as a medical aid to help patients achieve better sleep and a higher quality of life. The idea was to engineer a mattress that encouraged spinal alignment and the most comfortable sleep surface possible. Just as orthopedic shoes could improve your stride, an orthopedic mattress could improve your sleep. Unfortunately, “old-school” orthopedic mattresses could actually increase pain rather than decreasing it.

Latex foam mattresses are the “next generation” in orthopedic comfort. Latex’s unique mix of flexibility, resilience, and support combines superior pressure relief with the buoyancy your body needs to maintain proper spinal alignment. It’s one of the few materials that can simultaneously compress enough to truly contour around your hips while still cradling and supporting the lumbar region.

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Mattress Toppers Vs Mattress Pads Vs Protectors

This is a common question, but theres an easy way to tell the difference between these three main mattress accessories:

Mattress toppers, also known as bed toppers, are the thickest of the three and are designed to sit right on top of your mattress. They are usually anchored in place by thick straps that go over and under your mattress. You can buy toppers that are up to seven inches deep, and their goal is to make your bed more comfortable for your body. That could be by adding firmer support or quilted top softness, or even dedicated cooling gels to dissipate body heat.

Mattress pads are thinner and therefore make less of an impact than toppers. Some people choose them if they arent sure whether they need a full bed topper, but keep in mind that mattress pads wont add anywhere near as much comfort as a proper topper will. They are cheaper though and can add a layer of protection to help protect your bed from stains.

Mattress protectors are the thinnest of the three but they play a very important role: they are designed to keep spills, dust, urine, dust mites and pesky bed bugs away from your mattress. We always recommend placing a protector over your mattress topper for maximum hygiene, and to help all of your accessories last longer, giving you more value for money in the long-term.

Is Latex Mattress Good For Back Pain

Many would question the fact that how can a mattress be a cure for back pain and other cervical issues? Many would even call it as a hoax or just a marketing strategy. Well, we can understand its hard to give into the fact but better late than never! In this blog, we will elaborate how a latex mattress is good for back pain and how it can, if not cure, reduce the problem to a considerable extent.

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What Makes A Suitable Mattress

Aside from personal preference, a main factor when choosing a suitable mattress is your spine health. The spine naturally has three slight curves, and they need to be supported even when youre horizontal.

A good mattress will hold your body in a neutral position. This means your spine will be held in its natural slight curve, and your head, shoulders, buttocks and heels are aligned. On a perfect mattress, you should feel no pressure at all, almost as if youre floating. Over time, the right mattress can relax muscles, encourage better sleep, and even improve posture. The wrong mattress could leave you waking up with back pain, particularly around the base of your spine, and can interfere with healthy sleep more generally.

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How A Latex Mattress Works To Prevent Back Pain

Like gloves and bandages, natural latex mattresses are made with milky sap harvested from rubber trees . Latex mattresses are comprised of a latex support core topped with an additional latex comfort layer, plus padding and a cover made of materials like organic cotton and flame-retardant natural wool.

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Who Stands To Benefit Most From A Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are very supportive and are highly recommended for patients with spine conditions, Dr. Brady says. As SELF has previously reported, people who deal with back pain should look for a mattress that doesnt let them sink into the beda mattress thats too soft will cause uncomfortable pressure points. Given their responsive feel, latex mattresses are definitely pressure-relieving, so theyll help you avoid waking up with a knotted, aching back. And, since theyre available in different firmness levels, all types of sleepers can find a latex mattress that suits their preferred style of snoozing.

Additionally, hot sleepers and those who find regular household allergens irritating will appreciate latex mattresses as well. Not only do these mattresses tend to have perforated layers that allow for greater airflow through the night, but theyre also usually hypoallergenic and resistant to allergens.

Of course, if you have a latex allergy, youll definitely want to avoid these beds, Dr. Zhou says. He also notes that they tend to be on the heavier side and come at a higher price point than you may expect from a new mattress, so keep these factors in mind during your search. Provided that they meet your price range, wont be too heavy to set up, and wont cause an allergic reaction, Dr. Brady sums up latex beds as such: In my opinion, the benefits of latex mattresses or latex hybrid mattresses far outweigh the disadvantages.

Advantages Of Latex Beds

Now to the good stuff. Here are the top benefits and advantages people tend to report or equate with latex mattresses and a little science to back up some of those claims.

Comfort Pain reduction and pain prevention have been reported by over 1/3 of the people who own all-latex beds. They have stated that their latex mattresses relieve pressure points and also prevent or reduce other pain they have experienced, including lower back pain. Because latex is a resilient material, it is able to support sleepers with placing excess pressure on hips and shoulders, and contours just enough to support proper alignment.

LongevityLatex material proves highly durable. All-latex mattresses tend to outlast other types by anywhere from 2 to 7 years, on average providing comfort for 10-12 years. Though very durable, latex is also biodegradable.

No Smells Limited to no off-gassing is a key benefit for people sensitive to smells. This is a main difference between the different types of latex, primarily linked with all-natural latex mattresses.

• Virtually no one complains of chemical odors in all-natural latex, because there are fewer volatile chemicals to break down and release odors. If a smell is detected, it is usually a faint, slightly sweet scent that most find unoffensive.
• Synthetic latex and beds made using a combination of synthetic and natural latex have been reported by a little over 10-15% to off-gas or release unpleasant chemical smells.

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What Firmness Number Latex Mattress Is Best For Lower Back Pain

If youre purchasing with neck and back pain in mind then there are a couple of crucial things you need to think about. Obviously, you want to make certain you are purchasing a relied on brand name. However, it is also really important to look for a mattress depending on your weight, sleeping position, and the location of your pain in the back.

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Mattress Topper Materials Guide: Foam Gel Latex

There are countless number of mattress toppers available, so it can be difficult to know what to choose. Heres a quick guide to the three main materials that youll find in bed toppers and the benefits of each.

Memory foam a popular material used to make many of the best mattresses in a box, memory foam bed toppers are a cheap and easy way to change up your mattress, making it softer or firmer depending on what you need. If you get chilly, then memory foam is a cosier option as it tends to retain heat, although there are some cooling options too.

Gel if you sleep hot then bed toppers made with cooling gel-infused foam are designed to keep your body temperature at a cooler level as you sleep. These are often cool to the touch, which is total bliss for hot sleepers. Look out for gel-infused toppers that also have washable and antimicrobial covers, which is essential for keeping your bed topper hygienic if you sweat.

Latex natural latex is extremely durable, nicely springy and breathable making it ideal if youre looking for something long-lasting and hard-wearing on top of the comfort. Latex mattress toppers are often a good choice for RVs/campervans.

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Best For Lower Back Pain: Leesa Legend Hybrid

Leesa recommends this mattress for people experiencing lower back pain. It is suitable for all sleeping positions.

This hybrid luxury mattress features two layers of springs for edge support, alongside hip and shoulder support. It also comes with patented premium foam and provides medium-firm support.

The hypoallergenic cover uses 100% organic cotton, moisture-wicking merino wool, and fiber from recycled water bottles. The mattress has CertiPUR-US certification.

It comes with two free down alternative pillows.

The price depends on the mattress size chosen, as follows:

• Twin XL: $1,899

The following are common questions and answers about mattresses for back pain:

Latex Mattresses Can Be Paired With An Adjustable Base

Essentially all latex mattresses are compatible with an adjustable base. That’s good news if you’re healing from a recent injury or surgery, as lifting your legs and head can help take pressure off of your back, says Tozer. Another benefit: An adjustable bed can be useful if you’re gradually shifting from an unhealthy sleeping position to a more neutral posture with the help of a chiropractor, he says.

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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.

How To Find Latex Mattresses For Back Pain

When shopping for a latex mattress, you’ll want to look at the material’s density. Latex density varies among models and brands. The density refers to how much latex is used in the bed.

Latex density is basically related to the mattress’s hardness. This is why the denser the latex, the firmer it is, and the more push back you’ll experience when pressing into the mattress. A reputable mattress company will use a stringent process for measuring the latex mattresses densities, so they can offer suitable options for an array of customers.

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What Is The Best Mattress Topper In 2022

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt is our number one pick of the best mattress toppers. This three-inch thick luxury foam topper offers a lot of comfort and pressure relief at a fraction of the cost of a full-fledged Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress. Prices start at $319 for a twin, but there are regular sales and promotions.

The Tempur topper gets an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 5,400 user reviews, and with a 10-year warranty, you’re covered for the long haul. We are in the process of testing the Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper and will have a full review to share in the coming weeks.

Pros Of A Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses have several potential advantages over traditional spring-based mattresses. The pros include:

• Supports and contours the body: Memory foam precisely conforms to the shape of the body, which some people may find more comfortable.
• Supports back and side sleepers: Due to the way in which memory foam mattresses contour the body, they are most suited to people who sleep on their back or side.
• Inhibits motion transfer: Memory foam does not allow motion to transfer across the bed. As a result, a person is less likely to wake a sleeping partner as a result of shifting positions during the night.
• Provides resistance to dust mites:Dust mites are less able to thrive in foam mattresses than in other types due to the density of the material.
• Optional trial periods: Most mattress suppliers offer extended return periods and long warranties to allow customers to test their products.

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Latex Mattresses Contour While Remaining Responsive:

A latex mattress gives your back the comfort and support it needs to rest and stay in proper alignment, regardless of your sleeping habits.

The comfort layer wraps around your bodys most stressed pressure points, such as your shoulders and hips, and disperses stress away from them.

Latex mattresses are excellent for side sleepers because of this. Unlike certain memory foam mattresses, a latex mattress isnt as soft as memory foam and doesnt sink under your weight.

A Mix Of Foam And Bounce: Leesa Sapira Hybrid

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Who its for: The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is likely to appeal to back-pain sufferers, regardless of preferred sleep position, who want a foamy feel with a pinch of springiness. The foams density suggests it will hold up well for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.

How it feels: The bounce from the coils seems to mellow out the feel, making this hybrid just a touch softer than a typical medium-firm.

Why its great: The foam-innerspring feel of the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is more balanced than that of the Tempur-Adapt, our other hybrid pick in this guide, whose memory foam takes over the entire experience of the mattress. In the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, the 4-pounds-per-cubic-foot memory-foam layer and 1,000-plus individually pocketed coils support your spine and conform to your curves. Its sturdy but not rigid, said one of our back-and-side-sleeping testers. You can sit on the edges without sliding off, too. Unlike the Saatva Classic, Leesa mattresses are available at partner retailers, so you may be able to try the Leesa Sapira Hybrid in person before you buy it. Within the 100-night trial period, you can return it for a full refund if you dont like it, though youre required to sleep on it for at least 30 days first.

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Latex Vs Memory Foam Which Is Better For Back And Side Sleepers

Memory foam mattresses are the most recommended type of mattress for side sleepers. Latex mattresses are not as popular among side sleepers because they tend to be too firm.

Latex mattresses are usually softer than memory foam ones, which is why they may not be the best choice for side sleepers. Memory foam mattresses, on the other hand, provide more back support and can also provide relief from lower back pain.

Side sleepers are in a very particular position when it comes to mattresses. They need to take into account their back position, the side position, and their overall body shape.

A latex mattress is a good choice for side sleepers as it offers great support for the back and the side positions. Memory foam mattresses are also a good option because they offer more contouring on ones body which may be beneficial for side sleepers.

When Should I Worry About Low Back Pain

Lower back pain can happen quite suddenly and take a while to disappear. Often, the pain is easily treated at home until its gone. However, you should see a medical professional if you experience any of the following with your back pain:

• A fever, which can signify infection.
• A prickly tingling sensation or numbness. These symptoms can signify nerve damage.
• Loss of bowel or bladder control. These symptoms are tied to a rare condition where the nerve roots in the base of the spinal cord become paralyzed.
• Unexplained weight loss, which can be caused by a tumor or infection.

Finally, if your back pain lasts beyond six weeks, you should see a doctor.

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