Can A Padded Or Memory Foam Topper Help To Improve Back Pain
A mattress topper is an additional layer of cushioning that can be used to increase the longevity and comfort of your existing mattress. They may be constructed from memory foam, latex, polyester or down filling.
If you’re suffering from regular episodes of back pain, but you’re not sure you can afford a new mattress, then a mattress topper is a great way to add a layer of comfort and support on a budget.
If you think you could benefit from the cradling support of memory foam, but you’d like to try it out before you invest in a full-size mattress, then a memory foam topper is a great way to see if it will suit you. Its also a budget-friendly way to add a layer of memory foam to a traditional sprung mattress if you don’t think you can afford a full-size version.
When picking a mattress topper, you’ll need to consider your preferred sleeping position. Back sleepers should be comfortable on a 35cm topper, while side sleepers will need a topper with a depth of at least 7cm in order to fully accommodate the hips and shoulders.
Signs Your Memory Foam Mattress Isnt Right For You
You suffer from inexplicable back pain? You tried everything youre not sitting too much, youve improved your posture, you do regular exercises. Yet, theres this lower back pain that just wont go away.
It might be coming from your bed, and here are telltale signs that point right to your mattress.
- Your pain is stronger in the morning and you feel better later in the day.
- You toss and turn but no position feels just right.
- Its hard to fall asleep.
- You feel like youre sinking into the mattress.
- Youre always tired.
- You wake up frequently at night.
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.”
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Invest In The Right Mattress To Help Your Back Pain
Weve been handcrafting all-natural fabric mattresses since 1929. Our #1 priority is to build every customer we are privileged to serve with a mattress that fits their specific needs. No two bodies are alike, which is why we believe handmade, best-in-value mattresses are the best choice for back pain! We stand behind that claim with our 60-day comfort guarantee!
Check out our Mattress Match to find your perfect mattress.
What Is Memory Foam
First designed in the mid-1960s for NASA airplane seats, memory foam is made from a substance called viscoelastic. It is both highly energy absorbent and soft.
Memory foam molds to the body in response to heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight. It then returns to its original shape once you remove the pressure.
In addition to protecting against impact, these properties make memory foam very comfortable. After its “virgin flight” for NASA, memory foam made a foray into other applications. For example, it was used as cushioning in helmets and shoes. Medicine found a use for it in prosthetics and products to prevent pressure ulcers such as seating pads for people who are severely disabled.
Then, memory foam really took off. It’s now well known for its use in pillows, mattress pads, and mattresses, which come in different densities and depths.
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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.
Dont Sleep On A Mattress Thats Too Soft Or Too Hard
Goldilocks was onto something when she picked Baby Bears just right bed.
A mattress thats too soft will cause your back or hips to sag and your spine to fall out of alignment, which can lead to significant pain. A mattress thats too firm will put too much pressure on your joints, especially if you sleep on your side or your back.
Thats why if you want to reduce your back pain in bed, you need a mattress that offers support but that also contours to your body to provide pressure relief and relieve pain.
That being said, theres no one-size-fits-all-best mattress for back pain. Plus, there are plenty of different materials to choose from. So be sure youre investing in a mattress made from suitable materials for your unique needs.
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Broken Foam Support Core
Mattresses that are more than five years old might be causing you pain! As the foam supporting core breaks down, it can lead to sagging and indents in your mattress. This is because these problems will result from a lack of integrity for this important element – potentially leading to all sorts of discomfort throughout the nighttime.
The only way to fix a mattress that has an affected support core is by purchasing a new one. Mattress toppers will not be enough and using one as such could potentially make matters worse down the road.
You Get Hot During Sleep
Although this is not a common situation, its more than possible to get hot during the night, especially if your memory foam mattress doesnt come with cooling technology. Memory foam is pressure and heat activated, so it traps heat and is less breathable, especially because its made out of synthetic materials.
A lot of people sweat on their back as a result. More often than not, sweating in the lumbar area can lead to irritation of the Sciatic nerve which can result in annoying itching and eventual back pain that radiates to the hips and legs. Luckily there are a few ways to fix this.
How to fix it:
- Dont use synthetic and polyester materials for bedding. Instead, use silky, linen, and pure cotton covers to make the bed more breathable.
- Invest in a breathable mattress pad or mattress topper. If youre buying a memory foam topper, ensure its infused with gel beads. Mattress protectors arent the best of ideas, they dont always have cooling properties, and are quite loud in the process.
- Invest in a cooling bed system, either a fan or water or air-powered cooler like ChiliPad.
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You Buy A Poor Quality Mattress
If youve decided that you need a new mattress, then you should ensure that the mattress is high quality, comes with a minimum 10-year warranty, and has a sleep trial that lasts at least 30 nights.
This is particularly important when buying a memory foam mattress because poor-quality memory foam can degrade very quickly.
A high-quality mattress will last longer, whilst the warranty protects you from defects, and the sleep trial enables you to return the mattress if there are comfort issues.
I personally recommend that you go for a high-quality pocket coil hybrid memory foam mattress because the coil core will guard against sagging whilst also providing custom support and pressure relief.
This will protect your back and ensure that you are comfortable for many years to come.
The Puffy Lux Hybrid is my personal hybrid memory foam mattress of choice click the button below to discover more and save $300.
How Do Mattress Toppers Help With Back Pain
Old mattresses can exacerbate back pain, but that doesnt mean you have to throw your current bed in the garbage. By adding a mattress topper, you can refresh your mattress and bring back its original comfort.
The best toppers create both comfort and support. Youll need some pressure relief, but you dont want your body to sink out of the proper alignment. Side and back sleepers will benefit from a thick and plush topper, while stomach sleepers will need something more supportive.
Of course, theres a lot to know about the world of mattress toppers. Lets take a close look at each element, one by one.
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What Kind Of Mattress Topper Is Best For Back Pain
As you can see, there are many great options! At the end of the day, it really depends on your specific needs. If you suffer from lower back pain, we recommend the Casper mattress topper. If you’re a stomach sleeper, look at the Avocado mattress topper. Those who prefer a plush feel will love the Saatva Graphite topper.
How Does Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain
Back pain can occur as a result of an underlying condition or sleep-related factors. The right mattress topper can help relieve pressure points and support natural spinal alignment, which could also help contribute to reduced back pain. However, each sleep position can affect the spine differently, so those suffering from back pain may want to consider the role of their preferred sleep position.
Side sleepers: People who sleep on their side frequently prefer a slightly softer sleep surface that balances conforming and support. Too firm of a topper may not allow their hips and shoulders to sink in enough, while too soft of a mattress topper may let their hips and shoulders sink in too much. Either of these situations could put a strain on their spines and contribute to back pain. A thicker topper could be ideal for a bed that is too firm, as it can provide ample room for a side sleepers hips and shoulders to sink in. A firmer topper that helps prevent sinkage will be better for a bed that is too soft.
Back sleepers: This sleep position typically requires a slightly firmer sleep surface that gives them the support they need to maintain their natural spinal alignment, so they may prefer firmer and/or thinner mattress toppers. A topper that is too soft could allow their hips to sink in excessively and make it difficult to keep their spine well-aligned. Too firm of a topper could also be problematic, leaving a gap between the bed and the sleepers lumbar region.
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Invest In A New Foundation
If the gap between the planks is larger than 3 inches, the foundation is most likely incompatible with your cushion. It will cause the cushion to lose supporting features.
You can try lying on the floor for several nights to see how it affects your back.
In most situations, sleeping on another surface will provide you with further assistance. Youll find out that the problem was with the cushion foundation.
Best Mattresses For Back Pain
The prevailing thought is that sleeping on the firmest mattress helps relieve a bad back. However, recent studies reveal no one type of mattress that fits everyones needs. The best way to pick out a memory foam mattress that suits your need and comfort is to choose based on your personal preference.
Here are essential tips to consider when choosing your mattress:
- The product helps to keep proper spine alignment. Proper posture during sleep helps in relaxing your back while you sleep. Typically, the memory foam mattress that fits your need lets you wake up feeling well-rested and free of soreness. People who experience sleep issues associated with back pain may benefit from sleeping on a Spectra Orthopedic Mattress . This mattress provides constant support that keeps the mid-section from sinking into the bed.
- Remember that what is too firm or too soft is not the same for everyone. For example, a sleeper who feels comfortable on a mattress with a softer surface may not feel the same on a firmer one.
- You may need to apply pressure on the mattress to check if it gets back to its original form within a few seconds. This feature ensures that you can freely move and change your sleeping position anytime.
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Can A Memory Foam Topper Cause Back Pain
Yes, memory foam mattresses and even toppers can cause back problems in some people. This is particularly true if you do not get the correct firmness level. The ideal firmness depends on your typical sleeping position as that determines whether your spine will be aligned and pressure points relieved.
Memory Foam Mattresses Cause Back Pain: What To Do About It
Many people dont realize that memory foam mattresses cause back pain, but its a serious issue. This blog post will help you understand what causes the problem and how to prevent it. Memory foam mattresses are popular for their ability to conform to your body, which can lead to slumbering in positions that strain the spine or even lead to injury. Our tips below will show you how this mattress material is affecting your health and provide some quick fixes so you can get on with life without worrying about pain every morning!
Read also our guide on what to do if you can sleep on the couch but not on the bed.
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Is Memory Foam Mattress Good For Your Back
Memory foam mattresses were used initially for the NASA airplane seats. It gained popularity for its versatile material and later introduced in hospitals to make patients feel comfortable.
A night of restful and comfortable sleep is achievable with the adequate back support provided by a modifiable but firm memory foam mattress. This mattress conforms to the shape of the body and helps keep the proper alignment of the spine.
Sleepers who complain of back pains resulting from poor alignment will benefit from the viscoelastic nature of memory foam mattresses. This feature allows this type of mattress to conform to the pressure points of the body, including the hips and the shoulders.
Additional comfort is necessary, especially for those who need adequate rest to nurse their back injuries. Healing happens most during sleep, and a night of comfortable and interrupted sleep is vital in the therapeutic process.
Bed buyers may find it pricey, but its all worth it, especially for people who suffer from back pain.
You Weigh More Than 230 Lbs
If you weigh more than 230 lbs, then the risk of back pain when sleeping on any type of mattress especially if you sleep on your front increases because your extra body weight causes deeper compression of the mattress materials that can result in poor posture.
This risk increases when sleeping on a memory foam mattress or topper because memory foam tends to sink in for greater pressure relief which will be exacerbated by your body weight.
Solution
The solution to avoiding back pain when sleeping on a memory foam mattress if you are a heavier weighted sleeper is to select a firmer feel for more push back, choose a hybrid-memory foam mattress for more support , and go for a mattress thats more than 10 inches thick to guard against excessive material sinkage.
Whilst the Nolah Evolution isnt technically a true memory foam mattress , it does have a 15 profile, superb support, and is available in firm and luxury firm to suit heavier weighted sleepers of all sleeping positions.
Ive personally tested this mattress and not only is it amazing for heavy-weighted sleepers, its perfect for just about every sleeping position and style.
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Your Memory Foam Mattress Is Uneven
A sagging mattress, a mattress with one side worn more than other sides, and lumpy surfaces must be causing back pain. Here your body weight, mattress firmness, or your position play no role.
An uneven mattress is an uncomfortable mattress and the only way you can really fix it is to choose a new one. The right mattress will not cause back pain, but if youre a person prone to back pain , you should consult your doctor and get some recommendations for you personally.
Are Mattress Toppers Bad For Your Back
Mattress toppers are not bad for your back, but it’s important to find the right one for your needs. For example, stomach sleepers should look for something that will make their bed feel firmer, such as the Avocado or Lift By Amerisleep Support topper. Side sleepers may need more pressure relief, and they could benefit from the ViscoSoft or TEMPUR-Topper Supreme. If you want to find the best topper for you, check out our buyer’s guide!
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Adjust The Thickness Of The Mattress
If you lie on an exceptionally soft mattress, try toughening it and seeing how your back feels.
Applying a firm mattress topper is an excellent way to go. To change the comfort of your cushion, you can choose latex or high-density foam.
To give the mattresses more support, lay a piece of plywood below them. You may also try flipping the cushion if it is moveable. Because it didnt undergo much pressure, the other side is likely to be stronger.
Memory foams are sensitive to temperature. Hence, you may utilize cooler settings on your thermostat to slightly tighten the bed.
You might also attempt to make your mattress softer. The most straightforward method is to use a mattress topper.
The most straightforward method is to use a mattress topper. The most popular mattress toppers are soft latex, wool, down, and plush foams.
Increasing the temperature on your thermostat may also help, as foams become soft at high degrees.
You can adjust the mattress firmness
