Is Memory Foam Good For Lower Back Pain

Option : Hotel Platinum 1400 Pocket Sprung Mattress

The pocket sprung mattress contains hundreds, often thousands of individual springs, each sewn into its own pocket of fabric. The Hotel Platinum 1400 is, in our view, the best pocket sprung mattress for back pain.

The advantage of this is that the springs within a pocket sprung mattress operate independently of one another, respond to your weight, shape, movement and sleeping position and providing effective weight distribution, which is especially good for those who are taller or heavier. The ability of the individual springs to adjust to the contours of your body can help to provide relief and support for those with a bad back. As a rule of thumb, the higher the spring count the better.

Why is a pocket sprung mattress good for back pain?

• Pocket sprung mattresses provide even distribution of weight, relieving pressure points therefore providing some relief from back pain
• Responsive to movement and shape
• Come in a variety of firmness & spring count options
• Ideal for taller or heavier individuals suffering with a bad back

Theres Not Enough Support

If your memory foam mattress is giving you back pain then a lack of support is one of the major causes.

Mattress support is NOT the same as mattress firmness.

Firmness refers to the hard or soft feeling that you experience when you initially lie on the mattress.

Whilst support is the degree to which the mattress is able to support your spine, promote good posture, and keep your back and joints free from pain.

The firmness and feel of the mattress is typically influenced by the upper comfort layer of the mattress, whilst the support is more a product of the lower support core although the two can influence each other to some extent.

Poor mattress support is typically the result of sagging.

Sagging may occur because theres too much weight on the mattress, the materials have degraded, manufacturer defects, poor design, or a combination of these factors.

Solution Get the Right Amount of Support

Getting the right amount of support for your memory foam mattress to guard against back pain can be achieved in the following ways:

• More support for heavier weights if you weigh more than 230 lbs then you need to make sure that your all-foam, memory foam mattress is designed to hold this amount of weight . Otherwise, you might be better going for a hybrid design where the base is made from coils for more robust support and the upper comfort layer is made from memory foam for greater pressure relief.

How Back Pain Affects Sleep

Hundreds of conditions can contribute to back pain, which is a pretty vague term in itself. One could be referring to the various muscles, ribs, shoulders, or any region of the spine. While this may make it hard for some doctors to provide an accurate diagnosis, the good news is that all of these conditions have some commonalities when it comes to sleep.

Whether its due to tenderness on the pressure points, or soreness that makes it difficult to move, back pain contributes to sleep disturbances significantly in a variety of ways.

View Our Guide: How to Cope With Pain and Sleep

Recommended Reading: Exercise For Lower Back Pain Mayo Clinic

Why You Should Trust Us

At Sleep Foundation, we understand the importance of choosing the right mattress especially when it comes to back pain. Thats why weve personally tested hundreds of mattress models to bring you the top picks listed above. Our expert team includes product testers that cover a wide range of body types, sleep positions, and comfort preferences. After thorough hands-on testing, we consider these selections to be the best of the bunch.

To evaluate mattresses for back pain relief, we ask our testers to lie down on each mattress. Ideally, a mattress should contour to the body while maintaining even support, so well measure how deeply the mattress sinks beneath the testers weight. We also use body-mapping sensors to pinpoint locations where painful pressure points are likely to occur. Although we relied on feedback from all of our testers, we focused on those who have a history of upper and/or lower back pain.

Is Memory Foam Good For Your Back

For some individuals, memory foam mattresses can be good for their back because the foam is able to conform to their unique body shape to provide better pressure relief and support whilst other individuals may find that memory foam causes back pain because the mattress doesnt suit their body type.

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Reduce Inflammation Through Diet And Exercise

When your joints are already inflamed from your daily activity and eating habits, youre sure to experience pain during the night. To help eliminate your back pain in bed, try reducing or eliminating foods that cause inflammation, such as refined bread and other carbohydrates, fried foods, sugary beverages, and red meat.

Instead, aim to eat foods that help you sleep and that fight inflammation, such as fruit, tomatoes, olive oil, leafy greens, almonds, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. You may be surprised at how your morning back pain is improved after just a couple of weeks of eating well.

Muscles and joints that are stretched regularly can also improve pain levels when youre lying in bed, so try doing yoga several times per week.

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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Why Does It Matter

When the body experiences trauma, like a car accident, a fall from a ladder, or slipping on the ice, the body has to find a way to accommodate the damage, heal it, and keep us walking upright. These changes can create misalignments that sometimes last for years and cause pain.

If youre wondering what this has to do with sleep, the answer is two-fold. One, sleeping wrong can be enough trauma to cause these issues, and two, sleeping right is a big part of healing these issues. So while those with chronic back pain might think they have a rocky relationship with sleep, the real issue might be the habits or the mattress.

Try It Out With Our Reassuring 60 Night Comfort Exchange

Theres only one true test for a new mattress: to sleep on it. It can take a little time to settle-in with a new mattress so when you buy a mattress directly from our website, we offer a comfort exchange that gives you 60 nights to get really comfortable before making a decision.

If youre still not loving your new mattress within 60 nights from delivery, you can exchange it for another mattress. You can find out more about the 60 night comfort exchange here.

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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 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. 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 get the best results from a Medium to Medium-Firm mattress.

Body weight is an important factor to consider along with sleeping position. People who weigh more will sink further into a mattress, exacerbating the risks in all sleeping positions of the heavier parts of the body becoming misaligned. Sleepers of above-average body weight typically need a firmer mattress than someone of average weight who sleeps in the same position.

A Cooling Option Thats Unlike Any Other Mattress

Purple

Cyber Monday mattress sale: Get up to $600 off mattresses and mattress bundles .

• Materials: Memory foam, support coils
• Sizes: Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
• Trial period: 100 nights

Thanks to its patented Purple Grid, the Purple Hybrid Mattress is unlike any other on this list. It consists of five layers, and the Purple Grid gently gives under your body, hugging your pressure points and fully supporting your back while you sleep. The grid sits on top of a 7.5-inch layer of responsive coils that offer additional support while you sleep. Plus, there are open air channels that allow air to freely flow through, making it much cooler than memory foam-only models.

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Another Organic Option Thats Ideal For Back Sleepers

Avocado

Cyber Monday mattress sale: Enter the promo code SAVEBIG to score $125 off Avocados hybrid and latex mattresses or code BFBLISS to save $3o0 on the brands Organic Luxury Plush Mattress. You can also get $200 off wood bed frames.

• Materials: GOLS-organic latex, pocketed support coils
• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
• Trial period: One year

Many of todays mattresses are made from memory foam, which typically contains synthetic chemicals. If youre looking for something a bit more eco-friendly, consider the Avocado Green Mattress. Its constructed of organic ingredients, including a layer of organic latex sitting on top of more than 1,000 pocketed support coils. The mattress has a gentle-yet-firm feel and five distinct ergonomic zones that adapt to your pressure points and provide relief where you need it. The thoughtful construction also helps reduce motion transfer and distributes weight more evenly so the mattress can contour to your bodys natural shape. Its best for back and stomach sleepers.

Can Sleep Help With Back Pain

Sleep has rejuvenating capabilities. It can heal your body and mind. Quality sleep for 7 to 9 hours at a stretch can prevent or reduce your back pain. Heres how sleep can help:

• Growth hormone released during deep sleep stages repairs muscles and relieves pain
• Sleep disruptions make your nervous system over sensitive to pain, reducing pain threshold
• Insufficient sleep causes depression, and depression can trigger or increase back pain

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Consider Your Partners Needs Too

If you’re sharing a king or a queen mattress, make sure you’re talking with your partner about the thickness they like, and the types of comfort preferences they have for their sleep surface. Maybe they’ll like the same memory foam mattress topper, or latex mattress topper you like…maybe they won’t! You may like a firm mattress, they may not like a firm mattress. To relieve back pain, you both need to agree on what you like.

A larger mattress, like a king size mattress, is a huge investment. A foam or latex mattress topper for a mattress that size isn’t going to be cheap either. Get the thickness level you want from your bed cover that works for both your body, and your partners body. If it’s just you that suffers from lower back pain, talk to your significant other about how a mattress topper is a great cost effective way to find relief.

If both you and your significant other are upset with the way your mattress feels when it comes to its ability to relieve back pain, consider the pros and cons of shopping for a new mattress altogether. It isn’t always needed, and sometimes the mattress topper has the materials you need for relief, but if you can agree on a budget, the pros of opting for a new mattress are hard to ignore.

A Zoned Model Thats Firm In The Middle And Softer Around The Edges

Parachute

• Materials: Pocketed coils, wool comfort layers
• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
• Trial period: 100 nights

Made with layers of pure New Zealand wool and 100% organic cotton, the Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress is another eco-friendly mattress that can help alleviate back pain. It has two layers of pocketed steel coils, and its designed to be firm in the middle for back support and softer at the head and feet for pressure point relief and spinal alignmentgreat for combination sleepers. In between the coils is a comfort layer made from real wool, and the whole thing is wrapped in an organic cotton cover.

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Which Type Of Mattress Is Most Suitable For Back Pain

There are many types of mattresses available like memory Foam, Latex, Spring, And Coir mattresses, etc. Also, you have to check the mattress materials and construction. Ideally, choose a mattress with a free trial period.

And monitor the changes you are experiencing and whether they improve your nights sleep. you need to know a number of criteria for choosing the best mattress for back pain:

Memory foam mattresses

Memory foam has the unique property of adapting to the body, which puts pressure on it, which reduces pressure. Generally, memory foam is one of the best materials for people with back problems.

This works at the expense of body temperature, which some perceive as an inconvenience at low temperatures or with frequent changes in sleeping position.

The memory foam mattress fits completely to the body and provides excellent pressure distribution. Ideal for people with chronic back pain because the entire back is well supported.

Memory foam is commonly used as a top sheet in combination with a cold foam base or pocket springs. The disadvantage is that the memory foam is poorly ventilated and heats up relatively quickly.

Latex Mattress

Latex is undoubtedly the most comfortable material due to its high elasticity. Not all latex breathes well. But the Talalay variant breathes very well.

Pocket spring mattresses

This provides the same support for the whole body, which is not beneficial for people with back problems as it does not relieve pressure.

Selecting The Best Mattress For Back Pain

Back pain is a common curse on a large portion of society. Whether lower, upper or both, many suffer with aching in their back. The quest to find the best mattress for back pain is a huge goal for many who are seeking a pain free night of sleep. Remarkably, only eight percent of adults have been found to be back sleepers. If youre a side sleeper, you might want to view our page: best mattress for side sleeper.

Although many back sleepers like a firm mattress, it is important to have enough softness that will mold to the contours of the body. This allows for the arch of the back to be properly supported as to prevent lower back pain issues. When seeking the best mattress for lower back pain, or for just back pain in general, it is important to think of ergonomics. A mattress designed to properly support the body will promote stability for a healthy posture, as well a peaceful sleep. Memory foams mattresses are a great choice for their combination of firmness and the ability to form to the body.

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Which Is Better For Back Pain: Memory Foam Or Sprung Mattresses

Unlike traditional sprung mattresses, memory foam shapes itself to fit the contours of the body, rather than just the major pressure points like the hips, knees and neck. This reduces the pressure on these areas, and helps to keep the spine in a natural alignment. So, they can be very comfortable and effective for those with chronic back problems.

On the other hand, traditional coiled mattresses do provide effective weight distribution, which can make them a good option for taller or heavier individuals. Pocket sprung mattresses are especially effective at this, because the individual springs can move independently, allowing them to better follow the contours of the body than traditional open coil styles. So, ultimately, the best mattress for a bad back really depends on your build and sleeping style.

If you like the sound of both benefits, then a mattress which utilises both pocket springs and a layer of memory foam, like our hybrid mattresses and , could be the best solution for you.

How A Memory Foam Mattress Can Ease Back Pain

Sometimes it can seem near impossible to get a full night’s sleep when you’re struggling with persistent muscle or joint problems. If you’re wondering how to sleep with back pain, we’ve got a bit of help and advice for you.

Traditionally, firm mattresses are deemed the best solution for back pain sufferers. However, a mattress which is too firm could actually do more harm than good, pushing against your spine and inflaming the problem. What you really need is a mattress which supports your back, shoulders and hips, but many of us find it difficult to differentiate between what is firm and what is supportive.

Memory foam has the unique ability to conform to your natural curves when you lie down. Instead of pushing against your body like a traditional mattress, a memory foam mattress warms and softens around you. The health benefits of this for back pain sufferers include:

• Full body support
• Proper spinal alignment
• Healthy blood circulation

We design and produce a range of orthopaedic memory foam mattresses at our British HQ. These designs are inspired by medical research and are specially geared towards lower back pain relief. So if youre suffering from chronic back pain, an orthopaedic memory foam mattress could be just what you need.

There are 4 main types of orthopaedic memory foam mattresses in our range which cater to every sleeping position. It just depends on the type of mattress you prefer

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