Do I Need A New Mattress For Recovery
The spinal fusion is major surgery, and the recovery is a slow process. It takes weeks or even months to get back to the better definition of normalcy. Even after the recovery, one must also be careful not to injure the back once again. What is the solution? A comfortable mattress!
It may take a few weeks to know the character of the new mattress that is why it is recommended to go for the one with a trial period to know it well. If there is no discomfort during the initial few weeks, there shouldnt be any problems later.
Do Be Mindful Of How You Get In And Out Of Bed
Jerking yourself out of bed quickly or getting in too fast can exacerbate lower back pain, so make sure youre careful about doing each:
When getting into bed, first sit down near the place where you want to sleep. Then, using your hands as support, bend your knees and slowly lie down on your side. Take care to keep your torso straight.
When getting out of bed, you basically want to do the opposite. Roll onto your side first towards the edge of the bed, bend your knees, then use your arms to help push yourself up and swing your legs over the side. This will help you keep from bending at your waist, which can engage your back.
What We Look Forward To Testing
As mentioned above, I test a new mattress every two weeks so that our picks reflect the best options available for back-pain sufferers. Here are some promising candidates that I plan on testing in the near future:
Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress: Parachute makes the top pick in our best mattress topper guide. The Eco Comfort mattress is unique because it doesn’t have any foam. It’s made of eco-friendly wool, cotton, and tempered steel. The bed has zoned support to keep your back aligned while offering pressure relief at the head and feet.
Tempur-Pedic Adapt Mattress: The Tempur-Adapt mattress is one of Tempur-Pedic’s most popular models. I’ve tested two other Tempur-Pedic models and appreciate the company’s patented memory foam. I’d like to see how this treats my back.
Helix Midnight Luxe: This is a jazzed-up version of our budget pick. Special features include a breathable Tencel cover, zoned lumbar support, and a quilted pillow top. I think this could be stiff competition for our top overall pick.
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Which Sleep Number Bed Is Best For Me
Before we jump into recommendations, its important to note that the experience of sleeping on an airbed can feel quite different from that of more traditional mattress styles, like all-foam or hybrid beds. If you love memory foam, for example, an airbed wont provide the same enveloping feeling you enjoy, regardless of how thick the comfort layers are.
Secondly, if you enjoy cuddling with your partner while you sleep, the dual air chambers may impede that and can feel uncomfortable. Lastly, these airbeds arent for people with a limited budget, considering the most affordable Smart Bed option starts at $999.
Suffering From Lower Back Pain In The Morning After Sleeping
If you are suffering from lower back pain in the morning after sleeping, it is better to preserve the natural curve of your spine. The middle part between the shoulders should be higher than the upper part between the head and neck. This is important to remember.
Even though there is no substitution for a firm mattress, it still needs to be softer on one side than the other so you can easily turn yourself from one side to another during sleep time. For people who suffer from chronic lower back pain due to sleeping in the same position every night, it is a good practice to change the sleeping position on different sides of the bed every night.
Not everyone can afford a new mattress, so make sure that you recognize, as side sleepers, that you need to change positions often. A good nights sleep isnt easy when your sleep quality is low.
For patients who are suffering from chronic pain, it is necessary to keep their spine in a natural position while sleeping. Hence, it is a good idea for them to have a suitable mattress that helps their lower back pain after waking up. A memory foam mattress is an excellent choice when dealing with chronic conditions.
It has the highest level of viscosity, which is different from traditional viscoelastic materials. In addition to offering a comfortable sleeping environment, a memory foam mattress can help lower back pain in the morning after sleeping and increase the quality of your sleep AND your quality of life. It really is a good mattress.
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Sleep Number 360 P5 Smart Mattress
The Sleep Number 360 p5 is an air bed with one or two adjustable air chambers and a 4″ comfort layer on top. It’s an upgraded version of the Sleep Number Classic mattress series, and it has an extra layer of foam meant to enhance pressure relief.
The p5 and pSE models have the same 4-inch comfort layer and features, except the pSE comfort layer is made of a foam that will retain less heat. The pSE and the p6 each have all of the same features, including the cooler comfort layer, but the pSE has a 4-inch comfort layer vs. a 5-inch comfort layer in the p6.
Pillow Use For Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping, also known as prone sleeping, is a very problematic sleep posture. Stomach sleepers put too much pressure and unnecessary tension on their rotator cuff tendons, facet joints, stomach, neck, spinal cord, and back muscles. Medical professionals advise patients to avoid it altogether. The sleeping posture also requires the neck to be rotated to one side for breathing purposes, further increasing your risks of getting a stiff neck.
Pillows do not do a good job of support with this position. However, you can try putting a flat pillow under your stomach to increase the length of your lower back curve. This further relaxes the muscles and rotator cuff tendons. You can try propping your head with a pillow to retain your bodys natural alignment during your sleep.
Correct positioning is essential to ease back pain. Although pillows may be effective, they often fall out of place during sleep. The best way to eliminate, or at least curb, upper back pain is to ensure a good nights sleep. That is best achieved by using an adjustable bed frame that can put the spine in a neutral position that does not strain the vertebrae, muscles, or joints. A good mattress is also essential. It should cushion the bodys joints. The best way to avoid upper back pain after sleeping is by ensuring you get a good restorative sleep every night.
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Sleep Number Bed Makes My Back Pain Worse Which Mattress
HomeAir MattressSleep Number Bed Makes My Back Pain Worse. Which Mattress?
Hi Pete,
I am an old broken bodybuilder with spondylolisthesis .
Because of my back pain, I have been forced to become a side sleeper, which seems to now be the cause of chronic shoulder pain.
I have been sleeping on a sleep number bed for 2 years, and it seems to be causing more harm than good.
Could you please give recommendations to which mattress will improve comfort, reduce pain, and help me get some sleep?
Your input is greatly appreciated, Gary
Hi Gary,
An air mattress, like a waterbed, offers no upward supportbut relies solely on displacement of your weight for support. This is not adequate support for anyoneleast of all, a large person with back problems.contrary to what you were told at the time of purchase.
Having been a bodybuilder, you have made side sleeping more of a challenge. The proper mattress, with the proper support, will allow you to sleep on your back.
My wife and I are large people, and I have lots of disc related damage to my back.
Heres a link to The Natura of Canada Greenspring line of mattresses., which will provide you with the proper support.There are 4 choices of comfort. We sleep on the Ultra Plush.
Will A New Mattress Help
Many times, yes- buying a new orthopedic mattress will significantly help your lower back pain. For a lot of people, switching to a new sleeping position is easier said than done. You may try to fall asleep in one of the good sleeping positions for lower back pain, but as soon as youre fully asleep you roll back over to your stomach and spend the rest of the night that way. This is precisely why having a supportive mattress needs to be a big part of your plan to eliminate your pain.
The right amount of back support helps you avoid any type of pain or soreness in the morning. A good mattress is one that provides support for your natural curves and the alignment of your spine. Does this mean a Firm mattress? Maybe, but maybe not. A supportive mattress doesnt need to be hard, it just needs to be made in the right way to keep your spine aligned properly. There is no single mattress style or type that works for all people with low back pain. Find a comfortable one that works for you!
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Using An Adjustable Bed For Back Pain
Getting a good nights sleep can be difficult when an individual is recovering from back surgery or has chronic back pain. For anyone who has difficulty getting or staying comfortable enough to sleep on a flat mattress, it may be worth considering if an adjustable bed is a better alternative.
See Considerations When Buying a New Mattress
Sleeping on an adjustable bed allows the upper body to rest at a slight incline, such as 30 to 45 degrees, with support under the knees so they bend at a slight angle.
An adjustable bed has the potential to help anyone who feels better in an inclined position, such as when sitting in a recliner, rather than when lying on a flat mattress. It is not uncommon for people with back or neck pain, or other joint conditions such as shoulder arthritis or pain, to feel better in this position.
This article provides a few examples of certain back conditions and how an inclined position in an adjustable bed can sometimes help the patient feel more comfortable.
On The Front With The Face Down
Sleeping on the front is generally unhealthy when a person turns their head to the side, twisting the spine and placing additional stress on the neck, shoulders, and back.
To avoid this, try lying face down. To do so comfortably:
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Can A Mattress Cause Back Pain
A mattress can definitely be a cause of back pain because it plays such an important role in how the body is positioned through the night. Most people know that posture is important but only think about their posture in the context of standing and sitting. This can cause them to overlook the importance of having a mattress that is the proper fit for them based on their body shape, weight, and sleeping position.
If the spine and joints arent aligned and well-cushioned during sleep, they wont be able to relax. Instead of recovering, the body will be strained, exacerbating pre-existing back issues and sowing the seeds for new ones. The easiest way to know whether a mattress is a contributing factor to back pain is if the pain tends to be the most pronounced in the morning when you wake up. If the pain is the worst when you get out of bed and subsides during the day, theres a good chance that your mattress is playing a part in your aches and pains.
Prevent Back Pain During The Day
Ultimately, its not just about how you sleep. Your posture and activity during the day has a significant effect on muscles that may wind up feeling sore no matter what position you sleep in.
During the day, focus on maintaining good posture at work and taking frequent breaks to get up and stretch.
This might mean the difference between waking up feeling like you need a visit to a massage therapist and getting out of bed ready to take on the day.
Do you have any tips or tricks for avoiding back pain due to sleep? Share them with us in the comments section!
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Can Your Mattress Cause Lower Back Pain
Because it is a principal means of supporting the body during sleep, a mattress can play an important role in preventing or reducing lower back pain.
Proper spinal alignment demands a mattress that is in good condition and doesnt sag excessively. Research supports using a medium-firm mattress to combat lower back pain, although the most appropriate firmness can vary based on a persons weight, body shape, sleeping position, and individual comfort preferences.
How To Tell If You Need A New Mattress
Sometimes, a worn out mattress is a large contributor to hip pain and other types of pain. After years of use, mattresses will develop permanent impressions in the foam, sagging in the coils, and other signs of wear that can significantly diminish the amount of support a mattress provides. If you experience any of the following signs in addition to your hip pain, its likely time for a new bed:
- You notice impressions, lumps, sagging, rips and tears, or other signs of wear in your bed
- You tend to roll to the center of the mattress while sleeping
- You find the couch or other places to sleep more comfortable than your own bed.
- Its been more than seven years since youve purchased a new mattress
- You cant remember the last time you purchases a new mattress.
The average mattress lasts from 6-8 years, but mattress lifespan varies depending on the quality and materials its made of. Cheap memory foam and innerspring mattresses can last as little as four years, while higher-quality hybrid and latex models can last as many as nine or ten.
Whether your hip pain is a direct result of your mattress or not, an old mattress isnt helping. Most online mattress companies offer sleep trials, which allow you to try the mattress for at least 100 days before committing it. We recommend making use of this to help ease your hip pain.
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Is Sleep Number Bed Hrv Accurate
Daytime HRV is heavily influenced by inputs from environment, emotions, and physical factors. By tracking HRV at night, most external factors are absent, providing a more accurate measure, Sleep Number states, adding that high HRV, for example, may indicate greater cardiovascular fitness and physical recovery ability.
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Back Pain
Memory foam mattresses are often touted as the best option for back pain, and they can certainly be beneficial, thanks to their balance of support and cushioning. However, its key to purchase a mattress made with high-quality, dense memory foam, which will provide the support you need. Many inexpensive memory foam mattresses are too plush and dont provide adequate support, which may end up worsening your pain.
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How Sleeping On Your Side Affects Sleep
Related Reading
Sleeping on your side is highly regarded within the medical community, and its benefits are compelling. Not only does side sleeping open your airways and reduce snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea, but it may also improve brain health and help prevent certain neurological issues. For people with heartburn, and especially for pregnant women, sleeping on your left side has been shown to reduce acid reflux. This sleeping position is also best for keeping your spine aligned, though there are measures you should take to ensure your body and spine get the proper support when sleeping on your side. Putting too much pressure on your neck, shoulders, and back can result in aches and pains.
The Best Sleeping Positions For Lower Back Pain
The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. Keeping the knees bent helps balance the body and reduces pressure on the lumbar spine. Many people find it helpful to put a small pillow between their knees to make this position more comfortable.
Unfortunately, many back and stomach sleepers have a hard time changing their sleeping position. Even so, they can take steps to reduce strain on their lower back:
- Back sleepers can put a pillow under their knees, legs, and/or lower back to support the natural curve of the spine and minimize lumbar pressure.
- Stomach sleepers should opt for only a thin pillow under their head and place a more supportive pillow under their hips and abdomen. This works to prevent the lower back from sinking into a U-shape that pulls the spine out of alignment.
Some people with back pain use an adjustable bed that makes it easy to raise the upper or lower part of the mattress in a way that decreases tension in the lower back.
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