Is A Soft Mattress Better For Back Pain
Doctors almost never recommend soft mattresses. The softer the mattress, the more room for your body to sink more deeply and twist your joints in ways that could cause discomfort.
That said, a softer bed for backs can be a good choice for lightweight stomach sleepers. This is because they dont put so much pressure on your joints and reduce potential compression that may occur in this sleeping position.
What Else Should You Consider
Once youve decided on a mattress type, there are just a few more things for you to consider.
Pillows for Back PainYou know the saying, it takes two to tango? Both your mattress and your pillow play a role in reducing back pain. Youll want to choose a different pillow based on your sleeping position to reduce stress on your spine and keep your neck properly aligned:
Back sleepers should tuck a small pillow underneath their knees to allow the lower back to curve naturally and comfortably. For the head, choose a pillow of medium height and firmness to keep your neck and spine aligned. If snoring is an issue, prop your torso up using a few firm pillows.
Side sleepers should tuck a pillow between their knees to relieve stress on their hips. For the head, opt for a firm or extra firm pillow around 4 inches in height to keep your spine straight from neck to hips.
Stomach sleepers should tuck a small, flat pillow beneath their stomach and pelvic area to prevent the spine from sinking. For the head, a thin pillow is best because it keeps your neck flat and in alignment with the rest of your body.
Adjustable BedsIf lying in a recliner feels more restful than lying straight on your back, you may want to consider an adjustable bed.
However, they can be quite expensive and many couples find the design to be awkward.
We recommend planning to spend between $800-$1,000 on a mattress you plan on using full-time.
Best Budget Mattress For Back Pain: Vaya Mattress
A new mattress can be quite an expensive commitment for some budget shoppers. Thatâs why we love the Vaya, a foam mattress that focuses on pure comfort and support at a price that most can easily afford. The bed is 12 inches thick and suitable for all sleeping styles, with a queen size mattress costing $599.
The Vaya Mattress has two foam layers in a soft, breathable cover:
- 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam
- 9 inches of Vaya Base Foam
Vaya Comfort Foam is a bouncy, malleable foam. It conforms to you in every position for full-body pressure relief. The comfort foamâs lightweight design also ensures it stays cool during the night, limiting the heat retention that can interrupt your rest.
Vaya Base Foam is a resilient material that resists sagging and supports you in all sleep positions. The foam evenly distributes your bodyweight, preventing the pressure build-up that can cause backaches or exacerbate existing conditions.
Vayaâs commitment to their customersâ comfort extends to their policies, as well. You have 100 nights to try out a Vaya Mattress after it arrives and can return it for a full refund if itâs not right for you. Every purchase of a Vaya Mattress is backed by a 10-year warranty that covers sagging over 0.75 inches.
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Is A Pocket Spring Mattress Good For Back Pain
There are other orthopedic mattresses that offer full-body support, such as the pocket spring . These innerspring mattresses are made of thousands of unique individual springs pocketed inside fabric. Each spring acts independently to allow the contours of the body to be gently supported.
As a general rule, 1,000 to 2,000 springs are fine but consider those with more than 2,000 if you weigh more than 420 lbs. In our opinion, a pocket spring can be good for orthopedic support and treatment. However, these cannot rival the superiority of memory foam or latex mattresses.
How To Pick A Mattress If You Have Back Pain
In the past, if you had back pain, many doctors and well-meaning friends probably directed you toward a firm mattress. As it turns out, that advice was wrong. What you really need, according to the most recent research, is a mattress that feels medium-firm to you.
The key word here is you. Firmness levels are highly subjective. Owner reviews reveal that the same mattress can feel too soft for some people and too hard for others. Apart from personal preference, such discrepancies exist because a persons weight and shape can influence the feel of a mattress. On a soft mattress, for example, my 128-pound body might feel like its floating. But for my 230-pound brother, that same mattress could feel overly firm, given that he would drop immediately to its bottom support layer.
Heres the rule: When back-pain sufferers lie on a mattress they determine to be medium-firm, that mattress is the best backache-relieving mattress for themregardless of how the company labels it or whether the mattress has support zones, reinforced layers, or any other bells and whistles that cater to a spine-focused buyer.
When back-pain sufferers lie on a mattress they determine to be medium-firm, that mattress is the best backache-relieving mattress for them.
More mattress coverage
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We like these six medium-firm mattresses best for stomach-sleepers because theyll support and cushion your midsection while still aligning your spine.
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Is Spinal Alignment The Most Important Factor
Spinal alignment is certainly important, but its not the only factor when it comes to sleeping with back pain. Pressure relief is also important for helping you reduce pain and get to sleep. However, its important to find a material that relieves pressure while still allowing movement.
If you find youre waking up stiff and sore but feel better after you get moving, you could be dealing with swelling or inflammation in the joints or muscle tissue. While this can occur in almost any type of injury, its usually a sign that the injury isnt getting motion, especially while you sleep.
When it comes to spinal injuries or misalignments, most chiropractors and physical therapists will treat the issue by aligning the spine and increasing motion to reduce inflammation and swelling. If you can move around easily when you sleep, either to reposition or rollover, your body may be able to help aid in that process.
Can Your Mattress Cause Back Pain
If youve started waking up with back pain and you didnt have pain before, your mattress could be the culprit! If youve recently purchased a new bed, it could be a bit too soft for your needs, which can cause back pain, especially if its throwing your spine out of alignment. If this is the case, Id recommend sleeping on your new bed for 30 days to see if your body adjusts. If it doesnt, youll need to return your mattress or purchase a topper to help.
Mattress sagging can also be a big culprit of back pain. If your mattress is 710 years old and sagging in certain places, it could be negatively affecting your sleep health. Plus, you could be unconsciously contorting your body to compensate for the sagging. If you notice your mattress is sagging, its time to replace it, or add a topper until youre ready to find a new bed.
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How Old Is Your Mattress
Dr. Perry warns that mattress springs break down over time, which makes your bed softer. This can aggravate a patients back, he says.
Based on this, does it makes sense for you to get a new mattress, or can you reduce pain and stiffness with your old one? While this is likely to vary among individuals, medical research may help shed some light on the question:
A study in Applied Ergonomics measured the comfort and quality of sleep for 27 patients with low back pain and stiffness. The participants recorded their sleep comfort and quality in their own beds for 21 days and then with a prescribed bedding system, which they used for 12 weeks. The study found that the participants showed progressive improvement in back pain and stiffness on the new mattresses and their quality of sleep improved significantly.
Another Organic Option Thats Ideal For Back Sleepers
- Materials: GOLS-organic latex, pocketed support coils
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- 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.
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What’s The Difference Between A Mattress Topper And A Mattress Pad
Both mattress toppers and pads are designed to add extra comfort and support to your bed, but they differ in terms of thickness and construction. A mattress topper is a thick layer of material that sits on top of your mattress. A mattress pad is a thin layer of material, typically quilted, that fits over your mattress like a fitted sheet.
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Simple Ways To Reduce Back Pain
A new mattress is a big investment, and sometimes its too expensive to fit into your budget. If you want to reduce back pain in a cost-effective way, there are a few other options you can test out.
- Pillow: A new pillow that works with your sleeping position and provides good neck support can be a great way to quickly improve your sleep posture and reduce some back pain. Our best pillows for back pain roundup includes a few options, and explains how pillows can help fight back pain in more detail.
- Mattress Topper: Adding a firm mattress topper to a sagging or unsupportive mattress can be a nice quick fix for back pain. It also gives some much-needed support and can extend the life of your mattress by a few months. Check out some of our best mattress toppers to see some options.
- Change your sleeping position: Your sleeping position could be creating some back pain. Back sleepers have the easiest time achieving a neutral spinal alignment, which can really reduce pain. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, are particularly prone to waking up with back pain. Side sleepers can also have some issues with pain if they arent careful about not twisting their back into odd positions as they sleep. If youre struggling with back pain, training yourself to sleep on your back could be a big help. Check out our How to Train to Sleep on Your Back article for some tips.
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Pulled Back Muscle And Lower Back Strain
Lower back or lumbar pain could result from a range of different causes. However, these are causes that are associated with the lumbar disc directly or with muscle strains. This could actually result from sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, or any other twists.
In any case, the thing that you need to do here is to get a proper and professional consultation with your doctor.
This is based on the prediction that you might have fallen into a specific situation with particular medical requirements. These might determine the firmness as well as the material type of your bed. The only person who could provide you with thorough and actionable advice on the mattress that you should get is your doctor.
And, keep in mind that this should happen only after careful and thorough examination. The source of the pain needs to be isolated and targeted properly.
Why Do Some People Recommend Sleeping On The Floor
There are anecdotal stories from people who have found relief from sleeping on the floor. Others are skeptical of this technique. Heres why: you need a supportive surface to ensure your spine is in proper alignment. We talked earlier about a sleeping surface that is too hard will tilt the pelvis up and out of position.
We think the real reason that people recommend sleeping on the floor is that they have such a terrible, sagging, and unsupportive mattress that anything is an improvement over that! Weve outlined a lot of solutions to minimize nerve pain, so we strongly encourage you to try the other tips and consult a doctor before resorting to sleeping on the floor.
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How Can I Get Relief On A Budget
While there are budget-friendly mattresses on the market that could be good options for arthritis sufferers, pillows and mattress toppers may also prove effective. A good pillow can help support your natural spinal alignment. Some arthritis sufferers may also like a wedge pillow to support their knees or upper bodies. If your existing mattress is in good condition but youre looking for more pressure relief, a quality mattress topper can add plushness and contouring without the expense of replacing the whole mattress.
Your Back Pain Fades After Waking
If stretching and a good hot shower alleviates your morning aches, they might be related to your mattress. But if your back pain is an all-day kind of thing, there may be other causes.
Even if you suspect your mattress is to blame for your sore back, its important to chat with your healthcare provider if your back pain persists throughout the day and is more than just a morning nuisance.
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Best Mattress In A Box For Back And Neck Pain
Helix Dawn
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 12 inches
Helix recommends this firm hybrid for back and stomach sleepers, but a few reviewers note that it also works well for combination sleepers.
The company says the individually wrapped coils provide firm support, and theyre reinforced around the perimeter to keep the mattress from giving way when you roll toward the edge.
The middle polyfoam layer offers extra cushioning, while the top layer made from the companys proprietary latex foam contours to your body to relieve pressure, align your spine, and ease pain. The firmness of the mattress is designed to help you feel supported without causing you to sink into the bed.
Hybrid mattresses are generally cooler at night than those made entirely of foam, and several reviewers say this mattress stays comfortably cool. In general, reviewers praise this mattress. Many reviewers report relief from longtime back pain after just one night.
A few reviewers did notice some motion transfer when sleeping with a partner, so it may work best if you sleep alone.
What Makes The Dreamcloud Stand Out
- The DreamCloud is a firmer mattress option for people with back pain.
- The mattress will also be a great option for hot sleepers. The coils promote airflow, and the foam on top features cooling infusions as well.
- For a hybrid mattress, the DreamCloud is competitively priced.
Read our full DreamCloud mattress review.
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Best Mattresses Recommended By Chiropractors
I am frequently asked by patients what mattresses I recommend for their back pain or particular condition. Patients want to know where to find the best mattress for back pain, chronic pain, sciatica neck pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, disc issues, muscle spasms, and after spinal surgery.
Nowadays most mattresses for back pain are sold online, which makes picking a bed a difficult task. It is a costly purchase that you will spend a lot of time using, so it is important to make an educated decision.
Choosing the wrong mattress could cost you thousands of dollars and many nights of back pain and restless sleep. I have some knowledge to share with you to make sure this doesnt happen.
Why Is My Sciatic Pain Worse In The Morning
This issue is similar to the question above about sciatica being worse in a prone position. Again, if youre sleeping in a position that puts pressure on your nerves, youll feel a lot worse first thing in the morning than you would during the course of the day. Your spine has been at a suboptimal angle for hours, naturally making the pain worse as soon as you become conscious.
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What Firmness Is Best For Back Pain
Theres a common myth that you need a firm mattress to get the best support for your spine. But firmness and support arent the same thing.
- Firmness relates to how much you sink into your mattress.
- Support relates to how well your mattress supports your spine to keep it aligned.
So, does that mean that mattress firmness doesnt matter? Its not quite that simple. Lets take a look at the differences between soft and firm mattresses.
Factors To Consider When Shopping A Mattress Topper For Back Pain
An effective mattress topper is said to have specific qualities. So, before we directly jump into the types of mattress toppers, let us educate you on the important factors to look for before buying a mattress topper for back pain.
- Firmness
Did you know that the firmness of your mattress topper affects the level of conforming and support that you need to get rid of back pain? Yes, you read that right!
A soft mattress topper can contribute to back pain by not providing enough support for your spine. On the other hand, a too-firm mattress topper can also cause pain by putting pressure on points like your shoulders and hips.
The best mattress topper for back pain relief will strike a balance between these two extremes , providing enough support to keep your spine aligned while still being soft enough to be comfortable.
- Thickness
The thickness of the topper is also an important factor to consider, especially if you suffer from back pain. Mattress toppers generally range from 1 to 4 inches in terms of thickness. And the thickness is the factor that impacts how significantly it alters the sleep surface.
A thicker mattress topper will provide more support for your back, helping to reduce pain and improve your sleep quality. On the other hand, if you’re simply looking for a little extra comfort, a thinner mattress topper may be all you need.
- Pressure relief
Keep in mind that thicker mattress toppers with more conforming are also likely to provide more pressure relief.
- Durability
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