Which Mattress Doesnt Cause Back Pain
Everyones experience with a mattress can vary as per their sleeping position, preferences, comfort index, medical conditions, etc. So, there is no specific mattress that is best for everyone. It is hence recommended to carefully purchase a mattress after reading various mattress buying guides and opting for mattresses that offer a trial period.
The Importance Of The Right Mattress
Back pain is often managed by health professionals. Treatment options include chiropractic, physiotherapy, and pain medication. Some people also help to manage their back pain through stretching and strengthening exercises. Research has shown that getting a new mattress can also help with back pain.
When it comes to the best mattress for bad backs, it is important that your new mattress is correctly balanced with comfort with back support. A good mattress should absorb the weight of your body comfortably, whilst also maintaining your spine in a healthy position.
How We Chose The Best Mattress Topper
The three main things we were looking for in a mattress topper, was whether it was comfy, cosy and supportive. We wanted to feel like we were melting into the bed, and be able to move around in the night without feeling lumps or bumps. During the night, we wanted to wake up as little as possible, and in the morning, not feel any back or neck pain from poor support. We tested the mattress toppers below for several weeks.
Recommended Reading: Can Weight Gain Cause Back Pain
Which Type Of Mattress Topper Is Best For Back Pain
Any type of mattress topper may have potential pros and cons. Depending on their personal preferences, back pain sufferers may enjoy different toppers.
Memory foam: As memory foam toppers conform closely to the body, many people who experience back pain find they give a good balance of pressure relief and support. These toppers also usually isolate motion well, so you might not notice when their partner changes their position. One potential drawback is that memory foam tends to retain heat, but some models are made with special features for added breathability and cooling. Memory foam is also usually slow to respond to changes in pressure, which can make it harder for you to move around and change your sleep position.
Polyfoam: Polyfoam toppers conform to your body without the close hug of memory foam. Additionally, this material tends to be more breathable and regain its shape more quickly than memory foam. Polyfoam toppers are also frequently budget-friendly options. While many sleepers find polyfoam mattress toppers comfortable, theyre often less durable than other types of toppers on the market. This is particularly true of toppers that make use of low-density polyfoam.
Feathers:Feather mattress toppers typically provide a plush sleep surface. However, since they do not usually provide much in the way of support or pressure relief, they may not be ideal for sleepers who experience back pain.
How Can Sleep Help Chronic Pain
Now that weve gone over my picks, I want to take a second to talk about the purpose of this guide. While it may seem like the focus is on finding a mattress thatll make falling asleep with pain easier, its actually about finding the bed thats going to help you use sleep to actively deal with said pain.
Sleep is very important for restoring balance to the nervous system and improving coping strategies for pain, Dr. Poorbaugh told me during our chat . Normally, our central nervous system is downplaying or ignoring stimuli from multiple sources simply because the information is not important. A person with chronic pain, however, loses this important dampening ability, so many activities that were once well-tolerated now become pain-provoking.
Dr. Poorbaugh went on to cite a recent study, which showed that poor sleep patterns were directly related to higher rates of pain, poor mood, increased pain-catastrophizing, and overall reduced physical function.
So what can be done? In order to get the kind of sleep you need to help deal with your chronic pain, consider the following when choosing the right mattress to deal with pain.
Also Check: Can Sitting Cause Lower Back Pain
Effects Of Sleeping On A Soft Bed
The Hammock-effect.When the bed is too soft and sags too much, the body will follow the curves of the sagged mattress. In this case, we speak of the hammock-effect, illustrating the abnormal curve in the spine. Different researchers point out that in order to support the body, there should be no sign of the hammock-effect visible. As illustration A shows, the spine is not aligned correctly and will not relieve back pain.
Limited freedom of movement and moisture drainage. A mattress that is too soft, would contour the body too extensively. In this case, the sleeper would need to use muscles to stabilize the body in an adequate sleeping position. As continuously making use of our muscles during our sleep is next to impossible, the body will bend back into the sagged pit, causing limited freedom of movement and strain for certain muscle groups – this explains why you wake up feeling so tired and stiff in the mornings!
Is It Better To Have A Firm Or Soft Pillow For Neck Pain
The firmness of a pillow is a personal preference, but when it comes to neck pain and support, having the correct scale is very important. For your neck, a pillow should be supportive, responsive, and plush enough for comfort.
A firm pillow helps to ease the pain that is bothering your sleep. It is more supportive and heals the stiffness and soreness in your cervical, improving circulation. It doesnt collapse during the night, so your head will not tilt that much, and it ensures stability.
However, too much firmness can be unappealing. It is uncomfortable for some and can develop pressure points and tighten your muscles. Soft pillows, however, are very conforming and gentle to sleep. It easily molds according to the sleeping position and holds onto your head. However, the support they deliver could be more meaningful. Plus, it can lose its shape quickly, resulting in a lumpy and uneven surface that will do no good.
Conclusively, a medium-firm pillow is an excellent choice. It has support and luxury plush that make the night bearable and comfortable.
Also Check: How To Stop Lower Back Pain When Walking
Best Adjustable Bed For Back Pain
If you and your partner can’t agree on a mattress firmness, the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed allows you to customize each side to your perfect firmness, and the bed automatically makes adjustments based on your body’s position.
- Best for: All sleeping styles
- Available sizes: Twin long, full, queen, king, split king, flextop king, California king, split California king, flextop California king
- Mattress type: Adjustable air
- Firmness : 20 firmness levels
- Motion isolation : 3
- Heat dissipation : 3
- Edge support : 6
- Trial period/warranty: 100 nights 15 years
- Weight/thickness: 80 pounds 12 inches
- Shipping and returns: Free shipping, but return shipping fees apply
- White-glove delivery and mattress removal: Free with purchase of mattress and base
- Showroom availability: Yes, nationwide
Pros: Above average edge support, built-in sleep tracker, 20 firmness options for each side of the bed, adjusts based on sleeping position, white-glove delivery included
Cons: Sleeps hot, poor motion isolation, challenging to move
What do you do when you and your partner have different comfort preferences? Adjustable air beds offer custom firmness on each side. The best we’ve tested for back pain is the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed.
Lastly, I was initially unimpressed with the sleep tracker, which Sleep Number hypes as the main selling point of this expensive mattress. However, the accuracy and quality of the SleepIQ app have improved dramatically over the last six months.
Contact Spine Ina Today
Neck and back pain that lasts throughout the day can cause bothersome or debilitating symptoms, including fatigue, mood changes, chronic soreness, trouble concentrating and more. Regularly monitor and adjust your sleeping arrangements as your lifestyle changes to maintain your spinal health and alignment.
Replace your mattress as it ages or becomes incompatible with your specific body needs, and invest in one made from high-quality, comfortable materials that support and comfort your frame. Choose pillows to accommodate your sleeping position, weight and personal preferences.
Reach out to a professional to schedule an appointment and get relief for your neck and back pain. At the Spine INA, our board-certified specialists will work alongside you to determine whats causing your pain, provide education for avoiding future soreness and assist with condition-specific treatment to alleviate your symptoms and correct misalignment.
Sleep is a critical part of living a long, happy and healthy life dont settle for an uncomfortable bed and morning soreness. Relieve your pain and revive your life by scheduling an appointment with one of our professionals today.
Read Also: Is Back Pain Associated With Breast Cancer
Mattress Features To Look For To Relieve Back Pain
When shopping for a mattress to help relieve back pain, some features are more important than others. With so many products and a bevy of marketing hype, it can be tough to parse out what really matters. Based on our extensive experience testing mattresses, we believe that youre most likely to get the most satisfaction out of your purchase by focusing on certain key considerations:
Your Mattress Sags In Certain Areas
Older or even poor-quality mattresses tend to sag in certain areas, especially right down the middle. This is because with repeated use every night, your body weight softens and compacts the material of your mattress, creating an indentation in the most-used area of the mattress. For most people, this is going to be somewhere in the middle, and unfortunately, this means that youll start to sink or roll into this spot each night. Your back wont get the support it needs once your mattress is sagging, so youll either need to replace it or try adding support to it.
You May Like: Does An Inversion Table Help With Lower Back Pain
Level Up With Strenuous Stretching
Once you get the hang of the basic stretches, lets level up with strenuous exercises now. These help your body muscles to push the boundaries. Thereby, they make your body stronger and more agile. Try these exercises that cure back pain:
Cat-cow
Low-lunge
Kneeling cat stretch
Follow the same in the morning and begin your day energized and all set for a days work that lies ahead.
If you are someone who believes in frequent hot or cold pack massages, you need to know what is the adequate temperature to relieve lower back pain. Cold treatment, for recent injuries, reduces inflammation by decreasing blood flow and heat treatment on an inflamed area promotes blood flow while helping your muscles relax.
Moreover, applying extreme heat or rubbing ice directly on the skin is not advisable. A chiropractic treatment will also be beneficial if the pain refuses to subside. Before going for an extreme alternative like surgery, visit a chiropractor and see if the pain can be treated by chiropractic care. Yoga, acupuncture and Tai Chi also come under it.
What Types Of Mattress Does Tempur
Tempur-Pedic is a leading manufacturer of memory foam mattresses. The company offers a wide range of mattress types to suit different needs and preferences. Tempur-Pedic mattresses are available in a variety of firmness levels, from soft to extra-firm. The company also offers a range of speciality mattresses, including those designed for people with back pain and those designed for couples.
Read Also: What Causes Frequent Urination And Lower Back Pain
How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Back And Neck Pain
We explored top-rated mattresses on the market, paying careful attention to features important for pain relief. To create our list, we considered:
- Customer reviews: Many brands say their mattresses can relieve pressure and pain, but reviews from other shoppers often present a more accurate picture. We read what customers had to say to see how these picks actually helped improve their pain and sleep quality.
- Company reputation and transparency: We focused on brands known for good business practices, quality mattress construction, and a reputation for providing good customer service.
- Company policies: Most brands understand the leap of faith required to buy a mattress online, and many offer a trial period so you can return the mattress if it doesnt work out. Reputable mattress brands generally offer a lengthy warranty to cover product defects and excessive sagging.
- Expert insights: We consulted peer-reviewed studies for more information on the connection between sleep and pain and the qualities that make a mattress good for pain relief. We also reached out to Krystle Howald, PT, DPT, owner of Expecting and Empowered and Empower Movement Physical Therapy, for her tips on getting pain-free sleep.
- Vetting: The mattresses on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthlines brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
Sleeping Tips For People With Back Pain
If you dont address your back pain in some way, it could continue to worsen over time with increased stress to the joints and spine. That being said, here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your sleeping situation if you deal with back pain.
Read Also: What Causes Lower Back And Right Hip Pain
Effects Of Sleeping On A Hard Bed
Pressure points. Contrary to popular belief, there are actually no known benefits of sleeping on a firm mattress if it is too firm for your body height and weight. A mattress that is too firm for your body type will only block your spine from contouring naturally into your mattress – leading to pressure points and aches.
Spinal misalignment.A mattress which is too firm will not support your spine in its normal alignment. This often causes long term problems from the lack of proper support for the spine. For someone with back pain, a firm mattress can cause all sorts of problems as the body tries unsuccessfully to compensate for the lack of lower back spinal support.
Lack of conformability. A firm mattress will not conform properly to your body, leaving gaps between your body and the bed. This means some areas of your body will simply not be supported by an overly firm mattress, and this will lead to additional pain if you have a bad back. Ideally, a mattress should give you good supportiveness but still conform to your body’s contours.
Beware of Orthopaedic labelled products
Its understandable to assume that the best mattress for back pain is the one with a generic orthopaedic stamp attached to it. However, this is a substantial myth. The truth is that there exists no industry standard requirement, regulation, or any specific test for a mattress to pass in order to be labelled as orthopaedic.
What Mattress Firmness Do I Need For Back Pain
Again, the best mattress firmness for you depends on your preferred sleep position and body weight. If youre a stomach sleeper, you should steer towards a firmer mattress than people who prefer sleeping on their side. Generally speaking, most people benefit from a medium firmness with zoned support in the lower back area and other sensitive points.
Also Check: How To Stop Lower Back Pain While Sleeping
How Can Your Mattress Affect Back Pain
The lower back has more curvature and range of motion than the rest of your back, which makes it more susceptible to injury from incorrect alignment. If a mattress offers insufficient support, your lower back may twist or bend in an unnatural way. If the bed is too soft or dips in the middle, your hips may sink deeply into the mattress and out of alignment with your lumbar area. Conversely, if the mattress is too firm, your hips may sit too high. Respected medical journal The Lancet has published a study finding that moderately firm or medium mattresses provide the best support with contouring for your impact points, and help relieve and prevent lower back pain.
What Makes The Nolah Evolution Stand Out
- At 15 tall, this thick mattress has excellent durability, and can last over 10 years.
- The Nolah Evolution could be a good choice for couples. With great motion isolation, you and your partner shouldnt disturb each other when moving around at night.
- For hot sleepers, it has an ArcticTex cooling cover to dissipate excess heat, a coil system that promotes airflow, and an AirBreath gusset.
Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress reviewto learn more. If you arent interested in the Nolah Evolution mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for lower back pain for more great options.
Also Check: Can Psoriatic Arthritis Cause Lower Back Pain
