Sleeping On The Back:
Sleeping on your back is the best sleeping posture because it helps distribute weight evenly across the body, keeps the alignment of your internal organs in check, and reduces the amount of pressure points that you might experience from side sleeping. Tip: use a thinner pillow to make sure your head doesnt protrude forward which can contribute to forward neck posture.
Sleep Number Mattresses: An Honest Assessment
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Weve updated this guide with information on new temperature-balancing features in Sleep Numbers 360 Smart Bed line and the forthcoming Climate 360 Smart Bed.
Spending thousands of dollars on a mattress that, by volume, is mostly air may sound as ridiculous as paying inflated prices for bottled water. But with some marketing magic and a few enticing extras, real or imagined, anything can happen. Sleep Number, the most successful brand in the adjustable air-bed category, offers 11 models with varying levels of cushioning, all of which can be puffed up to your desired firmness level with just the touch of a button. If you sleep alone and have a consistent firmness preference, Sleep Number is an overpriced option. But for couples with vastly different tastes in mattress firmness, those adjustable, air-filled chambers could be worth it.
Mattress Warranty And Other Policies
Most online mattress companies offer sleep trials so you can try out the mattress in your own home before committing to a purchase. You should look for a sleep trial thats at least 90 nights long, which will give your body time to adjust to the feel of the new mattress. Some mattress companies impose mandatory break-in periods or charge return fees, so be sure to check the fine print before ordering.
After the sleep trial ends, a mattress warranty can protect you against premature sagging, ensuring your mattress will continue to deliver the support you need to reduce sciatica pain. Mattress warranties tend to last at least 10 years and cover significant defects in materials and workmanship. That said, mattress warranties shouldnt be the main factor that influences which mattress you buy.
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Take It Slow When Getting Up
Taking it slow when you get out of bed can be beneficial. You may want to use your arms to sit up slowly before moving your legs off the side of the bed. Once you plant your feet on the ground, shoulder-width apart, you can stand up slowly, using your leg strength instead of your back to help you up.
After carefully standing, you can further relieve tension by reaching your arms up above your head and stretching slowly from side to side.
Find Your Most Comfortable Sleeping Position
Mattress selection is also important. For instance, if you sleep in multiple positions throughout the nightwhich is normalyoull want to invest in a mattress that can accommodate your changing needs.
After all, no one wants their bed or bedroom to be an uncomfortable place. Opt for comfort and make sure that whatever mattress you choose supports healthy living .
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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.
Sleep In A Fetal Position
If you have a herniated disc, curl up in a fetal position. When you lie on your side with your knees tucked into your chest, youll be able to minimize the bending of your spine and open up your joints simultaneously. If you choose the fetal position, use a pillow to give your head and neck some support.
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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.
Owner Review Feedback For Sleep Number Mattresses
Sleep Number mattresses are typically purchased directly from Sleep Number, so thats where we found the majority of the online reviews. Out of the 34 good-quality negative user reviews we collected about the Classic Series , 10 contained complaints about issues related to a lack of cushioning. This included reviewers describing the mattress as too firm, too thin, bottoming out, or having poor pressure relief. Several reviewers pointed out that the c series is especially problematic for heavier-weight sleepers, and others noted the support felt better once they added a mattress topper.
For negative feedback on the Performance Series, we found far fewer complaints related specifically to the mattress thinness . But four out of 26 good-quality negative Innovation Series reviews noted that the mattresses were too firm or offered poor pressure relief. Perhaps this is to be expected, given that these users paid much more for their mattresses and therefore expected more. Three out of the six Cooling Memory Foam owners complained that their mattresses were either too thin, too firm, or lacked pressure relief.
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Best Adjustable Mattress For Back Pain: Sleep Number 360 I8
Sleep Number states that this adjustable mattress may suit back and stomach sleepers. The mattress is split down the middle. Users can adjust comfort and firmness on each side separately.
An adjustable mattress may suit people with back pain as they can adapt the firmness and position to their needs.
The mattress features responsive Air technology that automatically adjusts according to a persons movements. The contouring surface also conforms to the individual to provide more support.
Sleep Number claims that this mattress can absorb and release excess heat to keep users cool throughout the night.
The mattress has a height of 12 inches .
The price depends on the mattress size chosen, as follows:
- Twin XL: $3,349
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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How Can I Make My Back Stop Hurting In Bed
There are a few things you can do to help treat your back pain in bed.
First, you can consult with a physician.
They may use high-end procedures like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or EMGs to determine why youre experiencing back pain in bed.
However, not all back pain merits seeing a doctor.
Generally, youll want to make an appointment with your physician only if your back pain.
- Feels especially severe or radiates to other parts of your body.
- It quickly gets worse over time.
- It started with a specific injury.
- Is showing signs of infection like fever or swelling.
- It may be causing weakness, numbness, or tingling in your lower body.
If that doesnt sound like you, though, there are a few things you can do at home to help treat your back pain.
Making Sense Of Sleep Number
Sleep Number offers two lines of mattresses: the Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed line and the Sleep Number Value Bed line.
The Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed line consists of four series, most of which include several models:
From a design standpoint, Sleep Number 360 Smart Beds and Value Beds are similar to any other mattresses: Each contains an upper comfort portion made of foam layers and a lower support portion. Instead of the foam or springs found in the lower support portion of conventional mattresses, in Sleep Number mattresses, that support portion consists of an adjustable air chamber and a support pad. These air chambers make it possible for couples to independently adjust firmness levels to their own liking. Theres also a sleep tracker inside the bed.
Heres how the key components work:
The air chamber allows you to adjust the firmness level of the mattressyour sleep settingsby filling the chamber with more or less air. The settings range from 5 to 100 you can adjust them in increments of 5 using the SleepIQ app on your phone or tablet, or with a remote . With the 360 Smart Beds, the tissue-boxsized pump is incorporated into a base , which pairs with the mattress. If you dont purchase the base, the pump will sit on the floor.
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How To Adjust A Sleep Number For A Sore Back
If youve purchased a Sleep Number® bed to relieve back pain, you must adjust it properly to fully benefit. According to Select Comfort, the Minneapolis company that produces the beds, tests have shown that the alleviation of Sleep Number® bed users back pain and their overall sleep quality rely on proper adjustment 1.
Things You Need To Keep In Mind When Choosing A Mattress
So youve found a mattress that looks comfortable, but what should you really keep in mind when buying one?
First, its important to understand that not all mattresses are made equally. It is possible to find great quality and low prices, but only if you know how to shop smartly.
Second, consider your specific needs when shopping for a mattress. The perfect mattress isnt going to be one-size-fits-all one person may need something different than another depending on weight and other factors.
Lastly, look at more than just cost when choosing a new mattress. While cost is an important factor, so is comfort and durabilitytwo things which dont always go hand in hand with affordable pricing. There is nothing worse than purchasing a subpar product only to have it break down before its time.
Be careful of deals that seem too good to be true and remember: Best Sleep Number For Lower Back Pain
price shouldnt determine quality! When people purchase a mattress based on price alone, they often end up dissatisfied and disappointed because they didnt take into account their own unique situation or research potential pros/cons beforehand.
When looking for a new mattress, There are three major things you must consider:
- material type ,
- size/type ,
- and firmness .
Your best bet will always be speaking with someone who can guide you through your options by considering these factors directly as well as any others pertinent to your unique case.
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The Sleep Number Value Beds
The Value Bed line is Sleep Numbers bed in a box option. The company is planning to discontinue it in the near future, but for now, given the current coronavirus crisis, it has gained in popularity because of its contact-free delivery. The Value lines s1 and the s3 mattresses cost about the same as the beds in the Classic line, but they have a quilted cushion layer . That quilted layer is zoned to cater to various pressure points there are five different cushioned areas in the s1 and seven in the s3. The company doesnt divulge details about its foam, so were not sure how the zones differ. But we do know that this comfort portion isnt thicker than the 2 inches we found wanting in the Classic lines entry-level c2, and the air pump sits on the floor, as opposed to being integrated into the mattress itself, like with the other lines. And although the Value line comes with SleepIQ technology, the Value Beds dont have the smart feature that allows them to conform to your body as you shift positions. We havent tried this line, but given how spartan the c line felt, we cant imagine that any amount of quilting or zoning would compensate for the thin comfort layer.
Body Type & Body Weight
- Light sleepers typically find mattresses firmer than average-weight sleepers. Id recommend these sleepers take a review of the top soft mattresses to ensure they get the pressure relief they require.
- Heavy sleepers need a bed with extra support to prevent premature mattress sagging. Overall durability and edge support are usually important concerns. To learn how to choose the best mattress that suits your body, visit our page to find the best mattresses for heavy people.
- Children are rapidly growing and changing bodies with specific sleep needs! Find out how you can prioritize your childs sleep health in our top mattresses for kids..
- For seniors generally prefer more traditional feeling mattresses that offer support and mobility, but are still gentle on sensitive joints. I suggest looking at our best mattresses for older adults to find a feel that is suitable for you.
- Teenagers are growing at a rapid rate, and they have their own requirements for sleep, too! Learn more about how to choose an appropriate mattress in our best mattresses for teens.
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How To Sleep Better With Lower Back Pain
Getting quality sleep is an important part of recovering from lower back pain, but sleeping well may seem like a tall task when your back hurts. While theres no guaranteed way to get better sleep, certain practical tips can help:
- Find a supportive sleeping position. Ideally, you can sleep on your side, but regardless of the position, make sure your spine is well-aligned. If needed, use extra pillows for body support.
- Be careful with alcohol and caffeine. Though alcohol may help you doze off, it can throw off the quality of your sleep. As a stimulant, caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Try relaxation methods. Finding techniques to wind down can put you in the right state of mind for sleep with less focus on pain.
- Reduce potential sleep disruptions. If you inadvertently wake up at night, pain may make it harder to get back to sleep. For that reason, try to eliminate excess noise and light from your bedroom or block them out with a sleep mask or earplugs. Set your bedroom to a temperature that will be comfortable throughout the night.
Focusing on sleep hygiene can improve your sleep habits so that you can sleep better both during and after episodes of lower back pain.
How Do I Find My Sleep Number
There are two main ways to find ones Sleep Number.
- Go to your nearest Sleep Number store and work with a Sales Representative to identify your setting. They will have you lay on a bed in the store and work with you to find both your ideal setting and what Sleep Number mattress models and options may suit you best.
- Find your number at home using your own Sleep Number bed and the remote that it comes with. Following the instructions on Sleep Numbers website, you will want to lie in your waking up sleep position and allow the mattress to go from soft to firm and back from firm to soft so you can identify which level is best for you.
Ones Sleep Number setting is really ultimately determined by what feels right to them. Those who are more inclined to sleep on firmer beds will more likely have a higher Sleep Number than those who like more cushion.
A few things to keep in mind while people are searching for their Sleep Number setting.
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Do Find The Best Mattress And Pillows For Your Back
Much like sleeping positions, there is not one true type of mattress or pillow that will work for everyone with lower back pain. Some people have great results from a firmer mattress while others need something a little softer to alleviate pain. Research on firm versus soft mattresses is inconclusive, however, a middle-of-the road firmness seems to work best.
Now, we all know mattresses and high-quality pillows arent exactly cheap! So dont be afraid to experiment with different ones before making a purchase. The goal to to ensure theyll help alleviate your pain each night:
How long youve had your mattress? If its been over eight years, it might be time to do some mattress shopping. Although mattresses can last a while, their materials do break down over time and lose those qualities that help support a healthy sleep position.
Look for pillows that can support sleeping on the back and on the side . There are specialized pillows that are suitable for both positions. Remember that generally you need a thinner pillow when lying on the back, and thicker pillow when lying on the side.
Look for a foam or innerspring mattress. You can even double down and add a foam mattress topper onto your innerspring mattress.
Some manufacturers offer in-home trials for mattresses so you can try them out first.
