Sleeping Cool And Airflow
Manufacturers use a number of cooling technologies to keep their memory foam mattresses from overheating the sleeper. Some enlarge or enhance the size of each individual foam cell, making more room for air to escape. Others add gel, graphite, copper, or charcoal to absorb and move heat out of the mattress. Memory foam layers may also be channeled, convoluted, or made with cutouts to create air pockets through which heat can escape.
These same techniques are used in the foams of hybrid mattresses. However, heat and air readily circulate around the coils of hybrid and innerspring mattresses, making these models some of the cooler mattress types on the market.
A Luxury Model Thats Worth Every Penny
- Firmness level: Available in soft, medium, medium hybrid, firm
- Trial period: 90 nights
Constructed of special Tempur-Material that was originally developed by NASA, this luxury mattress provides advanced pressure-relieving power thats ideal for those with back pain. Responding to your weight, shape and temperature, this adaptive mattress conforms to your body even if you shift positions throughout the night. The proprietary material also absorbs motion better than other memory foam mattresses so if you sleep with a partner, you wont get jostled awake if they toss and turn in the middle of the night. As far as choosing a firmness: The foam is known for its supportive properties all around, but the overall consensus is that back sleepers usually opt for a firmer mattress while side sleepers tend to go for a medium to soft feel.
Memorial Day sale: Save $200 on this mattress during Tempur-Pedics Memorial Day event.
When In Doubt Go Medium
Research is limited, but in one study, researchers assigned new mattresses to more than 300 people with low back pain. They used either “medium-firm” or “firm” mattresses for 90 days. Those in the medium group reported the least amount of discomfort.
You might consider getting a memory foam mattress . The foam molds to your body. The downside: Some memory foam mattresses keep in heat and the material might have more chemicals.
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What Makes The Saatva Stand Out
- At a 7/10 on the firmness scale, the Saatva mattress is very close to medium firmness, with a fantastic balance of comfort and support.
- The coils promote airflow through the mattress so that it doesnt trap too much heat.
- Sagging shouldnt be an issue on the Saatva. Its an exceptionally durable option that should remain comfortable and supportive for years to come.
Read our full Saatva mattress review.
Zoned Support For Spinal Alignment
A good mattress responds to the curves and contours of your body. The central third, or middle of the mattress, is where most of your weight rests while you sleep. Having added stability in this area will help reduce sinkage and improve your overall sleep posture. Mattresses with reinforced support in the middle of the bed can help prevent the hips and lower back from sinking too far into the surface of the mattress.
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Should I Spend So Much Money On Memory Foam Mattress Topper For Back Pain
An memory foam mattress topper for back pain should live with you for many years to come. Paying more will reward you with a better view, increased speed, and better quality accuracy every time you open the lid. It costs between $$ and $$$ on average to purchase a new memory foam mattress topper for back pain. The price is higher but there are some luxury features that you opt for.
How Old Is Too Old
Older mattresses can often make back pain worse. Over time, mattresses sag and lose their supportive features. If your mattress is over 5 years old, it might be approaching the time to get a new one. Most mattresses are good for this length of time, though newer mattresses like the ones on this list have much longer warranties.
The verdict is that older mattresses should be replaced as soon as possible. Newer mattresses can help with back pain after a certain breaking-in period, which allows your body to adjust to a new sleeping surface.
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Should I Go See My Doctor
If you regularly experience back discomfort, we encourage you to visit your doctor. This medical professional understands your medical history and current pain, so they know what treatment plan is right for you.
The reviews and other content here do not take the place of medical advice. Always follow your doctors recommendations.
The pain you feel could be a warning sign of a deeper medical condition. So, please see your doctor to determine exactly why you feel back pain.
Mattresses And Back Pain
According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 85% of Canadians will experience back pain in their lifetime. While pain can result from movement, aging, or other health-related issues, the bed you are sleeping on may not be helping you achieve a proper sleep posture.
Maintaining appropriate spinal alignment in bed will allow your muscles and ligaments to relax and recover while your body is at rest. If you go to bed feeling good but wake up in pain, there is a chance that your mattress isnt providing the support you need.
How Mattresses Can Cause Back Pain
- Inadequate support can result in areas of the body sinking too far into the mattress, placing excess pressure on the spine.
- Mattresses that are too firm can sometimes lead to the formation of pressure points, especially at the neck, shoulders, and hips.
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Recommendations For Heavyweight Sleepers
Its always important to consider ones size and weight when searching for a mattress customers want to make sure that their new mattress will properly support heavier weights. This is even more important when discussing mattresses for back pain, as larger people require even more support under their lumbar area so that they dont get out of alignment. Out of these 10 mattresses, three really stand out among the rest for heavier sleepers.
- Helix: Although we recommended the Helix Midnight Luxe, heavier sleepers should seek out the Helix Plus, the brands bed designed specifically with larger people in mind. It has that medium firmness that those with back pain should be searching for, but is also incredibly supportive and offers the necessary lumbar support.
- Saatva: This is also a fantastic match because it features a nice balance of comfort and support. Heavier back sleepers should receive excellent lumbar support, with the mattress conforming to the curves of their body. As for heavier side sleepers, their hips should sink in the right amount, and the memory foam should press up to fill in their gaps and keep the spine in proper neutral alignment.
- WinkBed: With its supportive coils and plush top, heavier people should also find the WinkBed to be a good fit. Specifically, they should consider the WinkBed Plus, which has high-density Body Impression-Proof foam and even more support in its coils.
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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Will A New Mattress Help My Back
We wish that we could give you a definitive yes! However, every person has a unique body shape and sleep style, impacting how the mattress feels for your back. While a certain mattress can alleviate soreness for some sleepers, it does not for others. Additional factors that can impact how well the best mattress for back pain helps you include the severity of the pain and how long the problem has been occurring.
Thus, there is no single best mattress for lower back pain. Instead, the ideal one suits your needs and preferences regarding the sleep environment.
Finding the right model is easier when you read reviews of the most popular ones. Our reviews provide not only the benefits but also any limitations of each mattress so you can decide what one you like the most.
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.
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What Makes The Layla Stand Out
- The Laylas hybrid design is supportive and pressure-relieving.
- The mattress should provide excellent lumbar support for back sleepers.
- The Layla mattress is incredibly durable, shouldnt sag, and should last for a good amount of time.
The Level Sleeps defining feature is its Tri-Support system. Its a zoned construction where the center of the comfort layer is firmer than the top and bottom. Just to give readers an idea of how these zones vary in regard to firmness, the shoulder zone is close to a 5.5/10, the zone under the knees is a 7/10, and the lumbar zone is an 8/10. This makes the Level Sleep a solid mattress for dealing with back pain, as that lumbar zone provides some of the best lumbar support.
Can Changing My Sleep Position Help Reduce The Pain
Possibly. Modifying the way that you sleep can take pressure off the back. If you are a side sleeper, for example, placing a pillow between your knees and raising your legs slightly toward the chest can be helpful. This position puts the spine, pelvis, and hips in alignment.
For a back sleeper, a pillow between the knees can also help your body as it relieves the lower back of pressure on it. Plus, it maintains the backs natural curvature.
A stomach sleeper can put a pillow on the abdomen to relieve pressure on the lower back. Some sleepers remove the pillow under the head to get a more comfortable position.
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Is A Coir Mattress Good For Back Pain
Coir mattresses are marketed as orthopaedic mattresses but sleep experts generally do not recommend them for back pain. These mattresses are made using coconut husk and foam which is usually quite firm and not very comfortable. Furthermore, these mattresses are neither springy nor lightweight. Even though they may provide a little support for some time, they are not durable and start to sag after a few years. Memory foam and natural latex mattresses on the other hand are quite durable and can easily last for around 15 to 20 years.
Best Mattresses For A Bad Back
For those of us in Ireland who suffer with a bad back, getting a restful night of sleep can be challenging and this is where the right mattress can help to improve quality of sleep and overall wellness.
When it comes to back pains and aches a mattress wont solve all your problems but it can certainly help to relieve the pain and offer more comfort for a better nights sleep.
There is no one-size fits all when it comes to a sleep solution for those who suffer with a bad back, however as an extension to our Mattress Buying Guide we have rounded up some of the best mattress types that can offer relief for lower and upper back pain, taking a closer look at their features and how they can help to ease discomfort.
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Why Back And Neck Pain Disrupt Sleep
Even if you’re between the sheets for the recommended amount of time, pain affects the quality of your sleep.
“Pain receptors don’t sleep,” Caldwell explains. “If your body is in an uncomfortable position for too long, those pain receptors send a signal to your brain to move. Sometimes this signal is so ‘loud’ it can wake you. Or sometimes the act of rolling in bed causes pain and can wake you.”
Investing in a supportive mattress can help, but you also need to be proactive about your back and neck health during the day.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Mattress Topper For Back Pain
There is a wide variety of different mattress toppers on the market that claim to do a number of different things. Rather than getting caught up in jargon and marketing claims, we encourage shoppers to look at the specific factors that contribute to whether or not a mattress topper will feel comfortable for them. Below, well share some of the most important things to take into consideration as you select a mattress topper.
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Sunday Ortho Latex 4 Mattress
The modern lifestyle is the primary contributor to human stress that often leads to disruptive sleep. In addition to that, if someone has neck, back, and muscle pain, sleeping becomes an uneasy task on its own. The Sunday Ortho Latex 4 Mattress assists and catalyzes your sleep by relieving any sort of body pain caused due to a stiff and inflexible mattress.
The Ortho Latex 4 mattress has a lot of unique things that make it our favourite.
Latex in an Ortho This is the only Ortho mattress that uses Latex. Latex is known to keep the bed from heating. So, combining Latex with Memory foam gives excellent back support while keeping the mattress cool. We say, why not?
Natural Materials The product tries to use natural materials like latex, organic cotton cloth, whereas most other brands use chemical foams and polyester cloth. Sunday Ortho Latex Mattress is great for those with kids or who suffer from allergies. Despite the better quality, the price is very affordable.
Non-Compressed One of the unique things is that Sunday mattresses are not compressed. This gives much longer life. Other products are sent in compressed form to save courier costs, but the life of the bed is compromised significantly.
Best Ortho Support The five-zone construction ensures much better back support and also provides zero partner disturbance. It is recommended for those who suffer from back ailments.
The key features of the product
- Price: Rs. 22,999
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress
- Type: foam
- Height: 12 inches
Stomach sleepers need a mattress that offers adequate spinal support and even weight distribution. With a choice of relaxed firm or firm, Saatvas Loom & Leaf Mattress is made with layers of high-density CertiPUR-US foam for contouring and pressure relief. A breathable gel cooling layer is concentrated in the lumbar region for maximum spinal support.
The Loom & Leaf Mattress has a 180-night home trial, a 15-year warranty, and free white-glove delivery service.
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Determine The Mattress Thickness
Generally, orthopaedic mattresses are available in 5, 6, and 8 inches of thickness. If you weigh more than 60 kgs, a 5 inches mattress would work fine for you, but if you weigh between 60-80 kgs, you should consider a 6 inches mattress. Furthermore, if you weigh more than 80 kgs, you should opt for an 8 inches mattress.
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.
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