The 10 Best Mattresses For Back Pain In November 2021
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If you or someone close to you is experiencing back pain, you’re not alone. Back pain is so common that the National Institutes of Health estimates 80% of adults in the United States suffer from either acute or chronic back pain. While a number of variables can cause this pain, your mattress is a fundamental onesleeping on the wrong mattress can cause back pain or make it worse. According to a 2015 study, the best mattress for back pain falls at a medium-firm level, which uses a balanced feel to alleviate aches and pains.
To find that ideal mattress fit, focus on firmness level, sleep position, and mattress type and materials. It’s also crucial to know how your bed supports spinal alignment and promotes pressure relief. Sound like a lot to keep track of? Not to worrythe experts at Mattress Advisor have taken all of these factors into account in their rigorous 14-point testing methodology, which they applied to over 150 mattresses. In this guide, we’ve selected 10 of the best mattresses for back pain based on their feedback from extensive testing.
Returning A Mattress After The Break
Different brands have their own return policies, but Novosbed requires customers try their mattress for a minimum 60 nights. Since Novosbed offers high density memory foam mattresses which are designed for durability, the break-in period can often be longer than lower quality foam, traditional spring, or latex mattresses. Novosbeds 60-day minimum trial period ensures that your mattress has had sufficient time to be broken in and, as a result, to experience how the mattress is supposed to feel. Keep in mind that while the higher quality materials in your mattress may mean that more time is required to break it in, this also improves the chances that your mattress won’t break down as quickly.
Try Changing Up Your Sleeping Position
Changing your sleeping position is one way to try to get back pain relief.
If you are a back or stomach sleeper with a soft mattress and you dont have the budget for a new bed, you can try to switch to a side sleeping position that will receive more support from your existing mattress. In general, experts recommend that stomach sleepers try to adjust to side or back sleeping because its easier to get appropriate support in those positions.
For people with acute pain, temporary changes to your sleeping position may help to reduce stress on already sore or achy parts of your back. For example, people with lumbar pain might try a period of side sleeping to avoid the excess bending of that area that can happen on your stomach or back.
While changing sleeping positions is worth a shot, its often not a long-term solution because the change can be hard to stick with. Some people just cant get comfortable in a different position or they may quickly revert back to their old sleeping position during the night. In these cases, other approaches are more likely to be beneficial over the medium- to long-term.
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Why Your Mattress Is Causing You Pain
Youve confirmed that your mattress is the source of your frequent back pain, and you want to know why its causing you so much pain? Here are six reasons why your mattress may be causing you back pain and how to prevent it.
1. You are using the wrong mattress.
For each type of sleeper, there exist different types of mattresses that suit them best. When you pick a mattress without any care for the way you sleep or your weight and other vital determinants, you sleep to wake up with aches. The right mattresses make sleeping less stressful as they are built to accommodate your body and weight. As a side sleeper, you should be picking a foam that wont give way easily and can support your body. As a back sleeper, pick a mattress that supports and cushions your body.
From the way you sleep to how much you sleep, how much you weigh, and how much time you spend in your bed, consider it all and use it to determine the type of mattress that will help you sleep better. Sleeping without having to wake up to anybodys ache is the goal, work towards it. Heres the perfect guide on how to choose a mattress.
2. You are using the wrong pillow.
You mustnt just buy a pillow without adequately understanding the type of filling it has. Also, know the best type of pillow for your type of sleeper. Thick pillows are suitable for back sleepers, while thin pillows are good for stomach sleepers. Pick a good mattress and use a good pillow if you want to sleep well at night.
4. Your mattress is old.
Put It In The Right Foundation
Before plopping your bed on the old foundation, check to make sure the two pieces are compatible and that your foundation isnt worn out, sagging, or broken. While you may not always need a new foundation, you might need to get a replacement if youve switched the type of bed youre now sleeping on.
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A Memory Foam Mattress That Adapts To Your Body Quicker Than Most
Amerisleep.com
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Trial period: 100 nights
Thanks to its Bio-Pur memory foama proprietary foam thats more responsive and adaptive to movementthis mattress contours your back and neck, promoting alignment and relieving pressure points. Those with back pain know that soft spots can be detrimental to your comfort, however, theres no need to worry about that with memory foam that bounces back in seconds. With an open-cell design, the Amerisleep AS1 also keeps you cool throughout the night by allowing air to quickly pass through.
Reviewers say this mattress has played a dramatic role in decreasing chronic back pain. Some dedicated back sleepers also add that this mattress allows them to comfortably sleep on their sides.
How Do You Fix A Mattress That Hurts Your Back
You could look at changing the mattress, getting a mattress topper, stretching, or seeking further expert advice. But the main thing to keep in mind is that it may not be the mattress that needs fixing but other lifestyle changes that can help reduce back pain.
Many mattress retailers have an extended cooldown to try their products, sometimes allowing 90 or 180 days after purchase. If you find after 30 days the mattress is still uncomfortable you swap for another style.
Mattress toppers are removable bedding that covers the mattress, often made from memory foam. They have several purposes but generally are offering more support or more comfort, sometimes acting as a mattress protector. This can be easily added to any mattress to help address back issues.
If you have identified that your mattress hurts your back and it is old, consider replacing it. Old mattresses will not give you the support you need and due to possible asymmetries in the mattress, may cause your spine to be in an unnatural position causing further pain.
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What If Its Still Not Quite Right After The Break In Period
If after the break-in period you are feeling numbness, tingling, or discomfort in your hips or shoulders, you may need a softer mattress. If you are feeling pain or discomfort in your lower back, you likely need something firmer for added support.
Unlike many other mattress brands, Novosbed gives their customers the option to fine-tune the firmness level of their mattress using a free Comfort+ kit after the initial break-in period. Comfort+ gives peace of mind in knowing that the firmness can be adjusted if your Novosbed doesnt quite provide the softness or firmness you need.
What Are The Benefits Of An Orthopedic Mattress
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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.
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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Can Sleeping On A New Mattress Cause Back Pain
They say good things come to those who waitand that’s certainly true when it comes to sleeping on a new mattress. A quality mattress, featuring lumbar support for your spine and components that are fresh from the factory, takes some time to get used to. It may even cause some minor back pain at the beginning. But once your body adjusts to this new sleep surface, and the materials in the mattress soften up a little bit, you’ll be amazed at how great your back feels.
Here’s what to expect when you make the switch from a mattress that’s past its prime to one that offers proper support for your back.
Which Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain
A key step in choosing a mattress is deciding which mattress type is most likely to work for you. Virtually all mattresses on the market today can be broken into five types based on their construction and materials.
Within each category, you can find consistent features however, there can be notable variation from one brand or model to the next. Some types allow for a greater diversity of designs, which leads to a wider variation in the expected feel and performance of any specific mattress.
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How Long Does It Take To Break In A New Mattress
Ideally, a mattress should be tested for at least one month after purchase. Some types of mattresses can be broken in more quickly, depending on the design and the material used. For example, high density memory foam can take much longer to break in than the comfort layer of a traditional innerspring mattress. While innerspring mattresses can take as little as a few weeks to break in, high quality memory foam mattresses may need to be slept on for up to eight weeks before they are fully broken in. Here are a few guidelines to help you determine the break-in periods of a few specific mattress types, and how long you can expect to break them in.
Initial Back Pain When You Wake Up
You know that feeling of stiffness when you first wake up? Its the result oflong periods of rest or decreased blood flow from sleeping. It usually takes a few minutes of stretching and moving to get rid of that stiff feeling. But if your back is in acute pain when you first wake up and you have to actively stretch to get rid of it, that might be a sign your mattress is doing more harm than good,according to The Joint Chiropractic.
If youre waking up with back pain thats an indicator that your mattress isnt supporting you, said Dr Smycz.
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Q: What Kind Of Mattress Causes Lower Back Pain
A: Mattresses that are too old and sagging cause lower back pain. Today’s modern mattresses can last seven to 10 years on average. So if you’re sleeping on a 20-year-old mattress that has lost its structure, it’s no surprise you’re experiencing lower back pain. When you’re selecting your new mattress, be sure to choose a medium-firm to firm level that will support your back without placing too much stress on your shoulders and hips.
Can Replacing Your Mattress Improve Lower Back Pain
Yes. If your mattress isnt offering enough support because its too soft or too old, swapping your mattress for a medium-firm option can help improve lower back pain.
You can also try moving the mattress to the floor, using plywood beneath the mattress, or adding a supportive mattress topper designed to alleviate back pain.
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Back Pain On A New Simmons Beautyrest Mattress
Susan writes:Hi Pete,I noticed that I had been waking up with mild back pains every morning, which went away while on vacation.We then made the decision to replace my 20-year-old Sealy Posturepedic mattress.I went to my local store and spent hours trying out various mattresses before deciding on a Simmons Beautyrest, which felt absolutely wonderful in the store.But when we got our delivery, the mattress felt firmer than it did in the store.The salesman told us there was a breaking in period and to give the mattress a chance.The first night I slept on the new mattress, the mid-back pain I had been living with had dissipated.But after three nights on this new mattress, that mild ache has been replaced by a raging case of sciatica! Is this normal?
Tips For Finding The Best Mattress For Your Back
Here are some key things to look out for when finding the best orthopaedic mattress for your back:
- Firmness rating: while it has been suggested that people with a bad back should get an ‘extra-firm’ mattress, this is not always the case. For example, petite people may need a softer mattress to suit their needs.
- Try it out: it can take a little time to settle-in with a new mattress. At Silentnight we offer a 60 day comfort trialto give you more than enough time to get well-acquainted with your new mattress.
- Zoned support: zoned and targeted support in the areas you need it most, such as the shoulders and hips, are vital to healthy spinal alignment and reducing lower back pain.
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