How Should You Choose the Best Mattress If You Have Chronic Back Pain

June 6, 2017
If you’re one of the thousands of people in the San Diego area who suffer from chronic back pain, your choice of mattress may have an impact on your ability to sleep in comfort. Conventional wisdom once stated that a firm mattress will offer the best chance of a restful night’s sleep and less problems with morning mobility. However, back pain sufferers looking for mattresses need to know that this one-size solution isn’t right for everyone.

Why Your Mattress Matters
There’s an almost overwhelming selection of mattresses in shops, but any mattress that doesn’t allow a comfortable sleep experience is obviously going to be the wrong choice. Although a firm mattress does technically foster the right head-to-toe body alignment that is the basis for easing back pain, people who also have problems with joint pain or muscle stiffness in their hips and shoulders may see those issues worsen.

You should find a mattress that offers proper support for your spine while also giving you enough cushioning to relieve pressure on your joints. New studies have shown that a mattress with a medium level of firmness, which is measured at about 5.6 on a 10-point firmness scale, can be a viable solution for lower back pain. Ideally, it should also have a thickness of 7 to 18 inches and individual coils that can adjust. Additionally, you can also choose a firm mattress with a pillow top that has a thickness of one to two inches.

 

Your Sleep Style
Just as important as the bedding material you choose is how you sleep. While orthopedists and other medical professionals recommend sleeping on your back for a number of reasons, this just isn’t comfortable for many people. Mattress firmness comes into play here as well.

Generally, those who sleep on their side do better with a mattress that has more padding; stomach sleepers, on the other hand, need more firmness to avoid alignment problems. A memory foam mattress is good for back sleepers, but can cause or worsen joint pain for side sleepers.

Choosing the wrong mattress can make your back pain worse, or even cause back problems among those were previously problem-free. An informed associate from a reputable mattress supplier can advise you on some of the most current sleep technology to address your physical issues as well as your individual sleep style. Your doctor or physical therapist may be able to make recommendations as well.

 

Sources:

Choosing the Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain, spine-health.com

How to Pick Your Perfect Mattress, webmd.com