Did you know that an estimated 10% of the world’s population is suffering from back pain? And Americans suffer the most with about 80% experiencing all types of back pain in their lifetime.
There are many reasons for back pain, and one is sleeping on the wrong mattress. Finding the right back pain mattresses can address your problems with the most comfortability. But finding the right one can be a problem.
Don’t worry, this article will tell you the factors you need to consider before buying back pain mattresses. Continue reading to learn more about the foam in mattresses and treating back pain.
1: Consider Your Medical Status
Before you consider buying back pain mattresses, talk with your doctor. You should check if you have underlying medical conditions or have poor posture. You need to consider your medical history so you can tailor your purchase to your needs.
Your doctor can offer suggestions on exercises to help in treating back pain. They can also recommend which particular type of mattress you should get. The key to finding the best back pain mattress is the balance between support and comfort.
2: Check Your Mattress Age
When the foams or springs of a mattress breaks down, it can aggravate your back. Check if your mattress starts to sag in the middle, has protruding parts, or is no longer comfortable. If you find yourself not feeling rested or itchy, then the problem might be your mattress.
First, check the warranty and make sure it’s not past its said years. If the mattress is still in good condition, be sure you change out your mattress every 7 to 10 years. If it exceeds 10 years and can no longer support you, it’s time for new back pain mattresses.
3: Try Different Firmness Levels
Remember that the firmness levels all depend on your preference and body. Most people go for a medium-firm mattress. It has improved patients suffering back pain.
A medium-firm mattress provides better balance, back support, and comfort. Avoid getting a firm bed. It will exert additional pressure on your back and cause more back pain.
4: Match With Your Body Type
Your height and weight impact how much support you may need. It also affects the firmness level you’ll want. If you’re light, go for mattresses that are soft since they can support you.
If you’re heavier, look for mattresses offering support that gears toward heavy or tall individuals. For the length of the mattress, make sure your feet aren’t hanging off the bed. You shouldn’t feel cramped even when you share the bed.
5: Get Back Support Features
Before you buy a new mattress, make sure to ask the store clerks about the mattress features. Prioritize mattresses that offer back support. You should find a mattress offering support for natural curves and alignment of the spine.
It should provide pressure relief for optimal comfort and less back pain in the mattress. Consider getting one with edge support. It helps your mattress keep its shape and provide better support for the entire surface.
6: Pick the Right Type of Mattress
There are different kinds of mattresses. Each one offers a different set of pros and cons. Below are some of the most common types of mattresses that can help support your spine:
Innerspring Mattresses
These mattresses have padding and about 300 to 1000 steel coils. The mattresses can be soft or firm depending on the type of coil and padding used. Ask for the type of coil the mattress has and try laying down on it for 5 minutes.
The foam in the mattresses contour your body and provide support. The foams used in the mattresses include memory, latex, and polyurethane. The best part about this kind of mattress is that it can adapt to the unique needs of the users.
The latex foam mattress is best at treating back pain because of its firm support. While memory foam is ideal for people with chronic pain.
How long does a memory foam mattress last? Check the in-depth guide here to find out more.
Adjustable Beds
Adjustable beds include both the base and the mattress. They are great for people who have moving pains. You can adjust various parts of the bed so you can position yourself depending on which part of your body hurts the most.
Air Mattresses
The air mattress is like an adjustable bed, but with adjustable levels of firmness. It has an air chamber with cushioning inside. If you and your partner disagree on the level of firmness, you can choose this mattress to keep the peace.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are a mix of steel coils and innerspring mattresses with foams. If you want a cooler sleeping environment, then a hybrid mattress fits you. The mattress feels cooler because of the breathability of the innerspring core.
They also give ample support by contouring the body and provide pressure point relief. It can support your neck, back, hips, and shoulder. The spring core has structural support to help in sleeping postures and spinal alignment.
Consider Your Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position makes a difference in the type of support you need. There are three main types of sleeping positions:
- Side sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Back sleepers
74% of people choose to sleep on their sides. Most love to sleep in a fetal position with their knees drawn up towards their chest. But this position can give pressure on the hips or shoulders.
To avoid pain on your body, you should go for a softer mattress. The foam should conform to your body. This avoids putting any pressure on your hips or shoulder.
For stomach sleepers, you should go for a medium-firm bed surface. Mattresses that are too firm can encourage your body to sink in. The foam in mattresses should not sink your abdomen since it can increase low back pain.
If you sleep on your back, you should get a mattress offering support that keeps all parts of your body in alignment. Hybrid mattresses are best since this stops your body from sinking in. It should have a varying level of firmness to support all your body parts.
Find the Best Back Pain Mattresses
The best way to know if you chose the right mattress is how you feel in the morning. If you wake up refreshed without pain, then you’ve found the right one. Enjoy looking for back pain mattresses and sleep with no worry.
But why stop with the right mattress? If you want to discover even more tips to stay fit and healthy, we encourage you to continue reading our other guides, today!
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