Finding the Best Mattress to Relieve Back Pain

There is nothing more frustrating than waking up every morning with back pain. When you are in pain, it is impossible to start your day off on the right foot. If you are not sure what is causing your back pain, have you ever considered there might be something wrong with your mattress?

In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the studies surrounding mattresses and back pain and provide you information and tips that may help you choose the best mattress to ease back discomfort.

What Does the Science Say?

Although there are multiple studies on the correlation between mattresses and back pain, the evidence is still not leading to a firm conclusion. Research conducted by Bert H. Jacobson, Ali Boolani and Doug B. Smith on changes in back pain and sleep quality introduction of new mattresses showed that new bedding systems could increase sleep quality and reduce back discomfort. However, there is not enough research that shows how a mattress can cause back pain.

What we certainly know is that your mattress and sleeping hygiene can significantly aggravate back pain, and make it more difficult to have a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed. If you believe your mattress is the cause of your back pain, before replacing it, also consider making changes to your sleeping habits. Trying to improve your sleeping habits is something you can do at no cost. You can even start right away. Back pain experts suggest that keeping your spine aligned during sleep can prevent back pain. Adding some extra pillows can also ensure your spine is aligned correctly and provide you better spinal support.

Sleeping on a New vs. Old Mattress

As we briefly mentioned, some studies show a new bed can improve your sleep quality and relieve back pain, especially when compared to an old mattress. Of course, this doesn’t mean a new mattress will solve all your back pain problems, but it’s an essential step towards ending it. Sleeping on a bed that is more than 5 or seven years old may lead to back pain and greater discomfort because, after a few years, the mattress will start degrading. It doesn’t matter even if you sleep on a high-quality mattress. If your bed is sagging or has lumps, you should consider replacing it.

Best Type of Mattress for Back Pain

When shopping for the best mattress for back pain, look for the following features. The most important factor is comfort. You are the only person that can decide whether or not you find a bed comfortable. Some people prefer on softer mattresses while other feel more comfortable on firm mattresses.

However, if you spend the entire afternoon shopping for a bed, you will certainly notice there are a lot of mattresses that are very comfortable. To narrow down your choice, apart from looking for comfort, make sure the bed you are considering has the level of support you need. Online Mattress Reviews sites can also help you identify the best mattress for your needs.

If you suffer from back pain, it is crucial to get a supportive bed that will perfectly contour to your body and ensures your spine is aligned correctly during the entire night. Keep in mind that support and firmness are not synonyms. You can also get a soft mattress, but that has adequate support. Some studies suggest that an extra firm mattress can negatively affect chronic back pain. We believe this is the issue because a very firm mattress creates pressure points. Since pressure points are a significant contributor to back pain, you need to make sure your bed doesn’t create them. If you get the wrong mattress, you will worsen instead of easing your back pain. If a mattress creates pressure points, you will feel like its pushing against your body. This is not good because it may also push out your spine out of its natural alignments while you sleep and worsen your back pain.

A few research suggested that medium-firm mattress is best for alleviating pain. What we can conclude from the most of studies is that the issue of mattresses and back pain is subjective and that there is no golden rule you need to follow when shopping for a bed that will ease your pain. The best way to find the best mattress for back pain relief is to find a manufacturer that offers at-home mattress trials. These trial periods allow you to test a mattress a few weeks or longer before buying it. Although it can be a nuisance to try a mattress and just end up returning it, it can also mean the difference between years of waking up in discomfort and sleeping pain-free.