Are Hard Mattress Good For Your Back

Balance Of The Mattress:

If a camping mattress is poorly made, especially when it belongs to an inflatable variety, these kinds of mattresses are very much prone to air leakage and weak spots. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a mattress that wont shift here and there while you change your sides during your good nights sleep when you camp. A surface that is properly balanced will be a great support for your back problems.

When Its Not Your Mattress

Dr Smycz gave us a heads up that if you have back pain when youre sleeping and its waking you up, you should get your spine checked.

The bottom line: a good mattress should support the spine. If youre waking up with pain, consider these factors as it might be time to invest in a new mattress. Lucky for you,Ecosa offers a 100-day trial period of its adjustable mattressto help in your quest to avoid back pain. A good nights sleep is waiting for you!

Is A Firm Mattress Good For A Bad Back

The short answer to this question is yes, but there is more to consider than just firmness. Mattresses really need to be both firm and soft. For years, orthopedic surgeons and chiropractors recommended firm mattresses for patients suffering from back pain. The recommendation resulted in millions of back-pain sufferers buying plywood-hard mattresses to lie on as they stayed awake all night. Luckily, technology and recommendations have changed, allowing for better options.

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A Cooling Option Thats Unlike Any Other Mattress

Purple

• Materials: Memory foam, support coils
• Sizes: Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
• Trial period: 100 nights

Thanks to its patented Purple Grid, the Purple Hybrid Mattress is unlike any other on this list. It consists of five layers, and the Purple Grid gently gives under your body, hugging your pressure points and fully supporting your back while you sleep. The grid sits on top of a 7.5-inch later of responsive coils that add additional support while you sleep. Plus, there are open air channels that allow air to freely flow through, making it much cooler than memory foam-only models.

Reviewers report they could immediately feel the difference in pain levels after sleeping on the Purple mattress, saying its soft where it needs to be and supportive where it doesnt.

Will Certipur Camping Mattress

Constructed using two layers of high-quality memory foam, this Willpo Certipur Camping Mattress will provide youre the support and comfort that you are looking for while you camp. What makes this camping mattress special is that it comes with two foam layers, including high-density base support that provides excellent support to the back.

Additionally, this camping mattress comes with a waterproof removable cover that you can easily remove and throw in the washing machine when you want to clean it. The waterproof quality prevents any kinds of liquids from reaching the foam layers that may result in permanent damage to the mattress. This mattress is designed in a compact way that is super easy to roll up and carry.

Key Features:

• The cover is machine washable.

Pros

• Provides warmth along with the comfort you require.
• The cover is machine washable.
• Light in weight.
• Suitable for carrying as a backpack.

Cons

• Large enough for one person.
• Expensive as compared to competitors.

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How Does Sleeping Position Affect Joint Pain

As with any condition that causes pain or discomfort, arthritis could make it harder to get restful, quality sleep. Aches and pains may make it harder to fall asleep or could lead to tossing and turning during the night. The position someone sleeps could either reduce or contribute to pain. Depending on an individuals pains, they may prefer any sleep position. However, most experts usually recommend back or side sleeping. If you continue to suffer from arthritis and/or joint pain that interrupts your sleep, we recommend talking to your doctor.

The Back Pain Location

Back pain could manifest throughout your entire back area, regardless of whether its lower, mid or upper. However, its also true that lower back pain is the most commonly encountered issue, mainly because its the most pressurized area, carrying the load of your entire upper body.

This is why the vast majority of people tend to experience this type of back pain. One of the most common causes for it is improper spine alignment during your sleeping hours. And, of course, this is always caused by an uncomfortable and inappropriate mattress. Choosing a nice mattress topper will quickly rectify this issue.

There are three primary materials that you ought to be looking into when choosing your pad. Memory foam, gel, and latex are all great options with the latter being the most multi-functional.

Those of you who experience lower back pain should consider sleeping on their back or front instead of on their side as this would provide proper spine alignment. And, when it comes to it, a medium firm mattress topper could easily do you most good. They also come with an array of added benefits, including a convenient heat distribution and retention, allowing for a more comfortable sleep throughout the night in general.

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What Else Can I Do For Back Pain

Changing your mattress will most likely do wonders for your back pain, if that was the cause. You can also implement a short stretching routine into your day. Aim to do a few stretches before you go to bed and after you wake up to help with spine flexibility. Also, it is important to learn how to sleep in the best position possible. Many experts recommend sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs to support the hips and lower back. Certain pillows can also help promote less neck and back pain while you sleep.

For sweeter dreams and less back pain in the morning, consider getting a new mattress. Your sleep is essential, so make sure you are getting a mattress that will improve your sleep, not make it worse. When mattress shopping, bring your own pillow and spend a good ten to fifteen minutes on each mattress. It may seem silly, but it is the best way to ensure you get the right mattress for you.

Ways A Memory Foam Mattress Can Hurt Your Back

• Article medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr. Dimitar Marinov .

The first time I ever slept on a memory foam mattress I woke up with back pain.

Well, to be honest, I never actually got to sleep because what started out as a rather soft and seemingly comfy mattress quickly became some sort of torture device that caused an excruciating ache in my lower back that stopped me from getting any sleep at all.

So after some extensive research, I discovered that there are several reasons why sleeping on a memory foam mattress may result in back pain:

A memory foam mattress can hurt your back if the mattress is too soft, too firm, too thin, lacks support, is sagging, is placed on the wrong frame, hasnt had enough time to adjust to your physical characteristics or simply isnt a good fit for your body weight, body type, or dominant sleeping position.

One study found that when 100 medical residents switched from a regular cotton mattress and slept on a thin 10cm foam mattress for one night, 63% of participants developed lower back pain that resolved for 61 of the participants when switching back to the original cotton mattress with the back pain returning upon switching back to the foam mattress once again .

The good news is that there are several steps that you can take to reduce the chance of you buying a memory foam mattress thats going to be uncomfortable.

This article provides multiple solutions for both scenarios.

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Why Does My Memory Foam Mattress Hurt My Back

Memory foam mattresses are supposed to be the ideal foam for getting rid of back pains. However, when instead of reducing the pain, the bed starts to magnify it, what do you do?

Generally, memory foams are an excellent reliever of back pains, but it may not work for everyone. Heres why your memory foam hurts your back.

• Bed Foam Topper

The thickness and density of your bed foam topper can make all the difference when it comes to stopping backaches. This is especially so for back sleepers. It determines how firm the topper will be and also how effective itll be in providing body support. A too firm or too soft topper is no good.

• Your physique

When it comes to memory foams, your physique and the shape of your body matters a lot. Typically, memory foam work more for slim and skinnier body types. This is because their bones stick out and need more support. For people that have Fuller bodies, a semi-firm mattress with a density lower than 5 pounds will be ideal.

A Chiropractor Explains How To Tell When Your Mattress Could Be Causing Your Back Pain

Waking up with a stiff back is uncomfortable and worrisome. It might feel as though you cant bend over, or you may hear creaks and cracks as you stretch out.

But if your back is still in pain after a morning stretch, there might be a bigger problem.

Back pain is frustrating as its hard to pinpoint exactly what causes it. You might have tried different approaches to alleviate the pain, but found nothing works. Have you ever thought that the mattress you sleep on for 7-8 hours every night could the culprit of your back pain?

We spoke with a chiropractor,Dr Lisa Smyczof Errol Street Chiropractic Centre in Melbourne, to help us identify signs that your mattress is causing your back pain. It might be time for an upgrade!

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Suitable For Side Sleepers

When side sleeping, the hips and shoulders bear the brunt of the body weight. Resting on a firmer mattress can cause pressure to build up near these sensitive areas. This tension could force you to toss and turn to find comfortresulting in lost hours of sleep. We usually recommend soft mattresses for side sleepers because they will keep the body cradled and supported to alleviate tension.

Since some soft mattresses tend to promote sinking, be sure to select one that has enough responsiveness to keep the torso lifted, so the spine remains neutral.

Choosing The Best Mattress For Lower Back Pain

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain. Lack of support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to low back pain.

Sleep comfort is also sacrificed if a mattress does not match one’s individual preferences. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night.

See Mattresses and Sleep Positions for Each Back Pain Diagnosis

With the vast variety of mattresses on the market, choosing the right mattress can be difficult. The following practical guidelines are designed to help patients with low back pain choose the best mattress for both back support and sleep comfort:

Read more: Chronic Pain and Insomnia: Breaking the Cycle

• Video: What is the Best Mattress for Back Pain?

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Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Firm Mattress

A firm mattress is considered to be a hard mattress that has little or no indentation when you sit or lay on it. Good-quality form mattresses are usually made from memory foam and can vary in firmness.

Extra firm mattresses will have no indentation and medium-firm mattresses will show little indentation under body weight. For more info, lets look at the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a firm mattress

Advantages

• Comfortable for every sleeping style, especially for back and stomach sleeping positions.
• A firm mattress might enable a natural body alignment and position, allowing a better, deeper, and uninterrupted sleep.
• A firm mattress resists body weight and prevents the body from sinking into the mattress, which makes it excellent for heavier people.
• For those with back pain, it is believed that a firm mattress provides the necessary back support, especially in the lower lumbar region.
• A firm mattress is great for isolating motion so, if your partner tosses and turns during sleep, youll stay uninterrupted.

Disadvantages

You Get Your Best Nights Sleep On Vacations

You may be getting better rest on your vacation because you are simply more relaxed. But if youre waking up without pain or with less pain while sleeping on a hotel mattress or a mattress in a guest bedroom, thats a pretty good indicator that your mattress is at least partially to blame for your back pain.

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Hard Mattress Vs Soft Mattress

Some say a hard mattress is better than a soft mattress, some say a soft mattress is better, and some say whichever type of mattress you are comfortable with is the right one for you.

Nevertheless, it is now believed that a its not only the firmness of the mattress but its ability to support the right parts of your body correctly. Proper alignment is critical to prevention of tossing and turning which leads to sleep disruption. We put together a special web class that goes deeper into this

How To Tell If Your Mattress Is Giving You Back Pain

There are so many causes of back pain, so it can be hard to pinpoint where your aches are coming from. However, there are some clues to look out for to see if your mattress is to blame. The first clue is when your back pain occurs. If your back pain is there when you first wake up, but you can stretch to get rid of it within 15-30 minutes, then that is a major sign that your mattress is doing more harm than good. Also, if you find yourself waking up more frequently or are tossing and turning trying to get to sleep, then that should also be a sign. Even if you are not prone to back pain, you should ideally replace your mattress every eight years.

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A Zoned Model Thats Firm In The Middle And Softer Around The Edges

Parachute

• Materials: Pocketed coils, wool comfort layers
• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
• Trial period: 100 nights

Made with layers of pure New Zealand wool and 100% organic cotton, The Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress is another eco-friendly mattress that can help alleviate back pain. It has two layers of pocketed steel coils, and its designed to be firm in the middle for back support and softer at the head and feet for pressure point relief and spinal alignmentgreat for combination sleepers. In between the coils is a comfort layer made from real wool, and the whole thing is wrapped in an organic cotton cover.

Reviewers say they feel so much better than they used to and are sleeping through the night and waking up without any discomfort after switching to this mattress.

How The Right Mattress Can Cure Your Back Pain

Now that weve discussed how to tell if your mattress is causing back pain, weve found some advice on how to choose a bed that will relieve AND prevent back pain. Researchers in Spain recently studied people with long-term back pain and found that people who slept on a medium-to-firm mattress had less pain than those who prefer a soft or firm mattress. In an interview with NBC News, Gerard Varlotta, director of sports rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, explained why the findings make sense.

There needs to be an equal distribution of pressure, he said. Too firm of a mattress is not good. It doesnt provide enough contour to our bodies. Too soft is going to bend and cause problems as well.

But of all the medium-to-firm beds out there, its hard to tell which brands and models are best. One thing to look for is a material thats been proven to help back-pain sufferers sleep.

Sleep expert Michael Breus, PhD, says latex is a great choice. In WebMDs article How to Pick Your Perfect Mattress, he says, Quite frankly, I think one of the best materials is latex. Breus goes on to say that latex is firm and supportive, yet provides comfort similar to memory foam. But latex pushes back whereas memory foam doesnt, ultimately providing more support.

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Etekcity Camping Air Mattress

Being super soft and available at an affordable price, the Etekcity Camping Air Mattress has made it to the list of best-camping mattresses for a bad back. This mattress comes with a durable and comfortable design and is excellent if you are looking for a long-lasting camping mattress. It comes with a great inner build that is responsible for adding an ultra-soft feeling to it.

What makes it excellent is the fact that it can easily bear weight up to 650 pounds. Additionally, it is designed for protecting water entry and leakages which is because the surface of the bed is made of PVC and flocked top. Bonus, it comes with an AC/DC charging facility that allows you to connect the power without hassle while on your camping journey.

Key Features:

• It comes with a Wave beam inner support
• It is a durable and stable structure.
• Non-toxic blow-up mattress.
• It is made using 20% thicker PVC.
• Includes multi-use valve.
• Storage bag and rechargeable pump included.

Pros

• The wave beam that it is built with offers maximum comfort and support.
• A rechargeable pump makes inflation and deflation easy.
• The flocked top is puncture-resistant.
• Offers durability.