Can A Hard Mattress Cause Back Pain

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Neck and back pain that lasts throughout the day can cause bothersome or debilitating symptoms, including fatigue, mood changes, chronic soreness, trouble concentrating and more. Regularly monitor and adjust your sleeping arrangements as your lifestyle changes to maintain your spinal health and alignment.

Replace your mattress as it ages or becomes incompatible with your specific body needs, and invest in one made from high-quality, comfortable materials that support and comfort your frame. Choose pillows to accommodate your sleeping position, weight and personal preferences.

Reach out to a professional to schedule an appointment and get relief for your neck and back pain. At the Spine INA, our board-certified specialists will work alongside you to determine whats causing your pain, provide education for avoiding future soreness and assist with condition-specific treatment to alleviate your symptoms and correct misalignment.

Sleep is a critical part of living a long, happy and healthy life dont settle for an uncomfortable bed and morning soreness. Relieve your pain and revive your life by scheduling an appointment with one of our professionals today.

Replace A Sagging Mattress

Regardless of whether or not its hurting your legs, a sagging mattress should be replaced because lying in bad posture each night can result in a poor nights sleep and potentially contribute to conditions like back pain.

A sagging mattress cannot be safely fixed with just a mattress topper because a damaged support core is too significant to cover up.

Can A Firm Mattress Cause Back Pain

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

You may have heard that a firm mattress is better for back pain, whilst other sources may say that a firm mattress can actually cause back pain.

However, the real answer depends on the characteristics of the individual:

A firm mattress can cause back pain in lighter individuals under 150 lbs due to increased pressure points, greater compression forces, and poor posture whilst heavier weighted front and back sleepers over 230 lbs may experience reduced back pain due to better posture.

The rest of this article explains in detail how a firm mattress can specifically cause back pain, whilst also revealing which mattress firmness is likely to help alleviate or prevent back pain relative to your physical characteristics and dominant sleeping position.

Ive also listed the 4 signs that indicate that your mattress could be the cause of your back pain along with 5 ways that you can make your firm mattress softer to help you potentially alleviate discomfort.

Alternatively: if youd like to buy a new mattress to help lessen or prevent back pain then have a look at my list of the best mattresses and beds for back pain .

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Is A Soft Or Firm Mattress Better For Back Pain

Research suggests that a medium-firm, adjustable mattress may work best for those with non-specific back pain. However, the best firmness level may depend on an individuals weight and preferred sleep position.

When choosing the firmness of their mattress, consumers should also consider their type of back pain and their preferred sleep position.

Need More Help With Back Pain

These free resources will help you get on the right track to ridding yourself of back pain!

• Find a mattress to relieve you of back pain with Mattress Match
• Learn about all the options with our Mattress Buying Guide
• Experience the REM sleep deserve with our Better Sleep Guide
• Go from Zs to As in college with this sleep guide for students
• Want to conquer sleep deprivation? Check out our sleeping disorders guide

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Indents Increase Pressure On Your Hips

Mattress indents are concentrated impressions that may be less than a few inches in diameter but potentially up to several inches in depth and may cause hip pain by increasing the pressure on your muscles, joints, and nerves due to the uneven mattress surface that they create.

Indents may happen due to a number of reasons such as broken innersprings, deformed/warped foams, and exposure to repeated and concentrated pressure the consequences of which can be easily seen when pulling back the flat/fitted sheet.

Solution

In many cases, localized areas of indents can be covered up by a mattress topper of a suitable firmness to reduce the pressure points that they may cause although a new mattress may be required in more extreme cases.

How To Exercise To Relieve Back Pain

In the morning and evening, it is beneficial to warm up and warm down. To achieve this:

• Some gentle stretching will help in general, but particularly for pain in the lower back.
• For the neck and lower back, gentle stretching in all vectors of movement will help, ensuring you engage the core muscles at all times to strengthen them and stretch the other muscles.
• Tight hamstrings can place stress on your lower back. To stretch your hamstrings, place one leg up on the bed and gently stretch forward until you feel the tension down the back of the leg. This will help, particularly if you have been sat down all day as the hamstrings will have been contracted and shortened for that whole period, they deserve a stretch!

Any exercise that strengthens your core will help prevent back pain in the future, so consider hitting the gym or park more often, or taking up a yoga class or similar.

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Hard Or Soft Which Is Better

Despite the fact that firm mattresses are widely recommended for those wishing to avoid back pain, there is not much research to support the recommendation. For the most part, firm mattresses are regarded as better because of anecdotes from people who found they had less pain with a board under their mattresses or after sleeping on the floor. Firm mattresses may provide a benefit in that they prevent the spine from moving, which can reduce pain. Many chiropractors have pointed out that the spine is not a straight line and that since hard mattresses do not conform to the body’s curves, they may actually have a negative effect on sleep quality.

It should be noted that a firm mattress may not have the same effect on everyone. For example, the spine of a younger person may tolerate its inflexibility much better than that of an older person.

On the other hand, soft mattresses may not be any better. The fact that they conform to the body’s shape means that they may help with the alignment of joints, but they can also cause you to sink so deeply that your joints twist painfully during sleep. In other words, the lack of support may cause or worsen back pain.

How To Correct Back Pain Caused By Mattresses

We know some of the reasons why your mattress is causing you backache now, lets talk about correcting those back pains.

1. Change your mattress

The best way to correct your back pain and prevent further occurrences of sleepless nights is to change your mattress. If your mattress is too old, too firm, or too soft, youll continue to experience pains. Read the guide on how to choose a mattress, visit the store and get a good one.

2. Maintain a good sleeping posture

Your sleeping posture may also be causing you to have back pains when you sleep. Try to settle into a good posture, and ensure you are comfortable. That way, you can get rid of back pain caused by mattresses.

3. Exercise

When you wake up with back pains, try to do a couple of stretches before you go on with other businesses of the day. Help your spine to relax, and it would get more comfortable enough to relieve you of the pain.

4. Use a pillow

Pillows are a good way to support your body even better when you feel back pains of any sort. They further help you maintain a good posture, find a better position to relax, and a good way to sleep.

5. Use an adjustable base.

You could also opt to use an adjustable base under the mattress so that you can control the inclination of your bed to a good sleeping position.

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Soft Or Firm Mattress For Herniated Disc

There is no definitive answer when it comes to soft or firm mattress for herniated disc. Some people find that a firmer mattress provides better support and alleviates pain, while others find that a softer mattress is more comfortable. Ultimately, it is important to experiment with different types of mattresses to find the one that works best for you. If you have a herniated disc, it is important to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your mattress.

Back pain affects more than 80% of Americans at some point in their lives. There are several ways to deal with herniated discs, which can be both chronic and debilitating. Depending on the severity of the condition and how intense the symptoms are, there is a wide range of symptoms. When you select the option that you prefer, we will select a category for you. The flagship mattress of Nectar features a three-layer construction that allows for excellent pressure relief and support. The Aurora Luxe from Brooklyn Bedding comes in three firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Luxe has three layers of comfort foam, an 8-inch supportive coil unit, and a foam base for added support.

Select The Correct Firmness

The most significant step that you can take to stop your mattress from causing leg pain at night is to choose the correct firmness setting before you buy it.

As Ive explained in the video above, the luxury firm level of firmness is the most inclusive firmness option thats typically suitable for front, back, and side sleepers in the 130 lbs 230 lbs range.

If you fall outside of this range, then you can use the table below to find the ideal mattress firmness relative to your body weight and favorite sleeping position.

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You Feel Back Pain In The Morning:

If youre someone who goes to bed without any pain and wakes up in the morning with an aching back when waking up, feeling all tiredits a clear sign that your mattress is the culprit. A bed thats is extremely soft, or one thats overly stiff or firm will not keep your spine aligned.

This will exert unnecessary pressure on your hips or hip joints leading to pain in your lower back. Youll feel the pain the moment you get out of your bed.

What Firmness Is Best For Back Pain

Theres a common myth that you need a firm mattress to get the best support for your spine. But firmness and support arent the same thing.

• Firmness relates to how much you sink into your mattress.
• Support relates to how well your mattress supports your spine to keep it aligned.

So, does that mean that mattress firmness doesnt matter? Its not quite that simple. Lets take a look at the differences between soft and firm mattresses.

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What Mattress Do Orthopedic Doctors Recommend

A quick look at the best orthopedic mattresses

• Best overall: Saatva Classic Mattress.
• Best hybrid: DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress.
• Best adjustable: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress.
• Best all foam: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress.
• Best for side sleepers: Casper Original Mattress.
• Best for budget buyers: Helix Midnight.

Do Foam Mattresses Sag

Foams are a more recent filling, and are certainly good at easing pressure points. Foam mattresses will also eventually sag, just like any other filling. Once a foam mattress sags you have to trash the mattress whereas natural mattresses can be recycled. It is important to note that due to their dense nature they have poor breathability and can become very hot at night, as the heat from your body struggles to escape. It is for this reason that we tend to prefer to manufacture more traditional mattresses with good breathability in our workshop.

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Is Sleeping On An Air Mattress Bad For Your Back

Yes, yes, and noit all depends on you and the mattress.

About the Author

Dr. Sheryl Grassie

Helpful Resources

At Mattress Advisor, youll find comprehensive, unbiased reviews on the best mattresses and bedding products and thoroughly researched tips for getting your best sleep.

Most answers, when it comes to questions about what the right type of mattress, are going to start with, It depends. The same is true when you ask if sleeping on an air mattress is bad for your back, even if youre sleeping on one of the best air mattresses.

Just like with other preferences in our livesour choice of profession, what we eat, where we live, what we find pleasing when it comes to sleepthe type of mattress, our sleep position, and the temperature is determined by individual preference.

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Is Sleeping On Hard Surface Good For Herniated Disc

It is most commonly caused by a bulging or herniation of the disc. Sleeping on firmer mattresses may help alleviate sciatica in the same way that doing so alleviates back pain. Softer surfaces, like the ones on which you have sciatica, can cause your back to round and strain your joints. However, there is no firm evidence that sleeping on the floor causes sciatica.

When To Seek Help For A Herniated Disk

If you have back pain or are suffering from a herniated disk, it is critical that you seek professional help as soon as possible. Rest, medication, and physical therapy will almost certainly help you avoid or reduce your pain from a herniated disk in the majority of cases. If your symptoms do not improve within six weeks, you may need surgery.

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What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Herniated Disc

Memory foam has been shown to provide the best pressure relief. A memory foam mattress with three foam layers provides great pressure relief while also providing adequate support for the spine.

A herniation is the cause of a loose disc between the vertebrae . When a disc is slipped, the pain it causes to its neighboring nerves grows. When you shop online from a reputable retailer, you can expect a high-quality mattress that will provide a comfortable sleep environment. When the mattress is too firm, it pushes back on delicate and painful nerves, causing more discomfort. AirFoamTM foam mattresses, for example, provide complete pressure-relieving comfort with the combination of soft and firm support. A reputable online retailer will provide a thorough evaluation of the best mattress for disc problems for at least 100-nights. A pressure-relieving mattress is required to aid in the healing of herniated discs.

If the mattress is too soft, it will sink the body, causing more back pain. When a mattress is too firm, it can push back into the sensitive nerves. In hybrid mattresses, a base layer of individually wrapped coils provides extra support while also allowing for gentle contouring.

Your Mattress Is Too Firm Or Too Soft:

Most people who experience back pain and stiffness in the morning should focus on their mattresses specifically, the firmness level. People who sleep on their stomachs or backs, theyll generally rest and have a restful sleep on a firm mattress.

If theyre suffering from stiffness and lower back pain, theyll recover b better sleeping on a firmer mattress. Said that, regardless of your sleep position, back pain can also be associated with a mattress that is too soft. Mattresses that are too soft causes your spine to fall out of alignment. This forces your back muscles to contract rather than relax.

Meanwhile, if your main problems are joint pain and stiffness in the morning, the problem might be your mattress is too firm. If your mattress is too firm, your joints may be deprived of proper blood flow. Mattresses with soft to medium firmness levels are better suited to relieve pressure from the joints.

Pro Tip: If youre a heavier person or a taller person, you need a medium to the medium-firm mattress. If your weight happens to be around 200 lbs. or more, regardless of your sleeping position, you will sink a lot into the mattress than normally what is expected if your mattress is too soft. If a mattress cant support the sleeper properly, he or she could experience back pain. We recommend checking out these mattresses if youre heavier or a taller person no shame in that.

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What Makes A Good Mattress

Obviously, not all beds are created equally when it comes to back pain. In general, there is no specific type or brand of mattress that is better than another. The perfect mattress is a matter of personal preference, but some innate properties must exist for that mattress to be healthy for your delicate back.

Here are the top 3 things to look at when shopping for or analyzing mattress quality:

• The bed needs to be supportive of your entire body when it is in a neutral position with proper spinal alignment.
• It must not be too firm, lest it pushes on the main pressure points of your spine.
• It must not be too soft, lest it leaves your pressure points unsupported while creating spinal curvature.

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According to experts at the UCLA Medical Center, a mattress that does not fit into the Goldilocks Zone of firmness and softness can lead to serious back discomfort in the morning the type that could ultimately turn into a chronic problem.

Its better to figure it out now than to be sorry in the months and years to come as you develop a more serious issue.