Your Back Pain Fades After Waking
If stretching and a good hot shower alleviates your morning aches, they might be related to your mattress. But if your back pain is an all-day kind of thing, there may be other causes.
Even if you suspect your mattress is to blame for your sore back, its important to chat with your healthcare provider if your back pain persists throughout the day and is more than just a morning nuisance.
Can Your Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain
The position you sleep in also plays an integral role in either mitigating or worsening back pain. Authorities like Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic emphasize the correlation between sleep position and back pain and offer tips on how to reduce pain in each position. On a scale of 1 to 10 , here’s what to look for in a mattress depending on your regular sleeping position.
- The best mattress for side sleepers with back pain is a slightly softer bed that cushions the pressure points and has a firmness between 5.5 to 6.5.
- Back sleepers need a solid medium-firm mattress that maintains spine alignment while softly supporting the hips and should aim for a 6 to 7 on the firmness scale.
- Stomach sleepers need a slightly firmer mattress in the 6.5 to 7.5 range that keeps their hips elevated for a neutral spine posture.
Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers With Back Pain Amerisleep As2
If you are a stomach sleeper with neck and back pain then you will most likely take advantage of a medium-firm foam mattress.
Ranked by Business Insider as the best mattress for back pain, the AS2 Amerisleep mattress has been designed to enable the healthy positioning of your spine as you sleep.
It is a great mattress for both stomach and back sleepers.
The Bio-Pur ® convenience layer adjusts itself to the shape of your body and alleviates pain throughout your pressure points.
Whats special about this function is that it also has a fast bounce-back, which suggests you will not feel stuck in one position when you move around in the bed.
The Bio-Pur ® foam is likewise created with open cells to allow more air to leave and keep you cool throughout the night.
While the AS2 provides fantastic support for general back pain, if you are suffering with a herniated disc then our research study reveals that the AS3 may be a much better option for you.
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Is Memory Foam Mattress Bad For Back Pain
If you are a back pain patient, you should use a firm memory foam mattress that has a support foam layer. The support layer will give you the ultimate support and hold your spine, back, and neck correctly aligned and prevent back pain. The extra soft memory foam mattress is bad for back pain and the extra firm memory foam mattress is also bad for back pain.
#reason : Stomach Sleeping Can Cause You Lower Back Pain
Stomach sleeping is not good for your health and it may cause you lower back pain. If you are used to sleeping on the stomach, I suggest you avoid this sleeping position. When you sleep on the stomach, your memory foam mattress cant hold your spine, back, and neck perfectly aligned and cause back pain.
Solution: Try To Sleep on The Side and Back
If you are suffering from lower back pain due to stomach sleeping, I recommend you to switch your sleeping position. You have to try sleeping on the side, back, and stomach frequently. It will reduce the chance of creating back pain.
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Can Replacing Your Mattress Improve Lower Back Pain
Yes. If your mattress isnt offering enough support because its too soft or too old, swapping your mattress for a medium-firm option can help improve lower back pain.
You can also try moving the mattress to the floor, using plywood beneath the mattress, or adding a supportive mattress topper designed to alleviate back pain.
Q: What Kind Of Mattress Causes Lower Back Pain
A: Mattresses that are too old and sagging cause lower back pain. Today’s modern mattresses can last seven to 10 years on average. So if you’re sleeping on a 20-year-old mattress that has lost its structure, it’s no surprise you’re experiencing lower back pain. When you’re selecting your new mattress, be sure to choose a medium-firm to firm level that will support your back without placing too much stress on your shoulders and hips.
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Mattress Firmness Suitability For Back Pain
Mattresses can potentially be available in any of the following firmnesses .
Extra-Soft
Extra soft mattresses are typically best for side sleepers that weigh less than 130 lbs because they allow you to sink more deeply into the mattress materials to remove pressure on your hips and shoulders.
This means that an extra-soft mattress may be suitable if you have back pain thats primarily triggered by surface pressure such as sciatica or nerve-related back pain because the softer surface is less liable to create pressure points.
Soft
Soft mattresses are often preferred by side sleepers and lighter weighted sleepers under 150 lbs again due to the greater give afforded by the upper comfort layers that may also provide relief for back pain that is brought on through pressure points.
Softer mattresses are often best avoided by heavier weighted sleepers over 230 lbs especially if you sleep on your front because youre more likely to sink into the mattress and experience back pain due to spinal misalignment and bad posture.
Medium-Soft
Medium-soft mattresses are often enjoyed by side and back sleepers in the 130 230 lbs range, whilst front sleepers under 200 lbs who prefer more pressure relief may also feel well supported.
Medium
A medium firmness mattress is the most popular mattress firmness and is typically best suited to front, back, and side sleepers in the 130 230 lbs range .
Medium-Firm
Firm
Extra-Firm
What Do I Need To Consider Before Buying A New Bed
Buy a comfortable and supportive mattress so that it supports proper alignment and prevents aches and pains. Try to find a mattress that you do not sink into or one which feels too firm. Some people may prefer sleeping on a hard surface because it can make them feel more alert and awake in the morning but it is generally not recommended since it may cause back pains.
A Tempurpedic mattress takes shape of your body, helping support different parts of your body including your lower back muscles. It has been found that memory foam mattresses are best suited for those who suffer from lower back pain after sleeping due to their ability to reduce pressure points while providing cushioning and reducing strain on muscles after waking up You can read some Tempurpedic mattress reviews online before making a decision if this type of mattress would be helpful in relieving your pain after waking up
The right mattress should be firm enough to provide support but not too hard or soft so that it is more comfortable for you. Memory foam mattresses are good since they bear the weight of a persons body and slowly adjust to different parts Also, try to buy a mattress that does not have springs as this can cause backaches after waking up.
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Our Recommended Foam Mattress Puffy
If you would choose a foam mattress then our leading option for neck and back pain is the Puffy Mattress.
The Puffy is made from numerous layers of high-quality foam and uses a medium firmness level. These mattresses are also designed to offer extraordinary pressure relief.
The Puffy mattress has a low-density memory foam layer, that makes the sleep surface extra comfy.Then the Puffy mattress will likely be a fantastic choice for you, if you are a lightweight sleeper, combination or side sleeper.
If you are a much heavier individual, then you might do much better with the Idle Sleep Latex mattress, above, or the Haven Premier mattress, listed below.
If you sleep on your stomach then take a look at the Amerisleep AS2 mattress, likewise below.
More Pleasure Less Pain
There are many things that can cause back pain. Some of them include activities, infection, injury improper lifting and poor posture. Some spinal diseases can cause your back to hurt as well,
A lot of the time its our sleep habits that cause our back pain. This is especially true if your pain begins after you laid down a few hours, or you notice the pain when you first get up, in the morning.
This soreness will usually disappear as the day progresses when you become active. Sleeping on pillows and a mattress that supports your spine and sleeping on your side should cure your morning agony.
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How To Prevent Back Pain In Bed
6 min read
Back pain can keep you up at night, it prevents you from enjoying a good nights sleep and saps your days energy. But youre in luck, not only are there solutions, but weve spoken to Hashim Saifuddin, Director and Osteopath at Atlas Osteopathy, to get the best and most thorough information to help you on your way to understanding back pain in bed, and how to combat it.
What Are The Common Body Aches Associated With Bad Mattresses
What are the effects of a bad mattress?
Typically, what one sleeper will suffer as a result of wrong mattresses is going to be different from another. Mostly, the pain emerges from the mattress being too firm, thereby preventing the body from proper alignment. Furthermore, if the mattress is very soft, the body tends to sink thus causing extreme pressure on the spine and neck region. Sleeping on a bad mattress may cause your various pain and aches. A bad mattress may has the following effects below.
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Best Mattress For Back Pain
When it comes to the best mattress for back pain, theres no one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, the best mattress for back pain is one that provides you with the perfect mix of softness and support. It relieves pressure points and keeps your spine neutrally aligned.
But heres a reason to justify mattress shopping: Research shows that upgrading to a new mattress is likely to improve your sleep quality no matter what. The same study also showed that people sleeping on the cheapest mattresses saw less pain reduction than those who slept on mid- to higher-priced ones. Quality counts!
When in doubt, upgrading to a high-quality medium-firm mattress could be the best option for easing back pain so youll wake energized and restored.
The Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress with Zoned Support Max provides continuous ergonomic zones with gel pods designed to help give you perfect spinal alignment.
Should You Worry About A New Mattress Causing Back Pain
Getting a new mattress is exciting. You anticipate sliding between the sheets and sleeping blissfully on your brand new bed. But then you struggle to get comfortable at night and you wake with morning pain or stiffness. What gives?
Your body needs time to adjust to a new mattress. Many of us adopt poor posture over the years, and a bad or old mattress can compound the problem. Its normal to feel some initial discomfort or soreness as your body adjusts.
Sleep on your new mattress for at least a month. If your pain doesnt improve, and especially if it worsens, your new mattress may not be the right fit for you.
Want to try out your new mattress without the hassle? Casper mattresses come with a 100-night risk-free sleep trial and an easy return process for more snoozing and less stressing.
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Additional Sleeping Accessories For Sleepers With Back Pain
Besides a mattress, other accessories can play a part in making your bed conducive to quality, pain-free sleep. Upgrading your pillows and your bed base can be done as a lower-cost way of improving your sleeping surface, or you can purchase these along with a new mattress as part of a complete overhaul.
Pillows
Pillows play an important role in preventing and reducing back and neck pain. Pillows that provide proper support to the neck can improve spinal alignment because the spine extends into the neck . In addition to supporting the head, pillows can be strategically placed to provide cushioning and comfort to other parts of the body.
Numerous factors affect which pillow can best help any individual fight neck and back pain. The amount of loft of your pillow should fit your personal preference and body shape. The right loft level is also largely determined by the firmness of your mattress and your sleeping position, as outlined in the following tables.
| Sleeping Position |
|---|
| Medium Firm Firm | High |
To reduce back pain, pillows can be used to support other parts of the body besides just the head and neck.
Bed Platforms and Bases
The base of the bed can contribute to a supportive overall sleeping surface for people with back pain.
Some people opt for an adjustable bed, which allows for the upper and lower body to be raised at various angles. Many adjustable bed frames also include a heat or massage feature that can be a nice bonus for back pain sufferers.
A Medium Hard Mattress Seems Best
If you have any of the above symptoms along with your back pain, then your bed may well be responsible. A study published in the Lancet in 12003 concluded that those lying on a medium hard mattress suffered less pain or rising, less overall disability and less pain during the day than those sleeping on hard mattresses.
The trial was conducted over 90 days with 313 adults suffering chronic non-specific lower back pain who complained of a backache while lying in bed and when rising. It was a double-blind multicenter trial that was properly controlled. Other sources have also concluded a hard bed or mattress to be more responsible for lower back pain than a medium hard mattress.
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What Can I Do For Back Pain
Buying a new mattress is a starting point in curing a mattress induced back pain. However, you can also schedule daily stretching routines. You could stretch a few time after waking up and before you go to bed to make your spine more flexible.
You should also learn how to sleep in the correct posture. It is recommended that you sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs. The pillow will help support your hips and lower back.
While shopping for a new mattress, make sure to spend time testing it. No matter how silly this may feel, keep in mind that its a necessary step to help you choose the right mattress.
What Mattress Firmness Level Is Advised For Back Pain
This is a good question. Some people believe that if they have neck and back pain then they require a soft mattress for additional cushioning, while others believe they need to purchase a hard mattress for additional support.
If the mattress is too soft then it will likely not supply adequate support for the spine. If it is too hard, on the other hand, then the mattress will not be able to hold the natural curvature of the spinal column.
According to WebMD, if youre in doubt then opt for a medium-firm mattress. They reported that a research study including two groups of back pain patients were monitored over a 90 day duration. One group was offered a medium-firm mattress while the other group a firm mattress.
After the 90 days, individuals in the medium-firm group reported the least amount of discomfort.
So, if in doubt, a medium-firm mattress will likely be your best choice. All great mattress brands provide a generous sleep trial so you can have plenty of time to check out your mattress. If its wrong for you then theyll exchange it for a brand-new one.
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Understanding Your Sleep Position
We tend to fall asleep in roughly the same position every night, and every sleep position has a different impact on your body. However, certain positions may account for some of your pain.
People who sleep on their stomach are more likely to experience back pain because this position pulls the spine out of alignment. Also, the twisting and contorting that stomach sleepers do to get comfortable can put extra pressure on the neck and lower back, which can even cause poorer circulation.
If you sleep on your stomach, try to train yourself to sleep on your side, usually by propping your trunk up with a pillow.
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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