Can A Worn Out Mattress Cause Back Pain

What To Do If Your Mattress Is Causing You Back Pain

Before you conclude that you’re experiencing back pain from mattress issues, for any of the named reasons, have someone else test your bed and see if they notice any sagging, wearing out and firmness issues. If they do, then indeed your mattress is causing back pain and requires your attention.As I discussed the signs that your mattress is causing you back pain, I gave a few solutions to the problem one is replacing it with a new mattress, another is buying a mattress topper to restore firmness, and finally, getting a new strong foundation. There are other steps to take. Without following any order, one of the things you should do is get an adjustment from a chiropractor. This will help with your spine alignment, help your muscles relax, and prevent the back pain from escalating. You may also need to check your sleeping position and change it. Try out a different type of sleep posture to see which one causes less pain, then stick to it. For example, some back sleepers may complain of neck pain and such, which go away when they switch to side sleeping.Sleeping with or without a pillow can also cause back pain. All sleepers are different and some bodies align better when laying flat. Others get back pain when they dont have a pillow under their knees. Experiment to see what works for you, especially as you target your pressure points.

Are You Uncomfortable When You Lie Down

Usually, youll be able to tell if your mattress is uncomfortable. You may have gradually adjusted to your mattress as it aged, but try lying on it for a few moments to gauge its comfort. Does your body feel entirely supported? Do you tense your muscles to maintain a comfortable posture? Do you feel yourself rolling or pulling towards the center of the mattress? Could you easily fall asleep in any position? If your mattress isnt comfortable when youre awake, its probably not any better while youre asleep. Its probably time for a new one.

Will A Firmer Mattress Be Better For My Back

A firmer mattress isnt always better than a softer one, but sleepers experiencing back pain might find relief in a firmer mattress. There are many different mattress types that vary in firmness, with latex mattresses and innerspring mattresses being firmer than traditional mattresses and memory foam mattresses.

A good mattress is one that is personalized for your bodys needs. If you have low back pain, you should opt for a firmer sleeping surfacein which case, a pillow top mattress probably isnt right for you. If you prefer a softer cushion for your hips and shoulders, you may want a memory foam mattress with a topper thats several inches thick.

Also Check: Do You Put A Mattress Pad Over A Mattress Topper

Why You Should Get An Adjustment Before Going Mattress Shopping

It is a very good idea to get a wellness adjustment from your local chiropractor before going mattress shopping. This can help alleviate pain and help you have improved posture and body support.

We hope after reading this, you can find relief from your back and neck pain if it was caused by your pillow or mattress.

If you have any chiropractic needs or concerns, help yourself by reaching out to us.

What Is Rest High Quality

Sleep top quality is the level to which a person has a peaceful, gratifying sleep. It is generally gauged in terms of time invested in bed as well as the amount of time it requires to drop off to sleep.

The high quality of rest can be influenced by various variables such as:

• Sleep conditions
• General health and wellness conditions

Also Check: Does American Furniture Warehouse Take Old Mattresses

What To Look For When Searching For The Right Mattress

There are 5 criteria you should look for when searching for a quality mattress: Materials used, support, pressure relief, resilience, and breath-ability.

1. Materials

When choosing a bed be sure to research the brand and find out what materials are used. Are they quality materials? Are they safe, organic, and eco-friendly? Using cheap materials means the mattress will not hold up over time and it will start to sink in. Do not buy a mattress that does not disclose what materials are used, and where the materials are sourced from. A high-quality material that is also eco-friendly is latex.

2. Support

If you suffer from mid or lower back pain, or are a back sleeper then pay extra attention. You need a responsive and supportive material that pushes up into the lumbar spine and allows the low back to de-stress. This allows the muscles to relax and gives your discs and other joints time to decompress throughout the night. In my opinion, latex mattresses offer the best support.

3. Pressure Relief

If you suffer from shoulder or hip pain, or are a side sleeper then pressure relief is very important for you. Pressure relief is necessary for the parts of your body that stick out . Taking pressure off these areas will allow those ball and socket joints the relief from the constant stress they are under all day. Memory foam mattresses offer great pressure relief.

4. Resilience

5. Breath-ability

How Thick Should A Mattress Topper Be For Side Sleepers

A memory foam mattress topper should be thick enough to counteract the effects of the pressure on a persons shoulder while side sleeping. Three-inch toppers usually provide a medium-firm to firm feel for sleepers, so it would work for side sleepers who need extra firmness and support. A four-inch thick mattress topper will tend to be less firm and have a softer feel and can conform to the sleepers body. A four-inch topper can provide a high level of support for the neck and shoulders while also supporting pressure points. The best choice would be a mattress topper with a thickness of anywhere from three to four inches.

Read Also: Vermont King Mattress

You May Like: Is Purple Mattress Good For Sciatica

Top 10 Signs To Look Out For

Here is a list of 10 signs to look out for in a mattress to know if it is the sole reason behind your back pain:

Best Mattress Uk Independent

All vital When you have back soreness! After managing this mattress via a series of performance checks, it carried out rather well in tension reduction and properly aligned the spines of facet sleepers.

For a closer seem, have a look at our total review of the Cocoon Chill on Mattressnerd.com or click the card above to view our entire evaluation on Youtube. Lets be serious here. The true draw to memory foam mattresses are their impressionable sinking feeling that can make you are feeling engulfed, and just surrounded, and hugged around.

Just like a huge previous bear hug, if that is the title to the activity then look at what we bought for the most beneficial memory foam mattress for again pain it is the Puffy. With all the Puffy, you bought 3 levels of foam wanting to carry you that significant outdated hug from the bed.

These foams have Distinctive Careers also. Not merely do they keep you excess comfortable, Nonetheless theyll also hold you good and cool and isolate any movement made by your companion all over the night. The best comfort and ease layer cradles Your whole body and gives you a cloud-like come to feel, consequently why it got the superlative, of course.

The standard shopper ranking for this mattress is actually a five out of 5. Do we want to clarify far more? Furthermore the Puffy has got your back having a lifetime guarantee. Get it? Got your back again, because its a back again pain video clip.

Recommended Reading: Who Can I Donate A Mattress To

It Feels Much Different Than When You Purchased

If you’ve had your mattress for several years, you may not be able to tell if you need a new mattress on feel alone — a changing mattress is one of those things that sneaks up on you over time. But you can still try to evaluate your mattress this way.

Think about how you felt getting into bed for the first year you had your mattress. Were you excited, happy, comfortable? Now think about the last few nights. Feel kind of “bleh,” not particularly excited? That’s a good sign you might benefit from a new mattress.

If your mattress is less than a couple years old and you already notice that it feels different, look into the manufacturer’s or retailer’s warranty. You might be able to get a partial refund or points toward purchasing a new mattress.

Select The Correct Firmness

Selecting a mattress with the correct level of firmness relative to your dominant sleeping position, body type, and body weight is the most significant step that you can take to ensure that your new mattress doesnt cause you back pain due to it being too soft.

Choosing the right firmness isnt an exact science, but the table below can help to reduce the chance of you ending up with a mattress thats either too soft or too firm :

You May Like: How To Get An Old Mattress Picked Up

What Is The Best Sleep Position For Shoulder Pain

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it is best to avoid resting on your sore shoulder. You can try sleeping on the opposite side or rest on your back. Back sleeping can reduce tension on the sides of the body and ensure your spine stays neutral.

If youre concerned about snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea when back sleeping, you may want to consider an adjustable bed. These bed frames allow you to gently lift the head to open up the airways and make breathing more comfortable. Sleeping on a wedge pillow can also create the same effect.

Read Also: Mr Pillow Mattress Topper

Can A Worn Out Mattress Cause Back Problems

A worn-out mattress can cause a number of different back problems. The most common problem is that it can cause you to have a poor nights sleep. This can lead to back pain, stiffness, and even headaches. If you wake up feeling tired and sore, its likely that your mattress is to blame. Another problem that a worn-out mattress can cause is poor posture. If you sleep on a mattress that is too soft, your spine will not be properly supported. This can lead to back pain and poor posture. Finally, a worn-out mattress can also cause you to snore. If you snore loudly, it can disrupt your sleep and cause you to wake up feeling tired. If you suspect that your mattress is to blame for your back problems, its important to get a new one. A quality mattress will support your spine and help you to sleep better.

When a mattress is too old, it can cause back and neck pain. If you have a mattress that is too old, we recommend taking our test to see if its too old. Sleep deprivation is extremely common among back pain patients. Only 11% of people renew their beds because they become uncomfortable. Select a mattress that provides you with the most comfort and support possible. There are several mattress types available, including inner-spring, latex, and memory foam. The proper foundation can help a mattress last longer by providing it with more support.

Recommended Reading: Where To Try Bear Mattress

How We Evaluated These Mattresses

To evaluate mattresses for back pain relief, we ask our testers to lie down on each mattress. Ideally, a mattress should contour to the body while maintaining even support, so we measure how deeply the mattress sinks beneath the testers weight. We also use body-mapping sensors to pinpoint locations where painful pressure points are likely to occur. Although we relied on feedback from all of our testers, we focused on those who have a history of upper and/or lower back pain.

To learn more about our mattress evaluation process, check out our product research methodology below:

Your Pillow Could Also Be A Problem

If your mattress is comfortable, but you still have unexplained neck or spinal pain, your pillow could also be at fault. Your pillow should be soft and plush enough for a relaxing rest but supportive enough to keep your neck aligned throughout the night. Avoid stacking multiple pillows or elevating your neck too far above your back and spine.

Don’t Miss: Throw Pillow With Pom Poms

The Mattress Is More Than 5

Despite what many mattress companies would have you believe, most mattresses need replacing after around 5-7 years.

After this period, the risk of them softening up to the point where you are in bad posture and experiencing back pain increases as time goes on.

If your mattress is more than 5-7 years old and you have back pain, then buying a new one is likely the best solution.

Your Mattress Is Too Soft Or Too Hard

Mattresses range in firmness, and experts typically recommend medium to hard support. Because each body is different, you might find yourself more comfortable and supported with one of the following.

• Soft: Soft mattresses have thick, plush cushioning that sinks when you sit or sleep on them. The conforming comfort of a soft mattress is a good fit for lightweight side sleepers but never sacrifice adequate spinal support for softness.
• Medium: Medium mattresses range from medium-soft to medium-hard with several variants. They are usually a good fit for versatile sleepers, including side, back and stomach sleepers, and people with different body types.
• Hard: Hard mattresses offer firm support for back and stomach sleepers, plus heavier people. These beds have little to no shrinkage.

Extra-soft and extra-hard mattresses also exist for specific sleeping situations and physical needs but arent generally necessary for the average sleeper.

Recommended Reading: What Happened To Sleepy’s Mattress Company

Discovering The Truth About Your Mattress

You may be in love with your bed, but that doesnt mean it is in love with you back. Research has discovered numerous signs which indicate that a persons bed is to blame for their back soreness, especially in the morning. Pay close attention to how you or your partner behaves throughout the night. If you have any of the following sleep-disturbing signs, it may be time to replace your mattress.

• You wake up frequently during the night for no apparent reason.
• You toss and turn a lot or cant get comfortable.
• You feel increased pressure on parts of your body when laying in certain positions.
• You feel swallowed up by your bed.
• Your bed feels flat and unforgiving on the curves of your body.
• Your waking back pain goes away after about 20-30 minutes.

Back pain can be caused by several things, but if your bed is to blame then it should be very easy to tell. Your back pain may not be caused by something serious. In fact, studies show that about 56% of people who sleep on a medium-to-firm mattress have less back pain in the morning than their softer-mattress-having counterparts.

In general, sleep experts advise people to get a new bed ever 8 to 10 years. It may be that your mattress has served you well for a very long time.

However, it may also be time to replace it for something better if its causing you pain.

Changes In The Mattress Structure

If there are visible sagging, body impressions, and/or indentations in your mattress deeper than 1.5-2 inches then these changes in the structure of your mattress could be a signal that your mattress is the root cause of your back pain.

In particular, if the integrity of the lower support core has been compromised then this is a strong indicator that your mattress is causing your back pain because the support cores primary function is to uphold your body weight and maintain good posture.

You May Like: Do You Tip Mattress Delivery Mattress Firm

How To Fix Mattress Sagging

• In case of sagging the best way to move forward is to replace the mattress.
• A cheaper solution that may help, but would only do so for slight sagging, is a mattress topper. This would also be more of a quick fix than a long term solution.
• Consider the below when purchasing a new mattress, and remember that a good nightâs sleep is an important investment.