How Can I Tell If My Mattress Is Bad
There are some telltale signs that youve got a bad mattress. Some of them may surprise you. Here are our top five things to look for:
What Do You Do If Your Memory Foam Mattress Is Too Firm
If you presently have a memory foam mattress and find that it is too firm, consider adding a soft pillow top mattress topper to the mix. To check if memory foam will feel softer on your regular mattress before investing in one, you may always try a soft, less dense topper to see if it would help you sleep better.
Are Hard Beds Better For Your Back
A firm mattress also helps to prevent your lower back from compressing, which may allow you to breathe more deeply while youre sleeping. Firm mattresses are often preferable for those who sleep on their backs because they give a more firm and level surface for their bodies to rest on while asleep. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, tend to do better on a firmer mattress.
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#reason : Your Mattress Is Too Soft Or Too Firm
If you are using a mattress, you know the common factor firmness. It determines how soft or hard the mattress is. Mainly, two common types of firmness are available on the market such as soft and firm. Some people like soft mattresses and some prefer firm mattresses. Sometimes, the firmness may be one of the major reasons for causing your lower back pain.
If you are using a too firm mattress, it does not sink enough and you feel discomfort and pain on the hips, back, spine, neck, and shoulder. On the other hand, if your mattress is too soft, it cant hold your spine perfectly and aligned it in a wrong position which may cause your lower back pain.
Solution 1: Pick The Right Firmness of Your Mattress
So, you have to choose the right firmness while buying a new mattress. Here are some helpful tips for you to choose the perfect firmness of your mattress.
#Soft Mattress
Soft mattresses are perfect for side sleepers because it removes the pressure on the hips and shoulders while sleeping on the side. This is why a side sleeper can get more comfort and perfect support to the back & spine in the side sleeping position. The lightweight sleepers and slim sleepers can use the soft mattress for better pressure relief, ultimate comfort, and great back support. Do not use soft mattresses if you are a heavy sleeper like over 200 lbs. It may sink more and aligns your spine incorrectly and cause lower back pain.
#Medium Firm Mattress
#Firm Mattress
Solution 2: Make Your Firm Mattress Soft
How To Know If Your Mattress Is Giving You Back Pain
Sometimes its hard to tell what the cause of your back aches are since there are several proven causes. Still, therere three ways to know if your mattress is the cause.
The first clue is to observe when the ache starts. Usually, when the pain is coming from your bed, youll probably wake up feeling it. However, if youre able to stretch thoroughly, youll get rid of the pain within15â30 minutes.
Another way to tell whether your mattress is doing more harm than good is to study how smooth your sleep goes. Tossing and frequently turning at night, or waking up at random times during sleep is a sign that your bed isnt ideal enough.
Thirdly, if your mattress has lasted for at least eight years, chances are that its no more in its the best shape. Old mattresses tend to have lost their ideal form.
In the case of an old innerspring mattress, it will start to sag. Meanwhile, memory foam will not be able to cradle the hip and shoulders as it is supposed to.
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Is Your Mattress Causing You Back Pain Find Out Now
In todays highly digitized world, nearly each one of us is health-conscious. Most people have incorporated a balanced diet, workout routine, and healthy living into their lives, perhaps because no one wants to become a victim of the so-called lifestyle-related health conditions. However, there is one area that many people seem to have neglected. There are high chances that you might be just one of those who have overlooked the vast potential benefits of having a good mattress for a nights sleep.
A low-quality mattress not only affects the quality of your sleep, somehow forces you to experience a bad day in the workplace, but equally exposes you to a number of health conditions such as back pain. In fact, research has proven that mattresses are among the leading causes of back pain. The American Chiropractic Association currently estimates that close to thirty-one million Americans experience some form of back pain at any given time. Globally, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing most people from work and other everyday activities. Surprisingly, medical experts project that up to eighty percent of the American population will experience back pain at some point in the future.
If you are currently experiencing back pain problem, you are definitely in the right place. Today in this particular post, we are going to give helpful clues on how to actually tell if your mattress is causing your back pain. Peruse the article and get to know.
What Are The Memory Foam Mattress Problems And Solutions
The memory foam mattress is highly comfortable than other types of mattresses in the market but it may cause few problems due to the wrong choice while buying it. Most people do wrong in the following points such as wrong firmness, lack of support, cool or hot foam. The medium to firm range memory foam mattresses are good for all sleeping styles. The high-density support foam mattresses are great for better back support. The gel foam mattresses are good for cool.
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Should Side Sleepers Have A Firm Mattress
The firmer the mattress, the better it is suited for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and people who want to sleep on top of their mattress. Soft mattresses are preferable for side sleepers, couples, and individuals who want to sink into their mattress. Soft mattresses are also more affordable.
You Wake Up Feeling Stiff And Sore
When you sleep on the wrong mattress, your spine slowly shifts out of alignment. Over time this can lead to chronic back pain that wakes you in the early hours of the morning with aching muscles. If waking up in agony is normal for you, then check if it’s your mattress causing back pain!
Notice whether or not every time you wake up with lower back pain, there’s an indentation where you were lying down before. This can also signify that the mattress isn’t supportive enough for certain types of sleepers like those who always lie on their backs or stomachs when they sleep.
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Quality Of The Mattress
It makes sense that the quality of your mattress is directly related to back pain. Dr Smycz explains that how well you look after the mattress is a major factor. You need to make sure the mattress is protected and looked after.
If your mattress is in good condition in terms of quality, age, and treatment you should not be waking up with back stiffness, said Dr Smycz.
Youll know its time to replace your mattress if you feel chronic back pain that greets you in the morning.
Why Does My Back Hurt After Sleeping On A New Mattress
Yes, a new mattress has the potential to cause temporary back discomfort. This is due to the fact that switching from an old, unsupportive mattress to a new, supportive mattress requires a time of adjustment. A break-in time is also required for new mattresses. It is possible that components will be stiff at first, but they will soften and fit to your body as time goes on. 1
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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
Sleeping On Your Stomach
Dr Smycz said that your sleep posture is an additional factor to back and neck pain. Stomach sleepers, take note!
Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position to sleep in because you have to turn your head, which puts a strain on the neck and upper back, said Dr Smycz. Sleeping on your stomach compresses the solar plexus, and digestion is affected as well. It doesnt allow you to properly rest and repair throughout the night.
So whats the ideal sleeping position to avoid back pain?
The ideal sleep posture is lying on your side, explained Dr Smycz. When lying on your side, imagine a line going all the way from the neck through to the spine. You want that line to be straight. A nice, supportive mattress will keep that spine aligned.
We know that side sleepers often prefer a softer mattress, but its important to find a firmness level that correlates to your weight. The best mattress for side sleepers is a memory foam mattress.
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Do You Need A Softer Mattress As You Get Older
A mattress that provides substantial pressure relief helps cushion and accommodate pressure spots, as well as encourage good spinal alignment, among other benefits. Seniors, in particular, frequently require a mattress that provides good pressure relief in order to eliminate pressure points in critical places such as the hips and shoulders, as well as to alleviate back and joint discomfort.
Can A New Mattress Cause Back Pain
Yes, a new mattress can cause back pain temporarily. Thats because theres a transition period when you go from an old unsupportive mattress to a new supportive mattress. New mattresses also have a break-in period. Components can be stiff at the start but will soften up and conform to your body over time.
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Is It Better To Sleep On A Hard Or Soft Mattress
For people who do not suffer from chronic back discomfort, a firm mattress will typically provide greater comfort. Firm mattresses are often preferable for those who sleep on their backs because they give a more firm and level surface for their bodies to rest on while asleep. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, tend to do better on a firmer mattress.
Should You Get An Adjustment
It is a very wise idea to get a wellness adjustment from your chiropractor before you go mattress shopping. This can help relieve pain and help you have better posture and body support while you sleep. Ask your chiropractor for advice on sleeping positions, as well as recommendations for mattresses. Not only is your chiropractor a back expert, but he has probably heard a lot of recommendations from his patients who suffered from mattress-induced back pain.
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Should I Replace My 15 Year Old Mattress
There will be occasions when a mattress will need to be changed, but it will most likely endure for far more than eight years in most cases. If the mattress comes with a 10-year, 20-year, or 30-year guarantee, you may expect to get approximately that amount of time out of it if you take good care of it. You should also consider your level of comfort.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Sleep On A Firm Mattress
A mattress that is too soft can cause your spine to become misaligned throughout the night, while a mattress that is too firm will produce joint pressure in your hips, which will result in discomfort in your lower back the following morning. You will almost certainly experience this discomfort as soon as you attempt to get out of bed.
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What Firmness Is Best For Back Pain
According to Kevin M. Cerrone, DPT, director of Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Services at Northwell Healths Huntington Hospital in Huntington, NY, in general, the mattress shouldnt be too soft or too hard. Once again, research have found that medium firmness mattresses are often better for relieving lower back discomfort than softness mattresses.
Signs That Your Mattress Is A Pain In The Back
Back pain can be attributed to a variety of reasons – from sitting for long hours working on a computer device, using cell phones, to sleeping posture. The underlying cause often is the pressure on your spine, due to being subjected to unnatural positions for extended periods. The pain and discomfort can be in the form of a dull ache in your lower back, shooting pain and numbness in your limbs and legs, and stiffness in your neck. A major reason contributing to pressure on your spine, is the mattress you sleep on. There are various signs that can reveal whether your mattress is to be blamed for your back soreness and pain.
In fact, as per research by 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, and may ultimately turn into a chronic problem.
Here are three signs indicating that your mattress is causing back pain and discomfort
1. Discomfort and restlessness
You need to be mindful of certain cues, related to the timing of your back pain. In case you experience discomfort and pain, within the first 10 to 30 minutes of waking up, but feel better after some stretching and walking around, then the mattress may be the culprit. Another sign is constant restlessness while sleeping, making you toss and turn in bed. Frequently waking up during sleep, or feeling heightened pressure on joints, are also major indicators of mattress induced discomfort.
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New Mattresses Take Time To Break In
Just like a good pair of shoes, a new mattress has a break-in period. Components like springs and foams can be stiff at first but will soften up and conform to your body over time. It’s a sign, in fact, that the mattress is doing its job.
If your new mattress feels too firm at the beginning, consider using a mattress topper until it’s broken in.
The right pillows can also help alleviate pain during the break-in periodand help keep back pain in check well after youve broken in your new mattress.
- If you’re a back sleeper: Place a small pillow beneath your knees to support your lower back and minimize back pain while you’re sleeping.
- If you’re a side sleeper: Hold a body pillow while you sleep to support your upper arm and upper knee. This will keep your spine straight while you snooze.
- If you’re a stomach sleeper: Change your sleep position! Really. If you can’t train yourself to sleep on your back or side, try placing a relatively flat pillow under your stomach to slightly elevate your pelvis and take the pressure off your lower back.
A regular stretching routine can help ease back pain caused by a new mattress too.
We tend to do a lot of reaching forward while sitting all day, so reach your head back, put your hands on the small of your lower back, and arch your back. You can also pull your knees into your chest before you get out of bed.
How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress
According to industry standards, most mattresses should be replaced every seven to ten years, however this figure might vary depending on the sort of mattress you have. Dont put it off any longer until you get a decent nights sleep. Improve your sleep quality right away. Continue reading to find out how frequently you should replace your mattress dependent on the sort of mattress you currently have.
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