What Kind Of Mattress Is Best For Lower Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common conditions for stomach sleepers, as the weight in our abdomens can sink down and create a curve in our lower backs. The Cleveland Clinic actually dubs stomach sleeping the worst position , since it can also distort your neck, and recommends sleeping on your back to promote better alignment and even weight distribution.
That said, sleepers of all types can suffer from lower back pain, and if youre one of them, look for a mattress with ample support to keep your spine in check. Firmer mattresses, such as those made of latex and memory foam, would be much better for the lower back because it will conform to the body much better and will allow much more support to your spine, says Dr. Malayil. We love the Solaire Adjustable Mattress from Saatva, which is made with both Talalay latex and gel-infused memory foam, and comes with a remote control to choose from 50 firmness settings for a truly customized feel.
The Best Mattress For Elderly Back Problems
So there you have it, the best mattresses today for those who suffer with back pain and discomfort. Tips and advice on choosing the right mattress that is suitable for back pain relief for the elderly and seniors.
Hopefully you have found what you are looking for, but if you need any further help or advice please feel free to contact me at and I will be happy to help you.
Note
None of the information given is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always ensure that you seek the advice of your general practitioner or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only.
How Can Sleep Help Chronic Pain
Now that weve gone over my picks, I want to take a second to talk about the purpose of this guide. While it may seem like the focus is on finding a mattress thatll make falling asleep with pain easier, its actually about finding the bed thats going to help you use sleep to actively deal with said pain.
Sleep is very important for restoring balance to the nervous system and improving coping strategies for pain, Dr. Poorbaugh told me during our chat . Normally our central nervous system is downplaying or ignoring stimuli from multiple sources simply because the information is not important. A person with chronic pain, however, loses this important dampening ability, so many activities that were once well-tolerated now become pain-provoking.
Dr. Poorbaugh went on to cite a recent study, which showed that poor sleep patterns were directly related to higher rates of pain, poor mood, increased pain catastrophizing, and overall reduced physical function.
So what can be done? In order to get the kind of sleep you need to help deal with your chronic pain, consider the following when choosing the right mattress to deal with pain.
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A Memory Foam Mattress That Adapts To Your Body Quicker Than Most
Amerisleep.com
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Trial period: 100 nights
Thanks to its Bio-Pur memory foama proprietary foam thats more responsive and adaptive to movementthis mattress contours your back and neck, promoting alignment and relieving pressure points. Those with back pain know that soft spots can be detrimental to your comfort, however, theres no need to worry about that with memory foam that bounces back in seconds. With an open-cell design, the Amerisleep AS1 also keeps you cool throughout the night by allowing air to quickly pass through.
Reviewers say this mattress has played a dramatic role in decreasing chronic back pain. Some dedicated back sleepers also add that this mattress allows them to comfortably sleep on their sides.
Best Foam Mattress For Back And Neck Pain
Nolah Original 10 Inch
- Type: foam
- Height: 10 inches
If you have back and neck pain, you need a mattress that provides excellent pressure relief, and thats just what the Nolah mattress aims to do.
According to the company, their specially designed foam provides four times the pressure relief of standard memory foam in three key zones: shoulders, back, and hips.
This foam is also made without viscoelastic chemicals the chemicals in memory foam known for trapping heat and creating a sinking in feeling for a neutral temperature. Several reviewers confirm it does stay cooler through the night.
Reviewers have plenty of good things to say about this mattress. Several people mention significant improvements in back and neck pain and rave about the great sleep theyre getting. Others praise the motion isolation and the supportive edges. The firmness also feels just right to many: soft enough for comfort yet sturdy enough for support.
That said, dedicated stomach sleepers and people who weigh more than 200 pounds may want to consider a firmer option for added support.
The Nolah mattress is engineered for durability to provide comfort and support for years to come. Since the company offers a 120-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty, youll have plenty of time to make sure the mattress really does relieve your pain.
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How Does Sciatica Impact Sleep
Sciatica, along with other types of pain-related conditions, can have a negative impact on sleep quality. Thats because sciatica causes pain and discomfort that might make it hard to get comfortable enough to fall and stay asleep.
Per the Harvard Health article cited above, many people find their sciatica pain gets worse when they lie down for extended periods. This means people might experience a pain flareup right when theyre trying to obtain restful sleep.
This is a double-edged sword. Sciatica can make it harder to obtain quality sleep, and failing to sleep well might exacerbate sciatica pain. A review published in The Journal of Pain found that poor sleep quality can worsen peoples experience of pain.
Additionally, suffering from pain can take a toll on a persons mental health. The anxiety, depression, or stress caused by pain might make it more difficult to obtain quality sleep. Heres another double-edged sword: Not sleeping well can exacerbate anxiety, stress, and depression.
What To Look Forward To
The 13½-inch-thick WinkBed in Luxury Firm, a pick in our guide to the best innerspring mattresses, was recently redesigned: The company replaced the microcoils in the top layer with polyfoam and added more support coils to the lower layer. We previously recommended this medium-firm innerspring as a good option for back-pain sufferers who prefer a billowy surface. Were planning to test the redesigned WinkBed soon, and we will update this guide with our assessment of how it may now work for back-pain sufferers.
Kelli Pate contributed to this guide.
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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
Material For Back Pain Sufferers
Should you just get an all foam mattress topper because everyone has one? A memory foam mattress topper can be great choice for back pain, but sometimes gel memory foam, or latex pad can provide you more comfort throughout the night.
What your topper is made out of matters. If youre looking for something to relieve your back pain, youll want memory foam or latex, both of which will conform to your body to relieve any pressure you feel. Latex mattress toppers for back pain have more of a responsibility than a normal topper. These toppers need to provide relief.
Memory foam is one of the best products though since it conforms along your body. Its made to support you fully no matter what position you lay in or your weight, since your weight will be distributed evenly. A foam mattress topper topper will also help with motion isolation. This means if you tend to move around at night, on a memory foam mattress topper, you won’t disturb your partner.
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How Back Pain Affects Your Sleep
It probably comes as no surprise that back pain, or any type of pain for that matter can make sleeping difficult. The National Sleep Foundation that one of the common facts that leads to insomnia is chronic back pain.
Whilst over the counter pain relief can offer some temporary respite, almost two-thirds of adults who suffer with back pain have difficulty sleeping due to aches and pains. Poor mattress quality can add to your problems.
So, heres a list of some common ways that back pain affects how well you sleep
Best Mattress For Sciatica
If you suffer from sciatica, you know the pain that comes along with the condition can make sleeping comfortably quite the challenge. Since your sciatic nerve runs along the lower back, through the hips and the buttocks, all the way to the calves, when it becomes irritated the pain is no joke.
So, how in the world are you supposed to sleep with pulsing pains shooting up your hips and legs? Aside from seeking the advice and treatment of a medical professional, one thing you can do is buy a new mattress. And not just any ol mattress, but one that lifts your spine into a neutral alignment all the way from your shoulders to your hips.
For people that suffer from sciatica, you know its more specific than general back pain, which we cover in our Best Mattress for Back Pain list, so I thought Id get you started on your journey by introducing you to some of the best mattresses specifically for lower back pain on the market. Though they differ in terms of construction, firmness, and price, theyre all designed to alleviate tension at the lower back for a cozy, pain-free sleep.
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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.
What Firmness Of Mattress Is Best For Lower Back Pain
Traditionally, a firm mattress was considered the best solution for back pain sufferers. However, a mattress which is too firm could actually do more damage than good, as it wont accommodate the natural curvature of the spine, and increase your chance of developing hip and back pain.
Ideally, for low back sufferers what you really need is a supportive mattress, but many of us find it difficult to differentiate between what is firm and what is supportive.
A firm mattress creates pressure points on the bony extremities of the body, such as the shoulders and pelvic area.
For someone with a bad back, this can lead to all sorts of muscular aches as the body tries to adjust to the lack of spinal support around the lower back.
This is not only very uncomfortable, but also painful and affects our quality of sleep, as the pressure points create numbness to the area causing you to frequently change position overnight to try to find a comfortable position to lie.
Around 60% of the population are traditionally side sleepers which is when they are most affected.
A mattress which is too firm will not support your spine in its normal alignment, and over time will lead to chronic hip and back pain.
Ideally, a medium firm density mattress is the best for back pain relief.
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Does My Pillow Matter
While a better mattress certainly can help with back pain and proper spinal alignment, it isnt the only factor. When paired with the proper pillow, the duo could help reduce back pain and contribute to a healthier sleep experience by properly elevating the neck and shoulders for better support.
Read More:Our Best Pillows Guide
Know Your Otc Medications
Nonprescription pain relievers can help with muscle aches and stiffness. The two main types of over-the-counter options are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
True to their name, NSAIDs help lower inflammation that can lead to swelling and tenderness. But acetaminophen does not relieve inflammation. You can reach for either type of pain reliever for occasional back pain. NSAIDs may work a bit better, Hemani says, if you have arthritis of the spine or other inflammatory conditions.
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Evaluate Your Personal Preference Towards Beds
When searching for a suitable bed from a list of reputable mattress shops in Singapore, it is vital to note that finding the right mattress is mainly dependent on your personal criteria. This is because each bed is built differently, and many factors affect the comfort levels a mattress offers. Your body weight, sleeping patterns, and allergies are all considerations that go into picking a suitable mattress.
In which case, the bed that works well for you may not be ideal for someone else. Hence, you must evaluate your personal preference for mattresses to attain quality rest. If you are unsure of which bed caters to your aching back best, it is advised that you first consult a trusted mattress company on your concerns before you purchase a new mattress.
Best Mattresses For Back Pain
There are quite a few common myths in the mattress industry. Sadly a lot of people, as I have come to realise, still believe a fair number of them.
Often this is due to clever marketing from the mattress companies themselves. But it doesnt have to be like that. I have created this article to show you that suffering from a bad back doesnt have to mean buying a specific type or brand of mattress.
Ive tried below to also decipher a lot of the mumbo-jumbo that is commonplace in the mattress industry in the UK. One thing to be aware of: I am not a chiropractor or expert on back pain but these observations that I have made are in tune with the same recommendations that the Sleep Council make. If you have any questions please let your name in the comments at the bottom, and I will try to help each and every one of you.
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How Hip Pain Affects Your Decision
The joints in your body, including the sockets of your hips, are generally affected by the overall type of support that you receive when you are lying in bed. Traditionally, people used to believe that firm mattresses and pads are best for hip pain sufferers. Nevertheless, throughout the last few years, this has been proven to be wrong as there is no one size which fits all.
With this being said, when it comes to hip pain, shoppers have long had quite a few different options. Affordable, comfortable and convenient alternatives to rock-solid beds are readily available thanks to plush memory foam as well as to latex. These are softer materials which are going to conveniently contour your body in an attempt to provide the ultimate support for hip pain and reduce it considerably.
So, what if you have a firm mattress and you start feeling a radiating pain in your hip area? Should you go ahead and buy a new one? Absolutely not there are far better alternatives. A mattress topper for hip pain relief could easily help you out its a lot cheaper and convenient than having to purchase a brand new mattress altogether.
Keep in mind, though, that places which bear the weight of our bodies, such as hip joints, are considered to be pressure points. These are the areas which are pressed significantly deeper into the mattress, and thats what creates pains and aches.
