Can Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain
Sleeping position can have a direct effect on back pain. Each sleeping position creates a unique set of pressure points and areas that need cushioning, and this is why our testers believe having the right mattress to suit your sleeping position is an important part of preventing and reducing back pain.
Back sleepers tend to have their most serious pressure points around the lumbar area. Our pressure tests on various mattresses have shown that if a mattress is too soft, the weight of the abdomen will cause this region to sink out of alignment with the rest of the back and hips. If the mattress is too hard, it wont accommodate the natural curvature of the spine in the lumbar area. For this reason, a medium-firm to firm mattress usually works best for back sleepers.
Side sleepers have high-impact areas where the body is the widest, notably at the shoulders and hips. A mattress needs to be contouring enough to cushion those pressure points but not so soft as to let you sink too deeply into the bed and out of line with the rest of the body. Most side sleepers on our test team get the best results from a medium soft to medium firm mattress.
Another Organic Option Thats Ideal For Back Sleepers
Avocado
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 10 years full, 25 years limited
Many of todays mattresses are made from memory foam, which typically contains synthetic chemicals. If youre looking for something a bit more eco-friendly, consider the Avocado Green Mattress. Its constructed of organic ingredients, including a layer of organic latex sitting on top of more than 1,000 pocketed support coils. The mattress has a gentle-yet-firm feel and five distinct ergonomic zones that adapt to your pressure points and provide relief where you need it. The thoughtful construction also helps reduce motion transfer and distributes weight more evenly so the mattress can contour to your bodys natural shape. Its best for back and stomach sleepers.
What the reviews say: The organic, natural materials are perhaps what separates this bed from others its the amazingly comfortable and superior support that I think tops my list, says one happy review. Over the last six months, Ive now purchased three .
Can Your Mattress Cause Back Pain
If youve started waking up with back pain and you didnt have pain before, your mattress could be the culprit. If youve recently purchased a new bed, it could be a bit too soft for your needs, which can cause back pain, especially if its throwing your spine out of alignment. If this is the case, Id recommend sleeping on your new bed for 30 days to see if your body adjusts. If it doesnt, youll need to return your mattress or purchase a topper to help.
Mattress sagging can also be a significant cause of back pain. If your mattress is 710 years old and sagging in certain places, it could be negatively affecting your sleep health. Plus, you could be unconsciously contorting your body to compensate for the sagging. If you notice your mattress is sagging, its time to replace it, or add a topper until youre ready to find a new bed.
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Is A Latex Mattress Good For Back Pain
A latex mattress is often considered great for back pain because of its effective springy action that can provide relief throughout the night and into the morning. They rate well among people with back problems, and as you can see from the comparison table above, we also included a latex mattress.
At least 33% of owners claim that their all-latex option provides some type of relief in various parts of the body including the neck, shoulders, and hips.
The premium, spongy material gently pushes into the body, which instantly maximizes natural body contouring and ensures full body contact. This, in turn, provides great pressure point relief and spinal alignment.
Overall, this is a highly recommended type of mattress for those with symptoms of back pain in the morning or who generally require an orthopedic mattress.
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How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Sciatica
Heres what we considered when picking the best mattresses for sciatica:
- Customer reviews. We looked for mattresses rated well by people whove actually bought them. We also checked reviews specifically for mentions of sciatica or pressure relief.
- Claims. Though each of these mattresses is rated well by people with pain and offers good comfort and support, we avoid brands that claim their mattresses can prevent, cure, or mitigate any illness or condition.
- Company policies. We make sure the companies offer warranties, in-home trials, and shipping and return policies that give you a chance to try out the mattress before officially deciding to keep it.
- Transparency. We value companies that are transparent and let consumers know where their products are made and what theyre made from.
- Company reputation. We avoid brands that have been found guilty in a recent lawsuit related to business practices. We also avoid companies that rank poorly on the Better Business Bureau.
- Materials certifications. We look for mattresses made of materials certified safe by a reputable third party.
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How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Back And Neck Pain
We explored top-rated mattresses on the market, paying careful attention to features important for pain relief. To create our list, we considered:
- Customer reviews: Many brands say their mattresses can relieve pressure and pain, but reviews from other shoppers often present a more accurate picture. We read what customers had to say to see how these picks actually helped improve their pain and sleep quality.
- Company reputation and transparency: We focused on brands known for good business practices, quality mattress construction, and a reputation for providing good customer service.
- Company policies: Most brands understand the leap of faith required to buy a mattress online, and many offer a trial period so you can return the mattress if it doesnt work out. Reputable mattress brands generally offer a lengthy warranty to cover product defects and excessive sagging.
- Expert insights: We consulted peer-reviewed studies for more information on the connection between sleep and pain and the qualities that make a mattress good for pain relief. We also reached out to Krystle Howald, PT, DPT, owner of Expecting and Empowered and Empower Movement Physical Therapy, for her tips on getting pain-free sleep.
- Vetting: The mattresses on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthlines brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
Why We Get Back Problems
Two types of back pain are commonly observed:Acute pain, which lasts for less than about six weeks, and chronic pain which is less frequent but longer lasting. About 25 percent of U.S. adults4 report having lower back pain in the last three months. Back pain can arise from various issues, but well review the most common sources.
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The Best Mattress For Back Pain In 2022
Our guide to the best mattress for back pain is your key to uninterrupted sleep and ache-free mornings
The best mattress for back pain is your key to waking up refreshed every morning if you struggle with constant aches in your shoulders or lumbar. Repeatedly shifting positions in an attempt to get comfortable can add even more strain to your back if you’re not sleeping on the right bed. Not to mention, you’ll be losing out on high-quality sleep at night, which will leave you feeling tired and unfocused during the day.
Among our general best mattress contenders are seven models we deem exceptional at alleviating back issues and promoting proper spinal alignment based on our extensive research and testing. Topping our list is the Saatva Classic mattress , a highly-customizable hybrid that’ll suit most people seeking relief from back pain. Plus, it comes with free delivery and in-home set-up so all you’ll have to do is sleep on it. However, our list includes a range of budgets or builds so you’re bound to find just what you’re looking for in alleviating back pain.
We personally research and test the latest mattresses to provide unbiased recommendations in this guide. We rate each mattress out of 10 and use the review data to inform rankings. Read our mattress methodology for more.
Confused About Which Mattress To Buy Online
Confused which mattress to buy online? The market is flooded with a plethora of options for mattresses. Memory foam mattress, Pocket spring, Latex, Orthopedic mattress, Hybrid. Phew… If youre on the hunt to buy a new mattress online and your heads feeling a bit skew-whiff, we get it. We understand that youre overwhelmed by the options available in the mattress market. Are you confused about when to replace a mattress and how to buy mattress online? Without any doubt, to buy best mattress online is not an easy task. Investing in a good quality mattress is as important as investing in good health. If youre looking for the right mattress then choosing the best mattress brand in India becomes your first step.
So which one is the can Best Mattress brand out there? The Sleep Company has pioneered the sleep science innovation with the introduction of Indias First & Only SmartGRID Mattress. We offer you a diverse range of mattresses that perfectly suits your comfort requirements. Weve made it easy peasy to compare all of our types of mattresses. Check out our comparison page to explore our range of SmartGRID mattresses and discover how each of them has been designed in such a unique way to suit your dynamic requirements. Find your perfect mattress match now.
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How Else Can You Make Your Mattress More Comfortable
If you cant afford a new mattress or arent ready to replace your current model, there are a few things you can do to improve the comfort of your existing mattress.
- Add a mattress topper. A medium-firm mattress might provide great back support, but not everyone finds a hard surface comfortable. A soft mattress topper adds some plushness without sacrificing support.
How Does Sleeping Position Affect Joint Pain
As with any condition that causes pain or discomfort, arthritis could make it harder to get restful, quality sleep. Aches and pains may make it harder to fall asleep or could lead to tossing and turning during the night. The position someone uses could either reduce or contribute to pain. Depending on an individuals pains, they may prefer any sleep position. However, most experts usually recommend back or side sleeping. If you continue to experience arthritis and/or joint pain that interrupts your sleep, we recommend talking to your doctor.
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Why The Leesa Legend Suits Sleepers With Shoulder And Back Pain
When lying down on the Leesa Legend, sleepers should feel their shoulders sink into the soft foams for some deep pressure relief. At the same time, the mattress springs should prevent them from sinking in too far, which helps keep the spine in a neutral alignment. You get some cushioning while your body gets lifted.
The Top Mattress Brands Online
Below are the current top mattress brands.
They are not listed in any particular order.
In reality, every mattress offers something unique and is based on your sleep position as well as your preferred firmness and weight.
Saatva is an eco-conscious company which uses environmentally friendly materials throughout their mattress. As a green option, Saatva has also cornered the market with free White Glove delivery, further establishing themselves as one of those pre-eminent, direct-to-consumer luxury mattresses.
- Coil-on-coil construction provides better support and more body-contouring than most conventional innersprings.
- Multiple thickness and firmness options available.
- Eco-friendly construction features recycled steel, bio-based foams, and organic cotton at the cover.
- Free full-service shipping, a 120-night sleep trial, flexible warranty, and strong customer support.
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What Are The Best Plush Mattresses For Side Sleepers
Although plush innerspring, foam and hybrid mattresses are often recommended to side sleepers for their softer give, some side sleepers may find that innerspring mattresses even with a plush comfort level still wont provide enough yield for pressure relief. If you sleep on your side and prefer the softest possible cushioning, consider a plush memory foam mattress whether combined with innerspring technology or by itself, a plush memory foam mattress is sure to deliver the gentle contouring side sleepers need for an exceptionally comfortable nights sleep.
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Can A Bad Mattress Cause Sciatica
There are many causes of low back pain and sciatica. An unsupportive mattress can be one of them but so can things like sleeping position and body weight.
Try sleeping on your side or back avoid sleeping on your stomach. If you suspect youre dealing with sciatica, contact your doctor for more ways to reduce symptoms.
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Can Sciatica Be Caused By A Bad Mattress
A bad mattress doesnt typically show up on lists of sciatica causes, but its certainly not going to help. Thats true for several reasons.
For starters, mattresses can play a big role in supporting healthy spinal alignment or not. A bad mattress that doesnt help the sleepers spine stay properly aligned could contribute to misalignment issues. Long-term misalignment of the spine could place undue pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Additionally, according to an article published by Harvard Health, many people find their sciatica gets worse during prolonged periods of lying down. This is the case even in the best of conditions, so imagine how much worse someone might feel if theyre lying on an unsupportive or uncomfortable mattress.
If someone notices that their sciatica pain tends to feel worse when they wake up in the morning, this could indicate that their mattress is exacerbating their condition.
If You Cant Shop In Person
Its really hard to tell whether a specific mattress is right for you without lying on it first. Firmness, pressure relief, and support are all highly subjective factors, which is why weve always advised trying out a mattress in person prior to purchasing. But we also know that can be easier said than done. So in lieu of our usual try-before-you-buy advice, we recommend that you look for a generous return policy on any mattress youre thinking of buying sight unseen.
With respect to trial periods and return policies, here are your best options of all the mattresses in this guide:
More mattress coverage
Who its for: The Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm caters to back-pain sufferers who prefer a traditional innerspring mattress with a just-cushy-enough top. Its likely to feel comfortable regardless of your preferred sleep position.
How it feels: Weve been long-term testing our Saatva Classic for more than a year, and it has softened slightly from a stiff medium-firm to a plusher medium-firm.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The 416 support coils in the bottom half of the Saatva Classic are sturdy, but they number only about half those in the pricier WinkBed , another innerspring weve liked in the past. Theyre not individually wrapped, either, which can lead to motion transfer. For that reason, we think the Saatva works best if you sleep alone or dont wake easily when your partner rolls over.
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How To Watch Your Back Best Mattress For Back Pain In India
Key Takeaways
- 73% of the Indian population suffer from back problems.
- A good mattress can treat and heal back problems just as effectively as a bad or uneven mattress can cause back problems.
- Coir mattresses are rarely recommended by doctors and sleep experts
- The two best mattress for back pain in India are memory foam or natural latex orthopedic mattress.
- Always consider size, thickness, and materials used in the mattress before buying it for your home.
Anyone who has experienced back pains knows that it is one of the most excruciating and paralzying pains of the body. Statistically speaking, up to 73% of the Indian population suffer from back pains, while 12% of those experience chronic back pains at some point of their lives. Up to 45% of those neglect their back pains for more than 7 weeks and a whopping 62% of patients, who are advised to get surgery, opt for alternative treatments and further delay proper treatment. This is why it is advisable to get the best mattress for back pain in India so as to prevent these issues
Like this wasnt unfortunate enough, enter COVID-19 and work-from-home routines, and we now have an alarming increase in the number of back pain cases in India. According to latest studies, 20% of back pain cases in India accounts to patients from the age group of 16-34.
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.
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