New Memory Foam Mattress May Cause Back Pain
Sleeping on a memory foam mattress gives you that nice, comfortable feeling, but you may find yourself suffering from back pain after sleeping on a new one. Memory foam mattresses are designed and marketed with a focus on comfort and proper spine alignment.
Still, memory foam is not perfect for everyone. While this type of mattress provides support for the lumbar and aligns the spine, some sleepers may experience different results. It may take time to used to sleeping in your new mattress before you enjoy the rewards of your purchase.
Regular use helps in the process, as memory foam mattresses typically soften with use. Spending more time, such as sitting, reading, and watching tv on it, will make it more squishy to your preference. Or consider a soft and plush topper for extra cushioning .
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.
What Sleeping Position Is Best For Back Pain
The ideal sleep position: On your backThe best position to avoid back pain is lying flat on your back. Even so, many people find it the hardest way to enjoy deep sleep. For optimal spine alignment, place one pillow underneath your head or neck and another underneath your knees.
Why do I wake up with my back hurting?
Morning back pain is often attributed to the morning being the most vulnerable time for your spine. This vulnerability can be due to what you do before bed or how you sleep, but your back pain might also be a sign of an underlying issue with your nervous system.
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Your Mattress Can Be A Major Contributor To Back Pain And Discomfort However Picking On Certain Signs Can Help You Manage And Eradicate The Root Cause
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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
2. Type of mattress
3. New mattress
So ladies, be careful of these signs, and consider investing in a new mattress, to manage back pain, and improve the quality of your sleep.
How To Tell If Your Mattress Is Causing Back Pain
If youve recently started to develop back pain then you should go and see your doctor to see if you can pinpoint the exact cause of your back pain and then devise a suitable treatment plan.
However, if one or more of the following conditions are true then it could point to your mattress being the source of your back pain:
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Try Changing Up Your Sleeping Position
Changing your sleeping position is one way to try to get back pain relief.
If you are a back or stomach sleeper with a soft mattress and you dont have the budget for a new bed, you can try switching to a side sleeping position that will receive more support from your existing mattress. In general, experts recommend that stomach sleepers try to adjust to side or back sleeping because its easier to get appropriate support in those positions.
For people with acute pain, temporary changes to your sleeping position may help to reduce stress on already sore or achy parts of your back. For example, people with lumbar pain might try a period of side sleeping to avoid the excess bending of that area that can happen on your stomach or back.
While changing sleeping positions is worth a shot, its often not a long-term solution because the change can be hard to stick with. Some people just cant get comfortable in a different position or they may quickly revert back to their old sleeping position during the night. In these cases, other approaches are more likely to be beneficial over the medium- to long-term.
Q: Which Sleeping Position Is Best To Alleviate Back Pain
A: Side sleeping or back sleeping are the best positions to ease your back pain. Even better, you can place a pillow between your knees while side sleeping to take strain off your spine. Likewise, you can slip a pillow under your knees while back sleeping to maintain your spine in its normal S curve.
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Advantages Of A Firm Mattress
For those not experiencing troublesome back pain, a firm mattress is will generally be more comfortable. When sleeping on a firmer surface, the bones absorb most of the pressure, meaning there is less stress on muscles, veins and arteries. Muscles are less strained, and circulation is improved.
A firm mattress also keeps your lower back from collapsing, which could allow for more oxygen intake while sleeping. Less sagging can mean the weight of the body is distributed evenly, which means no one part of the body is bearing the brunt of the pressure.
Firm mattresses are generally better for those who sleep on their back, because they provide a more stable and even surface. Stomach sleepers tend to fare better on a firmer mattress, too.
Which Mattress Will Work For Your Body
On that note, there is no one-size-fits-all bed that will suit everyone. To gauge which mattress is right for you, it is recommended that you spend at least 1012 minutes trying one in person. Ideally, you ought to do so in the position you usually sleep in.
The right level of comfort will depend on your personal situation and how you sleep. Read more about the various comfort layers to see how they can help support your lower back.
The more stability you have and the fewer disturbances during sleep, the more likely you are to stay in a properly supported position throughout the night. Read more about our edge support and how it promotes optimal stability.
Adjustable beds can also be a good option, as the right position can help alleviate pressure from your lower back by distributing the weight more evenly and may assist with some sleep conditions. Read more about Sealys adjustable foundation mattress here.
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What Else Can I Do For Back Pain
Changing your mattress will most likely do wonders for your back pain, if that was the cause. You can also implement a short stretching routine into your day. Aim to do a few stretches before you go to bed and after you wake up to help with spine flexibility. Also, it is important to learn how to sleep in the best position possible. Many experts recommend sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs to support the hips and lower back. Certain pillows can also help promote less neck and back pain while you sleep.
For sweeter dreams and less back pain in the morning, consider getting a new mattress. Your sleep is essential, so make sure you are getting a mattress that will improve your sleep, not make it worse. When mattress shopping, bring your own pillow and spend a good ten to fifteen minutes on each mattress. It may seem silly, but it is the best way to ensure you get the right mattress for you.
Advantages Of A Soft Mattress
A softer mattress is usually recommended for those who are experiencing back pain on a standard mattress, or those who have pre-existing back problems. Theyre also recommended for lighter individuals as a harder mattress can end up not compressing for them at all.
Softer mattresses are generally better for those who sleep on their side, as they better cushion the shoulders and hips. On the side, a softer mattress better aligns the spine, too.
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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.
How Can You Tell That Your Mattress Is Causing Back Pain
Theres a good chance that your mattress is the cause of your back pain if you wake up with back ache that dissipates throughout the day only to return the next morning you wake up in the night frequently, you toss and turn, and/or your mattress is more than 8 years old but you should always consult with your doctor to be sure.
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Reduce Inflammation Through Diet And Exercise
When your joints are already inflamed from your daily activity and eating habits, youre sure to experience pain during the night. To help eliminate your back pain in bed, try reducing or eliminating foods that cause inflammation, such as refined bread and other carbohydrates, fried foods, sugary beverages, and red meat.
Instead, aim to eat foods that help you sleep and that fight inflammation, such as fruit, tomatoes, olive oil, leafy greens, almonds, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. You may be surprised at how your morning back pain is improved after just a couple of weeks of eating well.
Muscles and joints that are stretched regularly can also improve pain levels when youre lying in bed, so try doing yoga several times per week.
Do Firm Mattresses Soften Over Time
No, firm mattresses do not soften over time.
Mattresses that are firm are made of materials such as coir and bonded foam.
Coir mattresses have natural gaps in the coir, which diminishes under pressure.
As such, coir mattresses get firmer over time.
Mattresses made of bonded foam are made of scrap foam that is bonded under high pressure.
So, they have no gaps and are not responsive at all.
So, they cannot get soft over time.
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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.
Consider Buying A Mattress Online
A great way to score a deal on a new mattress is to buy online. While it might seem like a strange concept if youre used to going to a brick-and-mortar store, weve found that buying online offers some huge advantages.
Most online mattresses are sold directly by the manufacturer. Eliminating the middle-man and the need for showroom space means lower prices, and the growing competition between retail and online storefronts has only generated more deals for shoppers.
But the benefits go beyond just price. Shopping online is convenient, allowing you to browse options from the comfort of your own home and without any salespeople eagerly pushing a sale to earn a commission. Having the time to research each mattress and compare it to others is a major contrast to the brick-and-mortar experience where youre limited to just whats available in that store.
When buying online you dont have the ability to feel out a mattress before purchasing, but almost every mattress we test offers a sleep trial with no-hassle returns, including a full refund if you try out the mattress and dont like it. This gives you a no-risk opportunity to try out a mattress for weeks or months in your own bedroom as opposed to for just a few minutes in a store. Over the longer-term, virtually all online mattresses come with a warranty of at least 10 years to protect against future problems, which are rare in mattresses sold both online and in-store.
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Medium Firm Mattresses Are Are Best
While many factors determine the level of support your mattress provides, Medium Firm Mattresses Are generally considered the Best. This is because they offer a balance of comfort and support and can be a good choice for people who suffer from back pain.
Of course, the best mattress for you is ultimately determined by your personal preferences. If you suffer from back pain, be sure to consult with a doctor or physiotherapist to find out which type of mattress is best suited for your needs.
What Firmness Is Best For Back Pain
Theres a common myth that you need a firm mattress to get the best support for your spine. But firmness and support arent the same thing.
- Firmness relates to how much you sink into your mattress.
- Support relates to how well your mattress supports your spine to keep it aligned.
So, does that mean that mattress firmness doesnt matter? Its not quite that simple. Lets take a look at the differences between soft and firm mattresses.
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Why Do I Wake Up With A Sore Back
There are plenty of reasons for waking up with a sore back, such as poor sleeping posture, degenerative disc disease, pregnancy, or other medical conditions. However, if you dont sleep on an appropriate bed or if you have an old mattress, youre prone to wake up with a sore back every day.
Before blaming your mattress, we recommend you learn thoroughly why you have back pain in the morning. Here we will discuss a few reasons which are relevant to you now.
Sleeping Posture Is Crucial
Its quite important to take into consideration your sleeping posture when youre trying to decide which mattress is the best for back problems.
A lot of people tend to sleep on their sides which can cause pain in some cases.
Good posture is important when you sleep. The muscles and ligaments in your back need to relax while snoozing on a mattress with the right firmness for this activity!
If youre someone who sleeps on your side, make sure that you choose a mattress that is soft enough and firm enough at the same time.
It is the responsibility of mattresses to keep the spine healthy, strong and keep the body upright.
If you are someone who sleeps on their back, then you need to find a mattress that does not have too much of an incline.
This is because it can put too much weight on your lower back region while sleeping in this position.
While if you are someone who sleeps on their stomach, you need to have a very firm mattress.
Its because you will be putting all your body weight on your lower back region when you sleep in this position.
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A Mix Of Foam And Bounce: Leesa Sapira Hybrid
Who its for: The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is likely to appeal to back-pain sufferers, regardless of preferred sleep position, who want a foamy feel with a pinch of springiness. The foams density suggests it will hold up well for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.
How it feels: The bounce from the coils seems to mellow out the feel, making this hybrid just a touch softer than a typical medium-firm.
Why its great: The foam-innerspring feel of the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is more balanced than that of the Tempur-Adapt, our other hybrid pick in this guide, whose memory foam takes over the entire experience of the mattress. In the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, the 4-pounds-per-cubic-foot memory-foam layer and 1,000-plus individually pocketed coils support your spine and conform to your curves. Its sturdy but not rigid, said one of our back-and-side-sleeping testers. You can sit on the edges without sliding off, too. Unlike the Saatva Classic, Leesa mattresses are available at partner retailers, so you may be able to try the Leesa Sapira Hybrid in person before you buy it. Within the 100-night trial period, you can return it for a full refund if you dont like it, though youre required to sleep on it for at least 30 days first.
