Back pain can have a serious impact on many aspects of your life, but by choosing the right mattress for you, you can at least help yourself to get a great night's sleep. Resting comfortably is a vital part of getting better, and will help you to tackle Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects around two in five people at some point in their lives. It can simply be caused by strain on the muscles and joints of the back, or it may be due to a more serious problem like a slipped disc, sciatica or injuries such as whiplash. In some cases it will go away by itself within a few days or weeks, but if it lasts for longer the pain and discomfort can begin to have a serious impact on your sleep. To understand why, take a look at the three natural curves of the spine: The cervical spine at the top curves outwards to support the head. The thoracic spine in the middle curves inwards to support the upper body. Finally, the lumbar spine at the bottom curves back outwards again to support the back.
Ideally, these three curves should be maintained at all times – when you're up and about, when you're sitting down, and for the eight hours a night you ideally spend in bed. You might find that your normal sleeping position is too uncomfortable, so try different positions. Sleeping on your side, with your knees drawn up, can help to alleviate pressure on your spine. Try using a thicker pillow than you usually have if you feel like your head isn't getting enough support. If it's more comfortable to sleep on your back, try placing a pillow underneath your knees, which will help to keep your spine correctly aligned. Sleeping on your front is not generally a good idea if you have back pain. It can flatten the natural curve of the spine, placing unwanted strain on your back muscles. It also means your neck is rotated, which can exacerbate pain between the shoulders. Although there's a perception that people with bad backs are more comfortable on firmer mattresses, in reality it depends on the individual.
A 2003 study in medical journal the Lancet suggested that a medium-firm mattress provides the best results for people with non-specific back pain, but if you find a softer mattress helps you to sleep comfortably, that's the right mattress for you. It's also a good idea to replace an old mattress that you've slept on for years, as these tend to develop sags in the spots where you sleep. Even small sags of half an inch mean your mattress isn't providing optimum support, and sags an inch deep or more mean your spine isn't being correctly supported. With that in mind, it's best to visit a mattress store and "test drive" a number of different ones for yourself. Get into your favoured sleeping position, and don't be shy of taking a good few minutes with each one to really make up your mind! You might wish to start your search with memory foam and latex mattresses. According to research by the independent sleep website Sleep Like the Dead, these are some of the best mattresses for people who live with back, hip and shoulder pain, because they give plenty of support and they're less likely to sag.
Memory foam in particular has high "conformability", meaning the mattress moulds to the specific shape of your body – that's exactly what memory foam's for, after all. This can be a particular benefit for people suffering from pain in their lower backs. Air beds aren't just for camping! It might be tempting to assume that the more you spend on a quality mattress, the more it'll do for your back pain – but in fact, some people find an inexpensive air mattress best of all. One of the greatest benefits of an air mattress is that by adjusting the level of inflation, you can increase or decrease the firmness and support it provides to your liking. It might not be a solution for everybody, but if you're finding traditional mattresses aren't doing the job, an air mattress (or alternatively a water bed) is certainly worth a try.Your Personal Comfort Guide Whatever your sleeping preference may be, we're sure to have the perfect mattress to suit. Using our handy tool, Your Personal Comfort Guide, will help you to decide on the perfect mattress for you whatever your sleeping position, comfort issue or mattress desires.
What is your sleeping position? Side As a side sleeper, you are with the majority of the nation as more than half of British adults sleep in the foetal position. Although this posture can sometimes result in a numb arm, side sleeping is great for pregnant mums-to-be and those suffering from heartburn or acid reflux by easing discomfort. Back As a back sleeper, whether you opt for the starfish or 'Savasana', sleeping on your back is beneficial for your spinal alignment as it remains neutral. Because your face is not crumpled into a pillow, sleeping on your back can also reduce the probability of wrinkles. Front As a stomach sleeper, chances are you're less likely to snore. However, sleeping on your front is often cautioned, as it can lead to overarching the natural curve of your spine and even straining your neck. So it's important to take extra care with your mattress choice if you find you unconsciously adopt this position. Pregnancy is a magical experience but it does come with its fair share of unexpected changes both physically and in your daily routine.
Sleep is just one of the things that can be affected. JOINT AND BACK PAIN An orthopaedic mattress is incredibly beneficial for those with back pains, because it is specifically designed to support your neck, back, and hips, while not allowing your midsection to sink into the mattress. As the nation's leading specialist in the industry of sleep, Dreams know just how important it is to get a good night's sleep. That everyone has a perfect night is what matters most to us, but never is this more important than when you're a child.A mattress can cost up to £3,000, but you don't need to pay this much to buy the best. We explain how to find the best mattress for you. Your browser does not support the video tagWant to buy the best mattress for you? Deciding which type of mattress you want is only part of the story. If you want a mattress that you'll be happy with for years to come, you also need to make a few other good decisions.Keep reading, as we'll help you to make those key decisions to ensure you get the best mattress for a good night's sleep.
From the best way to try out a mattress in a shop to make sure it's going to be right for you, to what you need to look for in a mattress guarantee to make sure you don't get caught out. We've put mattresses of all types through our tough tests - go to our mattress reviews to find the one that's best for you.Buy a mattress from a trusted brand46% of Which? members bought their mattress because it's made by a brand they trust. If you're not sure what the best mattress brands are, we can help. Check out our guide to the best and worst mattress brands. This reveals what people think of the brand of mattress they own, including how comfortable it is, and includes major brands such as Silentnight, Sleepeezee and Sealy.How much do you need to spend on a new mattress?A new mattress can cost anywhere between a couple of hundred pounds and several thousand. Factors like brand, size and the type of materials used can all have a significant impact on cost.We've found you don't need to spend a fortune to get a mattress that supports your spine and lasts for years.
But our mattress tests have found that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a mattress that will support your spine and last for years to come. Sort our mattress reviews by price to find our cheapest Best Buys.Which type of mattress should you get?The type of mattress you choose all comes down to your personal preference and budget. members choose pocket-sprung mattresses. But unlike memory foam mattresses, they don't mould to your shape. You'll also see continuous coil and open coil mattresses, which are usually cheaper than the other types of mattress, and latex mattresses.For more information about mattress types, see our guide to choosing the best type of mattress.Try the mattress before you buyBuying a mattress online may be cheaper and more convenient but, if you can, it’s best to try a mattress before you buy. Even if you feel awkward doing this in a shop, don't let this put you off - you're going to be sleeping on the mattress for years, so it's important you make the right choice.
When we asked Which? members about their experience of buying a mattress, over a third of them told us they feel intimidated trying out a mattress in the shop. A good mattress shop - see our guide revealing the best mattress shops - shouldn't mind you doing this.When you go shopping for a new mattress, wear comfortable clothing and remove your outdoor gear. Lie on a mattress for at least 10 minutes, in positions that you normally sleep in.Sit on the edge of the mattress – it should be firm, not saggy. Don’t shop for beds when you’re tired, as all the mattresses will feel great.If you’re buying a memory foam mattress, relax in one position, then move into another. Was it easy or did you struggle to move? If the latter, you might find the memory mattress will restrict your movement too much, especially in cold weather when the memory foam will be harder.Don't let sales assistants influence you – they can’t decide whether the mattress is comfortable. If the bed is for two, shop together.
Make sure your mattress fits your bed baseManufacturers encourage you to buy a mattress and bed base together, and this is a good idea if you’ve had your old base for many years.If you buy the mattress and base separately, or are going to keep your old base, measure carefully to make sure they’re a good fit. Dimensions can vary so don’t rely on a new double mattress being exactly the same size as your old one.Is your mattress going on a slatted base? Then make sure that the slats are no more than 6cm wide or more than 4cm apart. This ensures sufficient ventilation, whilst preventing the mattress sagging through between the slats.Check the guarantee/warranty on your mattressMake sure you know what your rights are if there's a problem with your mattress. Each of our mattress brand reviews has information on the different guarantees that come with each mattress, so you won't get caught out.Most guarantees for mattresses will not cover gradual wear and tear, which leads to loss of support.