Bad Mattress or Bad Back? Do I Have to Get Out of Bed? Can’t stand up straight without wincing in pain? stiff you can barely move it? Is twisting to get in or out of the car an awkward dance of “ow?” Neck and back pain can make your life miserable. just be that you have a muscle spasm or ligament strain, but persistent neck or back pain could be caused by a more serious condition, such as arthritis of the When you hear “joints,” you might think of your knee, your elbow, your jaw, and/or your hip. But your spine contains many joints as well. spine is made up of bones called vertebrae, and the joints between each of the vertebrae are called facets. Facet joints provide stability, support, and mobility to the spine. As in any joint, cartilage between the bones helps the facet joints move appropriately. In the facet joints, discs of cartilage With injury or age, cartilage can break down. the facet joints wears away over time, becoming thinner and less supportive.
Discs can slip or bone spurs can grow as the bone attempts to adjust to less support from the cartilage. Inflammation can occur as osteoarthritis develops in the facet joints. Pain, stiffness, and even pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord can result from degeneration of the facet joints. There are many names given to this pattern of breakdown, facet arthritisfacet diseasefacet hypertrophyfacet joint syndromedegenerative facet joints Vertebrae are usually separated into several groupings. Cervical vertebrae are the neck vertebrae. Thoracic vertebrae make up the midback, and lumbar vertebrae make up the lower back. The facet joints of the cervical spine can develop cervical spondylosis, which is arthritis of the neck percent of people over age 60 have some degree of this condition. Genetics, smoking, a job with repetitive neck motions, and neck injuries can all contribute to the development of cervical facet Pain in the Neck
Arthritis and degeneration of the facet joints causes movement of cartilage discs and the development of bone spurs. in a host of problems that cause painful symptoms. If the cervical facet joints are affected, the following symptoms can result: neck pain and stiffness, often worse with activitygrinding sound with movement of the neckheadachesmuscle spasms in neck and shoulders Low back pain is a very common problem with many potentialDegeneration of the facet joints can lead to a spiral of problems that cause pain, weakness, and other serious symptoms. As we age and the cartilage between our joints loses water and volume, more pressure is put on each facet joint. the lumbar spine (the lower back), this can result in arthritis of the lumbar To make up for the lost cartilage, new bone may begin to grow. This causes bone spurs that can pinch nerves. Lumbar facet arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the back. If you have this, you may find yourself
inclined to lean forward often, as this creates more space between the joints and removes pressure on pinched nerves. Nerves in the spinal cord or the nerve roots may become pinched as a result of the joint damage. The spinal canal can also become smaller, leaving less room for nerves to pass through the spinal column. Pressure on nerves can result in more profound symptoms, including: numbness and weakness in arms, hands, and fingers (cervical facet joints)trouble walking, loss of balance, or weakness in hands or legs (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar joints)burning pain, tingling, or numbness in buttocks or legs, also called sciatica (lumbar facet joints) Neck and back pain can be debilitating, but these conditions can be treated with medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, andIt is important to see your doctor to determine the cause of your pain, stiffness or weakness. X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and
Clues that you may need a new mattress include: Morning pain or stiffness Sleeping better when you’re away from home Visible mattress sagging or lumpiness Here are 6 tips for settling on the right mattress: Spend at least 15 minutes on a mattress you want to buy. Lie on your sides, your back and your stomach (if you sleep prone), to make sure the mattress is right for you. It will be a wise investment of time, and your back will thank you for it! Weigh the benefits of foam versus innerspring. Innerspring mattresses support you with coils that exert an equal force opposing the weight placed on them, creating pressure points on the back of the skull, tailbone, shoulder blades and heels. Foam mattresses contour to the entire body, but can make it more difficult to turn and get out of bed. Consider your body type. If your hips are wider than your waist, a softer mattress can accommodate the width of your pelvis and allow your spine to remain neutral.
If your hips and waist are in a relatively straight line, a more rigid surface offers better support. Make sure there are enough coils. If you go with an innerspring mattresses, more coils mean more support and firmness. The thicker the coil, the firmer the mattress, with heavy-gauge coils providing the most support. There are no magic numbers for coils, but steer clear of mattresses with few of them. They’ll quickly become lumpy. Spring for a good foundation. The box spring creates a softer mattress and significantly increases mattress life by absorbing nightly wear and tear. It also helps maintain mattress shape. Consumer Reports estimates that a new mattress lasts 10 years on a new box spring, but just three to four years on an old box spring. Don’t waste money on expensive upholstery. Fabric layers provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the mattress springs. Wool or silk padding over a foam or cotton mattress may feel luxurious. But these layers are easily compressed and can make your mattress feel as though it is sagging long before the springs give out.