Related to Back Pain Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain Study Disputes Long-Held Belief by Some Doctors That Firmer Bedding Is Better Nov. 13, 2003 -- For years, many people with back pain have been advised to sleep on a firm mattress. But a new study shows that might just add to the nightmare of their morning-after misery. Researchers in Spain say that people who sleep on a medium-firm mattress were twice as likely to report improvements in lower back pain compared to those sleep on more firm bedding. They reach this conclusion after replacing bedding of 313 patients with a history of back pain with new "firm" or "medium-firm" mattresses. The patients didn't know which mattress type they received. This study, published in the upcoming issue of the Lancet, is among the first to test the popular belief -- at least among some orthopaedic doctors -- that the firmer a mattress is, the better it is at preventing or relieving lower back pain. While there's little hard scientific data to support that firm mattresses are better -- only a handful of studies have been conducted -- the Spanish researchers say that about three in four orthopaedic doctors recommend firm mattresses to their patients.
In fact, a survey of Atlanta-area orthopaedic surgeons indicates that two in three said they recommend a firm mattress to their patients, and most believed that a mattress' firmness had a definite role in managing back pain. This finding, by Emory University orthopaedist Howard I. Levy, MD, was presented at the 1996 annual meeting of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. But chiropractors have long argued that firm mattresses are not the best choice, says George McClelland, DC, spokesman for the American Chiropractic Association. "Traditionally, what we have recommended is that a moderately-firm works best, or when using a firm mattress, you should add a 1½- to 2-inch thick padding on top of it," he tells WebMD. "It's wonderful to be validated by some form of research." McClelland says that this extra padding -- or using a medium-firm mattress without the extra padding -- better adapts to the natural curvatures in the spine. This padding is available at most stores that sell mattresses or bedding supplies.
"The spine is not a straight line, and padding or a moderately firm mattress 'gives' better to the concavities and convexities of the spine," he says. "A younger spine may tolerate a firm mattress perfectly well. But as we get middle years any beyond, when back pain is more prevalent, we find that more equalized support seems to be better." The researchers, led by Francisco Kovacs, PhD, who operates an independent medical research company in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, say that a medium-firm mattress leads to better "pressure distribution" when lying in bed, resulting in less pain while lying or after getting up. But McClelland and others say you also shouldn't use a soft mattress, because it doesn't provide enough support. "From my own perspective, if a mattress is soft or too hard, it's not comfortable," says orthopaedic surgeon Dana C. Mears, MD, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "Something in the middle works best for me -- a medium-firm mattress.
If a mattress is too firm, you might as well be sleeping on the floor." When buying a mattress, McClelland advises against relying on store ratings as an accurate guideline. "These numbers are all over the place," he says. "Individual companies use different rating systems, so you don't really know what you're getting." In fact, in the U.S., firm mattresses typically have a higher rating number; in Europe, a lower number goes to firmer mattresses. His advice: "When testing for a mattress, don't push on it or bounce up and down, as many people do. What's better is to lie on it for 10 minutes or so -- on your back, on your side, every way. It shouldn't be too hard. If it is, get some padding to place on top of the mattress."Do you wake up every morning with back pain? If you can’t afford to purchase a new mattress, investing in a high quality mattress topper can help alleviate the pain while adding more comfort and support to your bed. With so many mattress toppers on the market today, it’s not always easy to find the right model for your needs and budget.
What is a good mattress topper? What factors should you consider? You know what to look for when comparing mattress toppers, but which models are the best? Not all mattress toppers are created equal. These five models are durable, affordable and built with the highest quality materials. Linenspa 2” Ventilated Memory Foam Topper by Lucid – The Linenspa from Lucid is our top pick because it offers ventilation, a 2” density, multiple sizes and superior pressure relief to eliminate back pain. LUCID’s memory foam formula offers luxurious comfort and uses open cell technology that allows the topper to maintain its shape for longer. Unlike other toppers, you won’t get lasting body impressions with this model. And because it’s 1” shorter on all sides, this topper can easily fit under your existing sheets. What we really love about this model is that it offers so many different sizes, including hard-to-find ones, like RV/Short Queen and Olympic Queen.
California King, Twin XL and Full XL are also available in addition to the traditional mattress sizes. LUCID offers something for every bed size. The ventilation keeps you cool at night, while the 2” thickness provides you with pressure point relief that minimizes or eliminates back pain altogether. A firm mattress with a memory foam topper like this will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning. Snuggle-Pedic Double Layer Mattress Topper – Snuggle-Pedic – the name says it all. This double layer mattress topper is 2” thick, but creates the feeling of a 3” topper. The conforming memory foam offers superior support for the spine, which is great news for back pain sufferers. It also keeps the shoulder and neck properly aligned to further eliminate pressure points and pain. The first 4lb layer provides additional cushioning for the hips and shoulders, while the 5 pound density layer offers extra support for the spine. Built with low VLC, this mattress topper won’t hinder indoor air quality or emit any unpleasant odors.
Snuggle-Pedic’s foam is made in the USA, and offers excellent temperature regulation to keep you cool all night long. Cool IQ 2.5” Memory Foam Topper by Nature’s Sleep – Cool IQ is a high density, 3.5 pound mattress topper that’s 2” thick and comes with a convenient microfiber cover. With added support, this topper eases pain in the back, hips and shoulders. It’s naturally antibacterial, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, too. Available in six sizes, including Twin XL and California King, Nature’s Sleep accommodates all customers. The microfiber cover is a nice addition as it keeps the topper in place, and the foam used to create this product is CertiPUR-US approved. With a 2.5” thickness, you’ll enjoy more support and comfort. This particular model is especially effective for side sleepers, but back and stomach sleepers have also found relief with the Cool IQ. Sleep Better 2” Mattress Topper – Built with 100% foam, Sleep Better’s 2” extra firm mattress topper is both comfortable and extremely affordable.
Because it’s extra-firm, this model offers the added support that you need to alleviate back pain. If you’re back pain is caused by a mattress that’s too soft, this topper can help fix the problem without forcing you to buy a brand new mattress. That extra added support can alleviate pressure points while supporting your spine and shoulders. The Sleep Better model is simple – it doesn’t come with a cover or fancy design. But it gets the job done, and it does it well. Milliard 2” Gel Memory Foam Topper with Bamboo Cover – Looking for a mattress topper that not only provides you with support, but also keeps you cooler at night? The Milliard 2” gel memory foam topper may be the right choice for you. With a 2” density, this topper still provides optimal support while keeping you cool. It also works to reduce pressure points to alleviate pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Arthritic patients are particularly pleased with this topper as it provides them with phenomenal relief.