Having trouble logging in? Sign up for a free account Get unlimited access on Medscape. Today, about 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain ranging from headaches to low back pain. According to a National Institute of Health Statistics survey, low back pain(27%) was the most cited listed out of four common types of pain. The survey also found that Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain on a daily basis. And although about 92% of people agree that a comfortable mattress is important to a restful night’s sleep, many don’t take the time to research or invest in a quality mattress for their back pain. Instead, many people rely on mattress salespeople to direct and guide them to the best mattress for their particular sleep needs. Unfortunately, not all salespeople have your best interest in mind. It’s better to consider asking your doctor first for their recommendations for the best mattress for your back pain. There are several types of mattresses, but the most common ones are innerspring, memory foam, memory foam hybrids, and latex.
Of these four mattresses, innerspring is the most popular – representing over 80% of the mattress market. Mattresses should have three main components: Support, Comfort, and Durability. Innerspring mattresses vary according to the types of coils and materials used. Some are sold at a higher price due to the number of coils used, but there have been no studies that have proven that more coils equate to better sleep. Instead, it’s better to look at the types of coils used in the mattress and the gauge number. If you can’t budget for the other types of mattresses, then choose a medium-firm innerspring mattress. It’s the best bang for your buck, and it meets the criteria of support, comfort, and durability. Memory foam mattresses, short for visco-elastic memory foam, consist of slow, forming foam. Over time, these mattresses have evolved from one comfort feel to a spectrum of squishy soft to very firm. They have grown in popularity mainly due to their ability to conform to one’s unique body shape and provide pressure relief.
If you are weary of sleeping hot, though, these might not be the best option for you. But if you are a fan of very minimal motion transfer, natural alignment and pressure relief on your joints and back then this is a good option for you. Keep in mind though that you might have to save up since these mattresses tend to sell at a much higher price point than innerspring mattresses. Memory foam hybrid mattresses consist of two main components: innerspring and memory foam. If you like the bounce and support of innerspring and the pressure relief that memory foam offers then this is the mattress for you. This mattress comes in many different styles and offers a wide selection of varying comfort levels. They are also very durable because they have a base of innerspring for support. It can be difficult to find the right style for your sleep needs though because there is such a wide selection so make sure to research and familiarize yourself. Since these mattresses tend to sell in the ultra-luxury/luxury category, they can easily run up to $5,000.
Latex mattresses, made from natural or synthetic rubber, provide firm uniform support and bounce. This mattress is very firm and supportive and provides comfort similar to memory foam. They differ from memory foam mattresses regarding support. Latex pushes back on you and provides more support in doing so. Another key, distinctive difference is that latex is naturally biodegradable – it tends to be very durable and lasts longer than all the other conventional mattress types. Latex does tend to be on the firmer side though so if you can’t stand the thought of sleeping on a very firm mattress, then it might not be a good choice for your back pain. Since there are several types of mattresses on the market today, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what mattress you need. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress: Check out Loom and Leaf’s patented gel technology in the #1 Rated Mattress For Back Pain.People have many options when searching for the best mattress for back pain, from memory foam to latex to innerspring mattresses.
Each of these is available in a variety of styles and levels of firmness as well as a broad price range, but which is best for your back? How do you know?Knowing how your bed plays into back pain is important, as serious complications can result from an achy back including losing hours at work and suffering from a severe lack of sleep. If you have severe back pain issues, consult your doctor before making any changes. Learn more about the correlation between beds and back pain, the materials used to construct mattresses, and how to find the right mattress for relief from back pain.Lower back pain is at nearly epidemic proportions with almost 80% of people in the U.S. suffering at least one bout of backaches (WebMD). Many will go on to develop chronic pain, particularly when caused by an injury, repetitive habit or skeletal problem. A variety of factors can affect back pain including aging, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, stress, old injuries and strenuous jobs. Depression and anxiety can contribute or worsen the effect by reducing restful sleep.
A bad back can disrupt your day-to-day activities, and can also steal sleep as you struggle to get comfortable. Sleep loss can cause an inability to focus which can lead to accidents, poor performance at work or school and irritability. Long-term deprivation can lead to severe health problems including heart attack and stroke.Decreasing pain while resting will help ensure a more peaceful night’s rest and increase wakefulness throughout the day. A comfortable bed that supports and aligns the vertebrae and spine is often considered part of an overall treatment program for treating lower back pain.Determining the cause of your back pain can be little challenging since there are so many possible sources. If you are searching for the best mattress for back pain, chances are you already believe your bed is the cause, but here are a few tips for determining if your bed is at fault:If you’re bed isn’t causing your back problems, a new mattress could still improve your situation. A 2008 study from Oklahoma State University links reduced back pain, stiffness and shoulder pain to sleeping on a new mattress.
They concluded new sleeping systems can significantly improve multiple sleep variables and that continuous sleep quality may even be dependent on replacing of sleeping systems more frequently. Replacing an old mattress could be the best thing you could do for your back and shoulder pain.“Our work showed that new mattresses have a considerable impact on reduced back pain and improved sleep quality, among other benefits,” says Bert Jacobson, PhD, lead researcher in the study. “Based on our research, there’s no question that a new mattress can sustain these benefits for just about anyone, regardless of age, weight or gender.”It is always best to talk with a doctor or chiropractor about serious aches and pains as they might be related to other health issues or lifestyle/occupational issues. However, if you’ve determined that mattress is the problem, then the best way to fix it is to replace your bed with one designed to support your back. Short of this, you could also use a good foam mattress topper if the problem is a bed that is too firm (though for a bed in poor condition or one that lacks support, a topper will not be effective).
In the next section, we’ll look at a few important factors to consider in order to soothe back pain with a great mattress.This is a complex question and the answer won’t be the same for every person. Studies can show us what works best in general for people, but each person is different. Finding the best mattress for your back pain involves looking at the firmness, mattress type, and your own habits and shape.Conventional wisdom along with a few older studies suggest that sleeping on a firm mattress is best for those who are suffering from lower back pain. However, in a recent Spanish study, participants reported less pain from medium-firm mattresses than on a firm one. Measurements were reported according to the pain and disability sleepers experienced after initially waking up, 30 minutes later and over a course of 3 months after they had started with the new bed. In the medical world, orthopedic doctors tend to recommend firm mattresses, while chiropractors are more likely to recommend medium-firm.
Best Mattress Firmness for Back Pain? Medium-Firm.Aligning the spine and supporting curves in the back, shoulders, hips and buttocks is imperative when shopping for the best mattress for back pain. Firm beds are less able to conform to your body and support these curves than those with lesser density. This is especially true with spring mattresses, which have little yield. Medium and medium firm beds are better able to contour to the body while still providing adequate support, eliminating pressure points. Plush and very soft beds may not provide enough support for alignment and they tend to be discouraged for those with back pain.A 2003 study, designed to assess the effect of different mattress firmnesses on the clinical course of patients with lower back pain, shed some light on this debate. They found a mattress of medium firmness did improve pain and disability among these patients.The type of mattress you use also proves important. A mattress that allows your body to settle into a naturally-aligned, straight pose without distortion or strain on your lower back is a great choice for chronic back ailments.
On an innerspring mattress, the springs push up against the heaviest parts of your body: your hips and shoulders. This creates pressure points and leaves the lower portion of your back either entirely unsupported (causing your lumbar area to work overtime), or distorted in an unnatural angle relative to the rest of your spine.Memory foam and latex mattresses are considered the best combination of support and comfort for sufferers of back pain. This is because these materials conform to your body and distribute your weight in way that allows your entire body to be supported. At this natural, neutral position, your lower back is free to take the night off and decompress the stress from the day. Numerous similarities and differences exist between these two mattress types and both receive excellent reviews from consumers, as much as 20 percent higher than the average for innerspring beds.Greatest Mattress for Back Pain by Type? Memory Foam & LatexMany professionals prefer natural latex mattresses as they offer the solid support your body needs while still contouring for comfort and reducing the potential for allergens in your bedroom.
Check out our latex mattress comparison to see which brands rate best. , which contain zero hazardous chemicals and do not have issues with noxious offgassing or heat retention. Synthetic latex mattresses tend to rate lower and offer fewer health and comfort benefits.Memory foam is often considered ideal for pain relief since the material eliminates pressure points and readily conforms to your shape. Types of memory foam vary considerably, and you want to ensure you look for a density of 4.0-5.3 lbs to get the best balance of support and conformity. The newest materials are an improvement over those used in the past, as they retain their density levels despite changes in temperatures, improve on heat concerns, and incorporate natural materials. Read more and compare memory foam mattresses in our previous article.Even if your mattress calms your sore back, the position you sleep in can still affect your comfort. The vast majority of people sleep either on their side or back, and these are considered the best sleeping positions as they increase circulation.
Ideally, no matter what position you choose, you want your body to have a natural, level spine when laying, from head to torso. Your pillow should be thick enough to support this straight position. Generally, your head should not tilt up or backwards from your neck.According to professionals at the Mayo Clinic, here a the best ways to improve back pain via your sleep position:When it comes to your mattress, you should also take your preferred position into consideration. Side sleeping may cause pressure points and unnatural curves in the spine if the bed does not have enough “padding” to accommodate your body. Back sleepers may prefer firmer beds, and can often be comfortable on less-thick mattresses.When your back is aching, getting out of bed can be painful. You may think the best solution is bed rest. Counterintuitively, bed rest and prolonged sitting can aggravate back pain. Surprisingly, movement can really help. Getting up and doing some low impact exercises like walking and stretching will release endorphins, which relieve pain.