Despite newer and better materials, inner spring mattresses still rank below average for pain relief. Advancements in technology, design and materials have greatly expanded the market for mattresses in the 21st century. The primary function of any mattress is to provide comfort and relieve pain so your body can rest and rejuvenate. A good mattress provides adequate support where it is needed, while also cushioning pressure points. Comfort of the shoulders, hips and back is of particular importance in providing restful sleep. The best mattress for both support and comfort depends on your needs, as no single mattress type can cover everyone's needs. Addressing Shoulder Pain Most people tend to sleep in one of three positions, on their side, on their back or on their stomach. Although it's uncommon to stay in just one position all night, it's not uncommon to favor one position. Side sleepers may experience more issues with shoulder pain than those who spend more time on their back or stomach.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists four common causes of shoulder pain: tendon inflammation, instability, arthritis and bone fractures. If you suffer from acute or chronic shoulder pain or spend most of your time sleeping on your side, you need a mattress with firm support that also conforms to your body to cushion your shoulder. Natural latex and memory foam contour to the body, relieving pressure points while also providing support, making them a good choice for shoulders. Lower Back Pain Mattresses that are too soft can exacerbate lower back problems. Sagging from compression of the material is a common problem, causing the lower spine to rest in an unnatural position. Support is an important factor in preventing and alleviating back pain. According to Sleep Like the Dead, an unbiased, independent research company that reviews and compares mattresses, traditional innerspring mattresses have the highest rating for causing pain and have the most problems with sagging. Waterbeds also tend to lack adequate support for the lower spine.
Memory foam provides good support, although it can also develop problems with sagging over time. Latex mattresses provide good support but some owners complain they are too firm. Airbeds rate the best for causing the least amount of pain, due to excellent support and adjustable firmness to suit personal preferences. Firmness and Sleeping Positions The best sleeping position for those with shoulder or back pain varies from one individual to the next. Medium to firm mattresses often work best for back sleepers. Pressure is more evenly distributed when you sleep on your back. Those who sleep on their side are more comfortable with medium to soft mattresses, as it helps relieve pressure on hips and shoulders. Stomach sleepers need medium firmness to avoid too much pressure on the knees. Too much softness can make it difficult to breathe if you have sunk deep into the mattress and may also cause neck pain. Additional Options Compare pros and cons of mattress types before comparing brand names.
You can upgrade the comfort and support of an innerspring mattress by adding a mattress topper, which comes in a variety of materials such as memory foam, featherbeds, latex, fiber and wool. However, these products also have pros and cons. Mattresses that rank high in pain relief and support, such as an air mattress or memory foam used on an adjustable bed, may help with certain conditions such as osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. Finally, research customer reviews of brand name mattresses before heading out to mattress showrooms to try them out yourself. "Consumer Reports" recommends laying on a mattress for 15 minutes, altering the positions you sleep in most to determine a mattress's comfort level. References Spine-Health: Choosing the Best Mattress for Lower Back PainSleep Like the Dead: Best Mattresses for Pain Relief and Bad BackPlushbeds: Best Mattress for Shoulder PainConsumer Reports: Mattress Buying Guide Photo Credits Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Suggest a Correction
Chronic back pain is one the most challenging medical conditions to treat and/or cure – and yet it sends more people to the doctor than sore throats. Sitting all day at a desk or standing in heels wreaks havoc on spinal alignment and most of us don’t exercise enough to undo that damage. Sleep can help heal the abuse we throw at our backs but most of us don’t sleep on a mattress that adequately supports our backs and joints. And when we don’t give our backs the rest they need, mornings can be painful. If you and your mattress have lost that loving feeling, let’s talk about the ways a mattress can hurt your back – and the types of mattresses that can help back pain management and support. Mattress support refers to how well a mattress can maintain an equally level surface for the lighter (head, hands and feet) and heavier (hips and torso) parts of your body. A very soft mattress may be supportive initially buy may fail to support your body equally as time goes on.
In extreme cases, a soft mattress that begins to sag (which often occurs in the center third of the mattress) can result in lower back pain in and out of bed. An important thing to note is that some degree of dipping (in that middle third of your mattress) is a natural occurrence as areas that support the heaviest parts of the body compress over time. While a supportive mattress is important, pay attention to how it conforms to your shape as well. Conformability describes how a mattress molds to the unique curves of your body. A mattress with good conformability attends to heavier and lighter areas equally, which relieves pressure point pain and protects your back from pain. A mattress that lacks conformability can result in lower back pain by forcing it into an unnaturally flat position. Your body is in alignment when the spine is (mostly) straight when lying on your side. When you lie on your back, your spine naturally forms an “S” shape. A supportive, conforming mattress allows your back muscles to relax, which improves healthy blood circulation and reduces tossing and turning.
Mom always said the firmer the mattress, the better and for many years I slept on a mattress that felt more like the sidewalk than a bed. Thanks to those years, my chiropractor and massage therapist enjoy job security. In general, mattresses fall into three categories: Does your mattress offer you the support, conformability and firmness you need to reduce your back pain? Many people confuse firmness with support when they’re shopping for a new mattress – and conformability often never enters the conversation. To minimize pain and discomfort and help your body relax into healing, regenerative sleep, you need a mattress that conforms to your sleeping position while supporting all areas of your body – not an easy task. So how do you find the best mattress for you? Grab your partner (if you don’t sleep alone) and start mattress shopping. By shopping, we mean lying on a lot of mattresses. Talk to lots of sales people – this is their business after all – but be prepared to test mattresses for yourself.