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
Best Mattresses For Back Pain – Top Picks in 2016 Science-Backed Tips to Pick the Perfect Mattress Sleep matters—so much so that six in 10 Americans report craving sleep over sex. The key to rest good enough to forgo sex? It just might be in the mattress.Nine in 10 respondents in a sleep survey cited their mattress as an important factor in getting that coveted good night’s rest. Americans love their beds so much, in fact, that they're willing to shell out thousands of dollars for a single mattress. But the word is still out on whether this expense is really justified, since mattresses can affect our sleep in both positive and negative ways. Make sense of the bedding madness with this primer on choosing the right mattress for you. Mattress Matters—The Need-to-KnowThe first “mattresses” (read: piles of leaves, grass, or straw covered in animal skins) were invented by cave men and women. Thousands of years later, the Egyptian pharaohs discovered the luxury of raising the bedding off the ground (though "common folk" continued to sleep on piles of palm bows).
Today, many Americans enjoy mattress-induced rest. Six in 10 Americans crave sleep over sexBut mattresses don't always help people obtain a good night's sleep. Low-quality, uncomfortable mattresses have been linked to sleep discomfort and pain, and chronic pain can prevent quality sleep . Those who struggle with sleep deprivation may suffer from a sour mood, slower metabolism, and impaired immune function .Fortunately it’s not all bad news. While mattresses can hinder sleep quality, they can also improve it. Better “bedding systems” (a fancy way of saying “things you sleep on”) have been linked to decreased pain and discomfort, especially in women . Quality sleep on a good mattress may also help decrease stress .The long and short of it? A bad mattress can contribute to poor sleep quality, while a good mattress can improve it. Given that the average person spends about one third of her or his life sleeping, it's worth investing the time (and money) to find the right mattress for you.
Better Bedding—Your Action Plan When it comes to purchasing the perfect mattress, it turns out there are a lot of mixed messages out there. Some research suggests foam mattresses create backaches; others say foam helps pain. Some studies advocate for regular cotton mattresses while others say coils create backaches and that airbeds are the way to go . There’s even disagreement over whether a firm mattress really is better for lower back pain .The reason for all this controversy is that sleep quality and comfort are so darn subjective . In fact, when buying a mattress, the most important consideration is probably personal comfort. (That also means that if something besides a mattress proves more comfortable to sleep on, we should go for it ).If you find yourself in the market for a new mattress, follow these guidelines for a better shot at getting that elusive good night’s sleep.Replace a mattress approximately every eight years. Keep it longer than that and the materials may start to degrade, which might make the mattress less comfortable to sleep on.
If you’re waking up in pain every day, sleeping poorly, or feeling disgruntled all the time, consider upgrading sooner . Replace the box spring along with the mattress. Over time, the compression of the springs (which results from having a mattress and human bodies on top of it) will start to change the structure of the spring box. To retain proper structure, replace it every eight years or so—or just ditch the box spring altogether. Make comfort your goal. Purchasing a mattress is all about finding the best one for you. Some people like a firm mattress; some like a soft one; others, like Goldilocks, prefer somewhere in between. The experts we spoke to said it basically comes down to personal preference. If you're comfortable, you have a better chance of sleeping well. Try before you buy. Test “sleep” on a mattress for at least 20 minutes in a normal sleep position before making a decision. Look for a mattress that fits your body. Chiropractors advocate finding a mattress that’s designed to conform to the spine’s natural curve and distribute pressure evenly across the body.
This can be tricky, because the surface curve on the mattress doesn’t necessarily represent the way your spine will curve while sleeping on it . Everyone’s pressure points are different, so the best way to figure out if a mattress correctly supports the body is to bring a friend along to the store. Lie on the mattress in your normal sleeping position and ask your friend to observe whether your spine remains fairly neutral. If your spine is obviously sagging or curved exaggeratedly in any given direction, then keep searching for a mattress that helps maintain neutral spine alignment. While researchers are challenging the idea that a firm mattress is essential for anyone with back pain, most experts still agree a saggy mattress isn’t the way to go . To determine if a mattress has too much sag, perform the same spine alignment observation outlined above. Not only is the mattress likely to have lost its proper structure, but this ruIe’s especially important if you’re worried about your bed catching on fire.
Only mattresses made after July 2007 must meet regulations for fire resistance. Virtually all mattress coils are made by the same manufacturer. Likewise, don’t be duped by dollar signs: A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Thickness is often just a visual ploy designed to get people to think they’re buying a comfier mattress. Listen to your body and find the bed that feels the most comfortable (not the one that just looks that way). If you have allergies (particularly to dust mites, mold, and certain bacteria), read the mattress’ label to make sure that the materials don’t contain any sneaky allergens—or, better yet, look for a hypoallergenic mattress (natural latex and wool are both decent options) or a mattress cover. Worried about allergies but don’t want to pay for an expensive mattress cover? Daily vacuuming might help . Do not disturb… your partner. If you share a bed, look for a mattress that allows two people to adjust the firmness on their respective sides.
That way, neither one of you will have to sacrifice comfort or spine alignment. Give peace a chance. Even if you loved your new mattress in the store, you might not sleep better on it the first night you bring it home. It can take a couple of days to adjust to a new sleeping surface . If the first night on a new mattress doesn’t transform your sleep quality, give it a few more nights before giving in to buyer’s remorse. Look for a return policy. This way, you won’t be stuck with an expensive mattress that doesn’t provide the sleep of your dreams.Thanks to Joyce Walsleben, David M. Rapoport, and Nicole Lehman for their help with this article.This article is part of our Connected Wellness series with Withings, a consumer electronics company dedicated to creating smart products to help you make healthy and balanced choices. We take our partnerships seriously, which is why we’ll never collaborate with a brand unless we profoundly believe in their mission. We think Withings fits that bill—we trust them to make a difference and they trust us to write great articles that (like everything on our site) are science-backed, informative, and original.