Footwear and Back Pain Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Golf Tips to Avoid Back Pain Avoiding Back Pain on Vacation Keeping a Healthy Posture Pain Prevention for Athletes Yard Work and Back Pain Housework and Back or Neck Pain Swimming and Back or Neck Pain Back Injury Prevention Tips Staying Active in the Winter Staying Active While at Home Staying Fit while Avoiding Injury Depression Caused by Back Pain Office Chairs and Ergonomics Jobs That Might Cause or Aggravate Back Pain Recreational Sports That Might Aggravate Back Pain Running and Lower Back Pain The Effects of Smoking on Spinal Anatomy How to Quit Smoking Medications to Quit Smoking Back Pain and Computer Use Back Pain during Travel Ways to Relieve Stress Ever wonder why you sometimes go to sleep without spine pain and wake up with an achy back? Chances are you’re not sleeping on a mattress with proper spine support.
Because we spend about eight hours out of every 24 in bed, it’s extremely important that we practice correct spinal alignment as we sleep, just as we would try to have good posture while sitting or standing. Tips for mattress buying If you’re one of the millions of people who experience neck or back pain due to a ruptured disc, disc protrusion, spinal stenosis or arthritis of the spine, you should remember that spending eight hours in a position that puts added stress on any component of your neck or back will only exacerbate these conditions. Below are a few tips for selecting a mattress that can help you get a good night’s sleep. Get a medium-firm mattress. While many people say you should get an extra firm mattress, these can actually be too firm and might not allow your spine to settle into a neutral position. Look for a mattress with lumbar support. The lower back is the area of the back that is most prone to degenerative conditions, so a mattress should “cradle” this section of your back, thereby encouraging proper posture even while sleeping.
Consider an adjustable bed. This type of mattress will allow you to get support from your head to your toes, including under-the-knee support, pelvic support and upper back support. Buy a pillow with cervical (neck) support. This will allow your neck to reach a neutral position and will mitigate stress on the other regions of the spine.You could do hours of research on the best types of orthopedic mattresses, but nothing can compare to your first instinct when you lie down on a mattress and feel completely comfortable. Other lifestyle changes that can help mitigate back pain There are a variety of other lifestyle changes that can help reduce discomfort in your back. Consider ergonomic seating at the office. Avoid recreational sports that might cause or aggravate neck or back pain, but remember to stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or swimming. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. If your back pain persists, work with your physician to design a regimen of pain medication, hot-cold therapy and other conservative treatments.
Find the Serta mattress that’s just right for you in 7 easy steps Who will sleep in the new mattress? Why are you shopping for a new mattress? My current mattress is old and worn out I am getting married or moving in with someone I am ready to upgrade to a better quality mattress to improve my quality of sleep I recently had a great night’s sleep at a hotel and want to look into purchasing this mattress Which of the following sleep problems do you experience most often? Check all that apply I can’t get comfortable so I toss and turn I wake up with stiffness or back pain I get too hot or too cold while sleeping My partner moves around and it wakes me up My mattress is worn out and sagging, leaving me uncomfortable What is your usual sleep position? Which type of activities below do you typically do in bed? Catch up on personal emails, surf online What type of mattress do you prefer? I prefer an innerspring mattress
I prefer a memory foam mattress I prefer a hybrid mattress, which combines memory foam with an innerspring What level of mattress comfort do you prefer? Somewhat soft, but not too soft Cushion-firm (firm with some “give”) Your Personalized Serta Recommendation We recommend a Queen Serta Perfect Sleeper Firm Innerspring mattress. Model name and availability varies by local authorized Serta retailers, so please check with your local store to see what models are available to meet your needs. Standard Queen Set starting at The Only Official Mattress of the National Sleep Foundation. Engineered to help the five common sleep problems Sagging & Edge Roll-Off *Starting at price points may vary at local authorized Serta retailers. Model names, availability and price ranges may vary at local authorized Serta retailers.The way you sleep is an important deciding factor when mattress shopping. One of the best things that you can do to improve your health is to get a good night's sleep, and a good mattress is essential for this.
If you sleep with a partner, though, choosing a mattress that makes both of you feel comfortable becomes a challenge. Modern mattresses come in a variety of sizes and types, so while you and your partner may sleep in different ways, you can find a mattress that accommodates both of you. Size Beds come in standard sizes. The smallest is a twin, which is 39 by 75 inches and is often used for children, and the largest is a king, which is 76 by 80 inches. While it is possible for two people to sleep in a full sized bed, which is a little wider than a twin at 54 by 75 inches, a queen, the next largest size at 60 by 80 inches, is much more comfortable for two people. King-sized beds are the widest and provide the most space for you and your partner, which is important, since an average person moves between 40 and 60 times per night and the movement can wake the other person. There is a variation on the king sized bed, known as a California king. These mattresses are 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than a regular king, which is helpful if you or your partner are particularly tall.
Type There are a number of mattress types available today, such as innerspring, memory foam, latex and air mattresses. While any kind of mattress can potentially be comfortable for both you and your partner, air and memory foam mattresses have some particular advantages for couples. Air mattresses, which are different from the portable inflatable type of mattress, are adjustable, meaning that you can change the level of firmness. Beds that allow you to adjust the firmness on either side of the bed are typically types of air mattresses. You can also use an air topper rather than a full air mattress. Memory foam mattresses absorb movement well, so if you or your partner tends to move a lot, this can be an advantage. There are also adjustable beds available, which can mechanically raise the head or foot of the bed, some with separate positions on either side of the bed. While most kinds of mattresses can work with this type of bed, latex, memory foam and air beds tend to work best. Sleeping Styles Before shopping for a mattress, discuss your preferred sleeping style with your partner.
For example, if you tend to sleep on your stomach, you'll have different needs from someone who sleeps on his side. Discuss whether you prefer a hard or soft mattress; if you both have the same preference, this can make shopping much easier. You'll also need to know if one of you needs something a special feature in a mattress. For instance, if one of you has allergies, back pain or a breathing problem such as sleep apnea, you'll need to accommodate this with your choice. Testing The most important thing that you can do when choosing a mattress is to test it with your partner. Wear comfortable clothes when you go to shop. Don't be afraid to ask questions of any salesperson and to talk about the pros and cons of different mattress styles and materials. When you have both found a mattress that interests you, both of you should take off your shoes and lie on it for about 20 minutes. Roll around, see if you disturb one another when shifting positions and lie in the position you typically fall asleep in.