As we've learned, many elements come into play when it comes to shopping for the right mattress. And as previously mentioned, while the construction of a mattress is highly important, your personal sleeping style, or position, is also a determining factor in what makes a good mattress for you personally. We take a closer look here at the mattresses that cater to your specific sleeping style. *NOTE: While "Sleep Number" adjustable beds and high-end memory foam mattresses can deftly fit any sleep style with focused support, we've found that these are not the most budget-friendly choices. So we're keeping our recommendations to conventional mattresses in this buying guide.The most common sleeping style, side sleepers require a mattress that doesn't put stress on their shoulders and hips and instead relieves pressure from those body parts. This usually means a mattress that is slightly softer is a good option because it allows the sleeper's body to sink just a little into the mattress.
A slightly softer mattress is also good because it accommodates the body's natural curve and keeps the spine aligned. Our mattress pick: Simmons Beautyrest Classic pocketed coil mattress.For people who sleep in this style, support for the lower back is crucial. Therefore, it's best to avoid very stiff spring mattresses since they have a tendency to push against the spine and not provide the correct curvy support. At the same time, a mattress that is too soft will not give enough support to the body and the back. A medium-firm mattress is a good choice. Our mattress pick: Laura Ashley Aurora Collection innerspring mattress.This sleeping style requires a firmer and stiffer mattress that keeps the body afloat instead of sunken. Many stomach sleepers may suffer from lower back pain, which has prompted them to this sleeping style where spine alignment is at its most minimal. Our mattress pick: Serta/Perfect Sleeper innerspring mattress. Combination of all Styles. Typically most people fall into this sleeping style category where it's a combination of all of the above, which means that there's a lot of movement in bed.
For this style, it's important to pick a mattress that is personally suitable to you for your comforts -- one that's not too stiff for your side sleeping and not too soft when you turn on your stomach. But in general, it's been said that combination sleepers have found mattresses with innerspring pocket coils or those made from latex foam to be highly comfortable. Our mattress pick: Sealy latex foam mattress. What have you found to be the mattress that works best for your sleeping style? Let us know in comments.When back pain comes about suddenly, it can be both inconvenient and confusing. What is causing your back pain if you haven’t changed anything in your daily schedule? The answer may lie in your mattress. There are so many causes of back pain, so it can be hard to pinpoint where your aches are coming from. However, there are some clues to look out for to see if your mattress is to blame. The first clue is when your back pain occurs. If your back pain is there when you first wake up, but you can stretch to get rid of it within 15-30 minutes, then that is a major sign that your mattress is doing more harm than good.
Also, if you find yourself waking up more frequently or are tossing and turning trying to get to sleep, then that should also be a sign. Even if you are not prone to back pain, you should ideally replace your mattress every eight years. Every one has different sleep preferences, which can make it hard to find the perfect mattress. Look for one that is not too firm or too soft. If the mattress is too firm, it will push on your pressure points and cause misalignment. Similarly, if the bed is too soft, it will allow your body to sink into the bed causing bad posture while you sleep, which can then lead to pain. The right mattress should make you feel like you are floating on air. Financial times might be tough at the moment, but one should consider in investing in a good mattress. Think about it, you should be spending 7-9 hours on your mattress each night, which makes it an important piece of furniture. You want to invest in something that will give you better sleep and less pain, instead of going frugal and buying a mattress that is not right for your body.
It is a very wise idea to get a wellness adjustment from your chiropractor before you go mattress shopping. This can help relieve pain and help you have better posture and body support while you sleep. Ask your chiropractor for advice on sleeping positions, as well as recommendations for mattresses. Not only is your chiropractor a back expert, but he has probably heard a lot of recommendations from his patients who suffered from mattress-induced back pain. Changing your mattress will most likely do wonders for your back pain, if that was the cause. You can also implement a short stretching routine into your day. Aim to do a few stretches before you go to bed and after you wake up to help with spine flexibility. Also, it is important to learn how to sleep in the best position possible. Many experts recommend sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs to support the hips and lower back. Certain pillows can also help promote less neck and back pain while you sleep. For sweeter dreams and less back pain in the morning, consider getting a new mattress.
Your sleep is essential, so make sure you are getting a mattress that will improve your sleep, not make it worse. When mattress shopping, bring your own pillow and spend a good ten to fifteen minutes on each mattress. It may seem silly, but it is the best way to ensure you get the right mattress for you. Remember to always consult your chiropractor before taking any health advice.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. Moderate exercise can also reduce inflammation and muscle tension.Identifying the type of support your body needs during rest will help you identify the perfect mattress for back pain relief. Memory foam and latex are available in a variety of support levels and price ranges. Replacing a worn, uncomfortable mattress with one that provides full body support can help eliminate restless nights caused by painful pressure points or a lack of support.If your mattress is over seven years old, chances are you will feel better with a new mattress, you just need to figure out which is best for you.