Sleeping on the incorrect mattress can worsen or cause lower back pain. Deficiency of support by a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and doesn't maintain the spine in alignment, all which contribute to low back pain.
Sleep comfort is also forfeited if a mattress does not match one's personal preferences. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the backbone to actually unwind and rest during the evening .
With the vast number of mattresses on the current market, selecting the right mattress can be hard. The following practical tips are designed to help patients with low back pain choose the best mattress for both back support and sleep comfort:
1. Private preference should finally determine what mattress is best:
There is no single mattress design or kind that works for all people with low back pain. Any mattress which helps a person sleep without pain and stiffness is the ideal mattress for that person. Patients who have low back pain should choose the mattress which meets their criteria for comfort and support and enables them to find a fantastic night's sleep.
2. Understand and inquire concerning the physical components of the mattress:
The coils or inner springs of a mattress provide the support. Different mattresses vary in their variety and arrangement of coils. Padding along with the mattress comes in several different thicknesses. Mattress depths typically range anywhere from 7 to 18 inches deep. Picking the amount of coils, type of padding and mattress thickness should be determined by individual tastes.
3. Locate a mattress with rear support:
A good mattress should provide support for the natural curves and alignment of your spine. The right amount of back support also enables the patient prevent muscle soreness in the daytime. Even though there isn't much clinical data about mattresses, 1 study found that medium-firm mattresses usually provide more back pain relief compared to firm mattresses.
4. Achieve a balance between rear support and comfort:
Overall comfort when sleeping on the mattress is equally essential as sufficient back support. Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm can cause aches and pains on pressure points. A medium-firm mattress might be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly. Patients who need a firmer mattress for back support can get one with thicker padding for increased comfort.
Know if it is time to have a new mattress. If an old mattress sags visibly at the middle or is no more comfortable, it is most likely time to buy a new one. Putting boards under a sagging mattress to keep it from sagging in the middle is only a temporary fix for the sagging; a brand new mattress remains needed.
