How To Tell If Your Mattress Is Causing Back Pain
A good night sleep means getting a consistent, relaxing, and rejuvenating sleeping experience with all the physical and mental benefits attached to it. However, a consistent poor sleeping habit can harm your mental and physical health. Sleeping on a bad mattress could lead to back pain that can negatively affect your health throughout the day.
Although some back pain is commonly caused by bad posture, a specific medical condition, or aging, this doesn’t invalidate the contribution of your mattress to your back pain. A soft, saggy, or hard mattress sometimes puts excessive pressure on your joints and may not properly support the spine, which may be the primary cause of your back pain. Therefore, if you are experiencing back pain, this article contains some of the most common telltale signs to help you know if your mattress is the cause of your back pain.
Back pain is a common medical condition caused by various reasons such as inappropriate sitting or sleeping posture, sitting still for a long time, and lack of exercise. The underlying cause of back pain is stress placed on the spine due to constant inappropriate sitting or sleeping positions for an extended period. The pain can come in the form of shooting pain to the limbs and legs, mild ache in the lower back, and stiff neck. Your mattress has a huge impact on your spine’s condition. Below are some of the common signs you may experience if your mattress is the cause of your back pain.
Constantly Feel Back Pain When You Wake Up
Constant morning back pain is one of the significant signs that the mattress could be contributing to your back pain. If you feel fine before going to bed but wake with aches and pains right as you get out of bed, you may need to change your mattress. The timing is important if you’re not feeling any form of pain before bed; however, you feel slight or major back pain when you wake. Then, your mattress could be a common denominator.
Struggle To Get Comfortable In Bed.
Discomfort will not only keep you awake, it could also contribute to restlessness and back pain. When you are restless and uncomfortable in bed, it’s a sign that you need to change your mattress. When you frequently wake up during sleep or feel some pressure on your joints, this is a major indication of mattress-induced discomfort that may cause back pain.
Mattress Feels Unusually Flat
A supportive mattress should have a cushioning surface that contours your body and not an unusually flat surface that makes your body sink in. Although a good mattress should have a substantial amount of firmness, a mattress that is too firm will force your spine into an inappropriate position and create pressure points. Before purchasing a mattress, make sure it has an adequate amount of firmness and softness to provide comfort, keep your spine neutral, and support your body in the right places.
Mattress Is Past Its Prime
After some time, your mattress will lose its elasticity and firmness. It will no longer sink in under your weight or hug your body like it did on the first night home. The general rule requires you to think of replacing your mattress after seven to ten years. An old and ill-maintained mattress could contribute to your back pain. Therefore, it is important to only consider mattresses made with quality durable materials to ensure long-term comfort and support.
What to Do If Your Mattress Is The Cause Of Your Back Pain.
Switch To A New Mattress
If you feel any of the symptoms listed above, your mattress may be contributing to your back pain, and it is high time you fixed that. According to medical practitioners, a medium-firm mattress is the best mattress for adults. They provide fantastic comfort and quality support. The data is clear; investing in a quality mattress is non-negotiable. Moreover, we spend a significant amount of our days sleeping, so it is wise to invest in quality mattresses.
For more tips and mattress recommendations checkout our other article Best Mattress For Back Pain – Chiropractic Recommended.
Fix Your Posture
Besides the type and quality of the mattress, your sleeping position is also an important consideration if you experience back pain. It’s important you maintain a good posture in bed to avoid back pain. Here are some tips:
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping is a bad sleeping posture. When you sleep on your stomach, your back is not supported, which may lead to back pain. It’s best to sleep on your back or side to avoid back pain. However, if you feel more comfortable sleeping on your stomach, try to always sleep with a pillow under your pelvis to reduce the back pain.
Side Sleepers
Support your neck curve with a medium-firm pillow that will contour to your neck to prevent it from bowing in. Also, sleep with a pillow in between your legs to take pressure off your hips, sacroiliac joints, and low back.
If you’re sleeping properly on your side and still having back pain, try sleeping on your back.
Back Sleepers
Back sleeping is the best way you can lay to get a good night’s rest. It is great in terms of body alignment. This position will offer the most support for your low back joints and allow the muscles to relax. If you need further support try putting one or two pillows under your knees to decompress the low back.
FAQ's
The most significant sign that your mattress is bad for your back is if you constantly wake up in the morning with pain, or a stiff or achy back. Other signs include poor sleep, tossing and turning, and frequently waking up at night.
It’s not usual for a firm mattress to be a major contributor to back pain, unless your pain is in the hips and shoulders. These ball and socket joints usually need pressure relief, so if your mattress is too firm and you suffer from one of these two conditions, then you may need to shop for a softer mattress.
Buying a custom mattress is a great way to achieve a higher level of support and comfort for your back and entire body. While custom mattresses could be very expensive, they are a great way to reduce your back pain and achieve good sleep.
The perfect mattress could make a significant difference in improving your sleep and reducing back pain. If you experience constant back pain, it is a good time to start thinking of changing your mattress. However, if the pain persists after changing the mattress, you should consider visiting a consultant to know the cause of your pain.
A mattress company I recommend that offers a custom mattress is the Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress. It has 50 precise firmness levels and comes with an adjustable base option. The company sources reputable materials and offers a long term warranty. With this customizable mattress it is likely you can find a setting that helps alleviate your nighttime pain.