lower back pain mattress
What is the perfect mattress?
Sleeping on a mattress with poor support can further exacerbate your
low back pain discomfort. Characteristics such as improper support can
lead to improper spinal alignment, poor blood circulation and poor point
relief results in enduring upper and lower back pain in addition to
associated shoulder and neck pain. Rest assured, when choosing the right
mattress your back pain will inevitably improve
So what is the right mattress for you?
That would be contingent on what feels best for you. There is a disconnect between peoples assumptions that a firm mattress will offer the best support. That is a misnomer simply due to the fact a mattress isn’t a one type fits all phenomenon. This has been confirmed with recent studies conducted by experts that maximum support and back pain relief are provided by a medium-firm mattress. In fact, 95% of orthopedic surgeons in one particular survey concluded that a mattress plays a role in lower back pain management. Treating back pain is multimodal in nature; meaning apart from selecting the right mattress other agents may be required to stave off low back pain symptoms. For example, over the counter medications, pain medications prescribed by your doctor, diets high in Omega-3, controlled weight loss and low back pain exercises, just to name a few.
Medium firm mattress vs. Firm mattress
Referencing a study that was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Lancet, investigators found that patients suffering from back pain were twice as likely to report improvements when sleeping on a medium firm mattress versus a mattress that was considered to be firm in presentation
The study itself was quite extensive and involved 313 patients suffering from chronic low back pain and backache in general. These patients were subdivided into two groups; the first group slept on a medium-firm mattress and the second group on a firm mattress (double-blinded protocol, meaning the patients didn’t know the mattress they would be sleeping on).
The results were rather divergent, the first group reported reduced symptoms of low back pain, reduced low back pain upon rising (anyone with back pain knows it can take some time to straighten up after a night’s sleep), and reduced back pain related to debility. This study involving a large number of patients confirms that a medium-firm mattress provides a better balance between back support and comfort for low back ailments than a firm mattress.
This may actually surprise a few people. Most people are of the belief that a firm mattress offers better support to the spine. This is proven not to be the case. Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm wields additional pressure on the back. It doesn’t support the contours of the back and increases pressure points (pressure points are areas where blood circulation is reduced) as a result. So we can safely conclude that a medium-firm mattress offers the best support for an ailing back and helping to relive one of pain and discomfort. When we think about it, this is crucial, our body recuperates during the evening and if your rest is disrupted (due to an uncomfortable mattress) it can have a profound impact on your quality of life.
Medium firm vs. firm, but I’m used to sleeping on a soft mattress!
A soft mattress may initially feel very comfortable but after laying on it for a while the lack of support can lead to lower back pain. A very soft mattress lets the lower back sink too far into the mattress, throwing the spine out of alignment and placing extra stress on the muscles, ligaments and spinal joints.
So what should I look for in a mattress?
Comfort!! When testing a mattress in a department store or an establishment that specializes in mattresses, try it out. Lie on it, roll over it, get up and back down again in order to make a better assessment. Of course it won’t substitute for the long outlook, but it will help when making a decision. You wouldn’t buy a car before test driving it. The materials and support system used by a manufacturer are crucial to providing you with quality sleep in addition to the back support you need. Many claim that coil mattresses do not provide the same support, comfort and durability that memory foam or latex mattresses can provide.
Memory foam mattresses offer excellent support because of their ability to deliver a contouring support system which relieves pressure points located along the spine.
So what should I do?
Evaluate how you assess the effectiveness of the mattress. It’s not as simple as making the decision based on soft, medium or firm. It will depend on your body type and level of support you need. Slim, heavy, tall or short, many variables will have to be taken into consideration when making your purchase.
How often should I replace my mattress?
As a result of a mattress wearing out over time, a person may not comprehend they need to replace a mattress until they have a significant increase in aches and pain upon rising.
Even if a mattress does not appear to be worn out, there is a gradual loss of support and comfort as the cushioning materials and/or foam or innerspring core progressively compresses and loses the ability to recover to the original height.
Though there is no predetermined time to replace a mattress, most experts would agree that a mattress that is used daily be replaced every 8 to 10 years. The Better Sleep Council (a division of the International Sleep Products Association) promotes and supports that you evaluate your mattress every 5-7 years. Moreover and just as importantly, a mattress should be replaced regardless of age if it is uncomfortable and not providing the support one needs to sleep restfully!
Source : http://www.lowbackpainguru.com/medium-firm-matress
