Suffering from constant lower back and neck pain is debilitating as this can significantly affect your productivity during the day. It’ll be challenging for you to remain productive at school, work, or home if your lower back and neck are throbbing in pain. Sleeping on the wrong mattress is one of the main causes of discomfort. When selecting a mattress to aid back and neck pain, there are essential factors that need to be addressed such as firmness and quality of the mattress and the body type of the person purchasing it. Utilizing online resources, such as mattress-review.org, can also help choose the right mattress as this can provide information on the different types of mattresses available in the market today.
The American Chiropractic Association estimates that close to 80 percent of people will experience neck or lower back pain at some point in their lives. Suffering from pain not only hinders sleep but also affects your day to day activities.
Making the right choice in selecting a new mattress may be difficult, but let personal preference lead you to purchase what makes you feel most comfortable and will best benefit your overall health and wellbeing. Buying a mattress can be expensive and taxing, but when you end up choosing the perfect mattress, all of your efforts will be worth it in the end.
Here we list tips for choosing the best mattress for back pain and neck pain.
1. Point out the source of pain
Before selecting a mattress that can relieve pain it is best to consult a physician to help you answer the questions and identify the cause of why you suffer from neck or back pain. A doctor’s diagnosis can help provide medication and direction to the type of mattress that will best suit your pain and condition accordingly. There is no one type of mattress that is great for everyone, this includes people suffering from chronic back and neck pain, so it best to choose wisely after getting a proper diagnosis.
Talking to your physician before you go out and buy a mattress is also beneficial as they can help you narrow down your options. After talking to them about your lower back and neck pain, you’ll have a better idea of what types of mattress to consider and cross off your list.
2. Check the firmness and quality of the mattress
Sleeping on a firm mattress does not always aid back and neck pain. It applies more pressure on your back and neck causing it to strain which will lead to more aches and pain. Due to this people tend to complain more about pain than those who sleep using a medium density mattress. Mattresses that are of medium density offer a stable base to the back and offer relief to lower back pain.
Expensive mattresses do not always entail good quality. It is by no means an assurance to aid back pain. Be careful about falling for trendy promotions, it may do more harm to the back and neck. Always purchase from a reputable mattress dealer who can vouch for the quality of mattresses.
3. Try an adjustable bed
Resting on a firm bed that cannot be adjusted may lead to exhaustion to your neck and back which can lead to further pain. Recliner beds aid and support the pressure felt on the lower back while keeping your head and legs elevated. The variety of reclining beds should be able to adjust and bend to fit any required position and match with your choice of mattress.
4. Check the type of pillow you use
Using a proper pillow can also help avoid neck pain. Before you purchase a new mattress, check if the cause of your discomfort comes from the pillow that you use. If you sleep on your side, using a very high pillow can place extra pressure or strain on your neck. For those who sleep flat on their stomachs, it’s best to use a very slim pillow or not use one at all. Your sleeping position is important and so are the types of pillows you use and where you strategically place them to benefit your neck while sleeping.
5. Know your body type
Your body type is an important factor in choosing a mattress. Different body types reach different levels of comfort. It is not necessary that people who weigh less should use softer mattresses than those with heavier bodies. When selecting a new mattress to help ease neck and back pain, a person’s length or height is also an important factor to consider. What’s firm for one person may be different for another. Having good posture, where a mattress can also help align your spine is important when you sleep. The muscles and ligaments in your back need to rest and recover while you are laying down. People with wider hips may benefit from a mattress that is slightly softer, than a person with narrow hips.
6.When unsure, try medium-firm
Recent research conducted on people suffering from lower back pain, had one group choose a firm mattress and the remaining group used a medium to firm mattress for 90 days. The medium-firm group experienced the least amount of discomfort. Medium-firm mattresses are a great option for people who are always suffering from lower neck and back pain as this provides support to the joints and shoulder, and ensure that the spine is properly aligned.
Skip the traditional innerspring mattress and try a memory foam mattress that specifically folds to the contours and weight of your body.
7. Watch out for misleading sales pitches
Mattress dealers oftentimes describe their merchandise as “medically-approved” or “orthopedic”. Please note that there is no medical foundation or organization that officially endorses mattresses. Mattresses may feature orthopedic friendly features and provide comfort for lower back and neck pain but this does not equate to being professionally reviewed and tested.
8. Sample out a mattress
Try to lie on the mattress for a minimum of 15 minutes at a specialty mattress shop. It may feel weird but purchasing a mattress is an important decision that you may live with for the next decade. Shopping with your partner may also be a good idea.
Regardless of how cheap or appealing a mattress is, never buy one unless you’ve spent a couple of minutes lying down on it. This is an important step in buying a mattress as this will enable you to experience the comfort that the mattress provides and assess if a specific mattress can meet your needs.
Start Now
Experiencing lower back and neck pain is always a cause for concern. Over time, this can take a toll on your life, which can become the reason why you’ll suffer from more serious health conditions.
If you don’t want any of these to happen, start scouting for the right mattress for your needs. The sooner you start your search, the sooner you can experience waking up without any lower back and neck pain!
