Sleeping Makes Back Pain Worse
Back pain could be called an American epidemic. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that 80% of adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of acute or chronic back pain. As car accident lawyers, it is an unfortunate fact that many of our clients suffer from ongoing back pain. If you have ever experienced this condition, you may already know that getting up out of bed can often be the most painful part of the day. Without the right type of support, sleeping can make back pain worse. The proper mattress can make a big difference. There are several things that people with back pain should consider when shopping for a new mattress.
Firm Is Not Always Better
It used to be thought that a firm mattress was best for back pain sufferers as it offered the most support, but current wisdom says otherwise. A firm mattress does not always adequately contour with your spine, which could result in additional problems. It makes more sense to look at your sleep preference and select a mattress that aligns with your positioning.
How Do You Sleep?
Mattresses are designed to accommodate specific sleep positions. Some people sleep on their side, others on their back or stomach. Health care facilities, such as the Cleveland Clinic, recognize the correlation between sleep positioning and back pain. Rating mattresses on a scale of 1-10 in terms of firmness (10 being the most firm), here is what is suggested for each type of sleeper:
- Back Sleepers: Those who sleep on their backs need a medium-firm/firm mattress and should look for a level of around 6 to 7.
- Side Sleepers: Mid-range firmness of around 5.5 to 6.5 is best for those that sleep on their sides.
- Stomach Sleepers: A slightly firmer mattress, 6.5 to 7.5, should be the goal for stomach sleepers.
Mattress Material and Type
Some of the most popular types of mattresses are:
- Memory foam/latex
- Innerspring
- Air chamber
For those who suffer from chronic back pain, some of these mattresses are better than others.
- Latex and Memory Foam: Memory foam and latex (the natural alternative to memory foam) mattresses are the most commonly recommended types for those with back pain. Both offer remarkable contouring and support by hugging the body and all its natural dips and curves. These mattress types support pressure points throughout the shoulders and hips. The contouring support helps to keep the spine aligned, which can result in reduced pain.
- Innerspring: An innerspring is what we think of as a traditional type of mattress, with coils inside covered by a layer of foam. For approximately 100 years, the innerspring mattress was the industry standard. The technology has improved, but this type of mattress does not offer the same kind of support as others.
- Air Chamber: Airbeds such as Sleep Number have promoted successful marketing campaigns and gained a lot of popularity recently as a result. These newer versions of the airbed allow for mechanical adjustments for more or less firmness. That ability to customize the level of firmness is a great feature for those trying to address back pain.
Watch the YouTube video. One mattress retailer offers his suggestions for the best mattresses for back pain.
Yreka Personal Injury Lawyer
Thanks for reading as we explore the question: Can a Mattress Help Back Pain? I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Yreka, California. If you are suffering from chronic back pain or any other injuries resulting from the negligent actions of another person, call us to speak with a case manager or injury lawyer. We can provide compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Our phone numbers are (530) 392-9400 and (800) 404-4500 (toll-free). My website also includes an option to contact us online.
To review some of our case results, please visit our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-bed-hair-bedroom-relax-1245773/
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