Shopping for a mattress is difficult enough without adding back pain. According to interviews with Good Housekeeping Institute professionals and medical experts, here are some things you should think about when choosing a new mattress.
According to Jaspal R.Sing, M.D. codirector of the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, and New York-Presbyterian. While there’s no one mattress that is best for back pain, patients who have slept on mattresses with memory foam reported a more comfortable and restorative sleep. Memory foam provides pressure relief, particularly around the hips, and shoulders.
According to Naimish Bazi, M.D., a physiatrist at The Hospital for Special Surgery, medium firmness has been shown to improve pain. Medium firmness provides the ideal balance between support and cushioning for side sleepers. Too firm a mattress can place too much pressure on your hips, shoulders and back. However, too soft a mattress won’t provide enough support to align your spine.
For those with back pain who have difficulty finding a comfortable bed, a trial period is important. Most brands offer returns within 100 days. This allows you to test the mattress and return it if it is not right for you. Each recommendation has a minimum of a month’s trial period.
Which position is best for back pain?
If you suffer from back pain, side sleeping is a good option. Dr. Singh recommends side sleeping, with a pillow between your knees. This will relieve pressure from the lumbar spine.
Keeping your spine in neutral alignment is the best thing you can do to relieve back pain when you sleep. Dr. Baxi says that if you suffer from lower back pain, lying down on your back “can help relieve pressure through the lower discs.” Dr. Baxi warns that sleeping on your stomach can be dangerous because of the poor alignment of your spine when you turn your head one way.
Is a mattress able to relieve back pain?
It depends. It all depends. Dr. Baxi said that back pain can be complex and can have many contributing factors. However, he added that a mattress’s characteristics can help to reduce pain throughout the day for someone suffering from chronic lower back pain. According to Dr. Baxi, studies have shown that the best mattress can reduce pain, stiffness, and improve sleep quality by as much as 50-60%.
It’s important to think about what other factors could be causing your pain. Dr. Singh says that it’s mostly what we do each day that has an impact on our spines. Dr. Singh says that one example of this is sitting at a computer all day. This puts pressure on the spine and can lead to lower back or neck pain.
Here are some things to remember when looking for a mattress that will relieve back pain
It’s important that you consider the materials, your sleep position, and the trial period. These are some things to remember when shopping
Type of body For heavy people, a firmer mattress is needed to support their spines. Lightweight frames can use a soft mattress as there’s less pressure.
Temperature A mattress with cooling properties is a good choice if you are a hot-sleeper or suffer from night sweats. Memory foam can be helpful in relieving back pain, but it is also hot to sleep on. Therefore, you should look for mattresses with cooling coils or other cooling technology, such as gel, phase change technology, or copper particles.
For a Queen size mattress, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for a high-quality mattress that will relieve back pain. You can still get pain relief with a mattress that costs less than $1,000 and luxury mattresses that cost more than $2,000, but it is worth it. Avoid overspending by shopping during holiday weekends that include mattress sales such as President’s Day (Memorial Day), Labor Day (Labor Day), Thanksgiving (e.g. Black Friday and Cyber Monday.