Choosing the Right Mattress for Back Pain
Millions of people suffer from chronic back pain and a great number of these individuals experience disrupted sleep due to their discomfort. If you experience this type of troublesome sleep, it is important that you find a mattress that is designed to reduce your discomfort and allow you to get a good night’s rest to wake up feeling refreshed. Factors to consider when choosing a mattress include firmness level, thickness, material construction, bodyweight, and your preferred sleep position:
1. Memory foam mattress
Most lower back pain stems from an injury such as a strain. Memory foam mattresses react to bodyweight and temperature differently than other types of mattresses due to its visco-elasticity. The viscous traits allow it to contour in response to pressure and temperature while the elasticity allows the mattress to return to the original shape when pressure is removed. This type of mattress contours fully to the body and supports the lower back. This allows the body to release tension and fully relax.
2. A plush mattress
Upper back pain is often the result of poor posture. Individuals who sleep on their stomachs can actually acquire back pain from sinking into a plush mattress overnight. The lack of support in this position can cause the spine to be out of alignment. If you are suffering from back pain as someone who sleeps on your stomach a better option would be a gel-memory foam mattress.
3. Gel-memory foam mattress
These mattresses have a two-layer construction. There is a highly dense foam base for level support and gel-infused memory foam on the surface. The gel-infused surface offers comfort and regulates temperature throughout the night. This can work well for stomach sleepers and side sleepers who suffer from hip pain.
4. Hybrid mattress
The hybrid mattress has gained popularity as a mattress that can significantly reduced back pain for many users. It is a medium-firm mattress that combines the support of a traditional innerspring mattress with a top layer of memory foam to cradle the body and minimize pressure points.
There are several options to choose from. The key is to know what your needs are and to know which type of mattress can satisfy those needs. When shopping for a mattress for back pain be sure to look for support, materials, and compare pricing. The level of support you need should be based on your sleep profile. As far as materials go, there are now more options than there ever have been. Mattresses can be really expensive but there are also great affordable options. Today many mattresses can be compressed and boxed for easy delivery right to your door. Be sure to invest in the one that will help alleviate your back pain for a long time to come.