Which Mattress is Best for Back Pain?

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Buy a firm mattress if you have back pain— right? Hang on. At the same time, that’s common wisdom but without solid research. According to experts’ studies and the latest explanations, no one type of mattress is ideal for everyone, especially people with a bad back. In such a case, you might be wondering which mattress is best for back pain.

With many mattresses, it isn’t easy to choose the right mattress. Here are a few practical tips specially designed to help people with back pain choose the right mattress for back support and sleep comfort.

Which Mattress is Best for Back Pain: Choose the Right Mattress

1. Mattress that Provides Back Support

You may not know the importance of posture while sleeping. The ligaments and muscles in your back need to recover and relax while sleeping. If a mattress is squishy or too firm, then it won’t be able to support your spine at your lower back and neck.

The firmness type varies for every person; for example, a slightly soft surface is much better for people with wide hips. To keep your spine aligned, you need some more give in order. In the case of a person with narrow hips, a firm surface is much better.

2. Personal Preference can Be Your Best Choice

No single mattress type or style works for everyone with back pain. Any mattress that can benefit you in sleeping better without stiffness and pain is your ideal type. So in case you have back pain, choose a mattress that meets your support and comfort standards to get a good night’s sleep.

3. Go with a Medium-firm

In one study, the researchers provide 300 people (having back pain) with different mattresses. They used firm and medium-firm mattresses for a minimum of 90 days. People who were using medium-firm mattresses had the slightest discomfort throughout the process.

A good mattress should provide support for natural curves and spine alignment. Besides, the right-back support can also help with muscle soreness in the morning. Some people may consider getting a memory-form mattress instead of an innerspring one. The plus point is that the form can mold according to your body, but at the same time, it keeps in the heat, and the material might have more chemicals.

4. Take a Test Drive

If you are in a hotel or your relative’s house and have a good night’s sleep with a pain-free morning, copy the mattress model number. Or choose a mattress that comes with a money-back guarantee. Several companies let you use the mattress for 30 to 90 days and refund you if you aren’t satisfied with the product.

5. Know the Physical Components of the Mattress

The innerspring and coil provide support to a mattress. There is a different arrangement and number of coils in every mattress. Besides, the top padding of every mattress varies in thickness. Generally, the depth of mattresses varies from about 18 inches. Choosing the padding type, coil number, and mattress depth should be according to your preference.

Read More: How to Relieve Middle Back Pain?

Considerations while Buying a New Mattress

While shopping, here are a few things that will help you find which mattress is best for back pain.

Try to consider these things while purchasing a new mattress.

1. Prefer quality and value of mattress over price

The mattresses that come with higher quality and thicker padding are of high quality but a little expensive. But it’s also a fact that price doesn’t guarantee more support and comfort. The mattresses stores often have promotions and sales going on, so comparison shop is the best idea to get the best price.

2. Stay alert to advertising gimmicks

It’s skeptical when there are claims that the mattress is orthopedic and medically approved. There has always been a lack of medical research on which mattress is best for back pain. It is an individual choice to determine whether the extra features available in the mattress will make it more comfortable for you or not.

3. Purchase from trustworthy companies or stores

Before buying, consider the customer service by the store like warranty, return policy, removal of an old mattress, and other options like delivery service. I prefer the store where you can return your mattress if you are unsatisfied with sleep or quality after a significant time.

Key Components of an Ideal Mattress

Here are some physical features of the high-quality mattresses

1. Middle padding in a mattress

Middle padding is under the quilted top layer and is generally made of foam. While looking at the cross-section of the mattress, firm foams will not spring back, and the soft foams will give a moist feel on the touch.

The next layer consists of cotton batting, whose thickness varies around the mattresses, even on the same mattress. It will make the mattress firm at a specific place, unlike the whole. For instance, the inner of the mattress is usually firm.

2. Mattress coils and springs

The coil’s wire thickness varies; a lower gauge number indicates stiffer and thicker wire and a firm mattress. A higher concentration of steel coils specifies a high-quality mattress, but this doesn’t mean that the high number indicates the best. You must follow your judgment regarding the number of coils that best suits your back and help in alleviating back pain.

3. Insulation mattress padding

Insulation mattress padding is on the top of the mattress so that the coil springs can’t be felt from the top. Besides, it prevents the coil from damaging the mattress’s top layer.

4. Foam mattresses

As a substitute for traditional mattresses, some mattresses are constructed entirely from latex or memory foam. They are available in different densities. Some of such mattresses have a center foam core, while some come with multiple layers of foams adhered together.

The foam mattresses vary in degree of firmness to give a more excellent selection range for your back comfort and support. Still, it should be your personal preference when choosing between a traditional and a foam mattress.

5. Mattress padding to provide comfort

In addition to the number of spring coils, the padding on the top of each mattress indicates the quality. Mattress padding generally consists of polyester or cotton batting and polyurethane foam materials. Such extensive mattress paddings usually are expensive, but people find them more comfortable and worth their extra money.

6. Mattress quilting and ticking

The mattress’s outer layer consists of ticking that’s generally either cotton-polyester or a polyester blend in a good quality one. The ticking attaches the top layer of padding with mattress quilting. You can examine the stitching quality on mattress quilting by looking for broken and consistent stitches.

Final words – Which mattress is best for back pain?

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can worsen your back condition. Besides, the mattress that doesn’t provide support can reinforce strain muscle, poor sleeping posture and doesn’t keep your spine aligned. All of these things contribute to lower back pain.

Sleep comfort is completely compromised if a mattress isn’t one’s individual preference. The mattress with good back support provides comfort and allows your spine to rejuvenate and relax during the night, eliminating back pain.

Even if got the right mattress still, it’s not the only thing that counts in managing your back pain—sleep position, types of pillows, and the position where you place them. To preserve the quality of a new mattress, reposition it every six months. The repositioning ensures that the mattress is evenly worn. That includes flipping lengthwise and rotating 180 degrees.

References:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress/best-mattress-for-back-pain

https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/best-mattress-for-lower-back-pain

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/11/22/best-mattresses-for-back-pain/?sh=38738f513cbd

https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/choosing-best-mattress-lower-back-pain

https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-mattress-for-back-pain/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-type-of-mattress-is-best-for-people-with-low-back-pain