How To Pick The Right Mattress To Avoid Back Pain And Get Better Sleep!
Is back pain keeping you up at most of the nights? Maybe your mattress is causing this great discomfort! Yes! You read it right! Prolonged back pain and sleep issues are very much related to the mattress you are using! If you go ignorant towards the quality of the mattress it can certainly lead to chronic health conditions such as damaged discs, insomnia, spondylosis, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, to name a few. The right mattress will not only help you get that restful sleep but will also give you a pain-free, active life to enjoy.
To help you stay aware and avoid such serious illnesses, we have listed below all about mattress and how to pick up the right one to suit your specific needs. Read on.
Choose The Right Type of Mattress Suiting to Your Specific Health Condition
There are a different varieties of mattress available in the market today. Read below about different options and choose one according to your specific health requirement. Here are the options:
Innerspring Mattresses: These are mattresses made of steel spring coils and padding. It could range anywhere between 300 and 1000 or more springs in one mattress. Such mattresses provide a firm foundation and good back support. Those of you who are on the heavier side and suffer from back pain can choose this innerspring mattress.
Foam Mattresses: These mattresses are made of a single type or different types of foams which contour your body’s shape and support your back. They mold themselves into the necessary shape and adapt to your specific need. They help reduce pressure in the joints and muscles. Those who suffer from herniated lumbar disc can go for this mattress. These would be suitable for back issues faced during pregnancy too.
Air Mattresses: This type of mattress has the feature of air chambers in between cushioning. They are designed to look like a traditional bed. In these beds, the firmness of the mattress can be adjusted based on your individual need. These mattresses can be highly customized. Firmness provided by such a mattress would help someone with degenerative disc disease and bursitis.
Latex Mattresses: A latex mattress is made of a natural material, latex, extracted from rubber trees. They have more bounce than foam mattresses. Natural latex mattresses provide support and help with proper spinal alignment. As this kind of mattress is breathable, it will help you if you have asthma, allergies or overheating issues.
Hybrid Mattresses: Mattresses with a combination of innerspring coils and foam are called hybrid mattresses. These mattresses deliver the best benefits of both worlds. They support the body’s contours as well as provide sturdy support. A hybrid mattress would be the right choice for you to effective deal with back pain and get that customized lumbar support.
Adjustable Beds: Although adjustable beds are popularly seen in hospitals rooms, that trend is changing now! These beds allow you to raise or lower a certain part of the bed according to your need. They also come with the facility to adjust its firmness. They help address some back conditions like osteoarthritis, isthmic spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis.
Useful tips to consider while picking the right mattress
Here are a few things that one must look for while purchasing a mattress:
Check for firmness: Mattresses which are very soft will not support your back and increase discomfort while very stiff mattresses would push against your spine, affecting your posture. An ideal option would be to go for medium firm mattresses which offer enough support to your back while sleeping.
See for Spine Support: With regard to spine alignment, some parts of your body will need more cushioning as compared to others. These pressure points vary from person to person but the biggest ones are the shoulders and the hips. A slightly soft mattress would support those with wide hips to align their back where as a firmer mattress would support someone with narrow hips.
Lie down to try and buy: To select the ideal mattress for you, it is advisable to test drive the mattress by lying on the mattress for at least a minimum of five minutes to see how your body is supported. Remember the position you sleep in matters a lot as not everyone sleeps on their back.
To know which type will help you best and provide optimal protection to your
spine, test your best sleeping position while choosing your mattress.
Look for durability and quality: In a research done on old and new bedding, it is found that almost everyone who participated in the study noticed reduced amount of back pain and better sleep when made to use new mattresses irrespective of the type of mattress used. However, the quality of the product did seem to play a significant role in this.
Pick a right pillow too: Even though pillows are not a part of the mattress, their role in aligning the spine cannot be ignored. Make sure your pillow complements the mattress you use. Pillows can be strategically placed to provide the necessary support required, according to your sleeping position.
There is no perfect mattress that would solve all discomfort, back pain and spinal problems. Those who are suffering from spine and bone related issues or discomfort during pregnancy can consult a chiropractor, an orthopedic specialist or a gynecologist respectively to know about the kind of mattress that would be suitable for you. Meet a specialist, follow these simple tips and sleep the pain away to wake up to a well-slept night and a healthier morning!
Want to know more about role of mattress and how it affects your sleep and spine health? Speak to an online Internist/Hospitalist now!
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