If you’re looking to buy your first mattress, replace an old mattress, or you simply feel your current mattress isn’t meeting your needs, chances are you’ve discovered that there are countless different types of mattress available. Shopping for a mattress can feel a little overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know which will best suit your needs and preferences.
Buying a mattress can be an expensive investment, but something you’ll be using on a daily basis, so you’ll want to be fully informed and prepared to make the right decision the first time around, and that you secure the perfect mattress that ticks all of your boxes. Different mattresses have certain uses, and many are designed to help back pain while sleeping.
Mattresses and Back Pain
Back pain is a relatively common condition. If you suffer from back pain, you might consider how the mattress you sleep on can make all the difference to your comfort and whether your back pain eases or worsens overnight.
Your mattress impacts how you sleep, which in turn affects your ability to function the following day, so investing in the right mattress isn’t just investing in a night’s sleep, but in your energy level the next day. No two mattresses are created equal, so you need to find the right one for your body. Preliminary research is essential to knowing what you’re going into.
Don’t go to just one mattress store, but talk to several companies to better understand their products, what sets them apart, and what they have to say about choosing the right bed for you. It’s commonly advised to get a firm mattress if you have a bad back, but a lot of it depends on whether you’re a back and front sleeper, or a side sleeper, so that isn’t necessarily the cure-all for everyone with back pain.
If you’re still unsure about the kind of mattress you need, find a company who will let you use a bed for a limited time with money back if you don’t like it, so you can experience for yourself what you need for a better sleep.
Make Sure the Mattress Aligns Your Spine
We focus on posture enough when we’re awake, but good posture during sleep is important too. Different people sleep in different positions, and you can’t always consciously ensure you’re sleeping in a position that is best for your posture. But your mattress can support your body while you sleep to ensure that you are supported in all the places you need to be.
Excessively soft or firm mattresses don’t tend to hold your spine in a correct position. However, aspects of your own size and shape can alter the firmness right for you. For example, if you have larger hips, you may need a softer mattress to sleep on, while smaller hips are usually best supported by a firmer mattress. If ever in doubt, it’s generally recommended to go with a “medium firm” mattress, which will cater to many body shapes, body sizes and sleeping positions effectively. The right mattress can make a big difference when it comes to back pain relief.
Try a Custom Mattress for Back Pain Relief
Few people are aware that you can have custom mattresses created to suit your specific needs, requirements and preferences. A custom-made mattress does more than fit the measurements you need, but you also decide the cushion you need, and where you need it.
Position Yourself Correctly
If you find that you roll into uncomfortable positions during your sleep, you may want to use pillows to help position yourself correctly. You can have the perfect mattress for pain relief, but if you won’t stay in the right position on it, it might not be much use. Correct your position if you wake up throughout the night.
At the end of the day, the right kind of mattress to suit your needs and preferences will depend on you, your individual preferences, the severity of your back pain, and how you sleep. Perhaps the best way to find the best mattress for your needs is to lie on a few different ones and see how you find them. Then, have a custom mattress made to combine all of your favorite elements of different mattresses you’ve enjoyed!
