Is Your Mattress Causing You Back Pain?
Often, we ignore an occasional ache and pain when we’ve been active in physical sports or other activities that could be responsible. If it’s an ongoing problem and there is no other explanation for a morning backache, your mattress could be to blame [1].
It’s more common than you think
Even if your mattress has been a comfortable place to rest for years, these sleeping spaces change their shape over the years. The materials of even high-quality mattresses begin to wear over time and the changes in the integrity of the materials can certainly lead to aches and pains in the morning.
A chiropractor knows best
The spokesman for the American Chiropractic Association is Dr. Robert Hayden of Atlanta. He suggests that a repeated pattern of back pain in the morning is a strong indication that your mattress may be the source of your pain. This is the most common explanation for sudden back pain that is recurring when all other possible causes have been ruled out by your physician.
How can you tell if a mattress is the problem?
One of the best ways to determine if your mattress is the culprit is to do a few light stretching exercises to limber the muscles in your back and in the area that the pain is coming from. If the pain is gone within a half-hour then it’s a sign that your mattress may be the cause. Another sign is tossing and turning at night. If you don’t remember, a good way to tell is if the covers on your bed are disheveled. If you wake up with the covers on the floor or around your neck, then you’ve had a restless night.
Do you have a new mattress?
If your back pain started shortly after sleeping on a new mattress, you may have bought one that isn’t the right degree of firmness or softness to meet your sleeping requirements. People are all individuals and we all sleep in different positions that we find comfortable. Some people prefer a hard mattress while others need a soft one. There are several different degrees of firmness and when a mattress is too firm, it can push on pressure points in your body as you sleep, causing stiffness and soreness when you wake up [2].
When to replace your mattress
We all know that buying a good quality mattress is an investment, so it’s not something that people usually do until they are forced to. Mattresses should be replaced at least every eight years. If your mattress is aging or if it is beginning to sag or change from its original shape, then it’s time for a replacement because your well-being may depend upon it.
How to choose the right mattress
Ideally, the best way to choose the best mattress is to test it out first. There are retailers that will allow you to push on the mattress with your hands and some will even allow you to sit on it or even lie on it and stretch out. The perfect mattress to prevent backaches is the one that feels good on your back and gives you a nearly floating sensation. The new mattress should support your entire body and it must allow for the proper alignment of your spine. Look for a mattress that doesn’t press on your main spinal pressure points, but make sure it isn’t too soft to provide your back and neck with support [3].
What to do if your mattress is the problem
Replace the mattress as soon as you can with one that is suitable for your firmness needs. If you can’t afford to replace it right away, you may want to consider purchasing a bed topper in a firmness that better meets your needs. You may also want to consider visiting a chiropractor, explaining the situation and getting an examination to see if you need to have a spinal adjustment. These often help to relieve mattress induced back pain.
Final thoughts
There are many different things that can cause morning back pain. It’s always wise to see a health care provider for recurring pain that does not resolve after a few days. If you notice a pattern of painful periods or if the pain is getting worse, see a professional for an examination to rule out any other causes of your discomfort. When you’re certain that there isn’t a physical injury, illness or organic cause for your pain, it’s probably your mattress. Replacing the mattress or altering the firmness can help to alleviate your discomfort. Life is much too short to put up with nuisance back pain when the answer can be as simple as getting a new mattress for a more restful and comfortable night’s sleep.
Web References
1.https://www.saatvamattress.com/blog/can-a-mattress-cause-back-pain/
