A back pain might be the result of strain in your muscles, injury, or simply the fact that you have been sleeping on a poor mattress. A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things that you need to take care of to maintain a good overall health but if your back pain keeps getting worse, you may as well start considering buying a new mattress. However, with so many different varieties out there, it’s natural to feel confused about which one to buy.
Spending a third of your day in close proximity to your mattress is reason enough to invest in a good one. Nonetheless, most good mattresses aren’t cheap which is why you should carefully set your priorities before spending your hard-earned money. We have therefore compiled a list of seven tips that make it easier for you to pick a mattress that’s good for your back and helps improve your sleep.
#01 Firmness is Key
When it comes to back pain, firmness should be your primary concern. Mattresses that are too soft can prove inadequate in providing the support your back requires. Mattresses made up of innerspring, memory foam, latex or waterbeds are particularly recommended for those who experience back pain. Apart from providing back support, a firm mattress also helps maintain the natural posture of the body by providing the right alignment for your spine. However, just because you are looking for a firm mattress doesn’t mean you have to give up on your comfort, which brings us to our second point.
#02 Don’t Compromise with Comfort
Experts suggest that too much firmness in a mattress can lead to deteriorating of back pain and may even lead to pain in some other body areas, cause spinal misalignment and may give rise to new pressure points. Make sure that your mattress is in the medium firm range and doesn’t go beyond 7 in the firmness scale which ranges from 1 to 10 based on mattress firmness. To help improve your sleep quality, invest in a mattress that provides maximum comfort such as pillow-top or air mattresses. Know more about frames for air mattress if you are looking for adjustable firmness in your mattress.
#03 Pick the Best Material
When it comes to the type of material used in a mattress there’s no one type that is best suited for back pain and improved sleep. While air-filled mattresses are good for those who want to adjust the firmness, people looking for an unorthodox feeling can also go for waterbeds. Similarly, memory foam mattresses may be the ideal choice for those who want pressure relief and contouring but hot sleepers may want to opt for a more breathable solution such as a latex or hybrid mattress. With more adjustable and organic mattresses being introduced in the market every day, consumers have got a spectrum of different materials to choose from.
#04 Mind your Weight
Before confirming a mattress, you must also be aware how it fares with your body weight as there are mattresses made especially with keeping different body weight ranges in mind. Failing to pick the right mattress for your weight range may lead to problems like heat trapping, sagging and inadequate support later on. While the average firmness for people below 200 pounds is between 5 to 7 on the firmness scale, those above 200 pounds may want to opt for the range between 6 to 8. To ensure proper back support, such consumers should opt for mattresses that fall under the 10 to 12 inch of thickness range.
#05 Sleeping Position Matters
Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knee is considered to be the ideal sleeping position for people with back pain. However, there are mattress types and firmness available for all kind of sleepers to ease back pain and improve sleep quality. Back sleepers are however also subject to facing the effect of sinking which is why they should opt for a medium-firm mattress, preferably made of a material that provides support to your back and contouring to your spine. People who sleep on their stomach similarly require a medium-firm to firm mattress type as a softer one may cause the stomach to sink in and disrupt the natural alignment of the spine. Side sleepers on the other hand require a medium-soft mattress as they need increased comfort for their hip joints and softness for the shoulders to sink in a little so that the spine can be aligned properly.
#06 Durability is Important
Buying the perfect mattress can be a heavy investment and not something that you can afford to do very often. Sleep experts suggest replacing your old mattress every seven to eight years which is why you must ensure that the mattress you buy stays in the same condition throughout this time. If your mattress has a short lifespan it may start sagging in places, loose the edge support, develop lumps and fail to provide the support your back needs. Be sure to buy the right kind of padding, encasements and other protection that your mattress needs to increase its durability.
#07 Where to Shop?
You might sometimes find yourself in a position where you’ve finally made up your mind about the mattress you need to buy to soothe your back pain and improve your sleep quality but are in a dilemma about the right place to buy it from. Considering it’s a big investment, you sure wouldn’t want to get duped or be stuck with an improper mattress. Online deliveries are getting faster, pocket-friendlier and more convenient by the day, not to mention the wide range of option that you can choose from while shopping online. There’s also the option of buying it from the store where you can have the satisfaction of giving it a test-run. Go for reputable stores for extra security and customer support. Either way, be sure to check the warranty, return policy and trial period that comes along with the mattress.
Bottom line:
Picking the right mattress can be a hectic task but it is something you do once and then are free for a long time much alike a sleep schedule or work out sessions that you have to follow every day. The bottom line is that when it comes to maintaining a good sleep health and pain-free back, do not hesitate to go for the right mattress.
