Persistent back pain can majorly disrupt your day-to-day life. It’s important to ensure that your mattress doesn’t contribute to or worsen the pain. For their expert advice, we consulted doctors to help us choose the best mattress for spinal health.
There’s good news for those who need to improve their sleep system: The Black Friday mattress sales can be started right now. These are often the best mattress sales.
“The best mattress for you depends on your size, shape and preference,” Dr. Kevin Lees, an ex-chiropractor in-clinic with more than 20 years of experience, says. He is currently employed at The Joint Chiropractic (opens in new tab).
The general rule is to make sure there is no gap between your body, the mattress, and your body. A memory foam mattress is a great choice, since it will mold to your specific shape. Dr. Lees says that your mattress should be able to support you naturally, and not cause you to twist or bend.
You should consider your sleeping position when shopping for a mattress to relieve back pain. If you are a mixed sleeper, choose a mattress that suits your predominant sleeping style.
Dr. Lees has the following tips for selecting the right mattress for you:
Side sleepers
According to Dr. Lees, if you lie on your back, a medium- or semi-firm mattress is best to relieve pressure points around the hips, shoulders and hips. Too firm a mattress can cause pain and make it difficult to sleep.
Back sleepers
To stabilize and support their hips, back sleepers can choose a firmer mattress. Dr. Lees says that if the mattress is too soft, the hips or pelvis can sink and cause lower back pain, stiffness or aggravation to a condition.
Stomach sleepers
To align your pelvis and hips, if you are prone to lying on your stomach, a firmer mattress is recommended. This position is not recommended for people with back pain. Dr. Grant Radermacher, the owner of Ascent Chiropractic, says that sleeping on your stomach and with your head facing one direction puts additional stress on your neck, back and pelvis. Instead of lying on your stomach, you can learn to lie on your back. This will allow for a better distribution of your body’s weight and align your spine and pelvis naturally.
Also, consider your body weight and build when choosing the firmness of your mattress. Dr. Lees says that a person who is large might feel that a medium mattress is too soft for them to lie on their back. A mattress that is too firm may be too soft for someone who is smaller. You can also check for additional things to determine if your mattress is causing your back pain.
You can’t really feel a mattress unless you actually sleep on it. Mattress trials are now a common practice for top mattress brands. These home trials can last from 100 nights up to one year, which is much longer than the usual three weeks for a mattress to adjust to its new environment.
