Mattresses and Back Pain
Chronic back pain affects millions of people around the world every day. In fact, lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is among the most common reasons for missing days at work. According to the NHS, nearly half of UK adults suffer from chronic back pain. Many people agree that the right mattress can make a significant difference with regard to back pain. It’s believed as well that sleeping on the wrong mattress can worsen it or cause back pain in the first place.
What to consider
There is no one best mattress, but there are certain factors one must consider when trying to find the best mattress for back pain. These include your sleep position, weight, and construction of the mattress including firmness, thickness, and material. Though a good mattress may help with back pain or prevent further aggravation, any medical conditions should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
When listing reasons for chronic back pain, a bad mattress ranks on the list along with injury and occupational strain. This makes choosing the right mattress a critical choice when considering your back health. Sleeping on the right mattress for your needs may help prevent back problems later in life. Here’s why: while you sleep, the act of lying down means that pressure is gradually released from your vertebrae and pressure is not applied to the spine. Your spine and muscle structures are at rest as you sleep, so you need a mattress that will support them both. This is crucial, as proper alignment is essential for preventing soreness and back pain. For example, if a mattress is too soft, you will naturally sink into the surface. The result of this is that the mattress isn’t providing sufficient joint support, throwing your joints out of alignment and causing discomfort. If your mattress is too firm, there will be gaps between your body and the mattress, leaving your spine unsupported. It’s important to understand the factors above when looking for the best mattress for lower back pain for you.
What causes poor mattress support?
Picture a firm, traditional spring mattress, also known as an orthopaedic mattress. When someone lies flat on this firm, flat surface, it’s easy to imagine the gap formed between their lower back and the mattress. This unsupported arch prevents a person’s lower back muscles from ever relaxing, resulting in lower back pain. Memory foam and latex mattresses offer that much-needed support. They are therefore considered to be some of the best mattresses for lower back pain sufferers. They allow parts of the body to sink into the surface while supporting the natural curves and contours, allowing the muscles in your back to relax and your spine to properly align.
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Benefits
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
Back Pain
Edge SupportMore detailsOverview
Simba Sleep is a mattress in a box brand that has been developed with you in mind. They offer three designs — the original Simba Hybrid, Simba Hybrid Pro, and Simba Hybrid Luxe — that work with every type of sleeper: back, side, front, and combination. Each mattress includes a flexible zoned base that supports your body exactly where you need it most. Combine this with a 200-day trial, and you’ve got a mattress that will help you sleep better in no time.Pros & Cons
- CertiPUR certified means the foam is free of harmful chemicals
- Made from 100% recycled materials
- Removable & washable hypoallergenic cover
- 360-degree high-density foam border for edge support
- 200 night trial period
- No 24/7 support
- Not 100% organic materials
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Benefits
Hot Sleepers
Combination Sleepers
Pressure ReliefMore detailsOverview
Founded in 2015 in Germany, Emma crafts handmade, memory foam and hybrid mattresses. The majority of the components, including the foams, are crafted in the United Kingdom and later fused with other processed materials made throughout Europe. Emma has been ranked as the leading mattress of 2018 by “Which?” Consumers’ Association. Their mattresses are suitable for all kinds of sleepers and fit most sleeping positions while catering to the body and providing pressure point relief.Pros & Cons
- Great bounce
- Suitable for all types of sleepers
- Top-rated by reputable online publications
- Zero motion transfer
- Hybrid & all memory foam models available
- Poor temperature control for the all memory foam model
- Mediocre edge support
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Benefits
Back Pain
Pressure Relief
Motion IsolationMore detailsOverview
Nectar is a mattress company that has set out to offer “the best sleep of your life.” Not only do they go above and beyond in terms of mattress quality, but they also decided to make their mattresses affordable so that more people could benefit. Nectar offers premium materials with a comfort level that suits every type of body and sleep style. Furthermore, they offer an incredibly generous 365 night trial period with a lifetime warranty, as well as free named day shipping with old mattress removal available at an additional cost.Pros & Cons
- CertiPUR Certified foam
- Supports all sleep positions
- 365-day sleep trial & forever warranty
- Limited customer support availability
- Not organic
Mattress materials
When choosing the best mattress for back support, it’s important to get to know the different mattress types, construction, and materials. Materials such as foam and latex have been proven to offer the best pain relief and are known to make up the best mattresses for a bad back. High-quality foam mattresses allow your wider areas such as your hips to sink into the mattress, while gently supporting lighter areas such as your waist and neck. These mattresses essentially conform to your body, offering maximum support and maintaining proper straight, neutral alignment. This relieves pressure commonly associated with back pain, as opposed to a mattress with poor comfort support, which will force the body into unnatural angles, preventing muscles from relaxing.
If buying a new mattress is out of your budget right now, you may want to consider a mattress topper. Many chiropractors believe that if your mattress is too firm, adding a 1.5-2.5 inch thick memory foam padding on the mattress may help. A topper is a wonderful choice, but due to its size, there is a limit of how much it can offer support when compared to a regular size mattress. Not all memory foam is created equal. It is important to buy high-quality memory foam, made from organic materials. Synthetic memory foam may give off a bad, chemical odour, and may also trap heat. Even if you no longer have back pain, you may experience disrupted your sleep due to heat, so aim for memory foam made from natural materials, as well as mattresses that come with built-in cooling gel.
Simba
Simba is a great option for those who like to have extra choices when it comes to their mattress selection. Their Hybrid mattress, which includes patented super-light mIQro™ springs, fuses the revolutionary comfort of memory foam with the greater support of springs. You’ll be able to choose whether you prefer your mattress to be made with 2500 springs (the Original Hybrid), or 5000 springs (the Hybrid Pro). As you increase the number of springs, your mattress thickness also thickens from 25 cm with the Original to 28 cm with the Pro. Each Simba mattress is made with a zoned support base. In addition to free delivery, you’ll enjoy a 100-night trial and 10-year guarantee with your Simba mattress.
Nectar
Nectar mattresses are made from five layers of materials: breathable foam, memory foam, gel memory foam, quilted memory foam, and topped with a cooling cover. The foam is CertiPUR-certified, meeting the standards for being free from ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, mercury, or lead. Nectar is affordably priced and comes with a 365-night trial, a lifetime warranty, free shipping, and free returns. It’s a supportive memory foam mattress, with just a little softness.
Benefits of online purchasing
When it comes to buying the best mattress for lower back pain, you may need to try out a few before you find the right one. Consider ordering online to save yourself multiple trips to the store. Getting a mattress online means you also avoid lugging a mattress from your car up the stairs to your bedroom. It’s also a good way to ensure you don’t cause or exacerbate back pain. Many online mattress stores offer “no commitment” trials and do not charge for returns. Plus, if you’re unsatisfied with your mattress and want to return it, they will send someone to pick it up cost- and stress-free.
Conclusion
Too many people suffer from chronic back pain. If your mattress may be the culprit, consider replacing it with a memory foam mattress. Allow your muscles to finally relax, support your spine, and offer you the comfort for a good night’s sleep.