Whether you have existing lower back pain or find yourself experiencing an aching back as soon as you get up, the reason for your discomfort may be your mattress. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can place added pressure on your spine and supporting muscles, nerves, and joints. You may also be missing out on important recuperative sleep that can allow tissues in your back to naturally heal.
Lack of Support
A lack of support for your back while sleeping can result in an often-painful misalignment of your spine. A mattress that’s too rigid can affect the natural curvature of your spine just as much as one that’s not firm enough. Ideally, you want a mattress that naturally fits the curvature of your spine.
Time for a New Mattress?
If you’re waking up almost every morning with some degree of back pain, it’s time to consider that your mattress may be part of the problem. Additional signs that your mattress may be aggravating or causing your back pain include:
• Pain frequently going away 15-30 minutes after you wake up and stretch or move
• Pain suddenly waking you up in the middle of your sleep, suggesting that spinal misalignment from a poor mattress is a contributing factor to your discomfort
• Pain that’s usually successfully managed while not sleeping tends to get worse while sleeping
Choosing the Right Mattress
There is no one mattress that’s going to be perfect for everybody with back pain. Even a traditional spring and coil mattress of the correct firmness level can help reduce or eliminate back pain. Recent research suggests that medium-firm mattresses tend to be better for back issues than firmer ones. Yet any mattress that helps you sleep through the night without waking up with daily back pain is the one that’s right for you.
While choosing the right mattress for your back is important, it’s just as vital to ensure that your back pain has been properly evaluated and diagnosed. If your back pain becomes worse even after getting a new mattress, see a spine surgeon to determine if there are other treatment options for you.
If you’re living with back pain and would like to identify its source, would like a second opinion, or want to know more about treatment options, reach out to The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration at (310) 828-7757. Medical Director Dr. Hyun Bae and his team of experienced Beverly Hills spine surgeons can help you rediscover a pain-free lifestyle.