Did You Know 80% Of North Americans Will Suffer From Lower Back Pain

The unfortunate reality is that about 80% of North Americans will suffer from lower back pain at some time in their lives, which will hold them back from the things they are called to do. Yet, how many of them have thought about that one thing that they spent so much time on , doing what we all take for granted until pains creep in that keeps us from getting a good nights rest? The Better Sleep Council recommends that a person evaluates their bed every 5-7 years and if necessary replaces it.

If you notice sagging in your mattress, it is a good indication that your bed needs to be replaced. It signals that the foundation of your bed is getting worn out and consequently your bed is not properly supporting you anymore. Usually this happens in the middle of the mattress first because most of our body weight is concentrated in our hip area.

Can Your Mattress Cause Lower Back Pain

Because it is a principal means of supporting the body during sleep, a mattress can play an important role in preventing or reducing lower back pain.

Proper spinal alignment demands a mattress that is in good condition and doesnt sag excessively. Research supports using a medium-firm mattress to combat lower back pain, although the most appropriate firmness can vary based on a persons weight, body shape, sleeping position, and individual comfort preferences.

Get Exercise Throughout The Day

Regular exercise throughout the day is key to alleviating back pain. Walking is among the best exercises, and you should aim for at least 10,000 steps per day. However, anything that gets you moving and on your feet can help keep your back strong.

Also, if you have an office job that involves sitting, its important to take frequent breaks. Stand up at least once every 30 minutes and stretch. Standing desks can also help keep the pressure off your back during the day at work so you wont suffer the consequences the next morning.

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What Should I Look For In A Pillow For Lower Back Pain

In general, you want to opt for a pillow thats not too high or puffy, Dr. Womack says. You dont want anything that will prop your head up too much to where your neck is really bent, he says. Instead, he recommends trying to find a pillow that will help line up your head with your shoulders.

A pillow should be firm enough to support the weight of your body, but soft enough to be comfortable,” suggests Dr. Slabaugh, like one of these expert-recommended best pillows for back pain.

What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For Lower Back Issues

The best type of mattress to deal with your lower back issues is a firm mattress. And this is especially the case if you prefer to sleep on your back or your stomach strictly .

If you are a heavyweight, you should consider going for a firmer mattress because your mattress will stay in shape and provide you with the optimal spinal alignment and support you need.

And if you weigh between 130 to 230 pounds, then you should consider going for a medium-firm mattress if you are a combination sleeper. While being a petite sleeper, you should consider going for a softer mattress to tackle your lower pain problems.

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On The Back With Knee Support

Lying on the back evenly distributes the bodys weight, helping to minimize pressure and ensure a good alignment of the head, neck, and spine.

Placing a small pillow under the knees may provide additional support and help maintain the natural curve of the spine.

To get comfortable in this position:

Best Mattress For Back Pain

When it comes to the best mattress for back pain, theres no one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, the best mattress for back pain is one that provides you with the perfect mix of softness and support. It relieves pressure points and keeps your spine neutrally aligned.

But heres a reason to justify mattress shopping: Research shows that upgrading to a new mattress is likely to improve your sleep quality no matter what. The same study also showed that people sleeping on the cheapest mattresses saw less pain reduction than those who slept on mid- to higher-priced ones. Quality counts!

When in doubt, upgrading to a high-quality medium-firm mattress could be the best option for easing back pain so youll wake energized and restored.

The Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress with Zoned Support Max provides continuous ergonomic zones with gel pods designed to help give you perfect spinal alignment.

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What Else Can I Do For Back Pain

Changing your mattress will most likely do wonders for your back pain, if that was the cause. You can also implement a short stretching routine into your day. Aim to do a few stretches before you go to bed and after you wake up to help with spine flexibility. Also, it is important to learn how to sleep in the best position possible. Many experts recommend sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs to support the hips and lower back. Certain pillows can also help promote less neck and back pain while you sleep.

For sweeter dreams and less back pain in the morning, consider getting a new mattress. Your sleep is essential, so make sure you are getting a mattress that will improve your sleep, not make it worse. When mattress shopping, bring your own pillow and spend a good ten to fifteen minutes on each mattress. It may seem silly, but it is the best way to ensure you get the right mattress for you.

Your Bed And Back Pain

Regarding the bed itself, if you are looking to start over completely, it may be important to remember that height of the bed can play an important part in preventing back pain. With beds that are too low and close to the ground, it is often that much more difficult getting out of bed in the morning, much like getting out of a low car!

Back pain when you sleep can be caused by a number of reasons, from your posture during the day to your bed and mattress. Finding out the cause of your back pain can help you to combat the aches that are keeping you awake or causing you pain when you wake up. Choosing a good bed and mattress for back pain can be a good start. If you know your bed and mattress are not the culprits of your bad back, looking at your posture and daytime habits is your next step.

If youre suffering from back pain, our sleep expert Sammy advises you to always contact your GP for medical advice.

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Why Does My Back Hurt When I Get In Bed

If youre experiencing pain when youre getting into bed, dont ignore it.

Back pain is a symptom of an underlying problem. And when you feel those dull aches and sharp pains, its your bodys way of telling you, Something needs to change!

For many, back pain is just something they live with daily. They think that theyre stuck with it.

But in fact, back pain across the US has actually gotten worse over the years, according to The Lancet.

Graph of back pain across the United States

According to the study, the disability-adjusted life-years from back pain have risen substantially across all age groups.

This may be due to longer work hours, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, and more office work.

Simply put, if youre experiencing back pain in bed, its because theres an underlying problem that you need to deal with.

It could be poor posture, stress, or even a medical condition.

Is Your Mattress Causing You Back Pain

Sleep Advisor Disclaimer – Nothing on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment…Read More Here

There are a lot of different reasons that people experience back pain. Figuring out where your discomfort is coming from can be difficult, especially if you lead an active or challenging life. However, the mattress you go to sleep on at night can play a big part in how you feel in the morning. In other words, its important to find out whether your bed is to blame for your back soreness or not.

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What Causes Lower Back Pain While Sleeping

Your back isanchored by your spine, which is essentially a column of bones stacked atop oneanother. In between each bone is a jelly-like pad called a spinal disc. Whereyou sleep and the position you sleep in can affect your spinal alignment. Whileyou sleep, you can twist and place strain on your spinal column, which cancause discomfort and pain. If you are sleeping on a hard surface or surfacethat does not provide proper support, it can also place strain on your spinalcolumn and muscles.

Pain caninterfere with sleep and lack of sleep can exacerbate pain. The sooner you knowthe best way to sleep with lower back pain, you can change how youre sleeping,reduce your pain and stop this stressful negative cycle.

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Dont Skimp On Your Mattress

If you scour the internet, you will discover all sorts of suggestions to extend the life of a sagging mattress. These include methods like sliding plywood under your mattress and ditching your box spring. While these tricks may work for some, the best approach is usually to replace a worn-out mattress.

It is important not to neglect your mattress because, for some people, a sagging mattress can exacerbate lower back pain by placing additional stress and strain on your spinal structures. In turn, this can make it harder to fall asleep at night.

When it comes to sleeping with lower back pain, the most expensive mattress is not always best. Instead, the best mattress for you is ultimately the one that provides the best nights sleep. With this in mind, here are a few mattress guidelines to help get you started in your search:

• Your mattress needs to support the natural curvature of your spine. This means your spine should look similar when you are lying on your back or side as when youre standing with good posture.
• Visit your local mattress store and try out various types of mattresses. After 15 minutes on a mattress, you will have a general idea if it is a good fit for you. Dont be afraid to take your time.
• If you sleep with a partner, consider a larger-sized mattress. This will allow you both room to sleep without startling one another awake at night.

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Can Replacing Your Mattress Improve Lower Back Pain

Yes. If your mattress isnt offering enough support because its too soft or too old, swapping your mattress for a medium-firm option can help improve lower back pain.

You can also try moving the mattress to the floor, using plywood beneath the mattress, or adding a supportive mattress topper designed to alleviate back pain.

Do You Have Lower Back Pain In The Morning

After a long nights sleep, you should wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and energized for a new day. But people suffering from chronic pain sometimes find that the morning is difficult because they wake up with intense pain to start the day.

Morning back pain can be frustrating, especially when you have a big day ahead of you. Its important to address this issue so you can climb out of bed to get the kids breakfast and get yourself ready for a good workday.

If you are experiencing chronic back pain in the morning, then it might be time to talk to a specialist about your concerns.

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How To Pick A Mattress If You Have Back Pain

In the past, if you had back pain, many doctors and well-meaning friends probably directed you toward a firm mattress. As it turns out, that advice was wrong. What you really need, according to the most recent research, is a mattress that feels medium-firm to you.

The key word here is you. Firmness levels are highly subjective. Owner reviews reveal that the same mattress can feel too soft for some people and too hard for others. Apart from personal preference, such discrepancies exist because a persons weight and shape can influence the feel of a mattress. On a soft mattress, for example, my 128-pound body might feel like its floating. But for my 230-pound brother, that same mattress could feel overly firm, given that he would drop immediately to its bottom support layer.

Heres the rule: When back-pain sufferers lie on a mattress they determine to be medium-firm, that mattress is the best backache-relieving mattress for themregardless of how the company labels it or whether the mattress has support zones, reinforced layers, or any other bells and whistles that cater to a spine-focused buyer.

When back-pain sufferers lie on a mattress they determine to be medium-firm, that mattress is the best backache-relieving mattress for them.

More mattress coverage

• We like these six medium-firm mattresses best for stomach-sleepers because theyll support and cushion your midsection while still aligning your spine.

What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For Side

Most side-sleepers do well with a medium-soft to medium mattress, which should provide enough cushiness to relieve pressure on their hips and shoulders but enough support to keep their spinal alignment in check. People with back pain, however, ideally need a mattress that feels medium-firm, which is likelier to ease their aches and pains than a softer bed. We do suggest some slightly firmer mattresses for side-sleepers who require more support, and we think one of them will hit the sweet spot for back-pain sufferers who regularly sleep in that position.

If youre a side-sleeper with back pain, start by considering the Saatva Classic or Leesa Sapira Hybrid. These mattresses are still medium-firm, but weve found that theyre relatively plusher than the others, especially after a break-in period. If youre not sure about your firmness preferences, the flippable Zenhaven gives you two options to choose from, with one side slightly more pliable than the other. Finally, although the Tempur-Adapt Medium Hybrid feels firm, it also has a uniquely contouring memory-foam sink, and it should adequately cushion shoulders and hips for side-sleepers, too. Keep in mind that firmness level is subjective, so we strongly suggest trying the mattress before you buy, if you can, or paying close attention to the trial window so you can return the mattress if it doesnt feel right.

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What Can I Do For Low Back Pain At Home

If your lower back pain has just started, the best thing you can do is start a log. Record your symptoms, times, dates and which activities trigger the pain or make it worse or better. Take this information to your family physician if the pain doesnt resolve on its own. It will make diagnosing the cause much easier.

Once you know which motion or position causes your lower back pain, try to avoid it and see if you get better. Icing the painful spot can also help. And so can over-the-counter pain relievers that help reduce inflammation. Just remember that pain killers treat only the symptom pain and not its cause.

What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For Back Pain

When it comes to back pain, mattress type is less important than mattress firmness. Likewise, the number of foam layers or support coils wont matter as much as how the mattress feels. And if you have back pain, studies show that a mattress that feels medium-firm is the best type of mattress for you. According to one expert we spoke with, thats because a bed labeled medium-firm is likely to support your spines natural curves whether youre a side-sleeper, a back-sleeper, or a stomach-sleeper. Whether youre trying a mattress in a store or testing one you purchased online, ask yourself these questions to get a better idea of how comfortable it really is.

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Sleep In A Fetal Position

If you have a herniated disc, curl up in a fetal position. When you lie on your side with your knees tucked into your chest, youll be able to minimize the bending of your spine and open up your joints simultaneously. If you choose the fetal position, use a pillow to give your head and neck some support.

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How Do Sleeping Positions Affect Lower Back Pain

Another link between sleep and lower back pain is tied to how sleeping position affects spinal alignment. Although posture is typically associated with sitting and standing, its also critical when lying down.

A sleeping position that involves twisting, contorting, or otherwise putting pressure on the lumbar spine can cause pain and stiffness. This pain is often worse in the morning but may persist throughout the day.

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