Life with Chronic Back Pain: Finding the Right Mattress for Your Needs

Roughly one out of every ten Americans live with chronic back pain. This form of back pain can easily reduce a person’s ability to perform simple, everyday tasks and have a negative impact on his or her quality of sleep. Fortunately, there are several steps one may take to help make living with chronic back pain less difficult. One such way would be to purchase a new mattress.

If you are interested in replacing your mattress with one that is better suited to supporting your back, you may find the numerous choices available overwhelming. How can you find the perfect one for you? Here is a quick guide to help you find the right mattress:

Research Mattress Firmness

Some people believe that those with back pain should choose a softer mattress. Unfortunately, this advice is detrimental to your condition since very soft mattresses tend to offer the least amount of back support. On the other hand, mattresses that are too firm can also result in more back pain in the mornings. Studies have shown that a medium-firm mattress often works best for people with lower back pain.

Take Your Sleep Position Into Account

Another factor to consider is your sleeping position. Not everyone sleeps on their back even if this position offers the best back support. Some people prefer to sleep on their side or on the stomach. As such, your sleep position should be carefully considered when choosing a new mattress. Side sleepers, for example, should choose a medium mattress that offers a little more padding to relieve pressure on the upper back and shoulder.

Test the Mattress Extensively

Unfortunately, the term “too firm” is highly subjective in nature. A mattress that is too firm for one person may be just right for another. Take the time to test out different mattresses extensively to help you find the one that offers the best comfort and support for your back. Do not be shy to stay on a particular mattress for 15-20 minutes. Sales representatives understand that testing out a mattress takes time and will allow you to do just that.

Consider Buying Padding

Have you found the perfect mattress for your back but concerned about your comfort level? Don’t worry. Many respected mattress stores in Sacramento, such as The Healthy Bed Store, often offer optional mattress padding to help improve and customize the comfort of a mattress. Don’t be afraid to ask your attending sales representative for a recommendation.

Sources:

The Definitive Guide to Buying a Mattress, GoodHouseKeeping.com
How to Evaluate a Mattress, Spine-Health.com