The Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is a chronic condition affecting millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, often times the mattress an individual sleeps on will exacerbate the problem rather than help it. Without a mattress that provides proper support a back injury is more likely to become more severe over time simply through the normal process of sleep. That's why it's vitally important to have the best mattress possible if you suffer from lower back pain.
There are many different causes of lower back pain in both males and females. The most common cause, by far, is simply stressed muscles and ligaments in the area just above the hips and buttocks. That portion of the back bears all of the weight of the upper body as well as acting as the pivot point between torso and lower body. If those muscles are overused or strained they will usually cause pain until the body is able to repair itself. Other common causes of lower back pain include:
- herniated discs
- osteoarthritis
- spondylolysis
- scoliosis
- spinal fractures
Muscle Support
If you're suffering from a herniated disc or spinal fractures, part of relieving your pain will invariably be a surgical procedure. For most of the other causes surgery is an option that's rarely used. Regardless, proper support of muscles and ligaments is paramount in relieving your back pain. That's why you often see doctors recommend a back brace or heavy girdle for those suffering from one of these conditions. The same goes for the mattress you sleep on at night.
Back support is key when sleeping because it is during these extended periods of rest that muscles and ligaments are best able to repair themselves. If you are sleeping on a mattress that doesn't provide proper support, you’re simply making it harder for your body's repair mechanisms to do their job. With proper support, your body is able to repair and rejuvenate your muscles and ligaments properly. Obviously, where conditions like osteoarthritis and scoliosis are concerned a good mattress is only part of the solution.
What to Look for in a Mattress
For all intents and purposes you really only have four choices in a mattress type: traditional coil spring, memory foam, air, or water. Which one you choose should be based on a combination of comfort and back support. When we say back support, we mean the ability of the mattress to help your spine maintain a normal position regardless of your sleep position.
If you are a side sleeper you'll need a mattress that is somewhat softer in order to allow it to contour to your body. If you sleep on your back a firmer mattress will be required in order to keep your shoulders and hips from sinking below the level of your spine. For these reasons, water mattresses are almost always out of question when it comes to lower back pain.
Traditional coil spring mattresses work well for some people if they can find the right amount of support. The only problem with these types of mattresses is the fact that the inner springs often create pressure points which can make other parts of the body hurt. So while you may find a mattress that gives you proper support for your lower back, you may find pressure points are causing pain in your hips, shoulders, or upper back. For lower back pain, more and more experts are recommending memory foam or air mattresses.
Memory Foam
The great thing about a memory foam mattress is that it automatically adjusts to your body's natural size and shape. Unlike traditional foam, memory foam "pushes back" as you lie on it. This property means that you get support across the entire surface of your body in direct proportion to how much pressure any given body part is applying to the mattress. Memory foam is also heat sensitive so it automatically adjusts according to the body and air temperature.
The difficulty in using memory foam for lower back problems comes in finding the correct density. Memory foam density varies across mattresses to such a degree that two mattresses from the same company can feel completely different. In order to find the right density for you, you may have to go to a bedding store and lie on all the different types of mattresses for a couple of minutes. You may not find a perfect mattress for your back, but you should be able to come pretty close.
Air Mattresses
Air mattresses also do very well for people with lower back pain. Mind you, we're not referring to the cheap air mattresses you find at the local department store or camping outlet. We're talking about multi-chambered air mattresses that are contained within an enclosure that looks and feels like a traditional mattress. These mattresses generally cost about the same as an inner spring mattress and have a 20 year life span. Most of them are adjustable with either a wired or remote control.
The greatest advantage of the air mattress system is the fact that it is adjustable at all times. If you get a double chambered mattress, you and your partner will be able to set your own firmness or softness, depending on your preferences. In addition, as your body weight changes, temperature fluctuates, or other circumstance affect the firmness of softness of your mattress, you can adjust it with the simple touch of a button. With an air mattress you're always in control.
While you're shopping for a new mattress be sure to inform the salesperson of your lower back pain and what's causing it. In all likelihood he'll be able to give you some recommendations and a few mattresses to try. Hopefully you'll be able to find something that gives you a comfortable night's sleep and helps your back at the same time.