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Does Your Mattress Cause Back Pain?

When we sleep the muscles, ligaments and other tissues in our spine get a chance to completely relax and rest. To maintain a healthy back and spine restful sleep is imperative. It is even more important when recuperating from any back injury or disorder.

Each night we retire to our beds and expect to get a good nights sleep relying on our mattress to support us properly allowing us to completely relax. Often this does not happen and we end up with a backache in the morning. It is no wonder that the airwaves are filled with promises about the newest mattresses guaranteed to relieve back pain, or at least prevent it.

Sleeping Positions For Better Rest

Although a worn mattress can cause back pain, a more likely culprit is the position in which we sleep. The best position for sleeping on a mattress to alleviate back pain is flat on your back with a small pillow under the knees. This position eases all pressures on the back allowing for complete relaxation. Granted, most people cannot get comfortable in this position and will not be able to fall asleep or stay in this position for long.

Using pillows strategically is the key. Side sleepers should place a pillow between the legs to alleviate pressure on the hips and spine. Stomach sleepers should place a flat pillow under the stomach and hips to avoid strain on the lower back. Supporting the neck is also extremely important, so very small pillows come in very handy for this purpose.

People that suffer from back pain when standing or lying stretched out might find an adjustable bed that allows for elevated head and knees can relieve back pain regardless of the mattress type. Even choosing to sleep in a reclining chair can be better than a normal flat bed for some people. If your back pain is lessoned when you lean over, this may be the best option for you.

Choosing A Mattress For Back Pain Relief

If your mattress noticeably sags in the middle it is definitely time to buy a new one. Generally a mattress with sufficient support will help you to avoid muscle aches and pains every morning. But finding a mattress specifically for back pain relief is more complicated. To date there have been so scientifically recognized tests of any mattresses as they relate to back pain. So finding the right mattress for you may be more difficult than you thought.

Probably the best way to choose the right mattress for your back pain is to test “drive” different makes and models. This is not easy to do, but not impossible either. Ask friends and family members about their mattresses and whether or not you can spend one night sleeping on it. Call hotels in your area, or when planning a trip, and ask what kind of mattresses they have on their beds. Try to stay at a number of hotels with different makes of mattresses to make a fair comparison. If you don’t have these options you might try a thirty-day trial that a number of companies offer. Just try to choose wisely and don’t fall for false medical claims or advertising gimmicks.