Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of maintaining your health. It helps your body heal damaged tissue, remove toxins, balance hormone levels, and perform a variety of other critical tasks.
The many incredible benefits of sleep are the reason why our chiropractors at Homewood Chiropractic Clinic encourage patients to get at least 8 hours of rest each night.
However, for many people, sleep can be difficult because of back pain. They find that laying on their mattress causes enough pain to disrupt their sleep or forces them to get out of bed before they are fully rested. This is particularly true for people who have a low quality mattress.
If you believe your mattress may be worsening your back pain, the following article will be useful. In it, our Fareham chiropractor shares several tips for choosing a new mattress for back pain.
Tips For Choosing A Mattress For Back Pain From Our Fareham Chiropractor
Always Keep Your Personal Preferences In Mind
It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all mattress which can solve back pain. Your goal will be to find a mattress that you find comfortable and provides plenty of support for your spine.
Avoid the temptation to switch to a much harder or softer mattress than you normally use, because of marketing claims suggesting it does wonders for back pain. Chances are, your comfort levels will be negatively impacted enough to disrupt your sleep and cause more pain.
Look For A Mattress That Provides Back Support
The ideal mattress will provide plenty of back support and the ability to distribute weight across the mattress. It will use internal springs and/or several layers of foam to support your body weight, keeping the spine in a neutral position and avoiding excessive muscular stress.
Back Support Vs Comfort
Be aware that adding more support to a mattress in the form of dense foam or springs can make it firmer. If you don’t enjoy firm mattresses, look for options which make the top layers softer, like a pillow top layer, additional padding, or memory foam.
Know When To Upgrade
When asked about the age of their mattress, a surprisingly high number of patients visiting our chiropractic clinic respond with “no idea” or “very old”. They have probably been sleeping on a tired old mattress with worn out springs and other issues for years.
It’s important to be aware of the age and condition of your mattress, so you can upgrade it before you begin to experience mattress related back pain. Mattresses last between 7 to 10 years, but this will vary based on usage and construction quality.
Look At Value And Quality Instead Of Discounts
Avoid buying solely based on price. Instead, look carefully at the construction quality and the value the mattress provides. Remember that this mattress will be in your home for at least seven years and can have a dramatic impact on your health.
Stick With Trustworthy Manufacturers
In most cases, it is best to stick with mattress companies with a track record of producing high-quality mattresses. You are much more likely to obtain a product that is comfortable, good for your back, and going to last a long time.
Be Wary Of Gimmicks
There are many sales gimmicks in the mattress industry which can trick unwary consumers. In particular, avoid products that claim to be endorsed by doctors, chiropractors, orthopaedic surgeons or other medical professionals.
There hasn’t been enough research into the effect of mattresses on back pain to recommend a specific manufacturer or mattress. In other words, it’s a paid endorsement and not based on medical research.
See If You Can Give The Mattress A Test Run
Look for opportunities to trial potential purchases. Ask the mattress store or the manufacturer if any local hotels use their mattresses. You can then treat yourself to a night out so you can see how well your back tolerates sleeping on a particular mattress. Some manufacturers also offer sleep trials on their mattresses, so you can use the mattress for a certain period and return it if you are unhappy.
Talk To A Chiropractor
Ask your chiropractor about the type of mattress which is suitable for someone with your back problems. You may have specific issues which can benefit from a certain type of bed or a specific softness. In some cases, a chiropractor may even recommend a bed with an adjustable mattress base, so you can sleep in a position that places less strain on certain parts of your body.
If you are suffering back pain or discomfort our chiropractic team at Homewood Clinic in Fareham are here to help you. To make book an appointment, call us on 01329 280 283 or book online on our website here.
Our Experience Counts: 55 Years in Fareham
Serving the people of Fareham, and surrounding areas of Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire and the local areas of Whiteley, Hedge End, Locks Heath & Portchester
