Mattresses for Back Pain Conditions
The cause of back pain can differentiate the type of pain you go through. This, along with your sleeping position, will determine what mattress will suit you best. Besides providing support to the back, a very important tip to keep in mind is to also look at how comfortable the mattress is for you if you are plagued by back pain issues. Here are the types of mattresses that can help you if you have back pain:
1. Memory foam
It takes the contours of the body, providing support to the back if you sleep on your back and support to the shoulders if you sleep on your sides. It does not sag in the middle, providing even and full support to the body while sleeping.
2. Pillow top
When an additional layer of upholstery is added to the mattress, it is called a pillow top. These mattresses are soft like memory foam and when you hit the bed, your head and shoulder sink into the pillow top and the body is comfortably aligned, preventing back pain.
3. Innerspring
Metal springs provide support to the mattresses, and the number of coils and the shape of the springs determine the quality of back support. These types of mattresses are comfortable for those who sleep on their sides, back, or tummy.
4. Adjustable bed
The base of the bed can be adjusted to elevate either the head or feet or provide support for the back. These mattresses are best suited for people with back pain.
Here are some conditions that cause back pain and some tips to buy the types of mattresses best suited to cope with their issues:
- Osteoarthritis: If suffering from this condition, you should sleep sideways with your knees curled as it reduces pressure on the spine. A helpful tip to follow is to buy mattresses made of 3” of support foam for back pain. You can also use adjustable beds.
- Degenerative disc disease: You may find sleeping on the back very difficult if you have this condition. Mostly, people would prefer to sleep on their stomach in such cases, with a pillow under their stomach so that the pressure on the discs is reduced. A hybrid with a coil base and memory foam or latex tap bed would be comfortable. If you prefer to sleep on the back, you should use an adjustable bed for back pain relief.
- Spinal stenosis: Just like osteoarthritis, you should sleep on the sides with the knees curled up to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots. Memory foam mattresses work best on pressure points and help relieve back pain if you are a spinal stenosis patient. Sleeping on an adjustable mattress with knees and head elevated can also help.
- Bursitis: A firm mattress can increase the pain caused by inflammation of the bursa near the hips. A mattress with thick padding or mattresses with latex and foam topping are ideal for you if you have bursitis and are looking for mattresses for back pain relief.
- Herniated lumbar disc: The type of mattress will depend on your sleeping position. Memory foam mattresses that are medium-soft allow the spine to rest in its natural position and help reduce pain if you are affected by lumbar disc.