Mattress Qualities That Help with Back Pain

Mattress Qualities That Help with Back Pain

Did you know that almost 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives? One of the most common forms of pain is in the lower back which is easily worsened by sleeping on the wrong mattress. Poor mattress qualities, or by simply purchasing a mattress that doesn’t match the needs of your spine, can strain the back muscles and cause poor sleeping posture that misaligns the spine over time. Finding the right mattress is extremely important to help make your days less painful and your nights more restful, so let’s take a look at some pointers that will help you buy a mattress offering proper back support.

Find where support meets comfort

Although there is no exact answer, it has been found that a mattress with medium firmness is often the best bet for those who suffer from back pain as it minimizes any curve in your spine by allowing the shoulders and hips to slightly sink into the mattress. The idea is to find a level of firmness that enhances the body’s natural curves and helps with spine alignment. It can also work to avoid any muscle soreness you feel upon waking up.

It is important to consider your comfort level as well as the firmness level. The bottom line is, that if you are uncomfortable, your back pain probably won’t improve much. If the mattress is too firm, you may develop new aches. It is possible to get a firm mattress that has a slightly plusher feel. This could give you the best of both worlds.

Ask about the inner workings

It’s an absolute must to know what is inside your mattress. Firmness and support are NOT the same thing. 70% of your support will come from the spring inside an innerspring mattress. Coil count can be misleading because the higher the number of springs does not mean that it’s better. What is important is the gauge (or thickness of the wire being used to make the spring) of the spring. The thicker, the better. A thicker gauge wire will be more resilient, therefore more supportive and longer lasting.

The layering or padding between you and the spring will determine the feel or comfort and will give you the remaining 30% of support. Testing the mattresses in the store is key to finding what works best for you and your back!

Know when to upgrade

It’s 2018 and our mattresses are constantly improving. If your mattress is old and nearing the end of its life, then it is time to upgrade. Worn mattresses tend to cause discomfort due to serious grooves or sagging spots that have formed over time. You are certainly not doing yourself any justice by continuing to sleep on such a surface.

Remember, there is no one size fits all mattress and sometimes it takes much more than just a mattress to help fix the problem. Here are a few other ways to help with back pain:

• Remain active (to the extent of your ailments) and avoid a sedentary lifestyle
• Stretch and warm up before exercising or preforming strenuous physical activity
• Eat healthy and maintain your weight
• Do your best to keep a good posture, especially if you work a desk job
• Make sure to lift with your legs and not your back and do not twist when doing so
• Talk to your doctor about creating a healthy lifestyle regime

If you are looking for a mattress that works to treat your back pain, stop by Shovlin Mattress Factory located in Fanwood, NJ. Our knowledgeable sales team will help you select the right mattress for your lifestyle and budget. All mattresses are made in-house and with the highest quality materials.