A large number of people have a daily problem with back pain. Whether they have a confirmed disc hernia, or the pain is different – this is a problem even during sleep. Mattresses and their quality are extremely important for dealing with back pain. Still, an almost eternal question arises: Which mattress to choose, and is a harder mattress truly better for your back?
Which Mattress To Choose When You Have Back Pain?
Back pain has become a problem for a huge number of people today. Sometimes this pain is within the limits of tolerance, but sometimes it overwhelms us so much – that it restrains us from performing daily activities. The reasons for back pain can be multiple. A large number of people suffer from diseases such as disc herniation, for some others, it is a matter of improper posture, ossification of the spine, etc.
However, what they all have in common – is a lack of sleep due to back pain. That is why it is very important what kind of mattress you sleep on. Although there are some generally accepted suggestions on choosing a mattress for sleeping – one should be especially careful here.
We need to know that we are not all the same – nor are the reasons why our backs hurt always the same. That is why we cannot always claim that, for example, a harder mattress is better for those who have back pain. The same rule applies to soft mattresses. Perhaps the best solution is a mattress that will adjust to the position of your body during sleep.
Do You Sleep On A Good Mattress?
The first indication that you have chosen a mattress that is good for you is that when you lie on it, you do not feel itching, do not sink into it – and have a feeling that it adapts to your body. In that sense, memory foam mattresses proved to be more effective, as well as mattresses made of specially made, patented foams – unlike mattresses with springs.
Also, an important criterion in choosing a mattress should be its ability to provide proper support to all parts of the body. This is achieved with a multi-layer core because the layers of the core extend the life of the mattress – maintaining the right level of strength for a long time. Assess whether the support of the mattress is appropriate for you and based on whether the mattress distributes the weight of the body evenly. The heaviest parts of the body such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back, need the most support – and you will feel that already when trying out the mattress.
Do You Need A Hard Mattress
The general recommendation when choosing a mattress, which comes from medical experts – is that medium-hard mattresses are best for health. It is because they provide enough support to the body, which is why you will not wake up in pain. Of course, there are exceptions, especially depending on the position in which you sleep. Do you really think you need a hard mattress? According to Newentor Mattress, this is a pretty individual thing. It has been confirmed that harder mattresses provide better circulation of your body during the night.
Although it has long been believed that hard mattresses are the best support for the back – this is only partially true. Too hard a sleeping pad causes too much pressure on certain points on the body – especially if you sleep on your side. Therefore, the moderate hardness of the mattress is an ideal choice for anyone who has health problems with the spine – or, due to sleeping on an inappropriate surface, wakes up in the morning with pain in the back and lumbar region.
A medium-hard mattress will allow the parts of the body where the greatest pressure is to slightly sink into the mattress. That way, such a mattress will help maintain the correct position of the spine, neck, and head during the night.
The Dimensions Of A Mattress Can Affect Its Hardness
Although it is quite logical, it is necessary to additionally emphasize that the dimensions of the mattress should always completely correspond to the dimensions of the bed. A mattress that is too short or not wide enough – can lead to its movement during turning in sleep, which will cause discomfort. On the other hand, a mattress that is wider or shorter than the bed frame means that there will be unnecessary compression of the mattress – and a reduction of all its benefits.
Always choose a mattress according to the frame of the bed, that’s why there are custom mattresses. Thicker mattresses are considered to be softer than thinner ones in most cases – and that can complicate the decision on choosing a mattress. You should be guided by the appropriate hardness when choosing. In case your bed frame requires a high mattress, but a thinner one suits you better because it is harder – you should take a mattress that suits you and replace its height with a mattress topper.
Mattress Hardness Changes Over Time
Whatever quality mattress you choose, always keep in mind that its functionality and flexibility decline over the years – so after eight to ten years, the mattress will provide less support than when you bought it. In this sense, multi-layer foam mattresses have again proven to be a good investment. This especially refers to double-sided mattresses that you can often turn. That way, you can always make sure you sleep on a suitable surface – which enables good airflow during sleep.
The Bottom Line
We hope we have helped you at least to some extent to understand how to choose the best sleeping mattress when you have a problem with back pain. Although many people believe that a hard mattress is the one that will help you get rid of the pain – we cannot completely agree with that. Keep in mind that the mattress is an investment for the next 5-10 years, so choose carefully. If necessary, spend about 15 minutes lying on the mattress in the furniture store – before you decide to really buy it.