One of the primary treatments for back and neck pain is the use of firmer mattress. Sleeping on ergonomic mattress ensure good sleeping posture that relaxes muscles and achieve good health. However, it should be noted that their no such thing as a perfect mattress for everyone, conventional wisdom has been a firm mattress that fits your natural sleeping posture is the best for preventing neck and back pain. In fact studies have shown that lying on the floor helps to relief acute neck and back pain.
What is the best mattress if you suffer from neck or back pain?A� Consumer Reports did a fascinating study.A� They surveyed about 62,000 subscribers who were victims of arthritis, neck and back pain.A�A� The result: people with neck and back pain prefer to sleep on adjustable air mattresses such as Sleep Number that gives them precise control of firmness. The preference is because people with neck and back pain benefit a lot from the mattress design that allows them to easily adjust according to the type and the level of pain they might be experiencing at any particular time. Patients may use trial and error method to arrive at the level of firmness that works best for them.
According to a medical professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, adjustable mattresses make a great difference in back and neck pain management. Consumers can easily try different levels of firmness to see which one works best for them. You dona��t have to spend a lot of time in the store lying on a range of mattresses and annoying the salesman. In fact, with the modern technologies, some stores allow you to check mattress specification, order it online and try it in the comfort of your home for some few days and you can return it if you are not satisfied for a little or no cost at all.
Neck and Back Pain Mattress Comparison:
Here are some of the most popular high-quality mattresses designed to relieve chronic neck and back pain:
- Innerspring and memory foam mattresses such as the Saatva mattress:
- Plant-based memory foam and Cillian fabric such as the Ameriscleep AS2:
- Gel-infused and proprietary technology mattresses such as the Bear Mattresses:
- Natural latex, micro coils and memory foam mattresses such as the Helix mattress:
Although the above mattresses are more expensive compared to foam or coil mattresses, they are high quality and come with many years of warranty, which make them economical in the long run. They are the most recommended especially when you are trying to combat neck or back pain.
CR notes that in choosing a back pain mattress, there are some things that you need to put into consideration:
– Look for a mattress that is firm enough to support your lower back while soft enough to shape according to the contour of your body. Too soft mattresses will not offer enough support that is needed to support your shoulders and hips while too-stiff mattress tends to push against your spine.
– Slight softness is necessary to cushion your shoulders and hips if you are a side sleeper.
– If you are a stomach sleeper, you need a firmer mattress that will keep you afloat throughout.
– Memory foam mattresses, designed for high motion isolation and design to accommodate different sleep styles and motions in the bed.
Final Verdict:
There is no specific mattress that is guaranteed to solve the aching spine, most doctors advise that firmer mattress that offers adjustment to achieve ergonomic posture is the way to go. Mattresses older than ten years are unlikely to offer sufficient support and mattress should be replaced earlier than 10 years.
The best mattress should keep your body aligned although something like a pillow can be used to support the body and you should work to ensure that your neck is not bent or twisted. The neck should remain aligned with your spine while you are asleep. Even during the day, you should not walk for a long while your neck is at 45-degree angle.
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