Why The Right Mattress Can Help With Treatment Of Lower Back Pain

Did you know that we spend almost half of our lives in bed asleep?

While we sleep, our body is physically and mentally recuperating while preparing us to face the next day – so sleep is actually an essential part of our daily routine even if we’re not awake to consciously enjoy it. This is why it is so important that we don’t just get enough sleep, but a good quality of sleep.

Many factors can contribute to the quality of our sleep, from pre-bedtime habits to caffeine intake and so on. But one of the most important ways to guarantee a better quality of sleep is to get the right mattress to support and suit your specific needs.

How does the right mattress make a difference?

Finding the right mattress for your body is essential to improving your quality of sleep. Not only can it help you feel more rested and rejuvenated in the morning but more importantly, it is essential to preventing lower back pain and discomfort. Experiencing lower back pain or chronic pain during the day can leave us exhausted and fatigued, which has a rollover effect on our sleep once we head to bed at night.

If you experience back pain symptoms within 30 minutes of waking up or spend a long time tossing and turning at night, it might be a sign that your mattress has become worn out. Simply follow our useful tips to get the mattress of your dreams:

1. Check if your mattress is too old

Most mattresses need to be changed every 7-8 years as they have worn out and no longer provide adequate back and spinal support. This will vary across individuals – once you notice your mattress has become uncomfortable or painful to use, you should change it immediately.

Even if your mattress appears to feel comfortable, we recommend consulting with our chiropractors if you are experiencing any lower back pain symptoms. Taking proactive steps in seeking treatment for lower back pain can help alleviate your daily discomfort and pain and prevent more serious symptoms from developing in the long run.

2. Figure out your sleep posture

Mattresses are a highly individual purchase, and your personal habits such as whether you sleep on your back or stomach will affect the kind of mattress that’s best for you. Here are the mattresses each type of sleeper should look out for:

• Back sleepers: Medium-firm mattress to support both the shoulders and hips while sleeping
• Side sleepers: Mattress that can contour to the body for pressure relief for shoulders and hips
• Stomach sleepers: Ultra-firm mattress that can provide support to the hips

If you shift across these styles, a medium-firm mattress should provide a balance of support and comfort throughout the night to best support your body.

3. Test out different firmness levels

Mattress firmness can also come down to your personal preferences. If possible, try out different mattresses at a showroom to see how they feel. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can lie down on it for several minutes to see how your body reacts. Remember that you will be spending almost half of your life on a mattress – comfort is a top priority!

4. Research different mattress materials

Mattresses usually have 2 layers – a support layer and comfort layer. Different materials have different firmness levels as well as how well it retains heat. Each brand has their own signature features for both layers, but these are the common materials for mattress layers you might see in stores:

• Memory foam
• Latex
• Innerspring

Many brands may combine two materials. For example, they might have a coiled innerspring support layer and a memory foam comfort layer.

Seeking treatment for lower back pain

Buying a new mattress may help alleviate back pain but it is not always an instant fix. If you are still experiencing lower back pain, chiropractic treatment may help relieve some of those aches and soreness. Here’s what you can expect from a chiropractic session for lower back pain:

Get in touch with our chiropractors for a consultation and scan to start on your journey to health and wellness today.