Lots of people around the world are affected by chronic back pain. It can really take its toll on your day-to-day activities. It also happens to be one of the most difficult medical conditions to treat and cure.
But the good news is that picking the right mattress for you can help you get a little bit of relief when night time rolls around. The most important thing is having a comfortable and supportive place to sleep, because it really can reduce the pain you feel. In some cases, it could even prevent it all together.
What causes back pain?
The first thing to remember is that if you suffer from regular back pain, then it’s always a good idea to seek medical advice.
For some, back pain is caused by injury or occupational strain. For others, it’s linked to the day-to-day stresses of sleeping on an unsuitable surface. It could even be a combination of all of the above. Contrary to what you might think, back pain doesn’t just affect older people; it’s also a big problem among the younger generation – in fact, it’s actually the top cause of disability among people under 45 years old.
Here’s something useful to know: when you lie down and go to sleep, pressure that builds up during the day is progressively released from your vertebrate. That’s because, compared to when you stand up, your upper body isn’t putting anywhere near as much pressure on your spinal cord when you’re lying flat.
It might surprise you to learn that this means you could be as much as an inch taller when you wake up than you are when you go to bed at night. As the day goes on, this pressure gradually returns – which can lead to poor posture and compression in your spine.
How can having the right mattress help?
When you go to bed, it’s an opportunity for your spine (and the muscle that supports it) to have a much-needed rest. When you settle down into a horizontal sleeping position, it’s important that your spine is properly aligned and supported. This will help to reduce (and even avoid) any soreness in your back.
If you suffer from back pain, you’ll know how it can stop you from getting comfortable and enjoying a decent night’s sleep. And when you don’t sleep properly, this could make your pain worse (or it may just feel worse because you’re tired). Choosing a comfortable and supportive king-size mattress brings plenty of benefits, including easing your back pain, enabling you to have a better night’s rest, and stopping new aches from occurring.
Things to look for in a king-size mattress
If you suffer from back pain, the last thing you want it to sleep on a surface that’s too lumpy, too firm, or has a lack of support. All this will stop your spinal cord from resting in a proper position.
Ideally, you want a king-size mattress that moulds to the shape of your body. High-quality memory foam, latex mattress and orthopaedic options tend to be popular among those who suffer from back pain. Since these kinds of mattresses are designed to conform closely to your body shape when you lie down, you’ll get the support you need. The wider and heavier parts of your form (such as your hips and shoulders) will sink into the material as much as they need to while other, lighter parts (such as your neck and waist) remain on top.
The mattress you go for will depend on your needs. If your mattress doesn’t feel comfortable straight away, there’s no need to panic. Usually, it just means you need to give it more time. Memory foam and orthopaedic mattresses will need to mould to the shape of your body.
And here’s what not to do…
Whatever you do, don’t put a board under your current mattress in the hope that this will help! If this relieves your back pain at all, it could only be temporary. So it could be better to make an investment in a king-size mattress that comforts and supports you. You should also avoid mattresses that are thin and inexpensive. When you’re choosing the best kingsize mattress for back pain, paying a little bit more for a good quality memory foam or orthopaedic one could make all the difference