Of course, every person is different, so that means every mattress and bed you buy should suit your own specific comfort requirements, taking into account the comfort considerations of whoever you may be sharing a bed with.
We’ve guided on mattress firmness in our previous blog, which you can read here, and have decided to take it one step further with an expert guide devoted to those suffering with back pain. We also have a useful blog for side sleepers which can be read here.
Back pain can be one of the worst kinds of pain to suffer with, and it isn’t just for the elderly or intense sportspeople. One of the main factors of back and spine pain, other than age and your lifestyle, is the bed and mattress you are sleeping on.
Spine pain is a growing issue for doctors and for people around the world. In fact, in the UK alone, around 20% of the population have visited a GP at least once relating to a painful spine of some sort, and this is only increasing as time goes on. More and more people are becoming physically disabled thanks to back pain, and lower back pain alone accounts for 11% of physical disability across the country.
It’s becoming somewhat of a worldwide phenomenon, so much so that 264 million workdays, worldwide, are lost each year due to back pain causing so much damage that a person can’t even get up and get to work.
Lower back pain, often referred to as lumbago, is particularly common in the UK and around the world. And while most people who suffer with occasional, wear and tear-related spine pain see signs of improvement after a few weeks without the need to visit a GP, it’s important to manage your situation accordingly.
This is not only to prevent injury in the short term, but to minimise the likelihood of a niggling back pain turning into something more serious and debilitating further down the line.
As we’ve said, everybody is different, and too many people unfortunately employ a one size fits all approach when it comes to mattresses, which can be hugely detrimental to your mental health, physical health and vitally, your spinal health.
While you should always seek medical advice from your GP and trained professionals such as chiropractors, there are other ways you can help yourself with your back. A healthy amount of sleep is anywhere between 7 and 10 hours a night, and since you spend such a large amount of time sleeping, why would you ignore the fact that your mattress can contribute massively to your aches and pains, particularly in the back area?
Unfortunately, lots of people do, so let’s take a look at the different kinds of beds and mattresses and how they suit people’s specific back problems, allowing you to take control and manage your back pain as best as you can with a good night’s sleep.
Memory foam is often the perfect solution for bad backs, especially if you are suffering from lumbago, (lower back pain), on a regular basis.
Memory foam was famously created by NASA, and further developed for the domestic market to be more breathable and comfortable for a good night’s sleep. They provide a level of firmness that most mattresses do not, which can be greatly beneficial for those with a bad back or spinal injuries and concerns.
A key benefit of memory foam is that these kinds of mattresses mould around the shape of your body while you’re sleeping. This helps to distribute your weight evenly, so you aren’t putting too much pressure on any specific area of the back, helping to avoid issues down the line.
This also gives you targeted, responsive support to your body where you need it most, and is often a great solution for your spine pains, aches, and general discomfort.
Latex mattress are another great alternative for sufferers of back pain, either low or general, and are a combination of latex foam with springs or reflex foam.
These join together to create a supportive sleeping surface, which is a more natural alternative to memory foam. Offering great comfort for all sleepers, particularly those who suffer from bad backs and spine pain, a latex mattress provides pressure relief as well as more even weight distribution.
Latex mattresses are also known for their elastic composition, which means that they provide more support than memory foam, pocket sprung or open coil mattresses, as they respond to movement in the night and support you no matter how much you toss and turn as you sleep. Offering support for all parts of your body, both heavy and light, means it’s great for pressure and pain relief for bad back sufferers.
Pocket sprung mattresses are also a good option for a bad back when sleeping, but not quite as good as memory foam or latex.
Unlike the cheaper made, more widely available open coil mattress, pocket spring mattresses are comprised of individual fabric pockets. They all work independently of one another, meaning that you get more support for each specific body part, which in turn leads to better weight distribution and a more comfortable sleep.
A pocket sprung mattress is therefore a decent option for a bad back, or for those who share a bed with a partner and have different needs. The fact that each spring moves independently means it can support two different body types on the same bed, so is perfect for couples, particularly if one of you has a bad back and the other doesn’t.
Open coil mattresses aren’t the best for bad backs, as the way they are built can mean they can dip in the centre after prolonged use, especially if you’re a couple sleeping on it together.
This means no real support or comfort for your back and body after a while, and can also mean that issues are made worse over time. Open coil mattresses are comprised of many springs, joined together by wire mesh which provides a decent level of support, however, you’ll need a high-spring count, somewhere upwards of 500, if you want a supportive night’s sleep for a bad back on an open coil mattress.
It’s a case of the firmer the better if you go with an open coil mattress for your back issues, and you might even want to consider an orthopaedic option if you go down this route.
However, all in all, there are better alternatives available in the form of memory foam, latex and pocket-sprung for those suffering with spinal or general back aches and pains.
Back pain is notoriously difficult to diagnose, but as well as poor mattresses or sleeping conditions, is often a case of injury such as a muscle sprain or strain from day-to-day activities.
Anything from sleeping in a weird position on an incorrect mattress or pillows, to lifting some boxes without the proper technique can damage your spine. Other causes that can take a part can include running, whiplash, doing a little too much physical exertion in a day, being overweight and poor posture sitting down too long at work with poor posture.
There are more serious cases of spine pain that are causes for concern, such as a slipped disc or sciatica, however these are relatively rare and causes of extreme pain rather than discomfort, so you will probably have a good idea if you have one of these ailments.
Exercise, regular walks, and hot and cold packs can all assist with minor, lower-back pain in the short term, and coupling this with the correct mattress can see you back to full health in a matter of weeks. Anti-inflammatory painkillers are also helpful, such as ibuprofen, in the alleviation of lower back discomfort and if you are suffering from a one-time experience of lumbago, then generally you’ll be okay sooner or later.
However, if you keep getting repeated lower spine pain symptoms that come and go every few months, if it stops you from going about your daily business, if it gets worse over and over or if it so bad that it is making you anxious, then do get in touch with your GP who will advise you on the next steps to take and will let you know how serious your condition is.
Sometimes, if you can’t clean a mattress, then it’s beyond repair. If there’s a particularly bad stain or smell emanating from the bed that won’t go away, sleeping in it is a bit of a no go. And if this is the case, you’re going to need to buy a new one.
We stock a massive selection of mattresses online, so take a look around and find one that suits you. Or you can give us a call on 01325 485000 to find out more, or visit our physical showroom and shop in Darlington to test drive a new mattress and buy in-store.
