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Beds and Back Pain: Choose the Right Mattress

Back pain is a constant struggle from those who suffer from it. If you happen to be one of those people you know the aches and pains all too well.

Your bed should be a place where you can rest and relax and if you don’t have the right kind of mattress that won’t happen. Here’s a guide to help you pick out the most comfortable bed for your back.

Where to Start

Most importantly, the mattress needs to support your body in a neutral position, one in which your spine has a nice curvature and your buttocks, heels, shoulders, and head are supported in proper alignment. If the mattress is too soft, those pressure points won't be supported properly, so your whole body will be out of alignment.If the mattress is too firm, it will put pressure on those main pressure points and take you out of alignment.

Both of these issues will cause back pain in the morning. Many mattress stores do pressure mapping, which allows you to test out a mattress to see if there are any areas where too much pressure is being applied. In general, there are no specific brands or beds that are better than another for back pain so it’s important that you test out different types to find the best solution for you. When mattress shopping it’s important that you test the bed for at least 10-15 minutes to really get a feel for it. It’s even recommended that you bring your own pillow to get the most out of the test.

Innerspring Mattress

These are still the most popular type of mattress. They support you with coil springs, and in the ones built today the coils are individually enclosed. This helps the bed stay in great condition over the years and keeps springs from popping out on their own. On top of the coils are a wide variety of materials added for comfort, including pillow, latex, and memory foam. Contrary to what the salesperson might tell you, coil count doesn’t mean the more the better. Experts says any more coils than 390 aren’t necessary. There are tons of innerspring mattresses on the market and they range in firmness, the fluffiness of the pillow top, and in price to fit nearly every preference and pocket book.

Memory Foam Mattress

These mattresses are often recommended for back pain sufferers. While they can be very supportive, some people do not like the way they conform to the body's shape. So before purchasing a memory foam mattress make sure you test them out. They are made of layers of different densities of foam that respond to weight and temperature, and are known for comfort because they contour to the specific shape of your body. Memory foam toppers are also available. The memory foam mattress molds to your body as your weight shifts through the night, reducing pressure points, and relieving pain.

Memory foam also absorbs movement, so if you sleep with a partner, you're not likely to be disturbed by his or her tossing and turning. One of the biggest complaints with memory foam mattresses is that they are temperature sensitive, meaning they soften and mold with your body heat, but this can make you feel overwhelmingly hot during the night. Some also complain that they have a chemical smell that takes a long time to fade. If you have a hard time getting comfortable, chronic fatigue, or some type of muscle pain, then a memory foam mattress would work well for you, if the temperature problem is not an issue.