How a Mattress Can Affect Back Pain
• by Dr. Adrian Cohen
Back pain is incredibly common. In fact, about 80 percent of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetimes. And more than a quarter of adults report experiencing low back pain during the past three months.
Back pain can be dull and constant or sudden and sharp. It can be caused by an accident, lifting something heavy, or over time due to age. A sedentary lifestyle can be a risk factor for back pain, particularly if you’re sitting during the week and then engaging in a strenuous workout during the week.
Typically, low back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks, resolving itself with self-care. Most people treat back pain with hot or cold packs, stretching exercises, and avoiding movements that aggravate pain. Physical therapy, medications, and chiropractic treatments are common treatments as well.
Your Mattress and Back Pain
Mattresses are usually not the problem with sleep issues, but a good bed that is well suited to your needs can be helpful for getting a good night’s rest and waking up pain-free. However, poor spine alignment at night can lead to aches and pains, so if you have back pain, you should consider whether your mattress is working for you or potentially causing tenderness.
If you’re suffering from lower back pain, it’s important that you look for a mattress that doesn’t put a lot of pressure on pain points, specifically your shoulders and sacrum. For most people with lower back pain, a firm mattress with a soft pillow top is a good choice. However, a mattress that’s too soft may lack sufficient support, which may cause pain. Visit sleephelp.org for more information from sleep experts about how you can achieve better sleep.
SleepHelp.org [currently offline] is an independently owned and operated, unbiased sleep resource dedicated to bettering your waking life by improving your sleep problems. Their team of sleep experts makes sense of the common issues affecting your sleep. They’re availalbe to help you understand the impact of sleep disorders, create a long-lasting sleep routine, and provide you the advice you need.
In addition to finding the right mattress, it’s also important to address your back pain concerns with your local chiropractor to investigate other possible causes of your pain. Dr. Cohen’s patients have included professionals from NHL, MLB, NBA, Canadian National Squash, University of Virginia Track and Field team as well as common people who may have suffered injuries resulting in the need of high-quality chiropractic care. He uses a unique treatment system for the primary goal of quickly reducing pain and dysfunction while increasing strength and improving athletic performance.