Lower back pain: Choosing the right mattress

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain. Lack of proper support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help maintain spinal alignment, resulting in lower back pain and discomfort. Also, sleeping comfort is lost if a mattress does not match one's individual preferences. A mattress that provides back comfort and support helps reduce lower back pain, allowing the spine to truly rest and rejuvenate during a continuous night's sleep. With the huge variety of mattresses on the market, choosing a mattress aimed at combating lower back discomfort during sleep is a particularly demanding task. For this reason, the following practical guidelines are designed to help patients with lower back pain choose the best mattress for ideal back support and enjoy a restful sleep:

1. Ask about the features & natural ingredients of the mattress . Single-layer innersprings provide support. Mattresses differ in the number and arrangement of springs. Mattress pad comes in many different thicknesses. The choice of layer type and depth should be determined by your individual preferences.
2. Find a mattress that properly supports the back . A mattress should provide support for the natural curves and alignment of the spine. The right amount of back support also helps to avoid muscle soreness after continuous sleep. While there isn't much clinical data on mattresses, studies have shown that medium firmness mattresses usually provide more back pain relief.
3. Personal preference should ultimately determine which mattress is best . There is no one mattress style or formula that works for all people with lower back pain. Any mattress that helps someone sleep without pain is the best mattress for them. A medium firmness mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink slightly. Also, those who want a firmer mattress for back support can choose one with thicker padding for greater comfort.
4. Know when it's time to replace your mattress . If an old mattress visibly sags in the middle or is no longer comfortable causing you to feel tired after sleeping, it is probably time to buy a new one. Some quick fixes like putting boards under a loose mattress so it doesn't sag in the middle are only a short-term fix for relaxation. However, in such cases, a new mattress, chosen according to the particular preferences of each one, is the most correct choice to limit or even eliminate the problem.

*The scientific information of the article has been edited by the physical therapist Dr. Talbot Sellers , who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of spinal pain at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin.