When dealing with lower back pain, choosing between a firm or soft mattress can make a world of difference. Even though your pain may stem from an unrelated cause, sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress can worsen discomfort. Continue reading to learn what kind of mattress works best for you and your lifestyle!
Discomfort from lower back pain can be a barrier to sleep. Back pain makes it quite challenging to get comfortable and fall asleep, and can prevent you from staying asleep.
As you shop for the best mattress for your condition, be sure to keep in mind that your body weight plays a pivotal role when it comes to choosing between a soft and a firm mattress. A heavy sleeper may find a firm bed deceptively soft, while a light sleeper might not get enough give from a soft mattress.
Keep reading to find out if a soft or firm mattress is better for your type of back pain, and what you can do to sleep better.
Types of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common type of backache that affects the lumbar region (the lowest five vertebrae of the spine). Generally, there are two types of lower back pain.
Type 1 – Acute
Lower back pain is the most common type of backache that affects the lumbar region (the lowest five vertebrae of the spine). Generally, there are two types of lower back pain.
Type 2 – Chronic
Unlike acute lower back pain, chronic pain runs for up to three months or more and persists despite attempts to cure it. It can also involve sharp, intensive pain but may occur as a dull soreness or stiffness. While chronic back pain can sometimes be associated with a prior injury, it often has no immediate or clear cause.
Irrespective of whether lower back pain started suddenly or has become a long-term problem, individuals experiencing it should ensure they get checked out by a physician. Not only can a doctor help to relieve pain, but they can also conduct a complete diagnostic procedure to determine whether a severe underlying health issue is causing the pain.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
Sometimes, sleepers know precisely why their back is aching. Perhaps they lifted something awkwardly and immediately felt the pain. Or maybe their physician warned them for years that their bad posture would lead to back pain. However, other times, the source of the pain can feel like a mystery.
Whether you notice it or not, the lumbar spine works throughout the day. Amid all this motion, a strain can result from acute injuries like one experienced while lifting something too heavy or falling. A strain can also develop due to poor posture or repetitive movements.
Your physician can help you determine the right course of action that can help heal your condition. If your condition persists despite treatment, it might be time to look into other causes of chronic lower back pain.
Sleeping on an Uncomfortable Mattress
Unlike other body parts, the lower back section has more curvature, making it more susceptible to injury associated with posture and movement, including positioning during sleep. If your mattress offers insufficient support, your lower back may bend or twist in an unnatural way.
For instance, we’ve found that if your mattress is worn out or too soft, the hip section, which carries more weight, may sink deep into the surface and out of alignment. If the joints and spine aren’t well-cushioned and aligned during sleep, the body will be strained, sowing the seeds for back issues and exacerbating pre-existing ones. And when this misaligned position is held for a long time at night, it can be a key contributor to lower back pain.
One of the easiest ways to know whether your bed contributes to lower back pain is if the pains and aches usually occur in the morning when you get out of bed. If you experience sharp back pains when you wake up and the pain subsides during the day, your current mattress might be playing a part in your pains and aches.
Herniated Disc
A herniated lumbar disc can occur when the inner gel of any of the five disks in the lumbar spine slips beyond the outer rind. This allows the inner gel in the cushiony disk to press on surrounding nerves, causing lower back pain. This slippage can be caused by trauma or age-related wear and tear.
Facet Joint Damage
The joints connecting the faucet joints (five vertebrae that make up the lower back) experience stress and large loads of compressive force. Over time, whether due to repeated overuse or poor posture, the breakdown of the cartilage in the faucet joint can lead to inflammation, stiffness, and lower back pain.
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Original article published on thesleepshopinc.com
