How to Choose the Right Mattress and Pillow for Back Pain Patients?

Sleeping and spinal health

Many people lose valuable sleep as they toss and turn because of a poorly supportive mattress and pillows. This places stress on spinal tissues leading to restless nights and painful mornings.

A few tips to protect your spine while sleeping:

• Choose a mattress firm enough to prevent "hammocking" which reverses the natural curves. At the same time, your mattress should not have an overly-firm, but soft surface (e.g., pillow-top, Visco-Elastic ) to cushion the body and reduce tossing due to restricted circulation.
• Avoid particle foam or too many pillows that poorly positions the neck. Select a pillow that maintains its supportive shape, to keep the neck in its neutral position.

With the variety of mattresses on the market, choosing the right mattress for sleep comfort and back support can be a confusing decision. For people with low back pain, it’s definitely worth it to take time to select the best mattress for their back as per their needs.

The best mattress and pillows for patients with low back pain

The following practical guidelines are designed to help patients with low back pain choose the best mattress for back support and sleep comfort.

• Personal preference should ultimately determine what mattress to purchase

There is no single mattress that works for all people with low back pain. Patients should choose the mattress that meets their standards for comfort and support and allows them to get a good night’s sleep.

• Understand and inquire about the physical components of the mattress.

Choosing the number of coils, type of padding and mattress depth should be determined by the patient’s preferences for back support and sleep comfort.

• Find a mattress with sufficient back support to reduce low back pain.

A good mattress should provide support while allowing for the natural curves and alignment of the spine. Proper back support from the mattress also helps the patient avoid muscle soreness in the morning.

• Achieve a balance between back support and sleep comfort while buying a mattress

Overall comfort while sleeping on the mattress is equally important as sufficient back support. Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm can cause aches and pains on pressure points. Choosing a good pillow is another important factor for sleep comfort.

• Change mattress at the right time

If an old mattress sags visibly in the middle or if the patient is no longer sleeping comfortably on the mattress, it is probably time to purchase a new one.

• Shop for the best value and quality of the mattress rather than for price.

Finding a high-quality mattress is usually worth the investment, considering the effect a mattress can have on low back pain and sleep comfort