If you’ve been suffering from back pain all of a sudden, it might be confusing to you as to what it is that’s causing it. The answer might just be that it is your mattress!
There are various causes of back pain and it can be very hard to detect where your back pain is coming from. But there are some tips that can let you know whether it is your mattress that’s been depriving you of a good night’s sleep. One big clue is when your back pain occurs. If you’ve been experiencing back pain as soon as you wake up, but you stretch it out and get rid of it 30 minutes after waking up, there’s a great possibility, that it’s your mattress that’s been causing youth pain. Another big clue that it might be the mattress, is when you’re tossing and turning in your sleep, or when you are waking up in the middle of the night more frequently. Even if you’re not experiencing any back pain, a general recommendation is to replace your mattress every eight years.
What is the right mattress for your back?
We all have different kinds of sleep preferences and therefore it is difficult to find the perfect mattress. However, you should choose one that is not too firm, but also not too soft. When the mattress is too firm, it can push on the pressure points and it can cause misalignment. Similarly, when the bed is too soft, your body will sink into the bed, causing bad posture while you sleep, which then leads to pain. So, the right mattress should allow you to feel like you’re floating on air.
It might not always be possible to invest in a good mattress, but it is definitely something that is worth saving for! It is the most important piece of furniture as you’re spending so many hours on it. A good night’s sleep will not only prevent pain, but it will also allow you to be more energetic throughout the day and in a better mood.
What are some things that you can do for your back?
Changing the mattress is definitely something that will help with your back pain. Additionally, you can also add a stretching routine into your day. This an o wonders for spine flexibility if you only add a few stretched when waking up or going to bed. You should also find out what the best sleep position for you is. Most experts recommend to sleep on the side and to use a pillow between the legs for support to the hips and to the lower back. You should avoid sleeping on the stomach. When shopping for a mattress, it is important to choose wisely. It is recommended to spend ten to fifteen minutes on each of the mattresses when you’re choosing! Although it might seem silly to you, it´s an important choice and you need to choose wisely.
Also, not all beds are created equally. Also, there are different kinds of brands of mattresses and different kinds of mattresses types. There are some tips as to what you should watch out for when shopping for a mattress:
- It shouldn’t be too firm
- It shouldn’t be too soft
- It needs to provide with support for your entire body
Making the right choice and taking the time to find out about the right kind of a mattress can save you a lot of pain later on and complications that can turn out to be even more severe.
It is not a good thing if you feel like you’re swallowed up by your bed, if you’re waking up with back pain, if your bad feels flat and like it’s unforgiving on the curves of the spine, like you can’t get comfortable or if you keep waking up during the night for no apparent reason.
There are however also many other causes of back pain, and it doesn’t always need to be the mattress. If you’ve already switched your mattress and pillow and are still experiencing back pain, it’s important to consider visiting a medical professional and ruling out any more severe condition, that might be causing it.
Some other common causes of back pain are:
- Muscle or ligament strain which occurs due to sudden movements that can strain back muscles, or due to repeated heavy lifting.
- Bulging or ruptured disks, which act as cushions between the bones could end up bulging or rupturing and pressing on the spine. This is what causes the pain. This type of disk disease can be detected on an X-Ray.
- Arthritis, which is known to affect the lower back. It can also lead to a condition known as spinal stenosis, which is when the space around the spinal cord is narrowed.
- Skeletal irregularity is a condition that leads to the spine curving to the side. This generally causes back pain when you reach a certain age.
- Osteoporosis is when your spine’s vertebrae develop compression fractures. Your bones become brittle. Over time, this leads to back pain.
What are some risk factors of back pain?
Anyone can get back pain! It can occur in children and in teenagers as well. There are some factors however, that might put you at a greater risk of getting back pain. These risk factors include:
- Age, as back pain is more common when you turn 30 and over
- Lack of exercise, as weak and unused muscles tend to lead to back pain
- Excess weight, as any additional weight puts extra stress on your back
- Diseases, where some types of arthritis or cancer can lead to beck pain
- Improper lifting, which occurs when you lift with your back instead with your legs
- Psychological conditions, where people who are more prone to depression and anxiety are also more prone to back pain
- Smoking is also a risk factor for back pain. It reduces blood flow to the lower spine; it keeps your body from delivering the nutrients it needs.
