Buy a good mattress

How to pick a mattress to soothe a back ache

The age old wisdom for those suffering from back ache is to buy the hardest mattress available, and sleep on it like a rock; right? Wrong. It has been discovered that there isn’t any one type of mattress that is best for everyone, including people with chronic back pain. It all boils down to personal preference and comfort.Here are some factors to consider:

Spine alignment is key

Lack of support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to lower back pain. Find a mattress that will support the spine at the neck or lower back the way it needs to.

Consider a memory foam mattress

This could help eliminate the pain and stiffness experienced when in bed. Alternatively, understand and inquire about the physical components of a spring mattress. The coils or inner springs of a mattress provide support too. Different mattresses vary in their number and arrangement of coils. Padding on top of the mattress comes in many different thicknesses. Ultimately it is about what makes one feel better.

Go medium firm

Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm can cause aches and pains on pressure points. A medium-firm mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly. Patients who want a firmer mattress for back support can get one with thicker padding for greater comfort.

Know when to toss the old one out

If an old mattress sags visibly in the middle or is no longer comfortable, it is probably time to buy a new one. Inserting boards under a sagging mattress to keep it from caving in is only a short-term fix for the sagging; a new mattress is what is called for.

Don’t feel shy

When at the store to purchase a new mattress, try to lie on the mattress you are about to purchase, get a feel for it before you spend money on it.

Take your weight onto consideration

Light-weight people do not need big thick pillow top mattresses because they don’t weigh enough to compress the foam to even touch the underlying coils. On the flip side, heavier people tend to feel more comfortable with a little extra cushion between them and the coils.