Many factors in everyday life can cause back pain including your sitting or standing posture. Posture is something a lot of us are conscious of, but how often do we talk about our sleeping posture? There are many causes of back pain, so it may be difficult to pinpoint where your aches are coming from. However, there are some clues to look out for to see if your bed or sleeping posture is to blame. As it’s National Bed Month, we thought we’d talk about beds and how they can affect your body.
How to Tell if Your Mattress is Giving You Back Pain
If the back pain occurs when you first wake up, but you can stretch and get rid of it within 15-30 minutes, then that’s a major sign that your mattress is doing more harm than good. Also if you find yourself tossing and turning or wake up more frequently, then this may also be another sign. Even if you are not prone to back pain, you should ideally replace your mattress every eight years.
How to Pick a Good Mattress for Your Back
Everyone sleeps differently, which can make it hard to find the perfect mattress. It is important to consider investing in a good mattress. You should be spending 7-9 hours on your mattress each night, which makes it an important piece of furniture. Buy a mattress that is right for your body, helping you get a better sleep and less pain.
If the mattress is too firm, it will push on your pressure points and cause misalignment. Similarly, if the bed is too soft, it will allow your body to sink into the bed causing bad posture while you sleep, which can then lead to pain. The right mattress should make you feel like you are floating on air.
What Else Can I Do For Back Pain?
If your mattress is the cause of your back pain, then changing it will most likely do wonders. You can also implement a short stretching routine into your day before you go to bed and after you wake up to help with spine flexibility.
Sleep is Important
Your sleep is essential, poor sleep can worsen chronic pain so make sure you are getting a mattress that will improve your sleep, not make it worse.
Make sure you have the right pillow
If you’re suffering from neck pain, you could be using the wrong pillow. Your neck shouldn’t be too propped up, but it should have enough support. Consider investing in an orthopaedic pillow if you’re waking up with a stiff neck, or if your neck feels uncomfortable in the night.
Ideal Posture
It is important to learn how to sleep in the best position possible for your spine. Experts recommend sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs to support the hips and lower back. Sleeping on your tummy can be bad for your back and neck as it pushes your head backwards and can arch your lumbar spine.
