| What is the best mattress for back pain? | | | | down too much under the body's weight with not |
| Unfortunately there is no universal solution that | | | | enough support to the heavy parts, which simply sink |
| everyone can be happy with. While some people will | | | | in. What happens then? The spine goes convex, from |
| lean toward an extra firm mattress, others will | | | | the S shape to an uncomfortable C shape. Again, the |
| shudder at the very thought. And the reason is quite | | | | muscles can't relax while trying to maintain the natural |
| simple --back pain sufferers form a wildly diverse | | | | curve of the lower back. More pain and discomfort -- |
| bunch of people. | | | | plus possible nerve compression: numbness, tingling, |
| Orthopedic specialists mostly agree that the best | | | | and so on. |
| mattress for back pain would be something | | | | But here's why the best mattress for back pain can't |
| resembling "medium firm" or "not too soft, but not | | | | be the same for everyone. For optimal support, our |
| too firm either." | | | | petite and thin female retiree will need a softer |
| How this undeniably vague advice would play out for | | | | mattress than our hefty ex-football player simply |
| each individual in pain... is nearly anyone's guess. Each | | | | because of the laws of physics. His weight will |
| individual's perception of soft or firm would be | | | | displace more of the mattress. He sinks further down |
| different. | | | | into it, which requires a firmer construction -- in order |
| Picture a tall, overweight 45-year-old male, let's say | | | | to provide the lifting support he still needs for his |
| about 6' 7" and over 300 pounds... maybe an | | | | spinal curve. |
| ex-football player... and then imagine a dainty and | | | | But her weight will barely make a dent. The man's |
| petite 68-year-old female just clearing 5 feet and | | | | mattress of choice is too rigid and unresponsive for |
| barely tipping the scale to 100. They are as different | | | | her. She will need a softer, bouncier surface to |
| physically as two humans can be, but both suffer | | | | provide the support she needs. |
| from chronic lower back pain, and both experience | | | | The Best Mattress for Back Pain--Solution? |
| discomfort while sleeping. So wouldn't it make sense | | | | While you need to thoroughly test each mattress |
| that they would require totally different mattresses? | | | | before buying, there is some evidence that latex |
| But there are some commonalities worth mentioning | | | | foam can be therapeutic to back sufferers of all |
| when discussing the best mattress for back pain -- | | | | sizes and shapes. People who need firmer support |
| even with these very different examples. | | | | can use latex as a topper or in the padding layers of |
| To begin with, they both need extra support. Of | | | | an innerspring mattress. Those who need softer |
| course, everyone knows back pain sufferers need | | | | support may do best with a 100 percent latex |
| proper support, but what does it mean, exactly? | | | | mattress. |
| Well, the human spine is curved in the "S" shape, and | | | | The reason latex works well for back pain lies in its |
| it likes to stay in that shape as much as possible. So | | | | naturally resilient yet strong inner structure. It is a |
| the best mattress for back pain would keep that | | | | very responsive material, molding into the shape of |
| curve intact by filling in the gaps caused by body | | | | your body, yet adjusting quickly as you change |
| curves. That way, the back muscles can relax fully | | | | positions. It is also long-lasting and available in several |
| without the spine flattening out. | | | | levels of firmness and thickness. |
| A mattress that's too firm would stay rigid and cause | | | | While each individual will respond differently to the |
| the muscles of the back to do all the work of holding | | | | same mattress, one thing is clear: quality matters. No |
| the S-curve in place. Bottom line -- more pain. Not | | | | matter what type of mattress you buy for your |
| only more back pain, but painful pressure points could | | | | own back pain, make sure the components are first |
| develop in the body's gravity centers -- the hips, | | | | rate, including the steel coils, padding, latex foam, or |
| bottom and shoulders. | | | | memory foam, if you choose these materials. |
| On the other hand, a too-soft mattress squishes | | | | |