Simpson
Everyone knows that they need to be getting more sleep, but often that’s easier said than done. There is an endless array of information online that is designed to help you get started, but not enough of it addresses what it’s like trying to sleep with back or neck pain. Any pain can drastically reduce the quality of your sleep and leave you tossing and turning no matter how much coffee you did or didn’t drink throughout the day. The following will explore the relationship between back and neck pain and your mattress. The goal is to help you select the right mattress for your situation in order to prevent anything from adding to your pain. In some cases, the right mattress can even help alleviate pain, particularly if your previous mattress was part of the problem.
Before beginning, it’s important to note that while a good mattress can make a massive difference, back and neck pain should never be ignored. You might need to make alterations to your waking life (especially if you sit at a desk all day), or you might need to address trauma and stress in your life (some people hold tension in specific parts of their body). Pay attention to your pain and listen to what it’s trying to tell you. You might even want to keep a journal noting down when the pain is gentler and when it’s harsher and whether it’s worse when you wake up than when you went to bed. Speak to a professional if you need extra help or guidance.
Read Reviews
One of the best things you can do when shopping for a mattress to help eradicate pain in your life (or when making any bigger purchase) is to critically read reviews. Look for mattress reviews that specify difficulty sleeping because of pain and the impact of the mattress in the given question. Other people’s experiences will help give you an idea of what works long-term for back and neck pain. Likewise, once you find a mattress that helps ease up your pain, leave a review detailing your experience. People can really help each other through the review system.
Work With Your Sleeping Style
Some people sleep on their backs, others on their stomachs, others still on their sides. Some mattresses are designed for side sleepers, whereas others are for back sleepers. If you’re on the wrong mattress for your sleeping style, you might not be getting the support you need. If you and your partner have different sleeping styles, know that there are mattresses available that support one type of sleep on one side and another on the other side. No one should have to sacrifice good sleep in order to stay close to someone they love.
Address Specific Pain
It’s not enough just to seek out a mattress that can help with back or back pain broadly; you need to be looking for a mattress that deals with the specific kind of pain you have. While a firmer mattress is often ideal for someone with upper back pain, a softer one tends to better support lower back pain. A mattress’ support alters how your spine aligns while you sleep, and this can either heighten pain or reduce it.
Deal With Extra Discomforts
When you have pain and have been suffering all day with it, any little discomfort feels like the straw that’s breaking the camel’s back. Finding a mattress that prevents additional discomfort can make a big difference. This means the smell, level of moisture-wicking, and cooling versus warming materials can contribute to whether or not you sleep well. Make an honest list of things that bother you while you sleep and see how many of them you can address with your mattress choice. You might be surprised by how quickly these little discomforts can add up. Some people find the sound of certain mattresses annoying. Some people don’t like a plush texture. Anything that adds to your discomfort is a problem when it comes to sleep.
The above tips should have outlined how a mattress can help you deal with back or neck pain and get better sleep. Again, pain should never be ignored. It’s not something you simply have to deal with because you’re unlucky—that’s not how the body works. Pain is a message your body is sending to you that something isn’t right. If you ignore the message, it will get louder and louder until it’s heard. Finding a mattress that is the right fit for you and your back is part of this listening process.
