There is no denying the importance of sleep; it is one of the key factors in the healing and repairing of blood vessels and even the heart. Additionally, your sleeping posture can affect any back pain you’re experiencing. The mattress you sleep on can make a world of difference not only in the amount of back pain you have but also the overall quality of your sleep. If you are experiencing back pain from your mattress, you are going to want to get a new one. Here is what you should look for to minimize back pain, maintain good posture, and maximize the quality of your sleep:

Know when it is time to get a new mattress.

Like the shoes on your feet or the brakes on your car, things that we use daily wear out and eventually need to be replaced; mattresses are no different. A sagging mattress can be one of the factors contributing to your back pain as it is not providing the required support. Additionally, a saggy mattress can contribute to poor posture if you are spending ⅓ of every day in a poor spinal posture position.  If you notice lumps or the material is starting to wear, these are also signs that your mattress is well past its’ prime.

Know the components of the mattress.

You wouldn’t buy a car without understanding at least a little bit about what is under the hood and you shouldn’t buy a mattress like that either. Understand how the mattress is made as it contributes to the actual comfortability of the mattress. Mattresses can be made out of coils or springs and the number and arrangement of each can drastically change the mattress; there are also memory foam mattresses now that mold to the shape of your body. Once you understand what is inside the mattress, then you can start to pinpoint your mattress preference.

Find the sweet spot between comfort and support.

You want the mattress to give you back support, obviously, but this should never come at the cost of comfort. The best way to strike this balance is to try many different kinds and types of mattresses and narrow it down from comfort to support. While the springs and coils are often the sources of support, the amount and type of padding on top leads to comfort.

It is all about your personal preference.

Even if you and the person shopping next to you have the same sleep issue, you are not necessarily looking for the same mattress. Every person is so unique that what works for one person certainly doesn’t mean it will work for another. It’s back to finding the balance between comfort and support and that balance will be unique to you.

Don’t forget about pillows!

They too play a role in the overall quality of sleep, especially in regard to neck pain. Reinhardt Chiropractic offers ChiroFlow pillows (https://chiroflow.com) for purchase. Let us know if you are interested and we will see if they are right for you.

A good night’s rest can be the difference between a good day and a bad day when you wake up. Make sure you are getting the right amount of sleep (usually 8 hours is recommended) and find the mattress that will reduce your back pain. An adjustment can also help reduce back pain caused from sleeping, but having a proper mattress will make the difference in the long run. Schedule a consultation today!