Share:

If you’re waking up sore and tired every morning, even when you get plenty of sleep, the problem might be where you’re sleeping—or more specifically, what you’re sleeping on. If your mattress is old, in poor condition, or not supportive enough for your body weight or size, it could be causing your back pain. Here’s why and how you should find a new one.

How a Bad Mattress Causes Back Pain

If your spine isn’t in proper alignment and being supported by your back muscles properly, it’s doesn’t truly relax while you sleep. Instead of letting the sleeping surface support your body, you’re forced to hold your body into a position that feels comfortable. This tension contributes to pain and stiffness in the morning.

Ideally, a mattress should provide plenty of support for your back. This means that you can hold your body in a neutral position, with your spine in its natural curve, and have your head, shoulders, buttocks, and heels stay in alignment. Your body should feel completely relaxed, almost as if it’s floating. Anything else, and you are likely to be sore when you wake up.

How to Choose a Mattress That Won’t Cause Pain

mattressNo single mattress works for everyone, so try different models and find one that works well for you. All options fall on a firmness spectrum, with a score of 1 to 10. Those rated between 1 and 4 are softer, while those rated 7 to 10 are firmer. There is a lot of variation, but once you know your preference, look for mattresses within a similar score range. Those toward the firmer end of the scale tend to be most supportive for people with back pain.

While a firmer sleeping surface may alleviate back pain, side sleepers tend to sleep better on a slightly softer cushion. Such a bed helps align the spine in the side position, preventing pain. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, need the firmest kind to keep their bodies aligned.

If you sleep with a partner, especially one who is heavier, their presence might change the feeling of a softer bed. Heavier people are usually better suited to a firmer bed; otherwise, they sink further into it. When they sleep with a partner, this creates an uneven surface that affects spinal alignment.

 

If you’re in the market for a new mattress, check out the options at Midwest Clearance Center in St. Peters, MO. Not only will you find a selection of brand-name options at discount prices in the store, but you can also try them out to find the perfect bed to fix your back pain and get a great night’s sleep. Check out their website to view their products, and call (636) 397-3401 with any questions.

tracking