For those who have sitting work or feel discomfort in the back, it is recommended to approach the arrangement of their sleeping place in a very responsible way. Do not choose a mattress based on rumors and recommendations of non-professionals.

They often say that for a problematic back you need to buy a mattress with a high level of rigidity, but this is not entirely true. A hard mattress does not adjust to the natural curves of the spine, and this can cause additional problems.

Based on information from Rest FAQ, if you have osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia, it is recommended to refuse from very hard mattresses, as they can have a negative effect on your health.

There are several key features that you should pay attention to when choosing a mattress, if you have problems with your spine. Below we will look at important points related to this topic. Which mattress is suitable for a bad back? Why is a stiffened sleeping place a bad choice for everyone?

The negative sides of hard mattresses

You will not feel any relief when using hard mattresses, as they prevent the relaxation of the muscle corset, respectively, the muscles do not relax and can’t rest during sleep.

Body-surface interaction points

The maximum load on the mattress is formed in the hips, pelvis and shoulders areas. A hard mattress is not able to respond smoothly to pressure and the reverse effect will bring you a high level of discomfort. At the points of maximum pressure, blood vessels and nerve endings are clamped, which leads to numbness. In any position, you will feel discomfort and a desire to roll over to the other side. Comfortable poses do not exist at all, when using too hard mattresses, which leads to sleepless nights.

Low orthopedic rates

The lack of flexibility and elasticity in a hard mattress significantly reduces the possibility of proper support of all parts of the spine in the anatomically correct position. The rigidity on the entire surface of the product is the same, while the neck requires a completely different level of support than, for example, hips or shoulders. It is a high level of rigidity that creates a feeling of discomfort and can lead to an aggravation of existing diseases or the emergence of new ones.

You can feel a significant increase in backache, as the body on its own adapts to a hard bed by tensioning the muscles in the key parts of the spine – hips, shoulders, etc. as a result, tiredness and poor health will accompany you all day long.

Poor adaptability

As mentioned above, an increased level of rigidity is not able to adapt to different levels of load. As a result, some parts of the body will lack support, while others, on the contrary, will in be excess of it. A good, correctly selected orthopedic mattress is able to adapt to your body, gently repeating its shape.

The right level of rigidity for a bad back

A sleeping place that does not suit you will not help to improve your well-being with back diseases, and may even worsen your condition. Using a too soft mattress additionally loads the muscles, since it is not able to withstand the load. The muscles and spine will be tensed in the same way as when you are awake, and this prevents you from rest and recovery. Such a choice can provoke an exacerbation of certain diseases.

According to studies, the best mattress for a bad back is not too soft and not too hard. The rigidity of the mattress must be selected so that your spine is in a natural level position.

Pain relief can only be achieved if your muscles can  relax completely, the blood circulates well and you do not wake up during sleep. The ideal level of rigidity for a bad back is medium, which provides the right support and comfort.

Too hard. A lot of pressure is allocated on the shoulders and hips, while the lower back remains without support.

The spine is in an unnatural position.

Too soft. An excessively soft or old crushed mattress creates a hammock effect.

The spine bends and is in the wrong position.

The correct position of the spine. The whole body is maintained evenly, the mattress repeats all the shapes of the body.

The anatomically natural position of the spine is provided.

Unfortunately, there is no single standard for manufacturers regarding rigidity. But experts all over the world are inclined to believe that for people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system it’s best to choose medium rigidity indicators, focusing on the recommendations of doctors and their personal feelings. It’s the approach that will help you feel better and  recover fully after sleep.

What does the word “orthopedic” mean

Orthopedic mattresses guarantee the correct support of the spine,  adjust smoothly to the shapes of the human body, allowing it to relax completely during rest. Exactly such features can reduce pain and discomfort when you have osteochondrosis and other diseases.

Beware of unverified manufacturers who only attribute “orthopedics” to their products, but are actually trying to sell you ordinary low-quality mattresses. This trick is used by marketers to increase the value of the goods. Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to distinguish an orthopedic mattress with good characteristics from a typical fake, which will not help you improve your well-being when having some diseases.

Spend enough time to study and choose the perfect option. Each person has his own anatomical features that must be considered when buying such an important household item. Only testing will help you navigate among the very wide range that is offered on the market.

Findings

For back diseases or even with minor pain in this area, it’s best to focus on the medium level of rigidity, since it is the most universal. An inappropriate mattress can only aggravate your condition, and choosing the right one will alleviate pain and relieve discomfort. Among fillers, pay your attention to those that improve comfort, for example, latex, memory foam with memory effect and others.

Choose a harmonious combination of body support and coziness for yourself to feel how your health is improving day by day!

Which mattress is recommended for back diseases by doctors

We recommend that you follow the doctors’ advice!

Scoliosis

For prevention: orthopedic mattresses with medium or high degree of rigidity.

When having the disease: a springless mattress from artificial latex, natural latex or orthopedic foam, as well as mattresses with alternating layers of latex and coconut coir.

For children and teenagers: springless orthopedic mattresses.

Osteochondrosis

Middle-aged people – medium rigidity, older people – soft.

Important: both very hard and very soft mattresses are contraindicated.

Osteoarthrosis (osteoarthritis)

Soft models are contraindicated. An ideal sleeping place would be a Memory foam mattress on a rigid base made of polyurethane foam. It is recommended to fall asleep on your side, in a ” fetal position.” It is advisable to buy a bed with an adjustable mechanism for lifting the head and legs.

Intervertebral disc herniation

Doctors often recommend soft or medium-hard mattresses. You can consider products with different rigidity of the sides, so that you can sleep softly when the condition worsens, and on a more rigid side when you are fine. It’s best to buy a mattress made of natural latex or with blocks of independent springs.

Sciatica

Sleeping is recommended on a medium rigidity mattress and a low pillow. Tension on tissues and organs can be relieved by such materials  as natural latex or memory foam.

Radiculitis

Hard mattresses are absolutely not suitable. Choose medium rigidity with independent spring units, preferably with merino wool for warming up the affected areas. The mattress should repeat the shapes of the body and adapt to the load in different points.