Everything you need to know about combating back pain when asleep

Back pain affects a large proportion of people and can cause them great discomfort when it comes to falling asleep and getting good rest. Tackling back pain at night is an important step in relieving sufferers of some pain and allowing them to experience the positive health benefits of a good sleep schedule. However, most people do not realise that the position they sleep in directly affects what mattress they should use. Getting a mattress that matches your sleeping position can maximise the support that your back receives, reducing your pain. In this article, we go over what mattress different sleepers may look for when looking to purchase a new mattress. For more detailed information on mattresses and back pain, check out Mattresses to Combat Back Pain: A Comparison.

Mattresses for different sleep positions

• Stomach sleepers

Sleeping on your stomach puts the most strain on your body and is the least recommended sleeping position. If you feel you have to sleep on your stomach, this may be due to your mattress not effectively supporting your body when in other positions. If choosing a mattress with stomach sleeping in mind, choose a firmer mattress so that your hips do not sink as this will put pressure on your spine.

• Side sleepers

Sleeping on your side creates pressure for your shoulders and hips as your body weight is centred on those areas. A firm mattress will exacerbate this issue, so look for a softer option. Memory foam mattresses can distribute the pressure from the body weight across the whole body. Ensuring your mattress has contouring/zoned support will also help to keep your spine aligned through the correct level of hip support.

• Back sleepers

Your spine becomes the focal point of pressure when sleeping on your back. Too firm of a mattress will cause discomfort whereas too soft a mattress can allow your hips to sink – putting pressure on your lumbar spine and lower back. Mattresses that are medium-firm offer a happy medium that will support your back-sleeping position.

• Combination sleepers

Those who sleep in a variety of different positions can find it hard to pick a mattress that suits them. Choosing a mattress that reduces the transfer of movement is crucial in reducing the number of times you change position in sleep. Recording what position you fall asleep and wake up can help you to choose which mattress would suit you best.

This is a general guide to choosing a mattress in regards to your sleeping position. However, personal preference must always play a part and ideally, the mattress you should buy is the one you get the best sleep in with the least amount of pain. If this doesn’t fit into the normal category then don’t worry, do what is best for you. Utilise free trials from different manufactures like Nolah Mattress and find what type relieves your back pain.