bloor : keele chiropractic

A good night's rest is an essential part of good health.

The right mattress can significantly  contribute to having a good night’s sleep and waking up feeling rested; and sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause sleeplessness, back pain, and overall aches and pains. For people with a back condition, sleep can aggravate the pain if the mattress isn’t a good fit.

When searching for a new mattress, the most important thing to remember is that mattresses are largely a matter of personal preference. There is no single type of mattress or bed that works well for all people, and there is no best mattress for back problems.  This is due to several factors:

•  There are many causes of back problems, and different back conditions may respond better to specific types of beds, mattresses and sleep positions

• There is a high degree of personal preference for mattresses, and what works well for one person may not work well for another

• There is very limited scientific study published on mattresses and back pain, and findings from the studies that have been completed are inconclusive

• The causes of back pain can be quite complex, and it’s difficult to isolate whether or not a person’s mattress has played a significant role in improving the pain or making it worse

The bottom line is that the type of mattress that is best for any particular person is really a matter of personal preference. That being said, there are a number of useful guidelines when selecting a mattress or bed - as well as suggestions for sleep positions. These guidelines can be especially important to help people with back conditions sleep more comfortably.

Mattress Guidelines 

While individual preference is probably the most important factor in determining the best mattress for each person, there are some general rules of thumb in what constitutes a good mattress.

• Most people prefer a firmer mattress that gives the spine more support. While there is no definitive literature that absolutely supports this claim, it makes sense that it is beneficial to have support for the spine while sleeping. A mattress should provide support for the spine at all points along the spine’s natural curves, and keep the spine in the same body position as good standing posture.

• While a firm mattress is usually good, if the mattress is too hard it can cause aches and pains in pressure points, such as the hips. Patients who have inflammation of the bursa over their hips can be especially susceptible to aches from a mattress that is too firm. People who sleep on their sides - with pressure points at their hips and shoulders pressed against the mattress - may also feel more sensitive to a firmer mattress.

•  If one feels more comfortable on a softer mattress, or even a waterbed, it is quite reasonable to sleep on a softer mattress.

As an overall rule of thumb, any mattress that helps a person sleep well, so that he or she wakes feeling rested and refreshed, and without pain and stiffness, is the best mattress for that individual.

Sleep Posture

No matter what position you lie in, the pillow should be under your head, but not your shoulders, and should be a thickness that allows your head to be in a normal position. Try to sleep in a position which helps you maintain the curve in your back, such as on your back with a pillow under your knees; or on your side with your knees slightly bent.  You may want to avoid sleeping on your stomach, since this can cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck.

Courtesy of the American Chiropractic Association.