Back pain is a condition that impacts one’s life. It impairs one’s mobility and ability to participate in various activities, which, in turn, leads to an inability to maintain good health which creates a vicious cycle. Back pain also adversely impacts one’s ability to sleep restfully owing to the constant pain. Just as proper posture during the course of the day is important for relieving back pain, one’s posture or spine alignment when asleep is equally important.

Almost a third of one’s life is spent sleeping in bed. Hence, choosing the right mattress to support the back and relieve back pain goes a long way in resolving back problems and pain.

Here are some tips to choose the best mattress for back pain.

Different people, different solutions

It is important to recognize that the needs of different people for proper back support are unique. While someone with narrow hips would be happy with the support of a firmer mattress, a person with wider hips may require a softer mattress to help keep the spine properly aligned.

Try before buying a mattress

A great tip when buying a mattress to help reduce back pain is to check it by lying in different positions on a mattress before buying it. Checking the type and brand of the mattress gives one a good idea to start searching for the right type.

Mattresses have a lifespan

Regardless of the type of mattress, it has been found that swapping an old mattress for a new one after about 9 years always makes a positive difference. This leads to the conclusion that it is important to replace mattresses every 9 to 10 years.

Pillows

Proper pillow support is as important as the mattress. Selecting a suitable pillow as well as a mattress will help keep one’s spine properly aligned when asleep.

Proper box spring base

Studies have shown that a good box spring base not only improves the comfort of the mattress but also prolongs the life of a new mattress.

Foam or spring mattress

When making a choice between either foam or spring mattress, one should keep in mind the advantages that each mattress type has. Foam technology has made great advances in creating memory foam that actually adjusts to the shape of a person. However, there has to be sufficient memory foam used to give the mattress a lasting effect. Spring mattresses, on the other hand, are supportive but not in the individualized way that memory foam is. Memory foam gives the feeling of sinking into a bed while springs give a bouncy resilient effect. When inner springs are used, one should make sure that enough springs are present in the mattress as it may sag over time.

These are some useful tips that can help in choosing a mattress for back pain.