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It is estimated that approximately 550 million people worldwide suffer from lower back pain at any one time according to Sleepy’s Express. The cause of the lower back pain is indeterminable but rest assured, a lot of the problems are caused by poor posture. Can a decent mattress resolve many of these issues?
In this article, we will discover the best mattresses for helping with lower back pain that has resulted from poor posture. It is known that a good quality mattress can be the answer to your problems.
Let’s dive in.
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Do memory foam mattresses help with back pain?
The answer has to be yes, and no. Not all memory foam mattresses are the same. There are lower quality produced mattresses that are just for light-bodyweight sleepers that offer a level of comfort and support and nothing more.
But as you increase the scale of quality, the memory foam mattress has a lot to offer those who suffer from lower back pain.
You can purchase memory foam mattresses on a firmness scale such as the one below:
Memory Foam Mattress Firmness Scale
It is easy to interpret, but how do you know what firmness of mattress you need for lower back pain?
It seems evident that selecting an extra soft mattress may exacerbate your back pain, while the extra firm just may be too damn hard to sleep on.
The number one choice should be a medium to firm mattress, and this memory foam mattress will support your joints and keep your spine aligned while sleeping.
There has been a small study from Harvard University that examined lower back pain. During the study, they issued 300 mattresses varying in firmness, and the mattress with the best results was medium firm.
It is a small study, but in the absence of anything more relevant, you can take the empirical evidence as a baseline to start from, which dispels softer mattresses for lower back pain.
Will a Latex mattress relieve lower back pain?
It has to be said that latex mattresses are gloriously comfortable. Opting for the natural latex mattress will reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.
The latex mattress is sold on a similar firmness scale to memory foam, with some latex mattresses able to combine two different firmness levels on either side of the bed, which is ideal if your partner prefers a soft mattress.
The critical factor when you buy a latex mattress is to ensure that you are sleeping on the mattress and not in the mattress that is forcing your joints to be in an awkward position.
Your latex mattress will be constructed in many layers to ensure you are supported along the length of your body, particularly at pressure points like your shoulders, hips, and knees.
Of course, adding a latex mattress topper is always possible before you take a leap of faith and buy a completely new latex mattress.
Are Hybrid mattresses good for lower back pain?
Despite what mattress manufacturers say about hybrid mattresses, it is an excellent choice for a mattress when you have lower back pain.
The hybrid mattress gives you the best of both worlds. You have a mattress that is constructed in layers starting with the base of pocket springs. Pockets springs have been used to manufacture the best quality beds worldwide, so don’t discard the idea quickly.
The pocket springs are covered with coir or wool to dampen the movement of the pocket springs giving a more precise movement when you are lying down.
Your hybrid mattress will either be finished with a final layer of memory foam or latex to bring the luxurious softness to the mattress.
Again the hybrid mattress will have varying levels of firmness and support, so ensure that when you lay on the bed, you feel the support at all of the pressure points on your body.
The hybrid mattress offers a lot of versatility and could be the best mattress for lower back pain caused by poor posture.
Is the orthopedic mattress the best mattress for lower back pain?
The orthopedic mattress could be considered an anomaly among the three other mattresses discussed in the article.
The use of the word orthopedic conjures up the thought that it is a mattress used in hospitals for people suffering orthopedic issues, and that’s just not true.
The word orthopedic loosely means supporting joints, which is emphasised when associated with a mattress.
It is typically used for mattresses that help with spinal alignment and recovery from joint or back issues.
Did you know that in the construction of an orthopedic bed, none of the materials are certified as orthopaedic or for orthopedic use? So, why are they called orthopedic mattresses?
It is a great question, and the answer is simple. A marketing guru was tasked with increasing the sales of a firm mattress, and he called it an orthopadic mattress. It worked!
To be fair and frank, some orthopedic mattresses stand by the name and alleviate lower back pain. They have helped many people over the years, but the truth is that the orthopedic is possibly closer to a hybrid mattress than any other type on the market.
Due to the nature and marketing of orthopedic mattresses, you should take great care when considering this type of mattress and research to find the right mattress for you.
It is a real pity that orthopedic mattresses have come under the banner of being difficult to decide what’s fiction and what is true.
The bottom line
With all of the mattresses covered in this topic, there are essential factors to consider before you take the plunge and buy a mattress expecting your lower back pain to be resolved.
As with any mattress, your weight is a significant issue. Buy a mattress that can support your weight, which may mean buying a firm mattress if you are heavy.
Tyr mattresses out before you buy if possible, and don’t be duped by marketing executives.
