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What Kind of Mattress is Best for Lower Back Pain?
By fthomas | April 29, 2009
I have terrible lower back pain that only seems to surface when I lie down. In other words, when I lie down I feel ok but when I get up I feel as though I’ve been run over by a truck and my lower back is crushed. My current mattress is a Sealy Pillow Top (about 6 years old) and I think I need a new one but there are so many options….help! Here are a few of my questions….
1. Is an Extra Firm Mattress Best? If not, what kind?
2. What is the Best Mattress Brand for Back Pain?
3. Are Memory Foam Mattresses and Good?
4. Has Anyone Tried Bedding—Mattresses/Beds from IKEA?
5. Is it ok to buy Mattresses on line? What sites are best?
Topics: Best Mattresses | 6 Comments »
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 am
Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed!!!
Memory foam mattresses are comfy if you buy a really thick one.
I probably wouldn’t buy a mattress from IKEA because they are probably really cheap and not very high quality.
I would try Overstock or Amazon if you’re looking for the best price.
May 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 am
Only YOU can determine which mattress configuration satisfies YOUR comfort preferences. Consider firm talalay latex with a wool fleece pad.
May 5th, 2009 at 10:58 am
There’s a mattress out now that you can adjust the firmness or softness to fit/mold to your own comfort level. I can’t remember the name of it, but if you call a mattress store and ask, I’m almost positive they will know exactly which one I’m talking about. A friend of mine have the same type back problem as you, and she said this mattress works great for her.
May 8th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
When doctors used to recommend an extra firm mattress for people suffering from back pain, I was always disturbed as to why they would say this.
If you think about it, a floor is about as firm as you can get, right?
Try lying down on the floor on your back with your legs stretched out. Now slip your hand between the small of your back and the floor.
There’s a big hole there that you can easily slide your hand through, isn’t there? That means there’s nothing at all supporting the small of your back.
How can that be a good thing? The best test for a mattress, to see if it’s going to support your back is to lie down on your back for a while then try sliding your hand under the small of your back.
Don’t roll up or anything like that. Just lie flat and try to slide your hand between the mattress and the small of your back.
The more difficult it is to slide your hand in there, the better support you’re getting from that mattress. You’re much less likely to wake up with a back ache.
By the way, the firm mattress myth has been debunked by researchers recently so I guess I was right back then.
Memory foam mattresses are great for relieving low back pain if they are a quality memory foam. You should look for foam that’s over 5 lb. density.
May 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
That is a personal thing. Every one is different so you will have to try them out to determine which one is best for you.
Before you go out to buy another mattress, try a chiropractor for the low back stuff. It might save you a lot of money.
May 10th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Tempurpedic Extra Firm Mattress is the best! If you are married you might investigate the “Sleep Number” bed. Both are excellent. Answer to #3 is NO. I have not tried bedding/mattresses from IKEA. Answer to $5 is NO.