Back pain happens to nearly all of us at some point in our life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. When back pain comes suddenly, it can be both confusing and inconvenient. What is causing your back pain if you haven’t changed anything in your daily schedule? The answer may surprise you- it could be your mattress.
It’s tough to pinpoint exactly where your back pain is coming from. With that being said, there are a few clues that point towards your current mattress being the culprit. These include:
#1 You wake up sore
The first clue to pay attention to is when your back pain occurs. If you notice your back pain immediately when you first wake up, but you can stretch to get rid of it within 15 or 30 minutes, then that is a red flag that your mattress is doing your spinal alignment more harm than good.
#2 You toss and turn at night
Also, if you find yourself waking up frequently throughout the night because you are tossing and turning trying to get to sleep, then that is also a sign that your mattress isn’t giving you enough support. Remember, it is vital to your mental and physical health that your body completes the entire sleep cycle. Waking up frequently keeps your body from the Deep Sleep and REM it desperately needs.
#3 Your mattress is old
An old mattress, especially if it was on the cheaper end of the spectrum when you originally purchased it, may no longer be holding up the way it used to. As a mattress ages, they can begin to sag in the middle. Rather than sleeping on a flat, comfortable surface, you eventually find yourself sleeping on one that’s awkwardly curved in the middle. No mattress lasts forever, and an achy back and shoulders is often an indicator that your sleeping surface has seen better days. It won’t get better; you’ll need to replace your mattress in order to avoid the soreness.
Remember, firmer doesn’t necessarily mean better for your back. In a recent study, people with ongoing general back pain who slept on a medium-firm mattress hurt less and were able to move better than those who slept on a firm mattress. Does that mean firm is bad? No, definitely not. The important thing to remember here is that when it comes to sleep needs, one size doesn't fit all. Choose your mattress based on your usual sleep position, comfort preferences, as well as the cause of your back pain. If you aren’t sure exactly how to find the best mattress for you, a City Mattress Sleep Expert will be happy to help!