Is Your Memory Foam Mattress Causing Back Pain?

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Experts estimate that about 80% of the population experience back pain at some point in their lives. More often, back pain arises from an improper sleeping position. So before worrying about whether something is wrong with your body, think again. Back pain is not something that we can solely relate to age alone. In many cases, sleeping in the wrong way triggers spine misalignment, which happens when your mattress does not provide adequate support for proper sleeping posture.

Is your memory foam mattress causing back pain? Memory foam mattresses generally do not cause back pain and are preferred over spring mattresses. However, depending on your body shape and weight, you may sink into it and create a misalignment in your spine. This misalignment can cause back pain.

Not everyone benefits from a memory foam mattress. Those who have weight evenly distributed throughout their body may benefit more than those who are heavier in certain areas. Those areas are more likely to sink and cause misalignment.

Memory foam mattresses adjust to your body shape and help distribute your weight evenly across the mattress surface, relieving the neck and spine from unnecessary pressure.

Still, your body type and weight dictate the nature of the support you need while sleeping. It helps to choose your memory foam mattress well. Picking the wrong type may cause you to suffer from back pain and sleepless nights.

How To Know If Your Bed is Causing Back Pain

Back pain can be troublesome, and it can also be confusing to pinpoint what is causing it. The mattress you sleep on at night plays a huge part in how you feel in the morning. One factor to look out for is the time of occurrence. Back pain when you wake up may tell you that your mattress is hurting your back.

New Memory Foam Mattress May Cause Back Pain

Sleeping on a memory foam mattress gives you that nice, comfortable feeling, but you may find yourself suffering from back pain after sleeping on a new one. Memory foam mattresses are designed and marketed with a focus on comfort and proper spine alignment.

Still, memory foam is not perfect for everyone. While this type of mattress provides support for the lumbar and aligns the spine, some sleepers may experience different results. It may take time to used to sleeping in your new mattress before you enjoy the rewards of your purchase.

Regular use helps in the process, as memory foam mattresses typically soften with use. Spending more time, such as sitting, reading, and watching tv on it, will make it more squishy to your preference. Or consider a soft and plush topper for extra cushioning (view on Amazon).

Memory Foam Mattress Topper Causing Back Pain

Just like a memory foam mattress, a topper can also cause spine misalignment and back pain. A firm mattress with a memory foam topper may seem like the perfect pair, but having that soft top can make you sink into it and cause back pain, depending on your body shape.

Advantages of Memory Foam Mattress

Prevents Aches and Pains

A feature with memory foam mattresses is that they help relieve body aches and pains. The heat from your body helps soften the memory foam in its appropriate points. The mattress adjusts to the curves of your body, helping ease pain and prevent discomfort from forming while you sleep.

Anti-Allergenic Properties

The anti-allergenic properties of memory foam help relieve allergies. The allergic flare-ups caused by mold, dust mites, and other bacteria almost do not exist on memory foam mattresses. Investing in a hypoallergenic memory foam mattress (view on Amazon) that is breathable and anti-bacterial helps you have a good night’s sleep. This product is perfect if you are looking to buy an easy to maintain and high-quality mattress.

Movement Isolation

One endearing belief says that sleeping next to someone you love makes you fall asleep faster. But we all know that being disturbed by your partner’s movement won’t make you sleep well. The movement isolation technology in memory foams helps contain movements in the area where they occur. So, the movements of a restless sleeper will not interrupt the person’s slumber on the other side of the bed.

Superior Durability

Another benefit of investing in a memory foam mattress is its superior durability compared to other types of mattresses. They are less likely to sag and may last up to ten years. It is well worth it to purchase a mattress that offers comfort and quality.

Disadvantages Of Memory Foam Mattress

Sleeping on a memory foam mattress is recommended for people who suffer from back pain. Still, some sleepers may experience back pain and other discomforts with this type of a mattress. Here are some of the disadvantages of this product:

Retains Heat

Memory foam mattresses retain body heat, a feature that can make sleepers uncomfortable during warm weather. You may still enjoy the benefits of these products, and opt for those that have ventilated designs to improve airflow (view on Amazon). These products have infused plush gel materials that help control temperature, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable sleep climate. You can also keep your bed cooler by buying breathable bedding, such as cotton.

Off-Gassing Property

Memory foam products may produce an odd smell, otherwise called off-gassing. These products are made of materials that give off an irritating odor. The Sleep Products Safety Council recommends airing out your mattress to dissipate the smell.

Pricey 

These products are quite expensive. However, their high costs come with durability and quality that lets the buyer enjoy a comfortable mattress.

How Long Does It Take Your Body to Get Used to a Memory Foam Mattress?

It may take about 2 to 3 weeks of regular use for the body to get used to any form of mattress. Here are ways to speed up the process of getting used to your new memory foam mattress:

Find time to walk gently on the mattress several times daily. Like most things that are new in your life, you need time to adjust and become comfortable with your bed. You can put a bit of weight, such as stuffed shoe boxes, and hard-bound books to speed up the process.

The temperature-sensitivity of a memory foam mattress allows it to react to body heat. This feature makes it respond to body temperature and mold to the shape of your body. It conforms to the body and is amazingly comfortable even as the sleeper moves on any position.

Is Memory Foam Mattress Good for Your Back?

Memory foam mattresses were used initially for the NASA airplane seats. It gained popularity for its versatile material and later introduced in hospitals to make patients feel comfortable.

A night of restful and comfortable sleep is achievable with the adequate back support provided by a modifiable but firm memory foam mattress. This mattress conforms to the shape of the body and helps keep the proper alignment of the spine.

Sleepers who complain of back pains resulting from poor alignment will benefit from the viscoelastic nature (view on Amazon) of memory foam mattresses. This feature allows this type of mattress to conform to the pressure points of the body, including the hips and the shoulders.

Additional comfort is necessary, especially for those who need adequate rest to nurse their back injuries. Healing happens most during sleep, and a night of comfortable and interrupted sleep is vital in the therapeutic process.

Bed buyers may find it pricey, but it’s all worth it, especially for people who suffer from back pain.

Best Mattresses for Back Pain

The prevailing thought is that sleeping on the firmest mattress helps relieve a bad back. However, recent studies reveal no one type of mattress that fits everyone’s needs. The best way to pick out a memory foam mattress that suits your need and comfort is to choose based on your personal preference.

Here are essential tips to consider when choosing your mattress:

• The product helps to keep proper spine alignment. Proper posture during sleep helps in relaxing your back while you sleep. Typically, the memory foam mattress that fits your need lets you wake up feeling well-rested and free of soreness. People who experience sleep issues associated with back pain may benefit from sleeping on a Spectra Orthopedic Mattress (view on Amazon). This mattress provides constant support that keeps the mid-section from sinking into the bed. 
• Remember that what is too firm or too soft is not the same for everyone. For example, a sleeper who feels comfortable on a mattress with a softer surface may not feel the same on a firmer one.
• You may need to apply pressure on the mattress to check if it gets back to its original form within a few seconds. This feature ensures that you can freely move and change your sleeping position anytime.

Conclusion – Is Your Memory Foam Mattress Causing Back Pain?

Memory foam mattresses are among the most well-liked mattresses, especially among people who experience back pain. This type of mattress is favorable among people looking to buy a new bed for their conforming and pain-relieving abilities. Many sleepers recommend memory foam mattresses to new buyers for their effectiveness in alleviating discomfort.

Every sleeper’s need may differ, which prompted memory foam manufacturers to design mattresses at different levels of firmness to help people sleep better. Memory foam mattresses not only help relieve pain but also achieve deeper sleep and rest.

The right mattress is not the only factor that matters in easing your back pain. Other factors include sleep position, the kind of pillows, and toppers and where you place them. However, you may need to call and schedule a visit to your doctor if the discomfort has not improved.