We consider back pain to be something temporary, and using a pain relief spray is our go-to solution for improving the situation.
But what happens when the same back pain is no longer temporary? When you wake up each day with discomforting pain, and eventually the pain relief spray doesn’t help improve the situation. When your mornings start with an ‘Argh’ instead of an ‘Aah’, it’s not a pleasant feeling.
Have you wondered what could be the reason for this? It may be your mattress!
Having restful sleep is important for all individuals. However, sleeping on the wrong mattress can lead to back pain or worsen existing back pain. In this blog post, we will analyse the top 10 signs that can help you confirm if your mattress is causing back pain.
Signs That Your Mattress is Causing Back Pain
1. Your mornings are associated with back pain
A discomforting back pain immediately after waking up could be the first sign that your mattress is the reason behind it. It could also be that your sleeping position is causing discomfort, but in a situation like that, it may be temporary. So, if your back pain lasts the entire day, your sleeping posture may not be the reason behind it.
2. A comforting position in bed is hard to come by
Your bed is the place you look for comfort at the end of a tiring day. But if you find it hard to get into a comfortable position even after hitting the bed, your mattress may be the problem. The ideal mattress should help you with a comforting position as soon as you hit the bed.
3. Too soft for comfort
Most of us crave a soft and light mattress that makes us feel as though we are lying down on a bed of clouds. But did you know that too soft a mattress can worsen your back pain? Your spine needs support and a neutral position, and when this is hard to come by, it can lead to back pain.
4. Too hard for your liking
Now, while a soft mattress may not provide enough support for your spine, a hard mattress can lead to back pain as well. A hard mattress can lead to joint pressure and is more likely to cause discomfort. Hence, choosing a right mattress that is neither too soft nor too hard should be your aim.
But how do you decide on this?
Use these simple tricks to find the perfect mattress:
- When you lie down on your bed, and your hips sink lower than your shoulders, your mattress is too soft.
- When you lie down on your bed and both your hips and shoulder are lying flat on the surface at the same height, your mattress is too hard.
5. You wake up quite often
While it is normal to wake up if you need to use the washroom or change your sleep position, waking up often may be a sign that your sleep is affected, and your mattress may not be providing you with a comfortable and long-lasting sleep posture.
6. Lack of edge support
Typically, most people turn around in their sleep and rarely do they wake up in the same position that they slept in the night before. But, while rolling over, if you feel that you may fall off the bed, that’s a problem. This could be a warning sign that your mattress is not providing you with the edge support you require for a peaceful night’s sleep.
7. Lumpy mattresses
If your mattress is old, it may form certain lumps that your body and especially your back can instantly notice. Sleeping on a lumpy mattress will not only cause back pain but eventually may lead to permanent issues. The easiest way to sort out this problem could be to rotate your mattress or purchase a mattress topper. But it’s important to understand that these temporary fixes may not solve the underlying problem. As a general rule, consider changing or replacing your mattress once every 7-10 years.
8. Comfortable sleep seems like a distant dream
If you wake up in the morning not feeling rested, that’s a clear warning sign. The aim of your mattress should be to provide you with the comfort that you desire. But if comfortable sleep is something you crave and do not get easier, it’s about time you consider changing your mattress.
9. You are always tired and it’s not because of work
Your sleep is directly proportional to your energy levels throughout the day. So if your mattress isn’t providing you with quality sleep, you are bound to feel low and tired. Most of us may blame the weather, food habits, too much work, etc as the cause of tiredness, but the underlying cause may be the low-quality mattress.
10. You just got a new mattress
Like everything else, your body also needs time to adapt to a new mattress. It is only logical then to assume that your new mattress may not be at fault just yet. Give your body some time to adjust to this. Soon you will be able to make out the difference and figure out if the mattress is the right one or not. And if it’s not the right one, consider changing it immediately.
Conclusion
Now that you know the top signs that your mattress is causing back pain, you must watch out for them. If you are looking to switch your mattress, due to underlying back pain, we recommend purchasing a mattress with adequate back support.
