As Google found out, nine out of ten search queries about pain among Russians concern specific parts of the body: the back and neck. In this sense, a good mattress for a person with a problem back is not just a whim, but a necessity. In this article we will tell you how to choose a mattress for a sore back with radiculitis, arthritis, scoliosis and other common diseases.
How to choose a good mattress if you have a bad back?
When wondering how to choose a mattress for a sore back, you need to adhere to general recommendations and tips:
- At the selection stage, you need to check the smell of the sleeping surface: if it is unpleasant, it is better to refuse the purchase.
- The product must have orthopedic properties and maintain the curves of the body, providing additional zonal support. A high-quality mattress removes the load from individual parts of the spine and distributes it evenly over the surface.
- To sleep comfortably on your back, it is better to use medium-hard mattresses, and for both your back and stomach, use hard models.
- Science has proven that unhealthy sleep makes you want to eat junk food rich in fat, protein and bad cholesterol.
- In patients with diabetes, poor sleep can worsen the disease, and frequent lack of sleep leads to depressive disorders.
- The correct sleeping surface has a positive effect on the immune, nervous, cardiovascular and other systems of the body.
Scoliosis
Springless models of medium and moderate-high rigidity.
Honnemed Leben XL mattress - licensed orthopedic model
Recommended pose. It is advisable to sleep lying on your back.
Material of manufacture. Natural/artificial latex, coconut.
Preventive measures. Preference should be given to mattresses of high or medium hardness.
Mattresses for scoliosis
Which orthopedic mattress is better to choose, taking into account age and illness
An important criterion for choosing a mattress is the age of the person who will sleep on it. Depending on this value, a suitable degree of hardness is selected. Products with increased rigidity are recommended for young people, and moderate ones for older people.
Less than 25 years old
At the age of 25, the body is actively developing. And in order for the spinal column to be formed properly, it is necessary to use a comfortable and anatomically correct sleeping surface. It uses hard mattresses with orthopedic properties. They maintain the curves of the spine, preventing it from bending or deforming.
How to choose a mattress for a person 25-49 years old
Starting from the age of 25, special physiological changes in the development of the body stop. The basic systems are finally formed, so to choose a mattress it is enough to take into account the physical condition and lifestyle of a person. During this period, surfaces with varying degrees of hardness are acceptable. It all depends on personal preference. As the body ages, you need to switch to soft mattresses, which are characterized by high anatomical properties. They relieve stress from the body and spine, and also improve the functionality of the circulatory and respiratory systems during rest.
Basic Rules
A mattress for osteochondrosis must perform therapeutic functions, be of high quality and comply with accepted standards.
For a comfortable sleep, you need to choose the right size of the product. The model must have a margin of at least 10 centimeters from the legs and head of a person equally. A comfortable width is 80 - 85 centimeters. Convenient parameters of the product allow you not to limit body movements during sleep. It is better to choose a mattress according to a person’s individual measurements. Manufacturers make products to order upon request from the buyer.
How to choose a mattress with an orthopedic effect, taking into account the weight of the sleeper
An equally important selection criterion is the weight of the sleeping person. If it varies between 60-90 kg, there are no special requirements for the mattress. For people weighing 40-60 kg, it is necessary to use the softest models, and if the weight exceeds 90 kg, the hardest, age-appropriate ones. Also, orthopedic surfaces have a limitation on the maximum load per bed. Therefore, if you need to choose a mattress for two people, it is important to take into account not only their weight category, but also the difference in weight. The permissible value is 40 kg and is applicable for most orthopedic models.
Intervertebral (intervertebral) hernia
Most often, intervertebral hernia is a consequence of the development of osteochondrosis, but the mechanism of pain in this case is much more complex, since the nerve endings located in the spinal ganglia, and subsequently the centers of the spinal cord located above, are involved. Therefore, methods of treating osteochondrosis can often even be harmful in case of intervertebral hernia. There are many tips and recommendations on how to sleep properly to prevent this disease, but there is no clear answer on how to do this when a hernia already exists. This is understandable. It is too difficult a task, which depends on the age of the person, the location of the hernia, the stage of development of the disease, the treatment you choose and many other factors. None of the mattresses, neither absolutely natural latex, nor hard coconut, and even the most expensive orthopedic mattress, can guarantee the absence of another painful exacerbation. Therefore, only the attending physician and your own experience can help here.
Mattress for a sore back: features of choice
If a person has back problems, the choice of mattress should be made taking into account various nuances and subtleties.
Using an unsuitable sleeping surface will cause discomfort and will only worsen the patient's condition. If the mattress is too hard or too soft, the spine will face significant stress while sleeping. Muscles and joints will not be able to relax properly, and when waking up in the morning, a person will feel tired and pain. The optimal type of orthopedic product depends on the form and extent of the disease.
Hernia
Many people suffer from progressive herniated discs. Depending on the nature of its course, this pathology can cause severe discomfort and pain, both during physical activity and during rest. In order not to encounter unpleasant sensations while staying in a sleeping place, it is necessary to use a comfortable, anatomically correct mattress. But what should it be? On the one hand, hard models do not allow the spine to relax normally, and soft products are not able to provide the necessary support to the spinal column.
Experts recommend giving preference to models with moderate rigidity. They allow you to get a normal night's sleep, waking up alert and rested. The optimal degree of hardness depends on the following factors:
- Weight of a sleeping person;
- Age;
- Filler and features of the model.
Scoliosis
People with scoliosis should use special orthopedic mattresses that are designed to correct the curvature of the spine. When choosing the appropriate option, you must be guided by the following principles:
- It is better to avoid products with a soft surface. The degree of hardness should be medium or high.
- When using spring models, it is important to consider the type of spring. Patients are shown surfaces with independent springs that are able to maintain the problem area in the correct position.
- A good degree of rigidity is typical for mattresses made of coconut or latex. When using springless models, it is recommended to give preference to products made of bamboo, polyurethane and orthopedic foam.
- All mattresses with an orthopedic surface are distinguished by anatomical qualities. But for people with scoliosis, it is better to use structures without springs with increased elasticity.
Radiculitis
When choosing a mattress for a sore back with progressive radiculitis, you need to choose models with medium hardness, which are equipped with low pillows.
The surface used should ideally follow the contours of the body, providing precise adjustment to the curves. A good option would be a mattress based on independent springs, made of coconut coir and soft filler. When using springless models, preference should be given to latex products or an orthopedic foam mattress. They effectively relieve stress from soft tissues and help relax all muscle groups.
Sciatica
If sciatica develops, you should rest on a moderately hard mattress with a small pillow. Products based on memory foam and natural latex have good orthopedic properties. They can relieve tension from soft tissues and internal organs.
Osteochondrosis
Which mattress is best to use for osteochondrosis is a controversial question.
This pathology progresses not only in older people, but also at a young age, both with increased activity and with a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, the selection process must be careful, taking into account the individual physiological characteristics of the structure. For representatives of the middle age group, products with medium hardness are indicated, for older patients - soft mattresses. The use of overly hard or overly soft sleeping surfaces is unacceptable. It is important to find the so-called “golden mean”.
Experts advise choosing products with a successful combination of elastic-hard coconut coir with soft latex fillers or polyurethane foam.
Osteoarthritis
If you have osteoarthritis, you should not use soft surfaces. Such a degenerative-dystrophic change affects cartilage tissue and requires effective treatment. To relieve pain, it is better to sleep on your side, in the fetal position, which allows the joints to open normally, reducing pressure on the affected area. The best solution is a product based on coconut coir combined with elastic orthopedic memory foam.
After 50 years
If the age of the sleeping person exceeds 50 years, it is recommended to use springless products made of polyurethane foam with increased softness.
They have an excellent relaxing effect, ensuring good blood circulation. Resting on such a mattress, you can quickly fall asleep and wake up without feeling tired. For connoisseurs of hard sleeping surfaces who do not have problems with the spinal column, mattresses with coconut filling or a spring block are recommended. They are able to quickly adapt to the curves of the body, unloading it during rest.
Lower back and neck pain
For severe pain in the lumbar and cervical region, it is recommended to buy mattresses filled with coconut, latex or holofiber. You can also use spring products with good orthopedic properties. High-quality models are able to stretch the spine, maintaining its correct proportions, and also localize pain, relieving the load on soft tissues.
Protrusions
If protrusions were detected during a clinical examination of the patient, he needs to abandon hard surfaces in favor of soft mattresses. To reduce the risk of problems with intervertebral discs after 45 years, you cannot use hard sleeping structures, because they are not able to relieve stress from soft tissues and only increase pain.
Lumbago
People with progressive lumbago (acute pain in the lumbar region) should use mattresses with medium firmness. They guarantee sound and healthy sleep, evenly distributing the load on the shoulder and hip areas. Staying on such a surface improves blood circulation and fights severe pain.
How to choose a mattress after surgery or a fracture
After surgery or a fracture, the patient needs to undergo long and complex rehabilitation.
It consists of using hard sleeping surfaces filled with coconut fiber. If before the incident the patient slept on a soft mattress, abandoning it in favor of a hard product will be problematic. But the body quickly gets used to new conditions. To increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation, it is necessary to buy mattresses with a therapeutic and massage effect.
Price categories
Orthopedic, functional products that are indicated for hernias and bone deformations cost from 8,000 rubles. The price of a mattress is influenced by various factors:
- size, material, filler;
- manufacturer, mattress company.
If a person has health problems and orthopedic products were prescribed for prevention purposes, then you should not skimp on their quality.
By purchasing a mattress that is smaller than the bed or made from low-quality materials, the patient risks aggravating the situation and developing new health problems. Modern manufacturers offer high-quality models with a long service life, so such a mattress will recoup the money spent on it.
Disadvantages of hard mattresses
It is not advisable to use overly hard mattresses for diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
They not only prevent muscles and joints from resting normally, but also aggravate the pain syndrome. Products with increased rigidity form pressure points in the pelvis and shoulder area. Such proportions create inconvenience for people who like to sleep on their sides. Also, the presence of points increases discomfort in case of existing problems with the spine.
Too hard mattresses are not able to support the spine in the correct position. They provide support only for the heavy parts of the body, i.e. shoulder and hips.
Conclusion:
There is no ideal mattress suitable for all back problems. The right decisions on the path to an ideal design are consultation with a doctor and store consultants.
“A mattress alone cannot cure a bad back. There is also no one solution for all diseases. But nevertheless, he plays an important role. While we sleep, we cannot control our body, and a well-chosen mattress will protect our spine from overload, maintaining it in the correct physiological position and helping to relieve pain.”
Ivan Palchikov , chiropractor at the Vitalong clinic
Why back pain depends on the mattress
The occurrence of acute pain after waking up may be due to the use of a low-quality or unsuitable mattress.
After a long stay in a sleeping place, many people complain of numbness, heaviness and a feeling of “brokenness”. If such symptoms appear immediately after purchasing a new surface, this is a normal process of the body getting used to new conditions. But if they worsen and are noticed after 2-3 weeks, you will have to consult a specialist.
It is quite possible that the mattress is not of sufficient quality and has a manufacturing defect. It is also possible that the product is incompatible with the anatomical features of a sleeping person.
Protrusions
Protrusions are degenerative changes in the vertebrae, in which their integrity is preserved. It is generally accepted among orthopedists that protrusion is the initial form of pathology, which can subsequently lead to a hernia. It can - but it doesn't always work if you take certain precautions and sleep on soft surfaces. Before choosing a place to sleep, you must undergo an examination and an MRI. If you really have a protrusion and not a hernia, then choose a soft mattress, and if you do have a hernia, then you can consider medium-hard mattresses.
Which mattress is better for a bad back: spring or springless?
When faced with purchasing a new mattress, you have to choose between spring and springless models.
As you know, for patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, products with an elastic base that do not bend under the influence of loads are recommended. At the same time, the rigidity of the surface layer under the cover does not in any way affect the comfort of rest, so for a healthy sleep you can use designs with or without springs. An exception may be a mattress with dependent Bonnell blocks.
Environmental friendliness of models
In the production of mattress models, natural and artificial components are used.
If a person has back problems or needs treatment or prevention, then it is necessary to use models with natural materials or half made of latex. Models with several filler options are popular. Experts do not recommend buying products made entirely of synthetics; such models have a low price, but they quickly lose their functionality and become unusable.
An important component of the product is the cover, which is made of linen or cotton. Some people are prone to allergic reactions to natural materials, so this factor is taken into account when purchasing a mattress.
The right level of firmness for the mattress
If the surface of the mattress is not suitable for a particular person, it will not be able to support the spinal column while resting, and will only aggravate problems with the musculoskeletal system. Determining the correct firmness level is easy. It should provide effective relaxation of the muscles and spine as a whole after daily exercise, and also provide a massage effect. To relieve pain, it is important to use a comfortable surface that guarantees good blood circulation. The golden mean will be an average level of hardness.
Back pain and its prevention
In order not to suffer from acute back pain, it is necessary to follow several recommendations from specialists and prevent the development of spinal diseases.
First of all, women should stop constantly walking in high heels, because... this causes improper load distribution. Low physical activity associated with sedentary work often leads to exacerbation of pain in the musculoskeletal system. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, it is necessary to use a high-quality work chair with armrests and a hard back.
Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and poor nutrition are a serious threat to the body. If you do not reduce them to a minimum, this will lead to problems not only with your back, but with other systems and organs.
Choosing a mattress for people with spinal diseases is a responsible process that requires special attention. If you ignore a number of rules and recommendations, this will aggravate the condition of the spine and lead to additional disorders.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) of the spine
If you have this disease, it is recommended to fall asleep on your side, tucking your knees to your chest, in the so-called “fetal position.” This arrangement helps open up the joints of the spine and reduces pressure on arthritic areas. It is better to have a bed with an adjustable base, as this allows you to choose the most comfortable angle for raising your head and legs. Soft mattresses are contraindicated, and this must be taken into account, even if you are a fan of feather beds. It is quite possible to find a comfortable position for falling asleep on a soft mattress, but by turning over in your sleep you run a very high risk of touching the sore area, which will lead to pain.
