Orthopedic pillows and mattresses: treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine these days. Physical inactivity of the 21st century has led to the fact that every third person on planet Earth suffers from this disease. It can develop in any joint, but most often affects the intervertebral discs.

Depending on the affected area, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis occurs. This disease requires complex and long-term treatment. A mattress alone cannot cure a sore back, but in this case it 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 relieve pain.

What mattress should you choose for osteochondrosis?

What is osteochondrosis?

The sedentary lifestyle characteristic of modern humans leads to irreversible changes in the intervertebral discs. The cartilage tissue hardens, the size of the discs decreases, which leads to the convergence of the vertebrae. The result is back pain, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms. According to statistics, more than 80% of people currently suffer from osteochondrosis.

It is the wrong position during sleep that results in ailments in the morning. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right surface for sleeping at night.

Useful tips

It is best to go to the store with relatives or friends. They will monitor the condition of the spinal column in a horizontal position. In a physiological position, there should be no gap between the mattress and the lower back. You should listen to the sensations that arise. The rapid appearance of the desire to roll over indicates excessive rigidity. And pain that occurs in the back after 10-15 minutes indicates a low degree of fixation.

If the mattress is purchased for preventive purposes, then you can visit the store at any time of the day. And doctors recommend that patients with osteochondrosis go shopping during the day. In the morning, symptoms of pathology rarely occur; The body constantly produces substances that relieve painful sensations. By lunchtime, their effect stops, and the vertebrae and discs suffer from stress. Therefore, this is the most convenient time to determine the ability of an orthopedic device. After all, in the evening after a hard day, any mattress will seem comfortable. In large showrooms, buyers are allowed to lie down to evaluate the quality of the model. This opportunity should be taken advantage of.

Types of mattresses used for osteochondrosis

There is no one-size-fits-all option for people suffering from back pain. With the right approach, any type of anatomical mattress can be used:

• 1. Models with a dependent spring block are the least popular among patients. This is due to the lack of rigidity zones in such a product. The impact on some springs causes others to move, which can result in a “hammock” effect. This is what often leads to back pain. However, having an extra hard layer of coconut coir or other filler can improve the situation. You can also sleep on a mattress with a dependent spring block if you use a special mattress cover.
• 2. Products with an independent spring unit are most preferable for people suffering from back pain. The anatomical model provides full support for the spine during sleep in any position. Allows you to fully relax without creating unnecessary back pressure.
• 3. Springless mattresses can be a real salvation for those who are plagued by spinal diseases. Thanks to the proper arrangement of layers, you can achieve the most positive effect.

A person has three important pillars in life: family, willpower and a healthy spine. We can create and develop the first two for ourselves, but the third is hidden within us, and it can be problematic to control the state of the pillar of the whole organism. We often begin to think about the health of the spine when we hear the first “bells” about its problems.

The causes of the usual neck crunch, back pain, numbness in an arm or leg, “lumbago” in the lower back and other unpleasant sensations are located in the spine, and in its different parts. At all times, both the rich, who sank into soft, lush feather beds at night, and the poor, who slept on hard benches, had back pain in the morning, a stiff neck, and aching shoulders.

A sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and inadequate night rest make our contemporaries groan from back pain. But the 20th century gave everyone a luxurious gift - an orthopedic mattress; if you choose the right model for yourself, many problems will be solved. First of all, an anatomically comfortable sleeping place will be an excellent prevention of spinal diseases. And if they have already appeared, it will help alleviate the condition and prevent the development of the disease.

General rules for choosing a mattress

The term “orthopedic” has been around for several decades. Such a mattress inspires respect and trust, but not everyone really is one. Unfortunately, there are no standards or evaluation criteria that would allow one to immediately determine the presence of anatomical properties and the “degree of orthopedicness” of a product. In addition, the individual characteristics of each person are of great importance, and if there are health problems, you need to take into account the doctor’s recommendations.

You should only buy an orthopedic mattress from a reputable manufacturer who supplies the market with high-quality products.

Among the wide variety of orthopedic mattress models, you need to choose a product with optimal rigidity, because the comfort and quality of sleep depends on it. There are three degrees of hardness:

High rigidity

Some osteopathic “experts” insist that if you have back pain, you should sleep exclusively on a hard mattress, or better yet, on a wide board. A dangerous misconception will provoke an exacerbation of the disease, will not correct your posture, and will not allow you to get a good night’s sleep.

The hard surface does not support the lumbar region, puts pressure on the hips and shoulders, and forces the spine to take an unnatural posture. The brain, receiving signals of discomfort, instructs the muscles to maintain the body in the most correct position. Excessive pressure on the tissues compresses the blood vessels and makes them unable to supply the internal organs and brain with oxygen. No one will be able to get a full night's sleep in such conditions, and the spine will receive additional stress.

Moderately hard mattresses are recommended for teenagers whose skeletal formation has not completed, people with pain in the cervical and pelvic spine, or those who like to sleep on their stomach.

Low hardness

A mattress that is too soft is also unable to provide the spine with a comfortable sleeping position; it sag greatly and a picture similar to the previous description appears. The muscles are tense during sleep, the circulatory system is additionally loaded due to incorrect body position.

Soft mattresses are recommended for older people, as well as those with vascular diseases. Those who have problems with the lumbar spine and who like to sleep on their side will find it comfortable to sleep on a moderately soft product.

Medium hardness

This surface allows the mattress to bend under the heavy parts of the body - shoulders and hips, the body weight is distributed evenly, the spine is kept in a comfortable, level position. A mattress that follows the anatomical contours of the body is most suitable for people suffering from back pain. It relieves tension from problem areas of the spine during sleep, allowing the muscle corset to relax without pressing on the bloodstream.

It is useful for those who have diseases of the thoracic spine to sleep on medium-hard mattresses, as well as for those who support sleeping on their back.

In addition to supporting the body and guaranteeing a comfortable sleep, a high-quality orthopedic mattress has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, and increases the level of immunity.

The most common causes of back pain

It is difficult to find an adult who does not have osteochondrosis; both young people and older people suffer from it. The cause of 80% of all kinds of back pain is this insidious disease. If the symptoms of the disease are taken lightly, the consequences can be very serious, 10% of patients are sent to the operating table, all the rest require treatment.

With osteochondrosis, intervertebral discs cease to function normally, then the vertebral bodies, ligaments, and joints become deformed. Degenerative disc changes can appear in any part of the spinal column. Since the cervical and thoracic areas are subject to the greatest stress, they suffer first. The third most common area is the lumbar region.

Some of the unpleasant sensations characteristic of osteochondrosis are eliminated or alleviated if a person chooses the right orthopedic mattress for himself. With its support, shooting, aching pain after daytime physical activity will decrease, neurological symptoms will be relieved - muscle tension in the affected area, goosebumps or tingling, impaired freedom of movement.

Orthopedists believe that the best option in the presence of osteochondrosis would be a mattress with a block of independent springs of medium hardness, supplemented with a layer of memoryform foam. The greater the person’s weight, the greater the number of springs should be per 1 sq.m.

• If the weight of the future owner is less than 90 kg, 256 pieces per 1 sq.m. are enough. For example, as in the mattresses PROSON START FIRST M, ASKONA BALANCE FORMA, PROMTEX-ORIENT SOFT STANDART SIDE and others.
• If you weigh from 90 to 120 kg, it is better to purchase a mattress with at least 550 springs per 1 sq.m. The mattress will prevent displacement of the vertebrae during sleep and relieve discomfort.

With more serious lesions or trauma, a hernia forms in the intervertebral space. The reason for this is the part of the disc located between the vertebrae that has left its correct physiological position. It compresses the nerve endings, of which there are a lot in the spine. The person experiences severe pain.

A patient suffering from such an illness should consult an orthopedist before buying an anatomical mattress. It is important to take into account the location of the hernia and ensure that the body is in a position without bending during sleep. The right orthopedic mattress will provide support for the pelvis, limbs, neck and head, and distribute body weight in the right order. Disc displacement will not occur during sleep, and the pain syndrome will be eliminated.

For spinal hernias, non-rigid mattresses with an elastic supporting effect are recommended. You cannot use pressed products, with old-type springs or Bonnell-type dependent blocks.

Back pain also provokes other problems of the musculoskeletal system. These must be taken into account when choosing a new mattress.

Which mattress to choose for back pain of various types

The causes of pain are different diseases, and recommendations for choosing a mattress also differ from each other. Pay attention to the problem of the spine and the cause of the discomfort, visit a doctor of the appropriate profile, it is advisable to do an MRI of the problem area and the entire spine. Based on the diagnosis and prescriptions, choose a mattress.

• For osteochondrosis, a medium-hard mattress with a block of independent springs is required. Products made from natural latex, natural latex plus a layer of coconut coir are suitable. A good place for a bedroom would be a bed equipped with a frameless mattress made of memory foam (memoryx) and foam supplemented with a layer of natural material - braided coir;
• intervertebral hernia - an anatomical mattress with a block of independent springs covered with memory foam is desirable. It will relieve muscle tone well and maintain the correct shape of the spine;
• pinching of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) causes severe pain in the lumbosacral spine, which radiates to the limbs and spreads to the entire back. People suffering from such attacks are advised to sleep on a medium to low firmness mattress. A moderately soft product made of latex or memory foam will take the shape of the body, eliminate muscle tension, and soothe pain;
• Sciatica or radiculopathy is caused by pinched nerve roots in the lower spine. The lumbar region hurts, movement is difficult, and the sensitivity of nearby tissues is impaired. To alleviate the condition, a mattress with independent springs, and with a high density per 1 sq.m., is suitable. Acupressure support will be very useful for sciatica;
• Scoliosis or curvature of the spine is corrected with a hard or medium-hard mattress. The best sleeping place would be a bed made of a coconut coir plate placed on a base made of natural or artificial latex;
• arthritis is a disease of the joints, which includes the vertebrae. A mattress with a block of high-density independent springs, such as a “multi-package” with a density of 1000 springs per bed or a “micro-package” with 2000 springs per bed, will alleviate the condition of a sick person.

For people who have suffered an injury or are recovering from spinal surgery, doctors recommend sleeping on a hard coke coir mattress; it promotes rapid recovery and rehabilitation.

For a healthy person, the best orthopedic mattress will be the one that meets his idea of ​​comfort and supports the spine in the correct position during sleep. Listen to yourself, use the services of a reliable manufacturer and let spinal problems pass you by.

When should you buy an anatomical mattress?

If you have back problems, you need to choose mattresses very carefully so as not to aggravate the situation. Anatomical properties must be calculated individually in each specific case, and when purchasing, it is best to consult a doctor.

General indications for the use of anatomical products are:

• 1. For good health, the hardness of sleeping mattresses should be medium.
• 2. During periods of exacerbation of back pain, you need to sleep on a harder surface.
• 3. It is recommended to pay attention to natural fillers with good elasticity, especially coke fiber and coir.
• 4. Products with a dependent spring block can only be used in conjunction with a mattress pad, which provides additional support in the shoulder and hip area.

Rules for choosing a good product

An orthopedic mattress for spinal osteochondrosis is selected individually, taking into account the patient’s physique and health status. There are no universal options, and notes that the product was created to combat a specific disease are nothing more than an advertising ploy. You definitely need to consult an orthopedic doctor!

Despite the need for individual selection of bedding for functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system, certain rules for choosing a mattress or sofa for daily sleep still exist:

1. Body build, height and weight should be taken into account. Manufacturers indicate in the labeling the weight of the sleeper for which particular option is designed to ensure comfortable rest, relaxation and pain reduction. It is ideal if the chosen option can be tested before purchasing (if you lie comfortably, the pain does not increase, and the body is in a comfortable position, then the model is suitable).
2. The filler must be of high quality, not cause allergies and prevent the growth of bacteria and other pathogenic organisms.
3. The older the patient, the softer his sleeping place should be, however, a mattress that is too soft for osteochondrosis can cause harm and increase pain.
4. Its anatomical and medicinal properties directly depend on the thickness of the mattress. Special mattress toppers significantly improve the properties of the sleeping base (often used for a sofa), however, if you are ill, it is not recommended to use them. It is better to opt for classic standard or high options.
5. The overall parameters of the selected product must correspond to the parameters of the bed in size and shape. To ensure that the mattress fits comfortably into the niche of the bed designed for it, carefully select the size of the mattress you need to sleep on.

Types of fillers

The correct choice of mattress is based on the correct selection of filler. And if everything is clear with spring options, then springless or combined models require more attention. However, they can also boast of increased efficiency.

• 1. Polyurethane foam is the most common filler option, characterized by an affordable price and good anatomical properties. It can follow the shape of the body, providing soft support to the sleeper. This material is perfect for people with spinal problems during remission. The main thing is to choose an option where polyurethane foam is combined with more rigid layers.
• 2. Memoryform, memoryx - materials with a “memory” effect softly envelop the body. This feeling allows you to completely relax and fully relax. The filler is great for people with back pain, but it needs to be combined with tough layers of coir to have a positive effect.
• 3. Latex can be considered the “champion” among fillers. It is hypoallergenic, has good rigidity, excellent spine support, and boasts a fantastic service life. The artificial version of the material is almost in no way inferior to the natural one. This is one of the best solutions for a person with spinal problems.
• 4. Coconut coir and fiber are a natural, fairly hard and elastic filler that is always used in combination with softer options. Withstands high loads well, perfect for people with large body weight.
• 5. Other materials. Modern models can also use horsehair, sisal, buckwheat husk, etc. Each option has its own advantages, but can only be an addition to the base filler.

Who is recommended to use an orthopedic mattress?

High-quality orthopedic products are recommended for use primarily by people with back and neck diseases, but such products are also indicated for other health problems:

• regular insomnia, headaches;
• severe physical fatigue;
• joint pain, pain in the lower back, back;
• regular stress, nervousness, irritability.

Comfortable sleep is necessary for every person, especially children and the elderly. The child’s body is constantly growing and developing, correctly selected models will protect the spine from deformations and curvatures, and will provide complete rest.

How to choose anatomical mattresses for osteochondrosis

Choosing the right mattress for sleeping in case of back problems is not so easy, but it is definitely worth spending time on! Good support of the spine during sleep will alleviate the symptoms of the disease and give a boost of vigor and strength for the whole day.

To make the right choice, you first need to take into account such points as the severity of the disease, the person’s weight, his preferences, as well as the presence of allergic reactions to certain materials.
And, of course, you should not neglect the advice of specialists. Share:

Definition of orthopedic mattress

An orthopedic mattress has a specialized purpose and allows you to maintain the physiological position of the spine. The functionality of such an acquisition is broadly specific:

1. The elasticity of the structure of the product allows the circulatory system to function correctly, blood circulates freely through the vessels.
2. Elastic components provide complete relaxation to the muscles.
3. Mattresses are breathable and moisture permeable, which allows for normal sweating.
4. High-quality models do not lose their structure and withstand body weight, maintaining their original characteristics.
5. Comfortable sleep minimizes unnecessary human movements during sleep and makes for quality rest.

When choosing a suitable model, the buyer pays attention to the listed indicators; their criteria will help maintain good health and relieve symptoms of the disease.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an unpleasant pathology. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, it means that you have a significant curvature of the spine. In this case, special requirements are imposed on the sleeping place:

• you need a special orthopedic mattress;
• hardness – medium or high;
• It is recommended to choose models with independent springs and increased elasticity;
• If you like springless models, then we recommend choosing mattresses made of bamboo and polyurethane.

It is best to sleep on your back if you have scoliosis.

Which models should you definitely not buy?

Bonnel spring mattresses are usually not suitable if you have a bad back. Such spring blocks bend too much under the hips, as a result a hole is formed, and the body takes on an uncomfortable position. You overexert yourself and wake up tired. Therefore, if you want a spring mattress, then the blocks should be independent - this will ensure uniform support for all parts of the body.

What you should pay attention to when choosing

There are general recommendations regarding the selection of a specialized product:

• the product holds its shape and does not bend under the weight of the body;
• different stiffness allows you to correct pathological conditions associated with the back;
• manufacturers offer models that have different degrees of rigidity on different sides;
• an overweight person needs to use models with a high level of rigidity without springs;
• in the postoperative period, in the presence of a hernia, elderly people need a soft structure.

If you have any doubts about the choice, you should consult with your doctor, taking into account all the nuances of the disease and the characteristics of the body.

How to enhance the healing effect

Purchasing an orthopedic model is not the only means for treating osteochondrosis.
To get the maximum therapeutic effect, you will need to complete the full course of treatment and follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Massage and physiotherapy courses are welcome. Orthopedists recommend choosing the right sleeping positions, the most successful being the position on your back. Lying on your back improves blood circulation. Depending on the diagnosis, rollers are used that are placed under the knee joints or lower back.