Can A Memory Foam Mattress Help With Back Pain?

Waking up with back pain is not the perfect morning anyone would look forward to. However, 540 million people, on average, deal with back pain at any given time. While weight, strains, improper posture, limited exercise, specific occupations, and injuries to muscles or ligaments are common reasons leading to back pain, using the wrong mattress can be an instrumental factor that triggers and even worsens this condition. This is why many doctors and health experts urge us to choose the right mattress and see it as a long-term investment in our well-being.

As a solution to this rising problem among adults and teenagers alike, many are tuning and bringing forward memory foam mattresses as a reliable option. Originally developed by NASA, memory foam is made from visco-elastic material. It was designed as a multipurpose material for astronauts based on its unique ability to change shape under heat and pressure. This technology allows memory foam when used in a mattress, to mould to the contours of your body, offering you tailored support wherever you need it.

However, to date, whether or not a memory foam mattress can help with back pain remains a debate. This article will give you simple answers to this question by exploring the in-depth connection between your mattress and back pain.

Why Is Your Mattress So Important for Your Back?

When it comes to back pain or pain management, getting quality sleep is a crucial factor for healing. As we all know, sleep is a secret process that naturally provides our body the time it needs to rejuvenate and recover, at a cellular level, from our daily routine and activities. Besides that, sleep also helps regulate many important bodily components, including immunity, weight and mood.

Chronic pain and sleep have been proven to share similar neurotransmitters and pathways, which further validates the connection that poor sleep can lead to impaired abilities to manage pain. Similarly, if you experience neck or back pain as soon as you get up from the bed, it can mean that your mattress is not providing the right support you need.

A supportive mattress and good sleep quality go hand in hand. This means that a low-quality mattress with poor support can lead to chronic back pain, stiffness, and neck problems.

Memory Foam Mattress For Back Pain

A high-quality memory foam mattress can conform to the shape of the body and can alleviate pressure on the spine, acting as the best orthopaedic mattress for back pain. This mechanism goes a long way in keeping your back and overall body in a healthy posture that supports back pain management and promotes a state of deep sleep.

On the other hand, although traditional coiled and spring mattresses provide even weight distribution, they don’t contour to the body and provide targeted support. Because of this, a memory foam option is often considered the best mattress for chronic back pain.

Below, we have listed five common reasons why memory foam is used to design the best orthopaedic mattress for back pain.

It Relieves Pressure In Your Body

As the primary function, memory foam reduces pressure spots across your body by distributing your weight evenly along the mattress. This ability to redistribute weight is called “pressure relief”.

This “pressure relief” feature, mixed with its contouring and spinal support, results in a comfortable mattress that moulds itself around your shoulders, back and hips to prevent pain points – making memory foam the go-to option for designing the best orthopaedic mattress for back pain.

They Work With Zero Gravity Beds

Placing your body in a zero gravity position creates a sense of weightlessness when sleeping. While there are manual ways you can achieve this with certain pillow arrangements, the best way to experience this comes with adjustable beds.

As memory foam mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds, you can enjoy pressure relief and weightlessness to reduce back pain when lying down and sleeping.

According to back specialists, your spine is in a neutral position when you sleep in a zero-gravity position. This, in turn, simulates weightlessness and puts less pressure on your body, relieving back pain.

Memory Foam Isolates Motion From Your Partner

Falling asleep with back pain takes a lot of time. So, nothing is worse than being woken up by a fidgety partner who keeps tossing and turning. When your sleep gets disturbed, it can be a long process to get comfortable and relaxed again to fall asleep.

Memory foam is excellent for absorbing and isolating motions from your bed partner. This means that you can ensure a healthy sleep cycle even if you are sharing your bed.

Memory Foam Comes In A Range Of Firmness Levels

Memory foam can be created in different levels of firmness ranging from soft, medium, to firm. Most health experts suggest that a medium-firm mattress makes the ideal structure for back pain relief. It also offers the perfect firmness level for most body types and sleeping positions.

Medium-firm hits that sweet spot between comfort and support. However, it might be too soft if you weigh over 230 lbs or too firm if you weigh under 130 lbs. In that case, you should understand the best firmness for yourself before investing in a mattress.

It’s Comfy For Back Pain-Friendly Side Sleeping

Lastly, according to Mayo Clinic, the most effective position for back pain relief is sleeping on your side with a pillow wedged between your knees. This position strategically takes the strain off your back. Also, consider drawing your legs up slightly toward your chest, but don’t curl them (foetal position), as this can worsen your back pain.

In general, memory foam is considered one of the most contouring materials for side sleepers, as it collectively cushions the hips, shoulders, and knees. Having this property in your mattress is essential if you are a person who sleeps on one side for hours at a time without switching.

Invest In The Right Memory Foam Mattress

With all that being said, yes, a memory foam mattress is the best option for back pain. However, not investing in the right memory foam mattress with high-quality material can aggravate your pain instead of relieving it.

Factors like having a too-stiff or soft mattress, incorrect base, and low-quality foam can affect the effectiveness of memory foam mattresses in helping with back pain management. So, make sure you are doing your research and analysis before choosing a memory foam mattress.