Mayo Clinic.org reports back pain as one of the leading reasons that people miss work and visit their physicians. Measures exist to reduce and prevent backache, including sleeping on an optimal bed. Backache sufferers have several choices when looking for a back-friendly bed. The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat medical problems. Discuss your backache issues with your health care provider.
Adjustable Beds
Some back pain sufferers react negatively to sleeping positions that change the natural curve of the spine. An adjustable bed allows you to move the mattress to a position that feels most comfortable for you. Adjustable beds also make it possible to accommodate changing back care needs because they are not confined to one stationary position. The incline position may make getting out of bed easier for back pain sufferers.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses offer another option for backache relief. Developed in the 1970's for relieving astronauts of g-force pressure, memory foam takes pressure off the back and joints. Some memory foam mattresses use latex to offer more spring against the concavities of the body, such as the lower back.
Waterbeds
Waterbeds support the body differently than traditional mattresses. A waterbed mattress shifts with your movements, and does not create pressure points at bony areas of the body. Waterbeds maintain a warm temperature, which can soothe back aches and muscle strain.
Air Beds
Airbeds offer a soft mattress, eliminating pressure on the shoulders and hips. The reduction in pressure results in less back pain. Air mattresses are particularly helpful for those who sleep on their backs or sides.
Firm Traditional Mattresses
If you want to sleep on a traditional mattress, Dr. John Wolfe, of Ohio University, recommends sleeping on a firm mattress. Wolf cautions that a firm mattress should have slight give to it because extremely hard mattresses can aggravate backache pain.
