It’s an age-old question that people ask themselves every time they shop for a new bed: Is a hard mattress or a soft one better for back pain? Although it would be wonderful to have a straightforward answer, the solution isn’t quite so simple. Even studies show mixed results when it comes to whether a hard or a soft bed is a better choice.
The Problem With Very Firm Beds
Doctors used to recommend that their patients sleep on very firm mattresses to help alleviate back pain, and many still do. However, a survey of 268 people who suffered from lower back pain revealed that very firm mattresses delivered the poorest sleep quality. The outcome of this survey suggests that patients may experience a more comfortable night of sleep with a slightly softer mattress, although very soft bedding tends to lead to back discomfort as well.
The Problem With Very Soft Beds
Although it may seem like sleeping on a mushy cloud would feel heavenly on your back, bedding that is too soft can cause the spine to become curved in an unnatural way during sleep. This can in turn lead to increased back pain. If you like the way a very soft mattress feels after lying on it for only a few minutes, remember that the muscles in the body achieve a much deeper state of relaxation during sleep. A bed that feels good for a few minutes while you are awake might be extremely uncomfortable after a few hours of deep sleep. Nothing is worse for a bad back than a soft mattress.
Medium-Firm May Be Just Right
While very firm and very soft beds seem to exacerbate back pain for many people, a recent study shows that a medium-firm bed may provide just the right amount of back support for most individuals who suffer from back pain. A medium-firm bed is more likely to slightly contour to the body while still providing sufficient support for the spine.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect bed that is guaranteed to relieve back pain for everyone. The most effective way to find the right bed for you is to spend some time trying out several different beds until you find one that feels good beneath your back.
While very firm and very soft beds seem to exacerbate back pain for many people, a recent study shows that a medium-firm bed may provide just the right amount of back support for most individuals who suffer from back pain.
