Do you ever notice that you wake up in more pain than you did when you went to bed? If you’ve been experiencing low back pain that seems to be worse in the morning, your mattress could be to blame!
While back pain is a common enough ailment that most people believe they will have to live with it forever, there is hope! But what is the true source of your nighttime back pain? Is it your preferred sleeping position, or is it your mattress that is causing your recurring back pain?
Call Physiomed Vancouver today to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled physiotherapists and learn more about how you can naturally relieve your lower back pain.
How can I tell if my pain is caused by my mattress?
“Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain,” according to Spine Health. A mattress that does not provide adequate support reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles, and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to low back pain.
Sleep comfort is also compromised if a mattress does not correspond to one’s personal preferences. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain by allowing the spine’s structures to truly rest and rejuvenate during the night.”
While the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, your morning mood is a better indicator that it’s time to replace your sleep surface.
If your mattress was once comfortable but is now the source of your aches and pains, it’s time to replace it. Physical changes such as injuries, surgery, and weight loss can all alter your body’s position while you sleep, necessitating a more rapid change in your mattress.
Are you suffering from back pain?
There are two kinds of back pain. Acute lower back pain can last 4 to 12 weeks, whereas chronic back pain can last 12 weeks or longer.
So, if you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress, it’s easy to see how an acute injury can quickly turn into a chronic pain problem. Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems that Americans face today.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, nearly 80% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives.
Back pain can appear suddenly or gradually, as a dull ache or as intense, sharp pains. For many people, low back pain is a chronic condition.
The most common causes of back pain
Before deciding to work with a physiotherapist to alleviate your lower back pain, it’s critical to understand the possible causes of the condition and what changes you can make at home, such as replacing your old mattress!
Strains and Sprains
Back sprains can develop as a result of overuse injuries, sports-related injuries, awkward twisting, improper lifting, and other factors. A sprain occurs when one of your ligaments, tendons, or muscles is overstretched or torn.
Swelling, tenderness, and recurring muscle spasms are common symptoms of a back sprain. They are typically treated with specific physiotherapy sessions, at-home exercises, and over-the-counter pain medications.
Injuries
When you are hit hard, there is a good chance that you will injure your spine with a vertebral fracture, a herniated disc, or a ruptured disc.
Auto accidents, falls, and sports injuries are all common causes of this type of injury. Most people experience back pain right after an injury, with symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and burning sensations that can radiate down into the legs.
Incorrect Alignment
Not all mattresses are created equal, and if your delicate back does not receive adequate support at night, you may experience low back pain.
When lying in a neutral position, a good mattress should support your entire body and provide proper spinal alignment.
It can press against the pressure points in your spine if it is too firm. However, if it is too soft, your pressure points will be unsupported at night, leading to spinal curvature.
Begin with physiotherapy treatments
Our physiotherapists are movement specialists with the knowledge and skills to help relieve low back pain naturally through a combination of hands-on care, prescribed exercises, and patient education.
Working with an experienced physiotherapist can provide you with immediate pain relief, reduced inflammation, and increased mobility.
Call today at Physiomed Vancouver to learn more about the advantages of physiotherapy for low back pain and to set up a free initial consultation.
Sources:
- https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Benefits/Default.aspx
- https://www.sleepadvisor.org/mattress-cause-back-pain/
- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet
- https://tetonpt.com/dont-join-the-opiod-epidemic-why-pt-is-a-much-safer-course/
- https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/areobic-exercises-for-ra#1
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20047971