3 Surprising Causes of Back Pain

Back Pain and You 

Back pain is a common condition that affects nearly 80% of the U.S. adult population, with up to 2% of the population being disabled as a result. With such a high occurrence of back problems in the American population, it’d be prudent to address possible causes. 

One possible component of back discomfort is your mattress and sleep quality.

1. Using an Old Mattress 

Despite the high incidence rate of back problems, many individuals overlook the importance of a good mattress for back pain. The average person spends a third of their life sleeping. This means you spend an estimated 25 years of your life in bed, making your mattress choice a critical factor in spinal health. Studies indicate that individuals who replace their old mattress experience a significant improvement in back discomfort.

2. Sleep Position

Another aspect of back discomfort is your preferred sleeping position. A study published in 2010 found subjects reporting a significant reduction in back pain when their mattress were replaced with one suited to their sleeping position. It’s easy to assume a one-size-fits-all approach when buying a mattress, however, this would be incorrect. The best mattress for side sleepers could be entirely different than the preferred memory foam mattress for stomach sleepers. Your choice of a mattress should be tailored to your body’s usual position during sleep.

3. Pillow Type

The right pillow choice and the position of pillow can make all the difference in whether you wake up with back discomfort. An uncomfortable pillow can affect your posture and result in a stiff back. Choose your pillow based on your sleep position.

A pillow top mattress may also help with improving sleep posture, resulting in a more rejuvenating sleep.

What’s it Mean?

A good mattress for back pain can never be emphasized enough. Spend some time optimizing your sleeping habits and a pain-free sleep can be achieved.