Can a Mattress Cause Back Pain?

Especially in the Triangle, North Carolinians lead stressful lives. But stress might not be the only thing causing your back pain. An old or unsupportive mattress might also be at fault. Across the state, folks are wondering, “Can a mattress cause back pain?” In short, the answer is yes, unfortunately, they can, and often do. In this post, the back pain experts at Team Chiropractic in Raleigh, North Carolina will cover the basics of what you need to know if you believe your mattress might be one of the culprits behind your sore and achy back. Read on to learn more!

How To Tell if Your Bed Is Causing Back Pain

It can be hard to pinpoint the root cause of your back pain, especially when many factors may be involved. To tell if your mattress may be playing a part, consider the following items:

• Is your back pain the worst in the mornings?
• Does stretching in the first half hour after waking to alleviate some measure of back pain?
• Do you wake up frequently in the middle of the night and need to readjust to feel comfortable?
• Do you toss and turn at night, such that your sleep quality is affected?
• Have you had your current mattress for longer than 8 years?
• Do you feel as if you roll off of the side of your bed if you’re not in the middle of it?
• Do your limbs frequently go numb in the middle of the night?
• Does your mattress have visible signs of sagging or unevenness?

If you’ve answered yes to multiple of the above questions, your mattress is likely at least one contributing factor to your back pain.

What Firmness is Best for Back Pain?

2021 research from Harvard Medical School suggests that medium to firm mattresses are best for reducing lower back pain in most adults. While very firm mattresses were recommended to struggling patients in the past, it has since been discovered that very firm mattresses are actually associated with the poorest sleep quality in subjects studied. Soft mattresses, on the other hand, may not offer enough support, causing joints to twist slightly and produce pain in the middle of the night. No difference was shown in the study between patients with medium to firm mattresses, making either a safe choice.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Lower Back Pain?

Yes, a chiropractor can help with your lower back pain, and is a great first stop to identify, isolate, and ultimately treat what is at the root of your back pain issues. We integrate a series of lower back pain treatments in our patients’ care plans. Our experts work to tailor a unique treatment strategy that is best for each patient’s specific needs.

Our most common treatments for lower back pain include:

• Chiropractic adjustments with spinal re-engineering;
• Traction, laser therapy, and whole-body vibration;
• Posture correction techniques;
• Resting in alignment; and
• Exercise and stretching.

For many patients, a blend of these treatments results in the right strategy to treat your unique root causes of pain.

Team Chiro: Your Local Chiropractic Experts In the Triangle

Are you tossing and turning at night, and struggling with a sore and achy back throughout the day? Team Chiropractic & Sports Medicine, P.A. can help isolate and treat the core issues that are to blame for your discomfort. We’re the home of evidence-based spinal reengineering and chiropractic sports medicine. With over 50 years of combined experience, we’re proud to serve Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park, Durham, Raleigh, Clayton, and surrounding areas in North Carolina.

If you’re looking for chiropractic treatment in the greater Triangle area, we are here to help! Contact us online today or give us a call at 919-788-8881 to schedule your initial appointment and x-ray at either of our Triangle locations. We look forward to helping restore your health!