13 Warning Signs Your Mattress is Causing Back Pain

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can actually cause or worsen back pain. Read on to know how your mattress impacts your back health.

Can a mattress cause back pain? Yes, a wrong one can. Our mattress plays a big role in enhancing our sleep quality and controlling the way we feel every morning after waking up. Continuously sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause the spine to lose its natural alignment and strain the muscles resulting in back pain. On the other hand, a supportive mattress can help your spine maintain a neutral position and prevent back soreness. People who fail to understand the delicate science behind choosing the right sleep surface as per their sleeping habits are more likely to develop not just chronic back pain but neck stiffness and shoulder aches.

Lower back pain is not only the leading cause of disability worldwide but in India alone, nearly 60% of Indians suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. The exact cause of back pain is tricky to diagnose in cases there hasn’t been a recent sudden stress or strain due to a pulled muscle or tendon. So how to tell if your bed is causing back pain? How to be sure that your mattress is the main culprit behind your back problems?

Top 10 signs to look out for

Here is a list of 10 signs to look out for in a mattress to know if it is the sole reason behind your back pain:

  1. Your Mornings Start with Pain
    If you complain of back pain right after waking up every morning, the mattress and your sleeping position are likely to be the culprits. An old mattress or a mattress that is too soft for you can put unwanted strain on your spine leading to back pain in the morning.
  2. You Are Tossing & Turning All Night
    An uncomfortable mattress can be the root cause of you having a restless night’s sleep. The continuous tossing and turning can be due to your inability to find a comfortable sleeping position which can contribute to back pain.
  3. Your Mattress Seems to be Eating You Up
    If you feel you're sinking into your mattress and your spine is not able to maintain a neutral position, it might be the reason behind your back issues.
  4. Your Mattress is Either Too Soft or Too Hard
    A mattress that is too soft for you can start hurting your spine sooner than you realize. A mattress that is too hard causes joint pressure. Most sleep experts recommend going for a medium-firm orthopedic mattress to combat this issue.
  5. Your Mattress is new
    Our body often takes some time to adjust to a new sleep surface. If you are experiencing back discomfort after switching to a new mattress, the possibility of the new mattress causing lower back pain is high. You just need to give your body some time to adapt to it.
  6. You Have an Aged Mattress
    Sleep experts highly recommend changing a mattress every 7-8 years. The reason being the mattress is likely to wear out. Not just that, even our body weight, sleeping habits and bone density changes with time. This calls for the mattress to be replaced with a new one that has the optimum firmness and support.
  7. You Keep Waking Up During the Night
    Any kind of sleep disturbances can be directly linked to your sleep environment. Your mattress being the foundation of your sleep space plays a pivotal role in enabling uninterrupted sleep.
  8. Comfortable Sleep Seems Just a Dream
    A good mattress is synonymous with quality sleep. If you are not feeling well rested on your current mattress, it might not be the right one for you.
  9. You are Always Tired
    A bad mattress can have a direct impact on the way you feel upon waking up. If you are fatigued and face back problems, you should look at examining your mattress first.
  10. Your Mattress is Saggy & Uneven
    As per many sleep experts, sleeping on an old and lumpy mattress is highly likely to cause chronic back pain. Look out for visible sagging, especially in the middle of the mattress as it is quite harmful for your spine health.
  11. Worsening Pain Over Time
    If your back pain has progressively worsened since you started sleeping on your current mattress, it's a strong indication that the mattress is not suitable for your needs.
  12. Exacerbated Pain in Certain Positions
    If you notice that your back pain worsens in specific sleeping positions, such as on your side or back, your mattress may not be suitable for your preferred sleeping style.
  13. Lack of Support
    If you can feel the springs or support bars of your mattress through the surface, it's a clear sign that the mattress is no longer providing proper support.

If you are looking to switch your mattress due to back pain issues, we strongly recommend going for a doctor recommended back support mattress. Known as an orthopedic mattress, it is designed keeping in mind the differentiated support your body needs while you sleep and is the best mattress for back pain. It is not prone to sagging and is able to adapt to any sleep position for a restful night’s sleep. An orthopedic mattress that is tested and recommended by medical experts is the best bet for optimum back support, nurturing the health of your spine and getting deep uninterrupted sleep. Do choose the correct size mattress for maximum benefits.

  1. Once you select the right mattress for yourself do also explore and invest in an orthopedic pillow to further elevate your sleep experience.

    Our Duropedic range is India’s number one doctor recommended orthopedic mattress range. It is tested and recommended by doctors at National Health Academy for the 5-zoned orthopedic support it offers. This highly advanced back and spine support is essential for a healthy and enriching sleep.

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