Back pain is a common condition for those who have poor sitting or sleeping posture in their day-to-day life. In the worst cases, it can affect you even during sleep. There could be numerous reasons behind back pain. One of them is your choice of mattress. Yes, it can affect your back too by causing a slight change in your sleeping posture.
So, everyone wants to buy a mattress that is comfortable and gives enough support for their bodies. People suffering from back problems are always in a dilemma about whether to buy a firm mattress pad for back pain or a soft one. This article explains the difference between a firm mattress pad for back pain and a mattress topper. You will get to know which one of them is better to get relief from.
1.Is back pain caused by the wrong firmness or a bad mattress?
The mattress you buy can improve your quality of sleep or worsen it. Too many people wake up in the morning and groan about the pain that's shooting through their back. Most of these people are self-proclaimed snoozers. They end up choosing the wrong mattress to sleep on.
If your mattress is not supporting your back properly, it can lead to chronic back pain too. Sleeping on a bad mattress changes the alignment of your back and results in a strain on the back muscles. This will cause tossing and turning all night. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right mattress and the best firm mattress pad for back pain.
2.Do soft mattresses cause back pain?
It’s hard to know what mattress type will cause back pain while you’re lying in bed, but it turns out that a soft mattress could be the problem. That’s because a mattress that’s too soft will alter the alignment of your spine. Not only that, it can cause joint pressure in your hips, which generates pain in the lower back. So, before you take a nap on the mattress at an outdoor store with the hopes of finding one to take home, think about your convenience and the right firmness level.
3.Mattress Pad vs. Mattress Topper
There's nothing worse than chronic back pain. It keeps you awake at night, makes you feel sore all day long, and can even impact your job performance. But there are new ways to alleviate aches and pains without trading in any of the comforts you've come to love. One way is by using dual protection, convenience, and comfort with a firm mattress pad for back pain and a mattress topper.
A mattress pad is a thin layer of bed padding put on the top of a mattress to protect it primarily from moisture, dust, liquids, and bacteria. On the other hand, a mattress topper is a multi-layered cover placed on the mattress for extra comfort and contouring. It ensures the perfect sleeping position while providing a high-quality night’s sleep.
In general, people always confuse the two due to their similar names. However, the purposes they serve make them different from each other. For instance, a mattress pad adds plushness to your existing mattress, whereas a mattress topper firms up the old or saggy mattress.
The materials used for creating the mattress toppers or pads can be the same or different as well. Mostly, mattress pads are made up of latex, feathers, and fiber. But the mattress toppers also come with memory foam and wool. Hence, to get a sweet sleep, it’s recommended to choose a mattress topper for the best feel and comfort.
4.The level of firmness of Mattress Toppers
The level of firmness of mattress toppers is an important factor if you want to get rid of your back pain. There are four key levels to consider when it comes to mattress toppers:
Soft
Soft mattresses are good for side sleepers who want some feel-comfort on the shoulders, hips, and lower back. They use cushioning materials in the top layers such as memory foam and pillow tops. On the firmness scale, it can fall within the 3/10 score.
Medium-firm
Medium firm mattress toppers can be categorized with the 6-7/10 firmness scale. They are a blend of soft top layers with a base created with high-density foam and small coils of fabric sleeves. This helps in maintaining the right balance between pressure and support. It’s a perfect choice for combination sleepers or back sleepers.
Firm
Firm mattress toppers are highly supportive of the back. They don’t use any soft materials in the top layers. Instead of that, they contain foam in the comfort layer at the foundation in dense polymer form or spring. It lifts your body in a square form, offering a lot of support from the back. Overweight and stomach sleepers would love to sleep on a firm mattress.
Self-adjusted
Self-adjusted mattress toppers are considered one of the best in terms of providing a good night's sleep. They offer an ideal surface for the therapy required to improve your quality of sleep by adjusting dynamically to your weight and movement. It maintains the proper distribution of pressure on your back.
5.How can mattress toppers help alleviate back pain?
If you are suffering from lower back pain, extra contouring may be exactly what you need. If you have slept on a mattress that is too firm or hard, it can put pressure on your lower spine. This further puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, which can cause severe pain.
By using a mattress topper with more cushioning, you can easily alleviate your back pain. Even when you are sleeping on an old mattress, don't make the mistake of throwing it away or replacing it. To alleviate saggy or old bed discomfort, use a mattress topper.
6.How to Choose a Mattress Topper for Back Pain
You need to consider several factors before choosing a mattress topper for back pain. Some of the aspects you have to look for are as follows:
Conforming Ability
Always take into account the conforming ability of a mattress topper. The right mattress topper is will keep your body in shape during sleep. To buy the right one, you need to go through the density of a mattress topper. Most of them carry a density of 2-6 pounds per cubic foot. The higher the density, the better its conforming ability.
Price
Many think that a higher price means a better quality product. But, it’s not always true. In the end, the choice of the mattress also depends on your sleeping position and the materials used. For instance, if you want to feel the cold, then a wool one would be appropriate. Memory foam and latex ones offer heat, so you can use them in the winter season. However, they can be expensive for you. If you want something affordable, choose microfiber, polyester, or cotton toppers.
Your Sleeping Position
Each of us is comfortable in different sleeping positions. Some are side sleepers, some sleep on their stomachs, and some choose a straight position. Depending on these, you have to find the right mattress topper for you.
Fir mattresses are the correct choice for people who love to sleep on their stomachs. A medium-firm mattress topper will match the body's needs for side sleepers.
Quality Materials
Your mattress topper must come up with a quality material such as memory foam, latex, cotton, feathers, wool, and others sourced from the best.
Mattress toppers containing memory foam allow comfort in every sleeping position. They are highly demanded, and then comes latex and others.
Firmness Level
The range of firmness level of any mattress topper should be close to 8-10 out of 10. Make sure the one you are going to buy offers you this much firmness.
Thickness
To decide the thickness of your mattress topper, figure out whether you want to increase the firmness of your mattress or not. If the bed mattress you sleep on is old and there is a need to increase the thickness, a topper with more than 2 inches of thickness will fit best.
Apart from that, to keep the firmness of your existing mattress and improve its durability, buy a topper with less than 2 inches of thickness. However, it’s good to prefer 3–4 inches of thickness, especially in the case of a worn-out mattress. In the end, it all depends on the condition of your existing mattress.
7.Conclusion
It can be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position because your back pain can flare up when you change positions. If you're someone who has been dealing with chronic back pain, this may be an issue that affects your sleep.
That’s why mattress toppers become essential for you. Pick a firm mattress for back pain and a topper that delivers the right amount of support to your body. It helps you by providing a layer of comfort between you and the mattress to help alleviate the pressure points. Simply place them on top of your mattress and feel good about yourself for easily improving your sleep quality every night!
