In an ideal world your spine should be kept in a neutral position throughout the night. You want to avoid holding an uncomfortable position for too long.
If you have larger hips and shoulders then you may need a slightly softer mattress to achieve this position.
• If your mattress is too firm your lower back will have to sag to reach the mattress.
• If you have a mattress that is too soft then you will sink into it and your lower back will have to accommodate by shifting the other way – equally uncomfortable.
Experiment:
Firming it up
If you feel you need a firmer bed try making sure the mattress is on a solid base i.e. put a board between a softer divan base and the mattress or drag the mattress onto the floor for a few nights.
Softening it up
If you feel you need softer bed you can put a duvet over the mattress or try a memory foam mattress topper which can soften the bed up a bit.
Can’t remember the last time you replaced it? Your back may be in trouble. A good mattress lasts 9 to 10 years, but you may want to consider changing it between 5 and 7 years, especially if you suffer with back pain.
A good night’s sleep is very important to overall health and well being so make sure you make the most of your rest time. At our Sport Injury Clinic we can also help alleviate back pain or a sport injury with a tailor made programme to suit you and your lifestyle and we can help restore you to peak performance in no time. So if you are looking for fast, effective pain relief, contact our Sport Injury Clinic today.
