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How to choose a right mattress in backache?

Mr. Raju, 35 year old, software professional, came to Cura physiotherapy clinic with lot of back stiffness and pain. The pain, he said was more in the morning times and reduces once he starts moving. We checked him clinically for muscle flexibility and strength but both seemed quite good. He told us, though he had sit for hours in his office, he was quite active person. He used to go for gym daily and did muscle training and cardio very regularly. We also asked him to get photograph of his workstation and car postures to rule out any fault in there. All were up to the mark! He was really taking all possible steps at home and in office to take care of his backache. Meanwhile, his physician asked him to go for blood factors. That also came normal..

Now the only problem could have been.. the mattress! The type of mattress he was using was the spring variety. Okay now.. this can be an issue. As with spring or any soft mattress, the body is not supported well. What happens is, with our body weight it tends to sink down and actually leaves spine support less. 

To understand this, let’s clear basics first. Human beings have acquired erect posture from quadruped in the process of evolution as we needed to be more mobile. But this as compromised our spinal stability. When we sit/ stand/ walk, we are doing it against gravity. Lying down is the only position when gravity is not acting on spine in vertical position. But it is acting in horizontal position. So in order to keep spine flat and straight one must go for mattress that is “firm”, not too soft or too tight.

The problem with soft mattress is, it can not support the body and we tend sink in it with curved spine, which is very uncomfortable position for the spine. With tight mattresses the problem is exactly opposite, they are too stiff to support spine so practically your spine can not relax on it. The mid way is using firm mattress, it does support your spine but doesn’t let your body sink in it.

Coming back to Raju’s case:“Good news! I woke up with no pain!!” Raju said that day. He had changed his mattress 10 days back and he feeling absolutely okay now..  

To make it easy:
Examples:

MATTRESS TYPE
EXAMPLE
BACK SUPPORT
Too soft
Spring
Very poor
Too firm/tight
Coir > Foam
Very less
Firm
High density foam
Good!


Comments

  1. devidmiller50608 February 2016 at 21:51

    I read this article. I think You put a lot of effort to create this article. I appreciate your work.
    mattress topper

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown9 December 2017 at 05:27

    Thank you for these valuable insights. I am sure this will reduce some of the spine problems.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beyonce Velez19 August 2020 at 18:20

    For many years I suffered from intense back pain which sometimes could not move. I practiced judo for more than 15 years of my life and at the end, back pain took me to all kinds of physical activity. A year ago my pains disappeared after using Doctor James herbal mix medicine thanks to his-natural treatment I found on the internet which anyone can contact him on his Email@drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com. At least his treatment cured me completely. Hopefully it will be helpful for you as it happened with me. Dr. James herbal medicine is made of natural herbs, with no side effects, and easy to drink. If you have the same Backache or any type of human illness, including HIV / AIDS, herpes cancer,Ovarian Cancer,Pancreatic cancers, bladder cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, Glaucoma., Cataracts,Macular degeneration,Cardiovascular disease,Autism,Lung disease.Enlarged prostate,Osteoporosis.Alzheimer's disease,psoriasis ,Tach Diseases,Lupus,
    Dementia.kidney cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, skin cancer and skin cancer.testicular Cancer, , LEUKEMIA, VIRUSES, HEPATITIS, INFERTILITY WOMEN / LOTTERY.CONTACT EMAIL / WHATSAPP: Or drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com/ +2348152855846

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shivani8 September 2022 at 02:38

    Very useful content and informative details are written in a very simplified manner. For the best body physique, you can see it here
    Physique by Physiotherapy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Henry Fenz21 August 2023 at 21:50

    I really appreciate for your efforts you to put in this article, this is very informative and helpful. I really enjoyed reading this blog. Keep sharing and give us updates.
    chiropractors Milwaukee,WI

    ReplyDelete

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