The Hidden Dangers of Your Worn Out Mattress

Ever wondered why your back pain is worse in the morning than it is the rest of the day? Searched high and low and still haven’t found the true cause of your back pain? The evil culprit could just be your mattress, according to our Bournemouth chiropractor.

It is very common for back pain sufferers to experience disturbed sleep. In fact, most patients with chronic back pain will experience restless nights at some point or another during the course of their condition. For some it’s a vicious cycle; disrupted sleep exacerbates their chronic back problems and back pain makes it seem impossible to get a good night’s sleep.  But only a small proportion of people will look to buying a new bed or mattress as a possible solution.

A mattress that is no longer fully functional can cause back and neck pain as well as other health problems.

You can judge if your mattress or bed needs replacing by answering the questions below:

Have you had your mattress for 7 years or more?

Do you regularly wake up with back or neck pain?

Is your mattress cover torn or stained?

Can you feel springs or ridges when lying on your mattress?

Can you hear squeaks or crunches when moving in bed?

Do you roll towards the middle of the bed during the night?

Does your mattress seem too small?

Is your divan or base uneven, dipping or sagging?

Are the legs and castors of your bed worn out?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it may be time to head to a decent bed store!

Most beds have a maximum lifespan of 10 years, and some cheaper ones even less. A good quality bed and mattress will allow you to maintain the same natural spinal alignment that you have when you are standing. When your body is given the opportunity to rest in its natural position, your muscles will relax and your sleep will be more refreshing.

The best thing you can do when shopping for a bed or mattress is to try it out. Lie down in the position you usually sleep in and turn over from side to side. If you share a bed with a partner, test out the bed together to ensure there is enough space for you both to move around and the mattress doesn’t dip, causing you to meet in the middle. Always make sure your mattress can support your natural spinal position.

Never underestimate the importance of good sleep for good back health; they are often very closely linked.