The Use of Mattress in patients with Back Problems

[sdkashif]

Dear colleagues, Hi!

Kindly give your opinions regarding the use of mattress in patients suffering from back problems and/or Back Pain. The traditional old view is rest on firm or hard bed. But there are authirities out there who recommend the soft bed mattress for the cure. How can your campare there thoughts? What is the current view regarding the management of patients in his case?

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[somasimple]

Hi,

In Europe we advice for wooden laths bed with a foam/latex mattress. The tighness of foam depends of your weight but oscilates to soft firm to firm.

[Physiobase]

I would suggest that a mobile spine can accommodate the most rigid of mattress. However most are not so mobile and it appears the less mobile the spine in a supine or side lying the more difficult it is to sleep on a firmer mattress.

The problems often include neck, shoulder and arm symptoms on a firm mattress. Yet on the other hand a mobile spine can wake up in all sort of bother on a to soft mattress. My suggestion usually is based on the above assumptions. If you know that the client is not going to change in their spinal mobility, e.g. if they are going to remain kyphotic and rigid, then perhaps a softer option is more comfortable and ? therefore "appropriate".

Many of my clients have purchased over mattress covers made of memory foam from companies such as Harley (www.spinalproducts.com) 8o

[vijay22]

........this is a good sugestion....have u tried any of the patient.......before

[Sonj]

Hi there. Just thought I'd reply to this topic as a sufferer of back problems (see the disc protrusion thread for the probs I'm having with my back)

I've slept at various friends houses during the course of my injury and they all have different kinds of beds. Myself I have a futon mattress which I just have on the floor. It's getting a bit old and saggy and I do believe it contributes to me being unable to sleep well at the moment. I've just ordered a VERY firm mattress. I've slept on a Orthapaedic mattress and I found it amazingly comfortable and I slept a little better. Also a PROPER Tempur mattress I have found to be good for getting a better sleep but Memory Foam is a cheap version of Tempur and I found it to be the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in. It felt like the foam was almost curling around your body shape as you lay on it and felt highly clausterphobic!! I also felt it had a horrible feel to it, unnatural and plasticy and sweaty and have since found out that memory foam contains latex.

[alophysio]

There are many reasons why you choose a mattress.

Apart from the suggestions above, the rule i go by is that the spine is kept in neutral when you lie down.

Therefore, A bigger person will need something firmer than someone who is slender and light.

For example, if you put a light person on a firm bed, the person will lack the weight to deform the mattress and will no doubt feel like they are sleeping on the floor. Then if you put a heavy person on a soft mattress, then they will deform it too much and they might as well be in a hammock.

For my "mismatched" couples, i tend to recommend the firmest, most apporpriate mattress for the heaviest person since it is much easier to make it softer by adding material to it - much harder to make something firmer!

I also get my patients to lie on a new bed for at least 15-30 mins to test it out - you really don't know until then. And take your pillows too since they may have to change depending on the spinal angle the new bed gives you.

All this = TIME !! Enjoy it!

[bhawananancy]

Mattress provides maximum support to your back and joints.

[Jane_Patel85]

Hi, sdkachif!

I believe, there's no such thing like an ultimate solution. As alophysio already mentioned, it depends on weight of a person and preferred sleeping position. Generally our advice is to have a medium firm mattress with a high spring count. A soft pillow top can be useful if you/your patient are particularly thin or sensitive in your/his/her bony areas.
For instance, before and after surgery, I found a firm bed with a foam overlay is best to sleep on. You need that softness but you also need to be held firmly, level and straight.
So if you're the one who is choosing the mattress, you really should go the the nearest good bed store you can find and try them out and not just lay down and then get up. Take your spouse or a caregiver with you to assist you if needed.

[bhawananancy]

I agree with you a medium firm mattress for lower back pain is the best solution. A medium firm mattress is very helpful in improving our back. Doctors also advice to buy medium firm mattress for back pain.

[SubodhGupta]

hello,
Memory form mattress is good for back pain and also follow some exercises to relieve back pain.