Do Memory Foam Mattresses Cause Back Pain?
Memory foam mattresses are one of the most popular types of mattresses on the market. They have many benefits, such as being able to conform to your body, helping you sleep cooler, and reducing motion transfer. However, there is a lot of debate about whether or not memory foam mattresses cause back pain. In this article, we will discuss some reasons why memory foam mattresses might cause back pain.
What are memory foam mattresses?
Memory foam mattresses are a type of mattress that is made from polyurethane and memory foam. The polyurethane creates the support for your body, while the memory foam conforms to your shape and helps to relieve pressure points. This combination of materials makes memory foam mattresses very comfortable and supportive.
According to Daniel Noyed, who wrote the article, "What is Memory Foam?", memory foam as a mattress material helps the mattress cushion the body evenly. This creates a slow contouring feeling as the mattress adapts to the presence of your body and re-forms around your curves.
This contouring effect and the thickness of the memory foam mattresses, contribute to back pain for some people. The solution is just finding the right memory foam mattress for you and your already existing back pain (let's face it, in today's society there is not much that alleviates back pain). Memory foam mattresses can be great choices for your back pain, you just need to find the right one.
The memory foam mattress is too soft
Just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, your memory foam mattresses might cause back pain is because they are too soft. When a mattress is too soft, it does not provide enough support for your body and can cause you to sink into the mattress. This can put a lot of pressure on your spine and lead to back pain.
The memory foam mattress is too firm
On the other hand, memory foam mattresses can also be too hard. When a mattress is too hard, it can cause your body to be out of alignment and lead to back pain. This is especially true if you are not used to sleeping on a firm surface.
The memory foam mattress doesn’t provide enough support
Another reason memory foam mattresses might cause back pain is that they don’t provide enough support. This can be a problem for people who have back problems, as they need extra support to keep their spine in alignment. If the mattress does not provide enough support, it can cause your spine to curve and lead to back pain.
The memory foam mattress is being used with the wrong type of base
Another reason memory foam mattresses might cause back pain is that they are being used with the wrong type of base. If you have a memory foam mattress and you use it on a box spring, it can create too much bounce and make the mattress too soft. This can cause back pain because the mattress will not be able to conform to your body correctly and will not provide enough support.
The memory foam mattress is not thick enough
Another reason memory foam mattresses might cause back pain is that they are not thick enough. A memory foam mattress should be at least 12 inches thick in order to provide the right amount of support and comfort. If your memory foam mattress is thinner than this, it might not be able to conform to your body correctly and could lead to back pain.
Your memory foam mattress is too old
Nobody should be selling you an old memory foam mattress in a furniture store (we can only hope), but maybe you got one off of Facebook Marketplace for a good deal. Just like anything else in life, memory foam mattresses have a lifespan. After about five to seven years, they will start to lose their ability to conform to your body and could cause back pain.
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst, wrote an article called, "How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?" and recommends that for memory foam mattresses, a quality mattress can last up to 10-15 years. The Malouf memory foam that we have in our Austin furniture store has a 10-year warranty, so it could potentially cover it for the entire lifespan.
6" Twin Gel Memory Foam Mattress by Malouf
How will I know which memory foam mattress is right for me?
We've been lecturing you this whole time, but how do you choose one that won't cause back pain? We are a furniture store in Austin that has invested in a machine called the Support Report that utilizes its sensors to generate an image that shows your areas of pressure that need comfort and support.
Memory foam mattresses are a great option for people who want comfort and support, but it is important to find the right one for you. With the help of our team at Couch Potatoes furniture store, you can find the memory foam mattress that will give you the best night's sleep without causing any pain.
Our Austin furniture store has locations in Central and South Austin. We are not just a mattress outlet, we specialize mostly in couches, but can help you find other pieces for your home as well.
Written by Emily Holleran