Mattress Shopping Tips: Good Mattresses to Ease Body Pain

More than one-third of Americans don’t get the amount of sleep that they need. Sleep is necessary for us to feel refreshed and get things done throughout the day. 

Part of the reason that some of us can’t fall asleep is due to the pain we feel from our mattress. You may struggle to get comfortable enough to fall asleep or maybe you do fall asleep easily, but wake up with your body in knots. 

How can you find a mattress that will help you get the rest you need?

If you are in the market for a new mattress and want some mattress shopping tips that will help you select the right one, check out what you should be looking for below.

What Type of Pain Do You Have?

If you’ve narrowed down that your mattress is causing the pain in your body, you then need to narrow down where you feel that pain.

Is it neck pain or is it back pain? Does it feel like a joint problem?

The truth is that a bad mattress (or even a good one that is not the right fit) can cause a wide array of issues in the body. 

Neck Pain

It is important that your mattress doesn’t have lumps or unsupportive parts because your neck will suffer. This often happens to mattresses as they get older, so it is worth watching out for.

Your neck should always be aligned with your spine and hips for the most support and comfort during sleep.

Back Pain

Speaking of the spine, is yours supported by your mattress? Our spines have natural curves, which can be victims of undue pressure if your mattress is too soft or springy.

Just like when we have bad posture, poor support in our beds can make our spine have to bend in an uncomfortable way that causes pain.

Lower back pain specifically is a pretty common problem that people have when they sleep. If this is happening to you, it’s a good sign that your mattress is not the right fit for your back or that your sleeping position needs to be adjusted. 

Joint Pain

While you don’t want a mattress that is too soft, you also don’t want a mattress that is too firm. Soft mattresses may give you more back pain and firm mattresses may put pressure on your joints.

Finding the right balance between the two is the key! 

If your joints in the hips, knees, or shoulders ache when you wake up, it means that you have been putting all of your body weight onto a mattress that doesn’t have enough give.

Part of the pain you are feeling could be in your knee joints. If you have knee pain at night, you can check here for more information on how you can find an effective mattress to deal with the discomfort. 

What Is Your Sleeping Position?

There is a chance that the sleeping position you have every night is part of the problem. If you’re waking up with pain or soreness, it may be helpful to learn about how your sleeping position impacts your body.

Side Sleeper

About 74% of people sleep on their sides, making this the most popular position for sleeping by far.

Sleeping on your side can be good for your back and spine if you are aligning your neck, spine, and hips. If you prefer to side sleep, using a pillow between your knees will help keep your hips aligned. 

It’s also a good idea to alternate between each side when you’re sleeping if possible. Remember not to curl your neck under and to keep it straight with your spine. 

Back Sleeper

The key to making sure that you don’t make your pain worse if you sleep on your back is using pillows for extra support.

Since our spines have natural curves and there is generally a little “sway” of the back, we need to put something in that empty space. Otherwise, your back is going to work overtime trying to hold itself up.

Using a pillow underneath your back is a great idea, but you also want to remember that your neck has an open spot as well. Using the right pillow for your head, neck, and shoulders is absolutely crucial to avoid pain as a back sleeper.

Stomach Sleeper

While being a stomach sleeper does not have a good reputation, if it is the only way you can fall asleep at night, then you need to be sure you are doing it correctly! 

Use a very thin pillow (or no pillow at all) under your head. You can put a pillow under your pelvis to raise your back and get undue pressure off the spine.

Mattress Shopping Tips: Choosing the Right One

Besides considering your pain areas and the sleeping position you use, what else do you need to think about when mattress shopping?

If you want to make the most of your experience, here are 5 other things that you want to keep in the back of your mind before purchasing a new mattress.

Create a Budget in Advance

Mattresses can be very costly and it is important that you get your money’s worth. Shopping at the right time of year, taking advantage of sales, and knowing what you want will help you stay within your price point.

Consider Your Body Features

You may have body features that impact where your body needs more support versus where it doesn’t. For instance, if you have wide hips, a soft mattress may help accommodate this width and keep your spine straight. If you have a waist and hips that are almost the same size, a firmer mattress will keep this alignment and provide better support for you.

Look for Warranties or Trial Offers

When buying a new mattress, it is best to find an option that allows you to give the mattress a try before committing to it. This is especially true if you are someone that has pain because it may not end up working for you and then you’ve just wasted your hard-earned cash. 

Check Firmness in Person

If it is at all possible, you should go to a mattress store and check out the mattress you plan to buy. Even if you end up buying it online, you will at least have a better idea of what type of mattress you’re getting and whether or not it is as soft or firm as it needs to be for your comfort.

Don’t Get Tricked by Marketing

A lot of mattresses have very fancy names to try and entice you to choose it over another option. Don’t fall for the hype and instead pay closer attention to the features it offers.

Get the Sleep You Deserve

With these mattress shopping tips, you’re sure to find one that you will love for years to come. No one wants to wake up with pain or soreness and now you don’t have to.

If you’re interested in more home tips, check out our website to see what other useful information we have to offer.