Low back pain (LBP) sufferers know how frustrating it can
be to sleep at night; no matter what position you try, the
pain seems to move right with you. What they might not be
aware of is how one type of mattress can affect LBP more than
another.
A recent study published in the Lancet challenges
the popular belief that a firm mattress is the best sleeping
arrangement for easing the discomfort of LBP. Researchers
compared firm mattresses with medium-firm mattresses by replacing
the existing mattresses of 313 test subjects, who were unaware
of which type of mattress they were receiving.
Users of medium-firm mattresses were twice as likely to report
reduced LBP and associated disability (less pain in bed, during
the day, and after a night's sleep) after three months of
use, compared with those who used firm mattresses.
If you're struggling with LBP, the solution may be as close
as the bed you're lying on! Talk to your chiropractor about
the cause of your pain, and what can be done about it. A combination
of chiropractic care in the office, and an appropriate mattress
at home, may be just what's needed to get you on the fast
road to recovery.
Reference:
Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Pena A, et al. Effect
of firmness of mattress on chronic, non-specific low-back
pain: randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial.
Lancet, Nov. 15, 2003:362, 9396, pp1599-1604.
For more information on back pain, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/backpain.html
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