What kind of mattress is best for someone who experiences back pain? Which sleep position is best?
To prevent low back pain when you sleep, use a firm, not necessarily hard, mattress. Sleep on your side with your knees slightly tucked up; this position puts the least strain on your back. A pillow between your knees reduces the pressure even more. If you prefer to sleep on your back, use a pillow under your knees. Sleeping on your stomach will put the spine into an unnatural position and can lead directly to morning backache. Some people use a 1/2-inch sheet of plywood under a sagging mattress to provide better support. Other people use a waterbed, which distributes body weight more evenly than other types of mattresses do. A good rule of thumb is to use whatever is most comfortable for you. For 30 years the International Chiropractic Association has endorsed mattresses manufactured by King Koil. Visit their web site here. How will I know when it’s time to buy a new mattress? Because mattress “loss of comfort and support” is so gradual, you may not realize that your current sleep set
