Fibromyalgia is an illness that can contribute to widespread temperature sensitivity and musculoskeletal pain, which may cause poor sleep. In addition, individuals with fibromyalgia may experience additional sleep problems such as lack of restorative sleep, disruptive sleep and insomnia. Fibromyalgia can also lead to restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. While you should confer with a doctor about treating and managing fibromyalgia, a comfortable and supportive mattress can provide quality sleep regardless of underlying ailments. Our data considered these aspects when choosing our range’s best mattresses for fibromyalgia.
The following elements can determine which mattress is best for an individual with fibromyalgia. While some mattress retailers claim their mattress is universally comfortable and supportive, it is essential to remember that comfort and support are subjective. What is comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for another. Taking into account your fibromyalgia symptoms and how each element may affect said symptoms can help you choose the best mattress for you.
Quality Fibres
High-quality fibres have distinct advantages. Some fibres are specifically engineered to relieve pressure points, regulate temperatures and promote proper spinal alignment. Quality fibres also last longer than their lower-quality counterparts.
Spring Tension
Spring tension influences how much support a person will experience. Individuals with fibromyalgia may wish to select their spring tension wisely to ensure they enjoy the best balance of contouring and support. For example, a soft spring tension may not support the sleeper’s natural spinal alignment, while a spring tension that is too firm could contribute to the buildup of pressure. The ideal spring tension varies based on a person’s body weight and sleep position. We have designed a spring tension chart which can be viewed on every product page that will show you which spring tension is best for you.
Mattress Feel
Feel is dictated by the fibres used inside the mattress and is all about the immediate feeling you experience when lying down. Does it ease the pressure? Is there a lot of cushioning or pushback? People who have fibromyalgia generally prefer a medium soft or medium feel.
Pressure Relief
When someone lies down, their heavier and wider body parts put more pressure on the mattress. On some mattresses, this may lead to pressure buildup. People with fibromyalgia already experience substantial pain and additional discomfort could be more challenging. Therefore, people with fibromyalgia will likely prefer a mattress with optimal pressure relief properties.
Edge-to-Edge Support
A solid edge can make using the entire mattress surface easier. This may be necessary for couples who want the extra room that sleeping close to the mattress’s edge affords. Individuals with fibromyalgia whose pains make it more difficult to get into or out of bed may also favour a solid frame to sit on the edge of the bed without feeling unstable.
Contouring
Mattresses with more cushioning and contouring usually have substantial pressure relief. However, compact contouring can also make it more difficult for some individuals to change sleep positions on a bed. For example, people with fibromyalgia may value pressure relief from contouring. Still, those with mobility issues who like to change sleep positions during the night may find compact contouring restrictive.
Temperature Regulation
Individuals with fibromyalgia are frequently sensitive to temperature. Memory foam is usually most associated with heat retention, but our memory foam mattress uses special construction techniques and materials to keep the sleeping surface cool. Our pocket spring mattresses are also highly breathable, which allows heat to disperse from the sleeper’s body.
Pocket Spring
Pocket springs are highly responsive and have a springy feel, making moving on the bed more effortless. People who frequently change sleep positions due to fibromyalgia pain may like the responsive feel of most pocket spring mattresses.
Memory Foam
Memory foam offers optimal pressure relief and motion isolation. The foam also conforms to the sleeper’s body to relieve pressure buildup around the hips and shoulders while absorbing motion, reducing the sleeper’s vibrations when their partner moves. People who experience pain due to fibromyalgia may like this mix of pressure relief and motion isolation.
Fibromyalgia can impact sleep in several different ways. General pain is one of the most typical symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. In addition, fibromyalgia may make falling and staying asleep more challenging. Temperature sensitivity is also an ordinary condition related to fibromyalgia that could lead to discomfort.
Those with fibromyalgia may experience disruptive sleep, insomnia, lack of rejuvenating sleep, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. With so many symptoms affecting sleep, it should be no surprise that many individuals with fibromyalgia also encounter daytime fatigue.
While no mattress can’t alleviate all the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, the correct mattress could help people get more restful sleep by restricting other elements interrupting sleep, such as heat retention, noise, motion transfer, lack of support and pressure buildup.
The position a person sleeps in can impact the pain they experience. Each sleep position has specific potential benefits and disadvantages. Individuals with fibromyalgia usually select their sleep position based on their everyday aches and pains, but that sleep position could have unpredictable consequences.
Back Sleepers
Many people with fibromyalgia may find sleeping on their backs comfortable. The correct mattress support and feel can sustain good spinal alignment and relieve the spinal strain by allowing the sleeper’s hips to sink into the mattress the right amount. While opinions differ, some sleepers believe that sleeping on their backs eases lower back pain.
People with fibromyalgia who experience back pain when sleeping in this position might consider using a pillow under their knees. Back sleeping may be more challenging for individuals with fibromyalgia who have sleep apnea or snore since this position may aggravate symptoms. However, bolstering up the upper body with a wedge pillow should help.
Back sleepers are best suited to a medium-feel mattress that doesn’t let their hips sink in too deep. A soft-feel mattress could strain the lower back, while a medium-firm-feel mattress could contribute to the buildup of pressure.
Side Sleepers
A side sleeper’s broader and heavier regions push harder on the mattress than the rest of the body. Our mattresses redistribute the weight to reduce pressure on critical areas like the hips and shoulders. Side sleepers with fibromyalgia are best suited to a mattress that cradles their curves to support their spinal alignment and lessen pressure buildup.
A side sleeper’s hips and shoulders could sink too intensely into an excessively soft-feel mattress, putting the spine out of alignment. Conversely, a medium firm-feel mattress could increase pressure points and strain the lumbar region. Since side sleepers’ legs rest on each other, they could also experience knee and hip discomfort, typically more prominent for individuals with fibromyalgia. A pillow between the knees may make the position comfier for some people.
Stomach Sleepers
Sleeping on your stomach can strain the neck and spine, so it isn’t advisable. However, many individuals with fibromyalgia may sleep in whichever position feels the most suitable that night. The proportions of a person’s weight is usually centered around a person’s hips and stomach. When sleeping on their stomach, this weight can pull their core into the mattress and strain the lumbar region. Some methods might help restrict strain and pain if you often sleep on your stomach. For example, a medium-firm feel mattress may support the hips and promote adequate spinal alignment.
Mixed Sleepers
Rotating between multiple sleep positions may benefit those with fibromyalgia to sleep more comfortably by changing which body parts experience pressure. Mixed sleepers may experience both the positives and negatives of each sleep position.
Since fibromyalgia is an illness that induces temperature sensitivity and musculoskeletal pain, individuals with fibromyalgia should invest in a mattress that keeps them comfortable, supported and won’t overheat while they sleep. Since comfort is personal, every individual should choose a mattress with the correct balance of comfort and support for their body weight and sleep position. Our data shows people who weigh less than 10 stones feel most comfortable on soft feel mattresses that cradle the spine, contour closely and relieve pressure points in susceptible areas like the shoulders and hips. Those who weigh 10 stones to 12 stones typically prefer a medium-soft feel to lessen pressure and keep an even surface for their bodies. Sleepers weighing more than 16 stones need a medium to medium-firm feel mattress that conforms very little. Otherwise, they’ll potentially sink too profoundly and encounter new aches and pains.
Sleep position is another essential factor in choosing a mattress. Side sleeping does not promote spinal alignment like stomach or back sleeping. Individuals who predominantly use the side sleeping position need a mattress that cushions the hips and shoulders, forming a straight line down the spine. Stomach and back sleepers need more support and less cushioning to control excessive sinkage around the hips and torso.
A cooling mattress can be a worthwhile investment for individuals with fibromyalgia sensitive to temperature. Specific mattress features promote adequate breathability and temperature management than others.
Your experience with a mattress will vary from that of others, so what one person calls a bad mattress might be entirely suitable for someone else. A mattress that feels discomfiting or excessively hot will likely compound the pains, aches and temperature sensitivity induced by fibromyalgia.
Begin your mattress search by choosing which feel and spring tension is right for you. Your body weight and sleep position will be significant factors.
Our mattress experts have vast experience in everything to do with sleep products and mattresses. Send an email to sales@winstonsbeds.com or call us at 01612509200 with your questions and we’ll assist you in finding what you’re looking for.
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