Can sleeping position impact back pain?
Sleeping position may have a direct impact on back pain. This is because each sleeping position forms a unique set of pressure points that need cushioning. Our data shows that having the right mattress to conform to your sleeping position is essential in preventing and relieving back pain.
Back sleepers tend to have the most pressure points around the lumbar area. Our data has shown the weight of the stomach will cause this area to fall out of alignment with the back and hips if a mattress feel is too soft – that is why an extra firm mattress for back pain is best, depending on your position.
Conversely, if the mattress feel is too firm, it won’t adjust to the spine’s natural curvature in the lumbar area when sleeping on your back. For this reason, a medium-feel mattress usually works best for back sleepers.
Side sleepers have high-impact zones where the body is the widest, typically at the hips and shoulders. A mattress must be soft enough to cushion those pressure points but not too soft to let you sink too deeply and out of line with the rest of the body. Our data shows side sleepers with back pain get the best sleep quality and comfort from a medium soft feel mattress.
Stomach sleepers have pressure points in the lumbar area and near the neck. Therefore, if their pillow is too lofty, it may put an excess bend in the upper back and neck.
On the other hand, if the mattress feel is soft, the pelvic area can sink too far, positioning the body in a U shape that may apply stress to the spine and the ligaments muscles in the lower back. As a result, our data shows stomach sleepers have reduced back pain if they have a medium-feel mattress and use a thinner pillow.
Body weight is an essential factor to think about, along with the sleeping position. People with more body weight will sink further into a mattress, heightening the risks in all sleeping positions of the heavier body parts becoming misaligned. For example, sleepers over 16 stones generally need a firmer mattress than someone who weighs 10 stones and sleeps in the same position.