Back pain sufferers should choose the right bed

According to the Sleep Council, up to 40% of the population ( over 16 million of us) suffer from back pain. The importance of your sleeping surface from a reactionary and preventative perspective cannot be overstated. A good bed provides you with the correct support and comfort level for you. What maybe the ideal surface for one person is not necessarily the ideal for the next. Variable factors such as weight, height, body shape and above all personal preference can have a significant impact on deciding on the right bed for you.

Here are some things to consider when buying your next bed;

• Don't just buy a bed because it says it's good for your back. A bed that's supportive and comfortable is key. But it is important to remember that people's requirement for support will differ depending on their weight and build. 
  
• The term 'orthopaedic' – often shortened in advertisements to ‘Ortho’ - generally just means an extra firm bed; it is not based on any medical or other common standard.
• Tension or Firmness is not determined by price, although comfort, luxury and durability will often come with a higher price tag.
• Underlying back problems are exactly that "Underlying". The right bed for you may ease a back problem in comparison to the wrong bed or an old one.
• When buying your next bed take time to try out different models and choose one which feels supportive and comfortable to you.
• Once you have narrowed your choice spend time lying on each in your normal sleeping position. Simulating a nights sleep is not possible in a showroom with the five or ten minutes you may lie on a bed.
• A bigger bed will afford benefits for both for the back pain sufferer and for their partners - with less partner disturbance. Sharing a King-size bed means that in terms of width you have less space than in a single bed.
• Zip and link beds are a good option where a future requirement for two separate beds is identified.
• Think also about the height of the bed: can you get in and out of it with relative ease? An adjustable bed might be an option if this is an area of particular concern - it also offers variable sleeping positions.
• Mattresses need to be turned regularly to ensure even wear. If this is likely to prove difficult then consider a one-sided mattress which only needs turning end-to-end.
• Pay attention also to choosing the correct pillow which must support the neck neck in alignment with the rest of the spine. Too many pillows thrust the head forward or sideways depending on your sleeping position, and too few allow the head to tip backwards; both creating a more difficult angle for your neck and spinal alignment.