Sacral Iliac Joint Issue (Lower Back) and Mattress Advice
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Hello,
18 months ago I started getting lower back ache first thing in the morning, waking up with it. I’ve seen my GP had physio (who diagnosed sacral iliac joint issues causing lower back problems), gotten orthotics and am awaiting to see a spinal specialist, but nothing seems to help. My back pain goes off within a few hours (normally) after getting out of bed in the morning. It takes me a long while to get going. I’m starting to dread going to bed as I am going getting a couple of hours undisturbed sleep.
Our current mattress (Hypnos) is only just two years old. I sleep 3/4 over onto my stomach ( recovery position) but I move a lot in my sleep. My husband hasn’t been getting on well with our mattress either and he can usually sleep anywhere ( you could literally hang him on a clothes line and he would happily get a good nights sleep).
Life is hectic with a child with complex medical needs and I can end up getting up several times in the night if needed to assist the overnight nursing team. This can take me a while to get downstairs to him due to back ache.
I’ve even changed my pillow several times but I’m about at the end of it.
My husband and I prefer a firm bed, but reading your advice it seems a medium would suit us better. This I am unsure of and feel lost when it comes to finding the right mattress, even with all the fantastic advice and guides you have given. I just want to get a good nights’ sleep and be pain free.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give.
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you are having such issues and we understand how lower back pain can affect your sleep. Getting enough of the right type of sleep is very important for both the body and the mind.
The advice used to be that anyone with back issues needed a firm mattress but that is no longer the case. You need the correct support and comfort. Back pain that goes away a few hours after getting up can indicate that there is a problem with your current mattress. Without knowing what your current Hypnos mattress is in terms of comfort and support along with your individual needs, it is not possible to say why your current mattress is not working for you.
The support of your mattress comes from the pocket spring tension which is based on your body weight and height. The medium spring tension will support body weights up to 17 stone and the firm spring tension supports those between 17 stone and 23 stone. You need to be at least 20 stone before you could activate an extra firm orthopedic spring tension.
| Bodyweight | Spring tension |
|---|---|
| Upto 16 Stone / 50-101kg | Medium (1.4mm) |
| 16 Stone / 101kg Upwards | Firm (1.6mm) |
| Available in Bespoke Products (Please Call) | Soft (1.2mm) |
The comfort layers determine how the mattress feels and you should consider your sleep positions along with how you like the mattress to feel. For instance, we do not recommend soft upholstery layers for front and back sleepers as this can put your back into an unnatural position, as can the incorrect spring tension, which can cause lower back pain. Likewise, we do not recommend firm upholstery layers for side sleepers as the shoulders and hips need to push into the comfort layers. Given your sleep position and your comfort preferences, I would recommend the firmer medium upholstery layers of either the Origins Reflex 1000 or the Artisan 1500. Your shoulders and hips need the cushioning on the top of the mattress so that you do not get pressure pains but you do not want to sink in too much.
Please note the soft spring tension has been discontinued since the making of the video.
I hope this helps and if you would like any further information or would like to discuss your individual needs, please do not hesitate to contact our small friendly team on 0161 437 4419.
Kind Regards
Michaela
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