mattress is causing back pain
Dear John, I’m wondering if you could please help me. For quite a good few years I’ve suffered mild back pain at night, however it was never overly uncomfortable and for a long time it was manageable. Previously I had a mild pain from time to time, however it wasn’t every night, it was only now and then. Two years ago we purchased a good quality kingsize memory foam mattress – since purchasing it my back pain has become chronic. I’m in absolute agony from around 3am onwards (after going to bed at around 11pm) and on many occasions I need to simply get out of bed at around 6/7am because the pain is too intense to lie in bed any longer. I’ve now made the decision to get rid of the memory foam mattress (a little sickening considering how expensive it was!). I have read the other questions & comments, and I am going to try flipping the mattress over tonight and sleep on the ‘unusable’ side. Further to above, a little info on us; I am around 10½ stone in weight (and 27 years old), and my partner is approx 12½ stone (and 30 years old). We are both active, healthy people, who exercise regularly and generally eat very healthy. I have consulted with my GP who has found no reason for my back-pain, and therefore it can only be a symptom of the memory foam mattress. The pain is most intense in my lower back and around the hips. I also sometimes get pain around my sides too (the sides of my waist area) – however the pain in my sides my just be related to the position I’m lying in(?). The lower back is the most severe area for pain though, and is unbearable. I’m wondering if you could please advise me of what you feel would be the best suited mattress to myself?
I have spent hours and hours online reading reviews, reading advice on what’s best etc etc….and there is so much conflicting advice that it’s difficult to draw a conclusion. Even the feel of mattresses in shops doesn’t give me a very good overview because most mattresses feel ‘comfortable’ – however, my memory foam mattress feels comfortable for the first few hours too – so I don’t want to decide on a mattress based on initial comforts (I hope this makes sense!). Please could you give me some advice regarding what you feel would be the best solution for me, and additionally which mattress/es you would recommend (or type/brand). I’d really appreciate some help. Kindest Regards, Jillian
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Hi Jillian
Thank you for your question.
This is the type of question that we get asked quite a lot. It used to be advised that if you suffered from a bad back, that you required a firm mattress – this is not the case. The mattress needs to be supportive but comfortable.
At your body weights, I would recommend a medium spring tension as this is going to give you both the correct support.
| 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) |
We then come to the Upholstery layers or comfort layers which are all the fillings on top of the springs that give you that comfort when sleeping. From what you have explained, I would recommend that you also require a medium comfort layer which will make the mattress neither too soft nor too firm.
We have two ranges of traditional pocket sprung mattresses, our Origins Range which have man made fillings and our Artisan Range which have natural fillings. In the Origins Range I would recommend looking at the Origins Pocket 1500. This mattress comes with a medium spring tension and also has a medium comfort layer. In the Artisan Range I would recommend the Artisan Naturals with a medium spring tension. Again this mattress has a medium comfort layer.
I hope the above is of assistance but please do not hesitate to telephone the Office on 0161 437 4419 for further advice and information.
Kind regards Julie
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