Bed and Spine Health, Is There a Connection?

Back pain and back pain are some of the complaints that people often experience. It could be stress, lifestyle, or injury. However, there is one more factor that may not be thought of, namely the bed.

There have been many studies that prove that your sleeping mattress is closely related to the quality of rest. If the mattress is too soft or too hard, it can cause problems with the spine.

Common symptoms include shoulder pain, muscle stiffness, and lower back pain.
Spinal Structure

In general, the spine is divided into 3 parts, namely:

    Cervical Bone (Neck Bone)

This section consists of seven sections (C1-C7) whose main function is to support the head. Disruption in this area can cause neck pain, or pain that radiates to the arms, hands, and fingers.

    Thoracic Bone (Upper Back)

This section consists of twelve segments (T1-T12) that correspond to the sternum and ribs. These bones form a stable and sturdy structure. Disturbances in this area are rarely bed-related.

    Lumbar Bone (Lower Backbone)

Consists of five sections (L1-L5). This section has flexibility and wide space. Its function is to support body weight and body movement. That is why, this section is most often experiencing pain or other spinal problems.
Spinal Problems Related to Mattress Selection

Spinal problems are often caused by the wrong bed or poor posture when sitting, sleeping, or working.

In general, bad posture prevents the spinal cord from rehydrating (re-absorbing water). This has a negative effect on the spine.

On the back, there are many large muscles such as the trapezius muscles (muscles that make up the structure of the back) and small muscles such as the erector spinae muscles (the back muscles that extend the spine and prevent hunching over).

Poor posture can cause these muscles to become irritated for a long time. After a few months, the condition can cause pain, especially in the lower back.

Strained muscle is the most commonly reported spinal problem due to improper bed selection. As a result of the uncomfortable position and constant pulling of the muscles, there is stress on the muscles and excessive pulling, causing pain.

If the mattress is not spinal-friendly, the pressure that occurs can cause the vertebrae to degenerate. This condition is known as degenerative disc disease or lumbar disc disorder, which is a condition where one or more of the spinal pads lose their strength or density.

The above conditions cause narrowing between the vertebrae which can compress the nerves and cause pain. The nerve that is most often irritated is the sciatic nerve, which causes sciatic pain.

The pain is felt in the lower back that radiates to the hips, buttocks, legs, toes (along the path of the sciatic nerve). Pain characteristics such as cramps, hot pain, or like an electric shock. Pain generally increases when the patient sits for a long time, sneezes, or coughs.
How to Choose a Mattress That Can Support Spinal Health?

A good sleeping mattress must fulfill two main components, namely providing comfort and being able to support the body well.

The conditions for an ideal mattress for spinal health are as follows.

    The mattress needs to support the whole body in a neutral position.
    Not too hard, because it can put excessive pressure on the spine.
    Not too soft, because it can make the body "sink" into the mattress, so that the vertebrae do not get the support they should.

When to Change Mattresses?

Note that if you experience any of the following, it is a sign that you should start browsing for a new mattress.

    Often woke up at night for no reason.
    The mattress curves up as you sleep on it.
    Often change positions because they feel uncomfortable.
    Feel the mattress is too flat and hard, and does not fit the curves of the body.
    Pain on waking up, which usually goes away on its own in 20-30 minutes.

Through the study, 56 percent of people who slept on mattresses with moderate or firm tenderness had a lower risk of spinal pain, compared to people who slept on mattresses that were too soft.

In addition to paying attention to the signs above, it is generally recommended that you replace the mattress once every 8-10 years or as soon as possible if the mattress looks damaged. In fact, an unsuitable mattress can cause spinal pain due to lack of support and comfort.

The problems that arise can be temporary, but can also be chronically aggravating. If the back pain you feel is getting worse, you should consult a doctor u