Yes, this is Dr. Livingston’s office. And yes, this time I am talking about your mattress and not about your aches and pains. Why? Because your mattress could be the root as to why you are here to see me..
When you’re sitting down and thinking, and you let your mind wander, I bet your thoughts are not centering on your mattress.
At the end of your long hard day, you flop down on your mattress, maybe turn a bit, and then, if you’re lucky, will wake up feeling refreshed. But maybe you won’t. Some of you have complained to me that when you wake up you’re experiencing aches in your lower back, stiff necks, or a tightness in your shoulders. Is this ringing any bells? Then it’s time to take a long, hard look at what you are sleeping on.
At Livingston Chiropractic we see these cases all the time. When a patient walks through my door with these types of pains, they are usually convinced that it came from lifting up their 2-year-old nephew or from sitting for long periods of time at their desk (which by the way is a very bad idea). But very often the bad guy in this scenario isn’t what you are doing during your waking hours. The real culprit is your mattress. The one that you’ve been sleeping on for years, even decades. That big soft rectangle that you climb onto every night is “the foundation for your spine while you sleep, and if it’s not doing its job, your back will let you know.”
What is the key to being good for your back? It’s a one word answer – SUPPORT. Our spines have a natural S-curve, and a good mattress will support that S-curve instead of flattening it out or exaggerating it.
If your mattress is too soft and you’re sinking into it like into a hammock it might be nice for a nap, but it is terrible for your spinal alignment.
Is your mattress extra firm because somebody told you that was the best? Well, it’s not. A too firm mattress will put a load of pressure on your shoulders and hips which will make you stiff and sore all day long. Trust me on this: the “I think I’m in heaven” zone is somewhere in the middle. Your mattress should feel supportive but have a little give. Memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are all good choices, just make sure that your spine stays in neutral alignment. In other words that your head, shoulders, and hips are in a straight line.
Sleeping positions? These matter too. (1) side sleeper should seek out a mattress that has more cushioning for their shoulders and hips, (2) back and tummy sleepers will seek out something a little firmer. The goal for all these sleepers is to wake up without pain.
After all these factors have been taken into account, let’s not forget about age. Not your age, but your mattress’s. Just like us, your mattress has a lifespan. Does your mattress feel saggy or lumpy? When you wake up in the morning do you feel more tired than you did when you went to bed? A good rule to follow is this: if you can’t remember when you bought the mattress, them it’s retirement date is long past due.
Don’t get me wrong, a good mattress is not a magic fix. If your pain is ongoing, you still need to set up an appointment to see me, Dr. Livingston, at Livingston Chiropractic 440-528-0005. But investing in a quality mattress is a simple thing that you can do for your back, your posture, and your sense of well-being.
So, next time you wake up feeling off, don’t just blame your pillow or last night’s Netflix binge. Take a look at your mattress and call Dr. Livingston at 440-528-0005.