In our previous post about our outstanding Intellibed collection, we discussed a little bit about the different sleep positions. The three most common sleep positions are back, side, and stomach. Each of these positions is very different and can have unique effects on your body and sleep quality. With their different sleep positions, people have different needs regarding their mattress firmness and composition. Back sleepers are no exception to this rule of thumb, so here are some tips on back-sleeper mattress needs.
Common back-sleeper problems
Back sleeping is not the most common sleep position as only 8% people sleep this way, according to Sleep.org. In fact, many people that sleep on their backs have a “back-up” sleep position that they move to if they get uncomfortable. But for the people who are exclusively back sleepers, there are some problems that can pop up. The most common problem that back sleepers face are back pain, acid reflux, and severe snoring. Luckily, there are easy ways to help these problems become less serious.
To combat these common problems for back sleepers, you can slightly elevate your head and your back. By elevating your head, your esophagus will be above your stomach and your tongue will stay out of the back of your mouth. When you elevate your back, pressure is removed and replaced with a soft cushion that is sure to help.
What back sleepers need in a mattress
Firmness
Even though everyone prefers their own mattress firmness, sometimes the chosen firmness is not necessarily the best choice. Back sleepers vary a lot in their preference, and factors including height and weight can also impact which mattress firmness they should actually be sleeping on.
Unless you know without a doubt that you like an extremely firm or extremely soft mattress, it is best to go with a medium or medium hybrid firmness. A medium firmness mattress is not as firm nor as soft as its counterparts, it is perfectly in the middle. This medium firmness mattress can still conform to your lower back’s natural arch without making you feel like you are sleeping on a solid surface. Consider these firmness tips if you are a back-sleeper that is looking for their next mattress!
Materials
Keeping the previous tips in mind about the firmness options that a back-sleeper should go with, different mattress materials can also play a factor. As you know, mattresses can be made of many different kinds of materials that have their own unique purposes. Some of the most common materials include memory foam, gel, latex, coils, pillow tops, and more. While each of these can be good for certain types of sleepers, not all of them will work effectively for back sleepers.
In terms of materials that would benefit back sleepers, the best choices include memory foam, latex, and pillow top. Regardless of what type of padding you go with for your back-sleeper mattress needs, you must also consider the underlying support system. The best support system for back sleepers include coil and innerspring systems. These systems are vitally important because they give your back additional spinal support. Without that extra support and no matter what comfort material you choose, you could still experience spinal misalignment. Be sure to test out your mattress before your purchase so that you know what you are really getting.
Choose your back-sleeper mattress today
Are you a back-sleeper that is struggling with your mattress? Come visit any of our Mattress Warehouse locations today and we can help you! We carry various mattress brands including Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Serta, Sterns & Foster, and many more. You are sure to find your next great night’s sleep with us.
