Sleeping arangements for a good back

[Konan555]

OK, this is NOT a doctor type back problem, I'm being pre-emptive so I think this is about the right place to be posting.

Just wondering what people find the best way to sleep is with reguards to keeping your back in good shape.

[Tumble]

a decent mattress....

and the one I'd recommend after personal experience is the Relaxsan... it's a foam/latex type material and comes in a few different flavours - feels too soft if you sit on the edge cos it's got no beading round the edge of it like a standard mattress.. but when you get on it, it just moulds to and supports your whole bod like nothing else in the world... even if you got pointy hips and elbows, lie on your side and you have contact from tip to toe.. very satisfying and SOOOO comfy (and nice and warm too). They come supplied in a *very* small roll, and they expand before your eyes when you unwrap them. For a double I think you'll be looking at somewhere between £275-£300. Money well spent tbh.

[DavidM]

I find the floor the best.

[Taz]

Believe it or not, a firm mattress is not the best solution for your back! A medium firm mattress is the best.

I've just bought a new bed and bought a Sealy memory-foam job. It's reasonably priced and provides good support. Memory foam is the current flavour of the month and there are many manufacturers that will provide such a mattress.

Of more importance are your pillows. Try to get orthopaedic memory-foam pillows that provide good neck support. When lying on your bed, your spine should be naturally curved so that it doesn't stretch your back and neck muscles (which is the cause og backache). These pillows are quite pricey (around £40 each) but weigh several KG each and provide excellent neck support.

[DavidM]

For myself, I've been recommended by various doctors for sleeping on either a firm matteress or - as has often been the case - the floor.... but again this backs up the principle of always seeking medical advice, as this wouldnt do for most people....

[tiggerai]

Dont' sleep on your front if you can help it.

After I injured my back I couldn't anyway, but it really does put a strain on your back if you're not careful. ( I couldn't sleep on my front for about 2 years, and still struggle with it now)

Also as said above, a good med-firm mattress and good neck support does a lot.

My personal preference is on my side as there aren't too many unnatural forces (think recovery position)
I find that sleeping with my legs straight while on my back really stresses my lower back, so I find sleeping with a pillow under my knees releases the strain if i'm having a poorly back day.

So while I've now got over the worst of my back problems, if I sleep funny it can really mess up my day, so sleeping comfy is part of the maintenance to make sure it doesn't get any worse.

[saucy_mish]

i always sleep on my back. but i also mostly wake up at the wrong side of ma bed. and i often wake up with a sore back too.

[5cupa]

to test the best mattress for you is this:

lie on the mattress and if u can push you hand under the small of your back too easily then its too hard, if its difficult to get your hand under then its too soft. you need one to support the natural curve without being too one way or the other

start young and believe me you will never have to worry about back/neck pain. as it truly is one of the most miserable conditions

i have tried many many pillows tempur, foam, rubber, beads etc and at the moment I am finding the best relief from a water filled one. if your interested I can look out the details

[fuddam]

the chinese (amongst many other Asian nations) often sleep on wooden surfaces covered with something thinner, yes thinner, than a duvet. I have lived in Taiwan for about 3 years, and travel a lot in that area, and they have less back hassles than us out in the west, generally speaking.

Sure, a lot now buy normal mattresses, but if you got to more traditional families, esp out in the countryside, where they have to work in the rice paddies every day (back breaking work, believe me!), and they use what works.



I prefer a futon myself. A real one, not some supermarket special.

[Norky]

I slept with only one pillow the other night (usually have 2 stacked) and I woke up with a killer back, took me about 10 minutes to get dressed. Believe it or not I find sleeping on the floor the best

[DavidM]

I slept on the floor for about 7 years as well ... did my back a lot of good actually.

[saucy_mish]

why did you sleep on the floor? iv tried sleeping on the floor, its too hard! i like a comfy bed!

[richardjrsmith]

Zak Edit: This is not really very funny richardjrsmith

Two posts, both selling matresses? Cunning....you nearly fooled me.

Please PM me if you'd like to advertise, we do some excellent rates for banner adverts.

Cheers

Zak, forum Admin with badly hidden stick behind back

[DavidM]

I still preffer the floor

[Zak33]

he's gone

suprised... I nearly am

[dangel]

I'm quite interesting in these memory foam matresses - I bought a (very) good bed a few years back but i'm in back pain on a regular basis in the morning now..
I've ordered an ortha memory foam pillow to see what it's like.. (but not from that bloke! lol!)