Wake up ready to seize your day – without a sore neck or back discomfort

 Are you waking up stiff and sluggish, rather than bright and fresh? Whilst there are numerous factors that can impact your spine as you sleep, a sore neck or back discomfort can be the result of old, or improper sleep equipment. That’s right, choosing the best mattress and pillow to support how you sleep can make a huge difference to how your body feels. After all, you are asleep for 7-9 hours a night. So, caring for your spine when you sleep is just as important as when you are on your feet. It's important you do your research to choose a mattress that’s right for you. Gather information about the right mattress materials, pressure, and comfort to support your own typical sleeping style. Remember, in addition to conducting your own product research, it’s recommended you discuss your individual health concerns with your GP or a trusted medical professional too. 

How you sleep matters

 Quality sleep is integral to leading a healthy lifestyle. It gives your mind and body the chance to renew. Plus, it supports your brain to function optimally: you can think more clearly, hold concentration and process information more effectively. Essentially, a good night’s sleep prepares you to get the most out of your day. To enable proper rest and recovery as you sleep, there needs to be minimal stress or pressure on your musculo-skeletal system. Sustained pressure on your spine can create tension in your muscles, leading to pain and discomfort. Therefore, maintaining a neutral spine when you’re asleep supports your body to be as relaxed as possible at night. So, as you research choosing a mattress that’s right for you, it’s essential your preferred sleep position plays a part. Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? Whilst sleeping on your back and side support the natural curvature of your spine more as you sleep, if you naturally sleep on your stomach you can still make informed choices about your mattress to help alleviate a sore neck or back discomfort. Thats why we recommend getting a spinal contour mattress, which is perfect for spinal health.

How to choose a mattress

There are numerous factors to consider when it comes to choosing a mattress that will support your joints throughout the night. Mattress materials, pressure and comfort all contribute to supporting a neutral spine if you choose the right version for your sleeping style. As professionals, we advise our patients to purchase a spinal contour mattress because of its design technology, you will find yourself noticing a significant improvement in your spine. Here’s a quick overview: 

• Do you sleep on your back?

  Generally speaking, your body requires firmness and support to during the night to avoid back discomfort. Consider a medium mattress with memory foam to support your spine.

• Do you sleep on your side?

  Across the board, your body might be more susceptible to hip and shoulder pain. A mattress that is softer on top, whilst still supporting the contour of your body can aid your spine to remain neutral whilst you sleep.

• Do you sleep on your stomach?

  Whilst we don’t recommend this position as it’s difficult to maintain a neutral spine, you can improve your sleep quality by choosing a mattress that supports equal distribution of your weight. Overall, a medium or medium to firm mattress can help reduce your risk of waking up with a sore neck.

How to care for your mattress

 In addition to selecting the type of mattress that supports your sleeping style, it’s important that you care for your mattress properly throughout its lifetime. Remember to:

• Rotate your mattress every month (and flip it too if you can – just follow a safe heavy lifting technique so you don’t hurt your back!)

• Replace your mattress every 7-10 years (or when it’s stopped giving you adequate support). Remember to dispose of it thoughtfully

• Ensure that your mattress is supported properly by the right bed base or frame

 If your mattress is up to date and correct for your sleep type, there are a few things you can do to try and improve your sleep quality. If you are having trouble sleeping, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sleeping issues are quite common. A qualified health provider can guide you towards improved rest that’ll help you lead a healthier life. 

Click here for a great range of pillows, mattress toppers and supports.

How Sydney Spine can help you

 At Sydney Spine and Sports Clinic, we put you first. We believe in offering chiropractic solutions that enable you to make informed and educated choices about your health. We can help you find relief for back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and hip pain plus treat common conditions like sciatica and headaches. If you are suffering discomfort and would like to talk to us about how we can help you get mobile and active again – make an appointment with one of our chiropractors.