Should You Get an Adjustable Bed?
By Sara Butler
If you have chronic back pain you are probably always on the lookout for things that can make it easier to deal with. Your mattress is one of the things that can make or break your back pain, so it’s an obvious place to look to try to find something that will help. Adjustable beds have become quite popular but do they really have an impact on back pain? Read on to find out!
What Position Brings Relief?
If you suffer from back pain and find relief when you’re sitting in a reclined position then an adjustable bed may just be right for you. Adjustable beds have been found to be beneficial for people suffering from:
- Osteoarthritis – Joint compression can make osteoarthritis pain even worse in the back, but reclining positions can help.
- Spinal Stenosis – Spinal stenosis systems are often improved by leaning forward, a position an adjustable bed can give you.
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis – Lower back pain caused by this disorder can often be improved by sleeping in a position that has your knees and your back elevated, which makes adjustable beds a good choice.
You have to keep in mind there are certain conditions that will be made worse by sleeping in a reclined position. Ankylosing spondylitis is one of those conditions. If you are considering buying an adjustable bed you may want to first speak about it with your chiropractor and then try sleeping in a recliner for a night to see if the position really does help or not.
Cost and Return Policy
Cost can be prohibitive for a lot of people looking into adjustable beds, but if it will truly help your condition it’s worth looking into. Adjustable beds have a base that moves to position your mattress in different positions, so you may have to invest in a new mattress and not just a base, depending on the compatibility of your mattress with an adjustable base. You shouldn’t sacrifice the quality of the mattress in order to be able to afford an adjustable bed or you may create other issues for yourself.
You should also look at the return policy of any you’re considering, even if it’s not adjustable. Simply laying on the bed for a few minutes in the store isn’t going to tell you if the bed will ultimately work for you, you have to sleep on it for several nights to find that out. So, make sure you invest in a bed you can try out and return if it doesn’t work out for you.
If you have any other questions about the type of bed or mattress that might work for your particular condition, you should speak to your chiropractor about it!