Are Adjustable Beds Good for Lower Back Pain?

adjustable beds and back pain
Tell your chiropractor about Flexabed’s Adjustable Bed products and encourage participation in our Flexabed Chiropractor Partnership Program.

Adjustable Beds and Back Pain: A Solution for Chiropractic Relief

Do adjustable beds make it easier for people who suffer from chronic back pain and those recovering from back surgery to get a better night’s sleep? The experts say adjustable beds can help patients who feel more comfortable in an inclined position rather than lying on a flat mattress. Back discomfort causes a huge problem of disability across the globe, often brought on by strain from bad posture, the accumulated impact of stress, or poor lifestyle habits, so it’s critical for us to do whatever we can to improve the quality of life for the millions who experience it. We believe that a Flexabed Adjustable Bed can help!

Buying an Adjustable Bed for Relief of Back Pain

In a peer-reviewed article for Spine-Health.com, author Ron Miller, (a physical therapist at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin) states that lower back and neck positions, in particular, may be less aggravated sleeping in an adjustable bed. He cites those suffering from Degenerative spondylolisthesis, Osteoarthritis, and Spinal Stenosis as examples of some who might benefit the most from sleeping in an inclined or semi-upright position.

“Sleeping on an adjustable bed allows the upper body to rest at a slight incline, such as 30 to 45 degrees, with support under the knees so they bend at a slight angle,” Miller writes. “After having low back surgery or neck surgery, some patients feel that an adjustable bed is more comfortable than a flat mattress. Like most choices when it comes to mattresses, this is largely a matter of personal preference. The bottom line is that whichever bed or mattress allows a patient to sleep comfortably and without additional pain or stiffness is the best choice for that individual.”

He points out in the article how adjustable beds like the ones we make for Flexabed “have moved beyond health care settings and become commonly used in the home. Prices have come down, there is more selection, a variety of features have been added, and new designs have been added so that they don’t look like hospital beds.”

The primary benefit of such beds is how they allow users to raise or lower the upper body and legs, shifting some portion of weight off the back.

Miller advises shoppers searching for the best adjustable beds to check that products come with a strong warranty and points out that some include a massage function for additional pain relief.

What is the Best Sleeping Position for Lower Back Pain?

After choosing a brand of adjustable bed, users will want to make sure they use it most effectively for the relief of back pain.

Sleeping on your side with a pillow between the knees can provide better spine alignment. Alternate sides to discourage muscle imbalance or scoliosis.

Those suffering from a herniated disk may get relief sleeping on their side in the fetal position, knees tucked toward the chest with torso curled, opening the space between the vertebrae and thus reducing nerve pain.

Sleeping on one’s stomach would seem counter-intuitive if they’re seeking relief of neck and back pain since this position adds stress to the neck, but by placing a pillow under the pelvis and lower abdomen, you can relieve back pressure, especially for those with degenerative disk disease.

Sleeping flat on your back (with weight evenly distributed) with a pillow under the knees may relieve back pain by adding a curve to the lower back. Elevating the foot section of an adjustable bed can mimic this action.

If the most restful position for someone is snoozing in a recliner, they may want to sleep in a reclined position, raising the head of the adjustable bed to create an angle between the thighs and trunk, reducing pressure on the spine. Sleeping in a chair might work for short naps, but it isn’t very practical when trying to get the full eight hours of restful sleep without interruptions.

Firmness of pillows can also impact support for the head, neck and other areas where pillows are used. A thicker pillow is more likely to keep the head aligned with the rest of the spine to avoid muscle strain.

Discussing the best sleeping positions for lower back pain with one’s chiropractor is always a good idea.

Find the Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain

Shopping for an adjustable bed mattress might cause you to feel like you’re Goldilocks trying out the bear family’s cottage for the bed that’s “just right” for your particular preferences. You need enough support to keep the ears, shoulders, and hips aligned, but not so much that you can’t relax and let gravity do its thing with just the proper amount of give.

Doctors recommend a softer mattress if your hips are wider than your waist because this lets your spine stay straight during sleep. If the hips and waist already line up, a more firm mattress may feel better due to additional support. A firm or medium-firm mattress constructed with high-quality innerspring or memory foam may be most likely to help relieve back pain.

The right answer? Well, it really depends on what feels most comfortable for YOU. And what is recommended by your doctor and chiropractor if you are under their care. 

Additionally, the experts suggest you can get a better night’s sleep by avoiding quick movements when getting in and out of bed, stretching to reduce low back pain, and getting regular physical activity to strengthen the core muscles in the abdomen, hips, lower back, and pelvis.

Start Getting Relief from Lower Back Pain

We hope these tips are helpful in learning more about choosing the best adjustable bed position for back pain and more.

If the Flexabed brand is unfamiliar to you, please take a moment to browse this website to learn about the unique features we offer and details like our Premier Lifetime Limited Warranty on every component and design feature of the Flexabed Premier and the Five Year Limited Warranty on Flexabed Value-Flex and Hi-Low models.

You can tell your chiropractor about our products and encourage learning more about our product when advising you on whether an adjustable bed can offer pain relief for your lower back pain. The information provided in this blog is not intended as a substitute for medical and/or chiropractic care. 

We encourage chiropractors nationwide to contact Flexabed to learn more about how our adjustable bed products can help their patients and the benefits of joining the Flexabed Chiropractor Partnership Program. They can help patients to experience a better night’s sleep while generating additional income for their businesses just by referring qualified buyers to one of our dealers to purchase a Flexabed Premier, Hi-Low, Value Flex Adjustable Bed, or a Flexabed mattress.

Written by Steven Stiefel

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