Don't Use Your Phone in Bed!

Do you use your phone in bed? Here are two reasons to avoid this harmful practice if you suffer from neck pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/2-reasons-avoid-phone-use-bed-if-you-have-neck-pain

RI Back Health Newsletter, 2016 December

http://www.spine-health.com/files/newsletters/pdfs/spine-health-chironews-66057.pdf

The only time the muscles, ligaments, and other structures of the spine can completely relax is while sleeping. Sleeping on a mattress that is uncomfortable or does not provide enough support for the spine can cause sleeplessness and overall aches and pains. For people with back and/or neck problems, a mattress that isn’t a good fit can make pain worse.

A good mattress, on the other hand, will help a person sleep well so that he or she wakes feeling rested and refreshed— without pain and stiffness.

Although no single type of mattress will work best for everyone, the seemingly infinite number of mattress options can be overwhelming. The following tips can help you make an informed decision:

1. Consult with your doctor. If you have an underlying condition that causes back or neck pain, ask your doctor for a specific mattress recommendation. He or she may be able to offer some helpful advice based on years of experience with patients.

2. Shop at a store that specializes in mattresses. You may be able to find a better price online or at a big-box retailer, but the salespeople at a mattress specialty store typically know more about the product they’re selling. It’s also a good idea to shop at a mattress specialty store that carries mattresses from all the major manufacturers.

3. Try out the mattress. When deciding on a new mattress, lie on the mattress for at least 10 to 15 minutes while at the store. This may seem strange, but buying a mattress is a big purchase—and it’s a decision you may live with for 5 to 10 years.

4. Don’t default to a firm mattress for back pain. Many people assume that the firmer the mattress, the better it is for back pain. But the best mattress for most lower back pain sufferers may actually be a medium firm mattress. It’s important to note that there is a difference between firm support and firm
feel—typically, you want a mattress with firm support but a comfortable feel. Of course, comfort is determined by personal preference.

5. Consider an adjustable bed. As a general rule, if sitting in a recliner is better for your back or neck pain than lying down, you will benefit from an adjustable bed. An adjustable bed is not a type of mattress, but rather a base that can be adjusted to various positions. If you go with an adjustable bed, you will likely need to purchase a new mattress that is compatible with your new base. Follow these simple guidelines to help you to find the best mattress for optimal sleep comfort.

Learn more:
www.spine-health.com/blog/7-pointers-help-you-find-right-mattress-your-back-or-neck-pain

Cowesett Chiropractic: Dr Rick Jardon

401-515-4435
328 Cowesett Avenue
West Warwick, RI 02893

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Video: 11 Weird Tips for Better Sleep

Getting to sleep and staying asleep with back pain can be difficult.  This video is an overview of 11 unconventional tips for getting better, more restorative sleep.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-11-unconventional-sleep-tips-how-get-sleep-and-stay-asleep?source=3tab

Adjustable Beds: 3 Questions For You

Sleeping on an adjustable bed may help alleviate your back pain—but it’s not right for everyone. Here are 3 questions to help you decide if an adjustable bed is worth your hard-earned money.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/adjustable-bed-right-you?source=3tab

Sciatica Symptoms, Sleeping

Sciatica symptoms don’t take time off to accommodate your sleep schedule. The burning sensation in your calf or throbbing pain in your foot can jolt you awake at any hour—if you’re lucky enough to fall asleep.

To help you find relief—and regain control of your sleep schedule—here are 3 little-known tips for sleeping with sciatica:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/3-little-known-tips-sleeping-sciatica?source=3tab

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Sleeping Tips and Insomnia are highly common...

Pain doesn't end when the sun goes down. Studies show a majority of those with chronic pain have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/7-sleeping-tips-patients-chronic-pain?source=3tab

Excessive rest can make back pain worse

When you are experiencing low back pain, your first instinct may be to crawl into bed. Until a few decades ago, you doctor probably would have told you to do exactly that. But the tide has turned on our understanding of what is best for tackling back pain, and now the consensus is this: When you have back pain, you should limit or avoid bed rest.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/bed-rest-not-always-best-bet-beating-back-pain

Considerations When Buying A New Mattress

When shopping for a mattress, it is important to be aware of the quality and value of each potential purchase. The following are things a patient should consider when purchasing a new mattress:

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/considerations-when-buying-a-new-mattress

Sleep Positioning + Different Pillows

Sleep position is a key factor in choosing the best pillow for both body alignment and comfort. Fortunately for consumers, many pillows are labeled for specific sleep positions.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/pillows-different-sleeping-positions

VIDEO: Best Pillows for Sleep

Patients with neck pain often ask "which is the best pillow to use?" and the truth is there’s no one pillow that works for everybody. This video reviews the advantages and disadvantages of different types of pillows.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/best-pillows-neck-pain-or-back-pain-video

Choosing the Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain. Lack of support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to low back pain.
Sleep comfort is also sacrificed if a mattress does not match one's individual preferences. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night.

Choosing the right mattress can be difficult. The following practical guidelines are designed to help patients with low back pain choose the best mattress for both back support and sleep comfort:

1. Personal preference should ultimately determine what mattress is best. There is no single mattress style or type that works for all people with low back pain. Any mattress that helps someone sleep without pain and stiffness is the best mattress for that individual. Patients with low back pain should choose the mattress that meets their standards for comfort and support and allows them to get a good night's sleep.

2. Understand and inquire about the physical components of the mattress. The coils or inner springs of a mattress provide the support. Different mattresses vary in their number and arrangement of coils. Padding on top of the mattress comes in many different thicknesses. Mattress depths typically range anywhere from 7 to 18 inches deep. Choosing the number of coils, type of padding and mattress depth should be determined by individual preferences.

3. Find a mattress with back support. A good mattress should provide support for the natural curves and alignment of the spine. The right amount of back support also helps the patient avoid muscle soreness in the morning. While there is not much clinical data about mattresses, one study found that medium-firm mattresses usually provide more back pain relief than firm mattresses.

4. Achieve a balance between back support and comfort. Overall comfort while sleeping on the mattress is equally important as sufficient back support. Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm can cause aches and pains on pressure points. A medium-firm mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly. Patients who want a firmer mattress for back support can get one with thicker padding for greater comfort.

5.  Know when it's time to get a new mattress. If an old mattress sags visibly in the middle or is no longer comfortable, it is probably time to purchase a new one. Putting boards under a sagging mattress to keep it from sagging in the middle is only a short-term fix for the sagging; a new mattress is still needed.

Some Considerations

Shop for the best value and quality of the mattress, not price. Mattresses with more coils and thicker padding tend to be higher quality and also more expensive; however, a higher price does not guarantee that the mattress is more comfortable or more supportive. Mattress stores often have sales and promotions, so it is a good idea to comparison-shop for the best price after finding the right mattress.

Be aware of mattress advertising gimmicks. Claims that a mattress is 'orthopedic' or 'medically-approved' should be viewed skeptically. There has not been extensive medical research or controlled clinical trials on the topic of mattresses and low back pain. The individual must determine whether or not extra features on a mattress make it more comfortable or supportive.

Give the mattress a test-run before buying. To sample mattresses, people can try sleeping on different makes and models in hotels or at other people's homes before going to a mattress store. When shopping at the store, shoppers should lie on the mattress for several minutes to decide if it is a good fit. If two people will be sleeping on the mattress, both should test it at the same time to make sure they have enough space and are both comfortable on the same style of mattress.

Purchase mattresses from stores and companies that are trustworthy. Consider the customer service offered by the mattress store, such as delivery options, warranty, and removal of old mattresses and the store's return policy. Look for mattress stores where customers can return a mattress if they are not satisfied with the quality or comfort after sleeping on it for a significant amount of time (i.e. a couple of weeks to a month).

To help preserve the quality of a new mattress, it should be repositioned every six months to ensure that the mattress is evenly worn. This includes rotating 180 degrees and flipping the mattress lengthwise on a regular basis. The Better Sleep Council advises against putting a mattress on a box spring/foundation that is not made to go with the mattress, as this may decrease the life of the new mattress.

Learn more about evaluating mattresses. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/how-evaluate-a-mattress