It’s estimated that about 3% of the population has scoliosis. A good proportion of these people go through life with no major difficulties or ailments – some never learn they have scoliosis!
But those who do know tend to be concerned. They think that because their spine is curved, any simple mistake or misstep could deform them even more. But I have good news: this simply isn’t the case! But that’s not to say there aren’t precautions or steps you can take to both manage and relieve scoliosis pain.
There are numerous studies about sleeping patterns and the onset of scoliosis. Studies of children who have been identified as being predisposed to worsening scoliosis have found that the curvature can be significantly reduced when children sleep in positions that provide gentle resistance to the scoliosis.
Because of this, scoliosis is first treated by changing posture and exercise positions for sleep and day time activities. However you are an adult and your spine is already developed and “locked in” to a scoliotic position. Nevertheless this proves poor sleep behaviors can worsen scoliosis pain.
More specifically a good sleeping position helps relieve scoliosis pain. And good sleeping positions are often from your mattress. So what is the best sleeping position for YOU?
Well, I can’t tell you that. However your doctor or chiropractor can suggest how to position your body to ensure you’re not in pain, can breathe well and are helping your scoliosis.
Because of this, it is also difficult to suggest a specific mattress for your needs. However here are some broad suggestions based on others suggestions.
Memory Foam Reigns Supreme
The best way to find out your cat’s favourite food isn’t to ask cat academics to compare and contrast Meow Mix and Friskies. No, it’s to go through trial and error with your cat.
Going through scoliosis forums is quite similar. These people have already tried many different mattresses and know what works best. Scoliosis forums frequently recommend memory foam mattresses.
Memory foam mattresses are topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material (memory foam). This type of mattress is good at relieving pressure on painful joints, but is usually pricier than sprung mattresses according to Which.
This mattress also cradles the body, effectively relieving pressure on the spine. Sounds heavenly right?
However Please Balance Comfort and Support
Your mattress can’t be all fluff and no tough. It needs to have the perfect combination of comfort and support. According to the Mattrepedia, a common complaint is that the upper layers of the mattress are too soft.
This makes it difficult for scoliosis sufferers to move out of the “cradle” the body creates in the memory foam. For those with mobility issues, this is an even great problem.
Skip The Mattress Topper
I’m assuming that your mattress is several years old, like the majority of the population’s is. Older mattresses give everyone pain – especially scoliosis sufferers. People try and counteract this pain with a mattress topper.
While a mattress topper adds comfort, it certainly doesn’t change the fact that your current, old mattress is incapable of supporting your spine in a neutral position.
Yes I know that new mattresses are incredibly expensive. But you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t concerned for your spines health and willing to splurge on what’s best for you.
Look For Medium-Firm
A trick you can use to get a suitable scoliosis mattress is to look for those which are suitable for back pain sufferers. While there’s little information for mattresses for those with scoliosis, there is bounds of information about mattresses for people with sore backs.
One of the recommendations is to get a medium-firm mattress. Studies that have investigated the optimal mattress firmness for those suffering from back pain have overwhelmingly shown medium-firm mattresses to have the best outcomes.
However don’t take this as law. If you’re heavier, you’ll benefit from a firmer mattress. If you’re lighter, you’ll benefit from a softer mattress.
Also keep body type in mind. Those with a greater disparity between their waist, shoulders and/or hips benefit more from softer upper layers of a mattress.
The same thing goes for those with scoliosis: if your spine isn’t straight, you benefit more from softer upper layers in your mattress.
If you have selected the perfect mattress, next you need to choose a nice bed. Check out my guide here for choosing the perfect bed.
Goldilocks lay down in the first bed, but it was too hard. Then she lay in the second bed, but it was too soft. Then she lay down in the third bed and it was just right.
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