A lot of people usually ask if an adjustable bed can cause back pain. The truth is, there is no straightforward answer to this question. The neck and back are made up of tendons, muscles, nerves, and bones. It is a large and complex system and when there is a problem; it causes great pain.
Back pains are primarily caused by bad posture or sleeping position. With a home hospital bed, a person suffering from back pain can maintain sleeping positions that do not create pains. But is there a chance that a hospital bed can cause back pain?
We will analyze some common causes of back pains. We will also be taking a look at the effect of an adjustable bed on back pain and why an adjustable bed may not provide the succor that some users crave.
Can an adjustable bed cause back pain?
Yes, an adjustable bed can cause back pain. When you sleep on an adjustable bed, there is a chance that it will worsen back pain. An adjustable bed can worsen back pain in three main ways:
- The mattress provides inadequate support.
- The quality of the bed is inferior and the available range of adjustments or support is inadequate for people suffering from back pain.
- The adjustment of the bed does not distribute force effectively so that there will be less pressure on parts of the back affected.
A home hospital bed’s adjustment improves comfort, makes it safer, and easier to sleep in a way that doesn’t hurt the back. On the flip side, it is also possible to sleep on an adjustable bed in a position that isn’t friendly to the back. A good home hospital bed should be flexible and easy to adjust into different configurations. A few of these configurations ease the pains of people suffering from back pain. It also heals the injuries that lead to back pain.
How does an adjustable bed lead to back pain?
The position or configuration of an adjustable bed can be altered to provide relief for people suffering with back pain. However, it is important to state that it can be used in a way that aggravates the situation and make matters worse.
As a medical equipment, an adjustable bed is flexible. You must however obey medical advice when using a home hospital bed. Furthermore, there isn’t just one type of back pain and this means you have to be careful to use the bed in a manner that suits your condition.
Let’s use degenerative spondylolisthesis as a case study. This is a back condition that is peculiar to aged persons and caused by a misaligned vertebrae in the lower part of the spine. The pain and discomfort the person experiences can be minimized by elevating the upper body. However, the elevation shouldn’t be excessive so that too much force isn’t focused on the affected area. If this happens, it leads to more discomfort. This is the main reason why physicians advice people suffering from degenerative spondylolisthesis to sleep with their upper body raised moderately and knees supported. This is what is sometimes referred to as the zero-gravity position. In this position, weight is distributed evenly and joints aren’t subjected to intense strain.
Can an adjustable bed’s mattress increase back pain?
Mattresses are important for distribution of pressure. If a mattress is designed properly, it will provide adequate support for the body. It also helps to prevent concentration of pressure on sensitive body parts. If a mattress is too hard, too soft, or incapable of providing the required level of support for the body part in need of it.