Imagine waking up after an 8-hour nap feeling completely refreshed. When you slowly awaken, you attempt to sit up… only to be greeted by a backache. When you walk, the aches in your shoulders and neck become more noticeable, but when you stand up, the dull ache in your hips and legs takes over. What in the world is going on? After a good night’s sleep, how can you feel so sore?
The answer is more simple than you think: it’s possible that your mattress is to blame.
If you don’t believe us, keep on reading to find out how your mattress affects your morning aches and pains. If you’re living with chronic back pain that just won’t quit, contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment with a skilled physical therapist!
Why does my body ache in the morning?
A 2008 study found that 1 in 15 to 20 cases of chronic pain can be attributed to sleep problems. One of the biggest causes for chronic pain is something called “long-term malpositioning.” In short, your body is in the wrong position for too long! Bad posture, poor workstation positioning, even sleeping on the wrong mattress and pillow can force your body into positions your back, hips, shoulders, neck, and head are not meant to be in. The result is morning achiness, even if you have adequate sleep at night.
How does my mattress affect my quality of sleep?
The amount of support you need from your mattress will be determined by your preferred sleeping position. If their hips rest on top of the mattress, people who sleep mostly on their backs will feel low back pain. If their knees are below their hips, side sleepers can feel aches and pains in their hips and low back. Since their shoulders are resting behind their hips, stomach sleepers can wake up with back pain. Although properly placed pillows can help with morning aches and pains, they cannot replace a mattress that supports your natural sleeping position!
You may need to start searching for a new mattress!
While the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, the way you feel in the morning is a better indicator that it’s time to replace what you’re sleeping on!
If your mattress was once comfortable but now seems to be at the root of your aches and pains, it may be time to replace it.
Physical changes like injuries, surgery and weight change can also change your body’s position as you sleep, necessitating a faster change in your mattress.
The best way to find out is to visit a physical therapist to receive a full assessment of your body and areas that are lacking in support. Our clinic’s physical therapists can take a look at the position you’re sleeping in as well as any areas that are plaguing you, and give you helpful tips to get a good night’s rest!
How can a physical therapist help me improve my sleep quality?
It might seem strange to consult a physical therapist for aches and pains that may be caused by your mattress, however, their expertise may be just what you need!
As experts in posture and movement, a physical therapist can assess your body’s position while you sleep and make recommendations for the type of mattress that best supports your body.
They will also assess your posture and movement for any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your morning aches and pains. The physical therapist may develop a physical therapy treatment plan aimed at improving your posture, strengthening your body and improving your sleep.
Contact our clinic today
We’re here to support you and make sure you’re getting the best possibly quality of sleep there is. With a little bit of work with a physical therapist and a little bit of time, you can say goodbye to morning aches and pains and hello to a restful night’s sleep! Call our office today to schedule your first appointment, and rest assured (no pun intended!) that we’ll have you sleeping like a baby in no time at all.
