Mattresses & Back Pain

[76Highboy]

For back pain I prefer a Pysical Therapist. A Chiropractor grows his practice from repeat customers. A PT teaches the patient how to strengthen the muscles so the back will remain in the proper position. Their focus is to train you to keep in a condition where you don't have back problems.

[mjp28]

First it's a nice idea to talk around and get people's ideas and experiances on things like pain, mattresses, remedies -but- if it gets bad I'd also get some professional opinions too, maybe an xray or whatever before you spend $500 (+/-) on a mattress.

30+ years ago I thought Chiropractors were quacks, not now, I was in a bad auto accident ~20 years back, spent 6 1/2 months in the hospital with a broken neck.

Well after that and 5 months more home rehab I was left with nerve damage down my left side especially left hip, leg some back and off/on PAIN!!. TENS unit did nothing, all kinds of meds, more meds, ice, more ice (I have a pack in my hip now), nothing really worked 100% OH I have a very high pain tolerance.

About 10+ years ago it got really bad, more and more pills, packed in ice almost all day, it was HELL! Went to MD, said he had to find some relief! Back in hospital for 3 days, xrays, CAT, MRI .....found nothing. Discharge notes: Pain Management....that's it? I WAS PISSED!

Got home, called Chiropractor, who also works with an LMT, Licensed Massage Therapist...in next day, heat treat, massage, etc, then on table, worked, stretched, all the tools, I felt better than a year+.

Aggressive 3-4 treatments/week then cut back to 1-2/week, 17 in 4 months. Exercises at home which I followed after treatments. I felt so much better.

Chiropractor + LMT saved me!

Now I'm 61, have arthritis, bursitis in LT shoulder and hip, I do stretch bands...wore out 2 sets, am ordering some HD ones soon. It works, plus occasional ice.

[cpttango30]

76 is on to something there.

My wife just forced me to join a gym. I had a 1 hour appoitment with a trainer there and she said the same exact thing about the hamstrings and my lower back. She said my posture was BAD REALLY BAD. then asked if my lower back hurts often. I said yes quite a bit.

As for a bed. I had a sleep number for my sleep study and I tried to come back for more of them because that was the most comfortable mattress I had ever had. See if your doc will write you a scrip for a mattress some insurance's will pay for most of it that way.

I know a guy that got hit by an IED in Iraq. His back was hurting him all the time. His Navy doc wrote him a scrip for a memory foam mattress and the military insurance picked up the tab. Whats the worse that can happen? They say NO.... Never hurts to try though.

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

76 is on to something there.

My wife just forced me to join a gym. I had a 1 hour appoitment with a trainer there and she said the same exact thing about the hamstrings and my lower back. She said my posture was BAD REALLY BAD. then asked if my lower back hurts often. I said yes quite a bit.

As for a bed. I had a sleep number for my sleep study and I tried to come back for more of them because that was the most comfortable mattress I had ever had. See if your doc will write you a scrip for a mattress some insurance's will pay for most of it that way.

I know a guy that got hit by an IED in Iraq. His back was hurting him all the time. His Navy doc wrote him a scrip for a memory foam mattress and the military insurance picked up the tab. Whats the worse that can happen? They say NO.... Never hurts to try though.

Thanks tango. The trick with the sleep number bed is to find your comfort level and then over time increase it a little firmer. As time goes by you will get used to the firmness and your back will feel better. At that point, if you went back to your original number it might surprise you because initially it will feel better, but then the back pains will slowly creep back in. Our backs were not designed to be curved under our own weight to a great degree. Firm is better and it does not necessarily need to be extra firm.

[Vladimir]

Hmmm sleep number seems outrageously expensive, the complaints of heat with memory foam has me worried as I prefer sleeping in a cold environment. However, that is one perk to Costco, basically unconditional return policy.

[carver]

Originally Posted by Vladimir

Hmmm sleep number seems outrageously expensive, the complaints of heat with memory foam has me worried as I prefer sleeping in a cold environment. However, that is one perk to Costco, basically unconditional return policy.

Vlad, right now you can buy a Queen Sleep Number bed for around $600. Compare that to any name brand mattress!

[yetiman]

We have a Tempur but I do not like it. My back feels the best when I can ride a bicycle 3-4 times a week 15-20 miles at a time (road bike), used to wake up in the middle of the night due to back pain and the bike was key to strengthening my back muscles where pain is very manageable....

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by yetiman

We have a Tempur but I do not like it. My back feels the best when I can ride a bicycle 3-4 times a week 15-20 miles at a time (road bike), used to wake up in the middle of the night due to back pain and the bike was key to strengthening my back muscles where pain is very manageable....

Bike riding is a great way to helping the lower back because it stretches the ham strings and they are connected to the lower back muscles which also become stretched out. People that ride on a regular basis normally have minimal back isues.

[ka64]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Sleep Number.

My best yet. I have owned Sterns & Foster top of the line, temperpedic and the sleep number by far has been the best for me and the Wife. LOVE IT!!!!!!!

[One Shot]

We have the poor mans version of the sleep number. Off brand and we don't really have a number but we can adjust the firmness. Since both halves of the bed have their own control my wife and I can adjust it to what we like best. In the case of my wife and I we are the exact opposites so one side is real firm and the other is super soft.

[mjp28]

Originally Posted by yetiman

We have a Tempur but I do not like it. My back feels the best when I can ride a bicycle 3-4 times a week 15-20 miles at a time (road bike), used to wake up in the middle of the night due to back pain and the bike was key to strengthening my back muscles where pain is very manageable....

Wow bike riding to strenghening back muscles I haven't really heard that one but that's fantastic if it works for you!

Excercises are way better than falling into a "sit & medicate" routine.

Even with chronic pain like arthritis try to find an excercise routine that works you you....plus I like my occasional ice pack!

[Neverhome]

Originally Posted by carver

Airdale hit it! The Sleep Number bed is the way to go! I sleep on one, and I love it. If you like it hard, then make it hard. If you like it soft, then make it soft. http://www.sleepnumber.com/ A foam mattress will retain body heat, and they will get very warm! I can't sleep under an electric blanket, nor can I stand the Foam type mattress, just too hot for me. The Sleep Number bed will give your body the support it needs. All you have to do is find your number! I like mine at 80. The wife likes her side at 40.

+1. Perfect solution for back pain. Both myself and the Mrs. like it on 100.

Neverhome

[BlackEagle]

Originally Posted by mjp28

Wow bike riding to strenghening back muscles I haven't really heard that one but that's fantastic if it works for you!

Excercises are way better than falling into a "sit & medicate" routine.

Even with chronic pain like arthritis try to find an excercise routine that works you you....plus I like my occasional ice pack!

+1 I've always found it best to keep moving as much as possible whenever my back starts throwing spasms. Ice packs and/or heat packs help, and the TENS machine is useful. I found a brace helps a little. The Dr. gave me some perscription painkillers a few years back, but I still have most of the perscription left.

Chronic pain I'm not so sure about.

[mjp28]

Originally Posted by BlackEagle

+1 I've always found it best to keep moving as much as possible whenever my back starts throwing spasms. Ice packs and/or heat packs help, and the TENS machine is useful. I found a brace helps a little. The Dr. gave me some perscription painkillers a few years back, but I still have most of the perscription left.

Chronic pain I'm not so sure about.

Funny thing about the TENS which if you've never used one is:

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (acronym TENS) is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. TENS by definition covers the complete range of transcutaneously applied currents used for nerve excitation although the term is often used with a more restrictive intent, namely to describe the kind of pulses produced by portable stimulators used to treat pain.

My PT and OT people in the hospital used to borrow mine for their aching muscles....it's tough working all those people out all day every day!

On chronic pain it's as much a mental issue as physical, it's nice to get into routines, maybe change up excercises....similar to sports and lifting routines.

NOTE: typing on the computer doesn't count as excercise, lol, in fact it hurts if you're on too long.

[geds]

Vlad - the first exercise the Dr. gave me after my back surgery is one that is easy to do when you are feeling tight or have a nerve pinched. Lay flat on your back (can be on the floor or in bed). Point your toes away from you and while doing so, press your stomach back toward the surface you are lying on and count to ten. Repeat except this time pull your toes toward you. What you are doing is stretching the hamstrings and abdominal muscles without moving them. This helps to relieve the compression on the disks (and nerves) in your back and thighs. Since the only thing moving are your feet, it does not risk pinching or binding anything.

Once you loosen up some, slowly work your way into doing abdominal strengthening exercises as described earlier in the thread. Strong abdominals, stretching, and proper lifting techniques will go farther toward taking care of your back pain than anything else you can do.

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by geds

Vlad - the first exercise the Dr. gave me after my back surgery is one that is easy to do when you are feeling tight or have a nerve pinched. Lay flat on your back (can be on the floor or in bed). Point your toes away from you and while doing so, press your stomach back toward the surface you are lying on and count to ten. Repeat except this time pull your toes toward you. What you are doing is stretching the hamstrings and abdominal muscles without moving them. This helps to relieve the compression on the disks (and nerves) in your back and thighs. Since the only thing moving are your feet, it does not risk pinching or binding anything.

Once you loosen up some, slowly work your way into doing abdominal strengthening exercises as described earlier in the thread. Strong abdominals, stretching, and proper lifting techniques will go farther toward taking care of your back pain than anything else you can do.

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by Vladimir

PS Anyone with memory foam able to advise on 10inch vs 13inch thick? Do I need thicker being heavier, or is it just premium quality vs lower quality basically?

I've got experience with several different memory foam mattresses from several companies. The 10" v. 13" is really missing the point. You want to know more about the density of the foam (in the various layers) than the overall thickness. There are excellent mattresses in both thicknesses and terrible ones in both.

Read up on density stuff before making a decision.

[Vladimir]

Will have to look into all these posts more, and try to find somewhere to see a sleep number, if I can get it for that price...

As for bike riding. People ask me about the motorcycle and how uncomfortable, heck you tuck in for speed and get a goooood back stretch out of that. Love it!

[Vladimir]

Went and tried a sleep number mattress today. Not sure where you find them cheaper because they only sell in their own stores yea? Was about $1,400 for a queen C2 (the second from lowest/cheapest one).

It was awesome but thats a TON of money. Also concern is I toss and turn a lot, and the way she was demoing it for me it needs to be adjusted when I go from front to side (I sleep on both front and side) and well obviously cannot adjust every time I toss at night!

[raven818]

Many folks blame their beds for back problems. When in fact, it's their pillow that's causing most of the pain. I slept on a feather pillow most of my life. I also was using a motionless water bed. The water beds heat is controlled by an under mattress heater. You can adjust it in winter and summer to a comfort level that fits.

I still sleep on the water bed. But, I changed the pillow to one that keeps my head level with my spine. Back, and shoulder pains are gone.

[armedandsafe]

The best I've found for me is a water bed and buckwheat hull pillow. Now, I can't install a water bed (mobile home) but I'm still using my buckwheat pillows. I have a foam wedge at the head of the bed and have carved it to the proper size FOR ME.

Pops

[geds]

Originally Posted by armedandsafe

The best I've found for me is a water bed and buckwheat hull pillow. Now, I can't install a water bed (mobile home) but I'm still using my buckwheat pillows. I have a foam wedge at the head of the bed and have carved it to the proper size FOR ME.

Pops

Now Pops that's a new use for buckwheat that I haven't heard about. I grew up watchin' Buckwheat and eating' buckwheat pancakes.

Never thought of sleeping with Buckwheat - I guess somebody had too!