7 Ways Adjustable Beds Help Reduce Back Pain While You Sleep

7 Ways Adjustable Beds Help Reduce Back Pain While You Sleep

Do you wake up with a stiff back and sore muscles? Or maybe you have trouble falling asleep at all, tossing and turning just trying to find a comfortable position. Back pain is a common complaint but what you may not know is that your mattress could be making it worse. 

You deserve to wake up pain-free and upgrading your sleep situation could be the key. We’re here to help you understand how switching to an adjustable bed could be the pain-relieving solution you’ve been looking for.

1. Improved Spinal Alignment

Poor spinal alignment is one of the key causes of back pain, especially for those whose pain develops overnight. If you feel fine during the day but wake up in the morning feeling stiff and sore, your bed could be the problem. 

An old, lumpy, or sagging mattress on an unsupportive frame doesn’t support your spine properly. The human spine has a curve to it and adjustable beds enable you to match your own individual curves to keep your spine lined up properly—and not just when you’re lying flat. You can adjust the bed to support spinal alignment no matter what position you sleep in.

Here are some tips for improving spinal alignment with an adjustable bed based on your preferred sleep position: 

  • Side Sleepers - Slightly elevate both the head and feet of the bed to reduce pressure on your hips and shoulders as you sleep. 

  • Stomach Sleepers - Set the bed at a slight incline to encourage your body to choose a healthier position during sleep (like your side or back). 

  • Back Sleepers - Try the zero gravity position (head and feet slightly raised) to deliver improved lumbar support. 

  • Combination Sleepers - Experiment with small adjustments to find out what position works best for your needs. 

2. Pressure Point Relief

In addition to improved spinal alignment, an adjustable bed enables you to take the pressure off parts of your body where you experience pain. If your knees give you trouble, elevate the foot of your bed a little bit. If lying flat hurts your back, try raising the head of your bed. 

Pairing an adjustable bed with the right mattress is the key to optimizing pressure point relief. If you experience chronic back pain, a memory foam mattress like the ErgoEssentials Mattress could be a good fit. For those who prefer a slightly firmer feel, hybrid mattresses that incorporate foam and coils tend to work well. Here are two of our recommendations: 

  • The Dawn House Hybrid Mattress combines the pressure-relieving comfort of contouring foam with a supportive coil base and superior edge support. 

  • Hot sleepers love the ErgoCopper Hybrid Mattress which features a 3-inch layer of cooling copper gel-infused memory foam. 

3. Customizable Comfort

Not only is an adjustable bed great for alleviating pressure caused by improper spinal alignment and pressure points, but it enables you to customize your sleep experience according to your preferred sleeping style as well. And if you like reading or watching TV in bed, raising the head saves you the hassle of piling up all those pillows. 

If you share your bed with a partner who has a different sleeping style than you, it’s worth considering a split model that enables you to adjust both sides of the bed separately. Keep in mind that you’ll need a mattress designed specifically for use with a split adjustable frame, as well as sheets. Don’t worry—you can find what you need on Ergomotion.com

Bonus Tip: If your partner snores, you can simply raise the head of their side a little to clear their airway and quickly get back to sleep yourself.

4. Deeper, Sounder Sleep 

Back pain can cause you to toss and turn at night, struggling to find a position that feels comfortable enough to fall asleep in. Even if you do fall asleep, it might not be a deep sleep that leaves you feeling fully rested. An adjustable bed enables you to change the settings to suit your body and your comfort level (instead of changing your position to fit the bed). 

Getting deeper, sounder sleep can provide benefits such as: 

  • Improved muscle repair and recovery

  • Replenished energy stores

  • More regular digestion and metabolism

  • Stronger immunity and defense against disease

  • Better memory and cognitive function

  • Reduced stress and anxiety

5. Improved Circulation

When you don’t sleep well, your body can’t achieve its full potential for muscle repair and recovery. With an adjustable bed, you can raise the head slightly to improve circulation so all your muscles get the oxygenated blood they need to fully recover as you sleep. The result is deeper, more restful sleep and reduced soreness when you wake up. 

Adjustable beds are particularly beneficial for people whose back pain is caused by inflammation. Improving your circulation can help alleviate inflammation that might be making your pain worse by impairing your body’s ability to heal properly. A slight adjustment to the angle of your bed might make a difference. 

6. Easy Entry and Exit

Having a comfortable bed doesn’t do you much good if you struggle to get in and out of it. When you have to physically climb into bed, you put yourself at risk for straining a muscle or exacerbating existing back pain. With an adjustable bed, you can change the angle of the head and/or foot of the bed to make it more easily accessible

Adjustable beds are ideal for seniors and people with limited mobility exactly for this reason. Instead of struggling, you can lower the bed to sit down comfortably. Once you’re in bed, then, you can make further adjustments according to your comfort level. Depending on the model you choose, you might even be able to save your preferred setting. 

7. Zero Gravity Setting 

When back pain weighs you down, an adjustable bed with a zero gravity setting can help offer relief. The zero gravity position is designed to alleviate pressure points by slightly raising the head and foot of the bed. With your body in a slight V-shape, you’ll gain a feeling of weightlessness that gives your muscles a chance to truly relax

When your body weight is distributed evenly, you may enjoy numerous benefits, including relief from back pain. If you struggle with swelling, poor circulation, slow digestion, or heartburn, investing in an adjustable bed with a zero gravity setting might make a difference in these areas as well. Some smart models even make the adjustments automatically with a voice command or the touch of a button.

Sleep Soundly with Solutions from Ergomotion

If you’re still not convinced that upgrading to an adjustable bed is worth it, take a moment to think about what you stand to gain instead of what the switch might cost you in terms of time and money. Imagine what it would be like to wake up feeling well-rested—not stiff, sore, and groggy. Waking up on the right side of the bed, as they say, can make a world of difference. 

With a wide range of adjustable frames and compatible mattresses, Ergomotion can turn your dreams of better sleep into a reality. Choose a bed size, style, and budget that works for you and sleep soundly knowing that your investment will be covered by a 10-year warranty. 

If you’re ready to make the switch to an adjustable bed, start shopping at Ergomotion.

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