‘Lumbar Disc Pain and the Mattress Mystery’
Hi there, hope your week is going well. Have you been sleeping OK? There has always been a sentiment around that a firm bed, or even the floor, is best for low back pain sufferers. So in true Mythbusters style, we have dug up this intriguing study to find out if this is, indeed, the case. In a well planned study, 313 adults with low back pain were studied. These subjects were not necessarily diagnosed specifically with lumbar disc issues, but our topic of the month (lumbar disc issues) does fit nicely into this group. The subjects (I think we should call them the Sleepers) were assigned to either firm or medium-firm mattresses. They were assessed over three months on things such as pain while lying, pain while getting out of bed, and daytime pain. Which group won? Was the firm mattress myth supported or busted? BUSTED!! The Sleepers on the softer of the two mattress types came out on top! They had better outcomes with pain and dysfunction. So when you are due for your new mattress, don’t be afraid to go for a medium firmness mattress, if that’s what floats your boat! If you have low back pain or lumbar disc issues and need a number one fan to help you to recover, pick us, pick us! www.physios-online.com In two weeks time, our Health snippet will introduce a new topic of the month. Thoracic Pain can be a backstabbing, nagging and restricting companion. Let’s dump it for good! Til next time, sweet dreams Karen and the team at Physios Online
www.physios-online.com
karen@physios-online.com
Reference:
Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: Randomised, double blind, controlled, multicentre trial.
Kovacs, F.M., Abraira, V. et al
The Lancet; Nov 15, 2003; 362, 9396; Health Module pg 1599
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