Hard Beds are bad for Backs

If you suffer from chronic back pain, you may have been told that you should sleep on a firm mattress. New research suggests a bed with a bit of give may be better for you.

A team at the Kovacs Foundation in Palma, Majorca, took 313 patients with chronic, non-specific lower back pain and gave them either firm or medium-firm mattresses to sleep on for three months. Those with the medium-firm ones were twice as likely to report an improvement in pain when lying down or getting up and were less likely to need pain-killing medication.

The US Sleep Council advises that you go for a supportive mattress, rather than a hard one. “Those labeled “orthopaedic” are generally just extra-firm. But what’s right for you depends on your weight. Don’t be afraid to try mattresses out in shops to find one that’s comfortable.