I was working with a patient who started to describe to me the back pain she felt mostly at night. It started when lying on her stomach, so she adapted to sleep on her back or side. Then lying on her back was uncomfortable too, causing stiffness and pressure in the low back. These were recent problems, and did not coincide with activity, injury, or pain during the day. When I questioned the age of the mattress she slept on, she had to think about it…at least 10 years old she thought.

An older mattress may be less supportive, uneven, or sag, thereby not providing adequate support and cushioning for the body while sleeping. The life of a mattress is usually about 10-15 years, but may vary depending on the type of mattress and other factors (like how often the kids jump on it!) You will know it’s time if your mattress sags, you wake up sore, and have trouble getting comfortable and getting a good night’s sleep.

Since a mattress is an investment, it’s important to find a mattress you are comfortable with. There are so many different types, some even adjustable firmness now, and I recommend you find a store where you can trial mattresses and have the ability to return within 30 days if not satisfied. In the New England area, there is a large furniture store with a sleep lab and sleep technicians who help guide you towards the best fit for you.

If you do suffer from back pain it may be helpful to know this: a study of over 300 people found that a medium-firm mattress reduced pain and disability among people with chronic, non-specific low back pain.1

1 Kovacs, et. al. “Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low back pain:randomised, double blind, controlled, multicentre trial.” Lancet,2003 Nov 15;362(9396):1599-604.