Air mattresses give you flexibility both indoors and outdoors, and this is the reason they are extremely popular.
When guests come in at a moment’s notice, you can easily set up these mattresses to make them comfortable.
Even if you don’t have a spare bedroom, these mattresses can be quickly blown up in your living room for your guests to sleep comfortably.
In the morning, the airbed can be deflated and removed from your living room, so there is no trace that someone even slept there.
These mattresses are super convenient, and it helps that you can get one at an affordable price too.
Back Problems And Airbeds
Millions of people worldwide suffer from bad backs and other chronic sore joints. If you are one of those, then it is normal to be concerned about where you sleep.
After all, the wrong sleeping surface can escalate your problems and increase your level of discomfort. You wouldn’t want to wake up every morning to sore joints and extreme pain in your back, would you?
This is why airbeds remain a worry among those suffering from these medical conditions.
Well, here’s the Million Dollar question.
Are air mattresses good for those suffering from back problems?
Let’s take a closer look at what causes these medical issues in the first place.
Causes of Back Problems
There are several causes of severe back problems. According to medical experts, here are a few of the most common ones.
Back Injuries
Everyone is at risk of suffering back injuries. They are more common than you may think. A small back injury may not seem like a big deal initially.
However, you could live the rest of your life with back problems without care.
Back injuries usually originate from a strained disc which puts undue pressure on your spinal nerves. It leads to a severe aggravation of pain in your back and other areas controlled by the nerves.
Back injuries can be extremely uncomfortable, and this is why it is vital to take the necessary steps to mitigate their effects.
Weak Muscles
When the muscles in your back area have been weakened, you can expect to experience lots of back problems. One of the characteristics usually found in those with weak muscles is bad posture.
Because of the lack of strength in those muscles, patients cannot straighten up when walking, running, and engaging in everyday activities. Sleeping on a comfortable surface is essential if you move around with an incorrect posture.
You’d be amazed at how much improvement will occur in the general quality of your life.
Poor Sleeping Posture
Failure to sleep in the right posture for an extended period can lead to severe back pains. If you live a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of your time sitting, you could have a bad back.
These lifestyle choices usually result in extreme tension in the neck muscles and other related body areas. The tension could even put pressure on the nerves if comprehensive medical attention is not quickly sought.
Back pains, headaches, and neck pain result from poor sleeping posture, so keep that in mind the next time you drift off to dreamland.
Poor Sleeping Surface
Sleeping on a poor surface can lead to severe back pains. If your mattress is uneven or sunken, you are in for a lot of trouble.
These surfaces can put so much pressure on your spine that it is forced into an unnatural position. There have been so many instances where people have suffered dislocated joints due to long-term sleeping on an uneven surface.
Others have been saddled with significant compression of their nerves, resulting in chronic back pain.
Sleeping On An Extremely Firm Mattress
Sleeping on a firm mattress is one of the best ways to ensure a quality back and overall posture. However, if your bed is excessively firm, sleeping on it becomes counterproductive.
Stiff backs occur when you are stuck with a sleeping surface that offers extreme support. In other words, this refers to a bed that is too firm.
Remember, such beds prevent your spine from staying in a natural position while you are sleeping.
In the end, the problems you suffer from an overly stiff sleeping surface is similar to those experienced on an uneven mattress.
Does Sleeping on Air Mattresses Cause Bad Backs?
We think we are now in a better position to answer this question from the information stated above.
Sleeping on air mattresses has no direct correlation with bad backs. As long as you get a super comfortable mattress, it would help if you did not worry about developing a bad back.
However, it is important to ensure no leaks in your mattress. If you notice any, repair it quickly to protect your body from sore joints.
A leaking mattress can never reach the optimum stiffness required to keep your body in great posture. Even the smallest leak will affect how firm your mattress could be, leading to problems.
When An Air Mattress Is Not Recommended
Inflatable mattresses have numerous benefits that can make your life much easier. However, the truth is they are not suitable for everyone.
There are some scenarios where sleeping on one of these mattresses may not be right for you.
If you are already suffering from chronic back problems, then it is important to stay away from regular blowup mattresses. Medical experts recommend that you choose inflatable mattresses with low air loss instead.
These models are designed to give you the firmness required to keep your spine in shape.
Stay away from air mattresses if you are morbidly obese. This is because these mattresses have specific weight support limits, which should always be observed.
Also, inflatable mattresses are not recommended for pregnant women, especially those in their second and third trimesters.
The Verdict
Air mattresses by themselves do not directly cause back problems. As long as they are fully inflated and have no leaks, you should be able to sleep comfortably.
If you are already suffering from these problems, then just choose one of the specially designed medical mattresses.