What's Causing My Back Pain?

Good Afternoon Everyone,

        I often get asked; "Doc, what do you think is causing this pain in my back?"  If there is no obvious trauma or injury, one of the first things I turn to is sleeping.  I first ask what position the patient normally sleeps in.  Then we go over what kind of bed they have and how old the bed is.  What I've found in asking these questions is that there are many situations that connect poor sleep habits to different pains in the spine.  One of the most obvious sleep/pain pattern is when someone comes into the office with sciatica (severe pain in the low back with shooting pain down one or both legs).  The sleep habit that most commonly goes with sciatica is simply having the wrong bed.  Either the bed is too old, too soft, a pillow top bed or a combination of all three.  Even a new pillow top bed is bad for the back and lead to conditions such as sciatica.  A bed is too old if it is over 8 years old (some beds are too old at 6 years....things aren't made the way they used to be).  

"So what sort of bed should we be sleeping on?" ...is usually the next question that I get and here is the answer:

1)  If you want to buy a traditional spring type mattress;  make sure that it is medium to firm, NOT a pillow top, and in the mid price range that sort of mattress. (expect to get 6-8 years out of the bed)
2)  If you want to get a "specialty bed," then I have two recommendations:  
     -  Name Brand Tempur-pedic mattresses (memory foam)...They will last up to 15 years and are great for your spine 
     -  "Sleep Number" Beds would be my next recommendation as they allow you to adjust the firmness to what makes you feel the best....They also last for up to 15 years

As always, please feel free to stop in with any questions or concerns.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Jeff
Bruce Chiropractic Center
856-547-6587  
        
       


Any medical information provided in Doctor Jeff's Blog is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. Any information provided is not meant to diagnose, treat or manage any specific disease/condition.Doctor Jeff's Blog respects the confidentiality of individual patients and site visitors. All clinical anecdotes are compliant with HIPAA regulations.