As you grow older, ‘back pain’ is a term you hear more and more about among adults and senior citizens. Whether sitting in the same office chair for hours, bad posture, or just the effects of aging, 8 out of 10 people suffer from terrible back pain every day. Back pain can ruin one’s sleep due to back pain without comfort and pain relief, and the key to attaining comfort is to choose the right mattress.
People with back pain widely use coir mattresses. To find out all about whether it provides relief from back pain, its benefits, and other alternatives, scroll down below and keep reading!
Are Coir Mattresses Suitable for Back Pain Patients?
Yes, as it is affordable, comfortable, and provides back support, coir mattresses are suitable for temporary back pain. However, they won’t help in the long run as they become uneven and hard to use. If the pain is temporary, coir mattresses can provide comfort. Otherwise, it is better to seek alternative mattresses.
Made using compressed coconut husk in the form of a spring-like layer inside the mattress, it gives firm support. The coconut husk is usually placed between layers of foam and provides comfort.
Using a coir mattress will lift and provide support to your vertebrae. It helps provide relief to people suffering from back injuries, scoliosis, etc. Coir mattresses are natural and hygroscopic; they absorb moisture and provide ventilation, providing proper sleep.
Coir mattresses help in aligning your spine and maintaining its natural structure. Coir mattresses give the user a rigid and softer feel based on the density.
Memory foam mattresses, dual comfort mattresses, etc., are recommended, too, as they are more durable and provide support and relief to the back.
How does Coir Mattresses Help in Treating Back Pain?
Coir mattresses facilitate air movement through the mattress, making it an excellent sleeping surface. It provides rigid support, and your spine is aligned correctly, helping you attain proper posture while sleeping. Since coir mattresses are made using natural fibre, they are firm and breathable, providing good support to the spine.
If your back pain is temporary, coir mattresses can be used to attain relief. Lower back pain, scoliosis, etc., can be treated using coir mattresses to correct one’s sleeping posture.
What are the Negatives of Using Coir Mattresses?
Coir mattresses tend to be unhygienic and attract bed bugs and other insects. It is also common for these bugs to breed and ruin the mattress. Also, coir mattresses are not very durable as they lose their firmness and could start sagging.
Spillage of drinks or food items on the mattress could permanently damage it. Due to this, many families with young children avoid purchasing coir mattresses.
Lastly, the quality of the mattress comes down to the quality and craft of the coconut fibre. If you purchase the mattress from someone using poor-quality fibre, the mattress will not provide any comfort.
Reasons to Avoid Buying a Coir Mattress to Treat Back Pain
Though coir mattresses provide comfort and relief from short-term back pain, there are some things one should know before making the ultimate decision of what mattress to buy. Coir mattresses have benefits, but some reasons prevent people from purchasing them. Some of them are listed below.
The main issue associated with coir mattresses is poor hygiene. Coir mattresses retain moisture, dust, and other allergens which can enter the mattress. Due to this, the mattress attracts insects, mites, and pests, leading to off-gassing.
Without proper maintenance, these pests, sweat, body odours would stay trapped inside the mattress and lead to personal hygiene issues that affect your skin, lungs, etc. If a coir mattress is used in a damp room without proper ventilation, the moisture accumulation can infuse fungus and algae.
Another issue caused by coir mattresses is that they could be uncomfortable after using them for a while. The coir tends to scatter and accumulate moisture and sag due to body weight. Since it’s just a compressed layer of coconut husk, it won’t last long or retain the shape.
Usage of the mattress for months can result in it losing its firmness and shape, which will cause it to fail in providing back support, and if one keeps using the mattress in that state, it will cause more back problems in the future.
Lastly, the lifespan of coir mattresses is very short. It tends to sag and become uneven, resulting in uneven surfaces. The hygiene issues also play a massive part in reducing the life of coir mattresses.
Alternatives that You can Use Instead of Coir Mattresses
Coir mattresses can only provide relief if the back pain is temporary. For long-term back problems, one should seek other alternatives that provide back support and comfort.
Some of them are listed below.
1. Memory Foam
Memory foam is far more advanced than coir fibre and is made using synthetic compounds derived from petrochemicals. Memory foam cushions around one’s body while sleeping, providing comfort and support. It is durable and can last for 8-10 years, while a coir mattress lasts only 5-6 years.
It is proven to relieve back pain as it evenly distributes one’s body weight over the surface, creating a perfect balance between cushioning and firmness. These aspects provide rigid support to one’s back and help in minimizing back pain over time.
2. Bonded Foam Mattress
When used in the support layers of any back support mattresses, rebonded foam mattresses provide extreme comfort and support. It is highly durable and aims at reversing or relieving your back pain.
They have a high-density surface and core, making them comfortable and supportive for people suffering from back pain. You could choose an orthopedic rebonded foam mattress from your doctor, depending on the severity and diagnosis of your back pain.
3. HR Foam Mattress
HR foam mattresses provide the same comfort level as memory foam mattresses without straining the spine or core muscles. They can be used as orthopedic mattresses to relieve back pain by giving back support and comfort.
It hugs your body but keeps it stable and on top of the mattress while supporting the heavy and vulnerable parts of your body. These mattresses are recommended for people with slightly overweight body frames.
4. Pocket-Coil/ Bonnell Coil Spring Mattress
Mattresses with inner springs work best in providing back pain relief and comfort. They use their foam layers to cushion your body and provide comfort while the inner springs support your body.
Pocket coil mattresses are recommended for back support that adjusts according to your body weight while uplifting parts of your body. Bonnell coil mattresses are best in providing uniform support to the entire body.
These work better than coir mattresses as they are durable and don’t lose their form. They can perform their function successfully and stay hygienic.
5. Dual Comfort Orthopedic/ Firm Mattresses
If your back pain is due to some short-term injury, or if it doesn’t hurt enough for you to invest in an orthopedic mattress, a dual comfort mattress is an excellent alternative.
There are different kinds of dual comfort mattresses with different configurations like:
- Firm on one side and extra firm on the other side
- Medium-firm on a side, firm on the other side
- Medium soft on one side while medium-firm on the other side.
These configurations make it easy to flip the mattress according to the different levels of back pain. Dual comfort mattresses do not lose shape or form and easily last long.
FAQs
1. What is the best type of mattress recommended for back pain?
Mattresses that are medium-firm and adjustable are the most effective for back pain relief. It lasts long and provides support and relief.
2. What is the perfect level of firmness for back pain?
Medium-firm mattresses are the most suitable for back pain as they are more comfortable and supportive. The mattress must not be too soft or too firm.
3. What is the lifespan of coir mattresses?
Coir mattresses usually last 3-5 years. They should be made up of 100% natural coconut fibre to last that long.
4. Is a mattress made of pure coir suitable for back pain?
Yes, it is. The coir mattress will be firm and provide excellent support to your body and relieve back pain.
You May Also Like to Read:
Coir Mattress VS Spring Mattress
Which Type of Mattress is Good for Your Health?
What is an Orthopedic Memory Foam Mattress?
Conclusion
Coir mattresses are suitable for temporary back pain as they provide support and pain relief. They are made of coconut husk and support the vertebrae and align it perfectly. Coir mattresses facilitate air movement and provide an excellent surface to sleep.
However, they aren’t durable and could be uncomfortable in some cases. They might lose their shape and firmness over time. If used in rooms without proper ventilation, they attract pests mites and result in fungus and algae infestation.
Memory Foam mattresses, Dual comfort mattresses, HR foam mattresses, Bonded foam mattresses, Bonnell coil spring mattresses are excellent alternatives to coir mattresses. They are much more durable and provide support according to their body weight.
We hope this article answers all your questions about coir mattresses and whether they are good or bad for back pain. Leave your thoughts and tips down below. Thanks for reading!
