Dr. Sheryl Grassie
Sheryl is a writer with a long-time passion for holistic health and good sleep hygiene. She writes on topics related to nutrition, diet and lifestyle, and of course good sleep.
Sheryl is a writer with a long-time passion for holistic health and good sleep hygiene. She writes on topics related to nutrition, diet and lifestyle, and of course good sleep.
At Mattress Advisor, you’ll find comprehensive, unbiased reviews on the best mattresses and bedding products and thoroughly researched tips for getting your best sleep.
Most answers, when it comes to questions about what the right type of mattress, are going to start with, “It depends.” The same is true when you ask if sleeping on an air mattress is bad for your back, even if you’re sleeping on one of the best air mattresses.
Just like with other preferences in our lives—our choice of profession, what we eat, where we live, what we find pleasing when it comes to sleep—the type of mattress, our sleep position, and the temperature is determined by individual preference.
Back pain is commonplace as part of a modern lifestyle. It can stem from not enough exercise, prolonged periods of sitting, or a bad mattress. I have a friend who went through years of back pain, cortisone shots, and was scheduled for surgery. She bought a new bed as a last resort before having the operation and made an unprecedented full recovery: pain free for years now, all due to the right mattress.
Related: Best mattress for back pain
Conversely, sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause pain, especially back pain. Early air mattresses were a simple affair. They consisted of a vinyl exterior that was inflated with air, and many people found they either caused or exacerbated back pain. They were not very supportive, not good for spinal alignment, and could lead to back pain and stiffness. They offered no deep contouring for the body like what you can now get with pocketed coils or memory foam. Even current bloggers, who report successful sleep trials on an air mattress, may still caution about back pain.
Some of the concerns over back pain, however, may be a hangover from times gone by. Current air mattresses are nothing like they used to be. They were originally designed as short-term or temporary beds. They were used as guest beds, for camping, or as an interim bed when moving. With new technology, you can now purchase a high-quality air mattresses or air bed that is a viable long-term option.
When it comes to sleeping on an air mattress, as a more permanent mattress, some people love it and find it offers just the right support, others are challenged to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Back pain, however, is no longer ascribed to an air mattress over any other mattress that just doesn’t provide the support you need. When a mattress is too soft or too firm it can encourage poor sleeping posture and cause muscle tension that can lead to back pain. Although contemporary air mattresses can be adjusted, they don’t generally have the quite the same flexibility as other mattresses. It is, however, safe to say they are not bad for your back.
Air is a very different animal than other mattress materials, and there are numerous considerations if it is going to work for you. Air mattresses have some very definite pros and cons.
If you like the idea of an air mattress, there are some things you can do to increase the chances that it will be a good fit for you.
Is sleeping on an air mattress bad for your back? Air mattresses have joined the ranks of supportive long-term beds that have advantages like low cost and portability, as well as issues like air loss and maintenance. Sleeping on air mattress can be very supportive and not a problem for your back, but if you have an existing back problem, it wouldn’t hurt to get some expert advice on what is best for you.
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