Are Air Mattresses Bad For Your Back?

Air mattresses are one of the most comfortable bedding systems out there. With an air mattress, you will get the best comfort and the easiest way to put it anywhere you want. It will always set it apart. But if you compare the comfort of an air mattress to any other bedding, you will be disappointed with others, as I consider air mattresses to be in the highest ranking. But still, the question is, are air mattresses bad for your back?

Whether the air mattresses are the reason for the back pain or not is still unclear. Some experts share their options against air mattresses. Some recommended that people use regular mattresses and bedding as they refer to good health in the long term. They don’t sink in and give enough support for the back. And another group argues that the comfort of air mattresses is something that will get rid of back pain. Some companies even claim that with their elevated designs, technologies, pumps, and other characteristics, air mattresses are far better for back pain.

And this is why air mattresses are something of a lifesaver to continue. You get all the necessary comfort with air mattresses, and the product is lightweight. But all the hype and questions about air mattresses are if they are as comfortable in the long term as people think or if they are just a show and an easy way to camp and hike. We may just have the answer for you.

Key Takeaways

• If we were to compare air mattresses, the perfect put-out line would be sleeping on clouds or air mattresses.
• Air mattresses can be used in medical settings to treat patients who have been bedridden for a long period or who have lost movement in their arms and legs.
• Because air mattresses are constructed of PVC, they represent a risk to consumers as a chemical replacement.
• Air mattresses, as opposed to traditional mattresses, provide a firm, flat surface that is ideal for keeping a healthy posture.

What is an air mattress?

If you want us to compare the air mattress, the best put-out line would be sleeping on clouds or air. And that’s the only thing that inspired the creation of air mattresses in the first place. The idea behind the air mattresses is very simple. You can easily compare it with a balloon. For example, you need to put air on the mattresses, which will inflate. And then, put the mattress on the floor or bed and sleep over it.

Are inflatable mattresses bad for your back? When you need to port the mattress, you can just fold the mattress, pack it, and take it to other places.

An air mattress is mainly made of polyvinyl acetate or PVC. The polymer is flexible and has been manufactured with urethane plastic. Urethane is very flexible and stretchable, which explains the mattress’s sinking parts.

Following that, we’ll look at what really happens in mattresses. Air. The mattress is inflated with air instead of foam or springs. You can easily use a compressor hose with the air mattress, and switching it on will do the trick. Are inflatable beds bad for your back? They are. You can also use a pump with a mattress and fill it with air. Just ensure the mattress isn’t too inflated, or there will be a chance of a mishap.

You can buy air mattresses of several types, and you can easily choose from a twin-size air mattress, a king-size mattress, or a queen-size mattress. You can also choose a high double mattress at least 25 inches higher than the ground.

How do air mattresses work, and what health risks do they pose?

Are air mattresses good for your back? In some cases, they are. Air mattresses come in plenty of sizes and a wide range of features. They are used for several reasons. One of the most important uses of air mattresses is that they get rid of some medical conditions. Generally, three basic types of air mattresses are available on the market.

They are:

• Double height
• Self-inflating
• Convertible type

In medical scenarios, air mattresses can be used to treat patients who have been bedridden for a long time or for those who have lost the mobility of their arms and legs. They avoid pressure injuries by adjusting blood flow and keeping the patient comfortable.

The air mattresses help with the following:

Pressure relief

This is for the high-pressure parts of the body, and the air mattress will relieve the pressure. For example, if you’ve been sitting in one place for a long time, you might feel a lot of pressure under the elbows, neck, or shoulders. When laid on an air mattress, the mattress has less pressure and air and thus tends to configure the part properly.

Pressure distribution

Another thing regarding the air mattresses is that the pressure will be redistributed over a wider surface area. This reduces the chances of creating pressure ulcers on the bony parts of the body. Air mattresses tend to adapt to the person’s shape, and the air cells on those parts reduce the chances of injuries in the long term. This part can be termed “low-pressure therapy.” This indicates that the mattress’s low pressure will be circulating all over the body and thus redistributing the person’s body weight.

Do air mattresses cause back pain? In some cases, air mattresses cause some issues. Here we are including some of the reasons why air mattresses are considered a threat.

Temperature issues

The air mattresses might be made of air, but they are unable to breathe because of their covering item. If there is a warm air in the mattress, then it remains warm, and the same goes for cold air.

The neck and spine

If the air mattress isn’t inflated properly, it can harm the neck and spine. This way, the body will not be aligned properly. If the air mattress doesn’t come with the proper features or bumps on the back, there will be more issues.

Toxicity

As the air mattresses are made of PVC, they tend to pose a threat to the users as a chemical substitute. Such alternatives as TPU or microfiber air mattresses are a great escape.

How often do people use air mattresses, and what are the consequences?

If you’re someone who’s using an air mattress, then the chances are that you will be using it every day or every night. And as for occasional cases, you can use it for just a night. People don’t usually use air mattresses in their bedrooms. They put out mattresses for their guests, or they just use them while camping outside. As a result, the user will determine the mattress’s duration of use.

But here are some possible negative sides of using air mattresses for a long time. They might also answer the question, “are air mattresses bad for your back?”

Back Alignment

The whole concept is pointless if the air mattress doesn’t have any automatic inflation and firmness adjustments. The air mattresses should be aligned according to your body shape, and they should have an equal distribution of the person’s weight. And if there are two people on the bed, then there won’t be enough of the filling, and it’ll cause neck and spine issues for a long time.

Pregnant women

There have been many arguments regarding pregnant women and air mattresses. And most experts recommend that pregnant women shouldn’t use the air mattress because the mattresses are not clinical. Other than that, there’s a huge chance that the mattress will not mend according to the shape of the body of a woman. The air mattresses are certainly comfortable but not as comfortable as a pregnant woman may require.

Horizontal Chambers

If you’re on the heavier side, then this sort of mattress will be unable to provide support. Most importantly, they aggravate lower back pain. The mattresses are also not very adjustable and will throw the sleeper out. They have poor edge support and are not comfortable enough.

See Also: How To Fix Mattress Indentation?

Why are air mattresses often promoted as a good option for back pain relief?

Air mattresses are advertised as the cause of backaches, and sometimes they are also the solution to the backaches. But there is no presumable answer that air mattresses are good for both parts. Here we will be including a brief explanation of why we think that air mattresses are good for back pain:

1. Air mattresses are recommended for those who have low mobility in their joints. The mattress tends to provide a scene of relief. And that is why the back pain will also increase with the mattress.
2. They provide optimal firmness and comfort at the same time, and this provides less pressure on the back, hip bones, and shoulders. If you’re a side sleeper, then these parts will have a low amount of pressure and, thus, overall low pressure on the spine.
3. Unlike regular mattresses, air mattresses offer a firm, flat surface that is perfect for maintaining a healthy posture. You can increase the bed’s firmness by including more air or do the opposite and make it comfortable by deflating some air.
4. Certain types of air mattresses also help with paraplegics and thus have fewer chances of bed sores.
5. Buying air mattresses with two different air chambers is a blessing for couples. The dual chambers allow the user to firmly adjust the air pressure on both sides. Thus the dual-zone technology is highly recommended.

Air mattresses build an outline for a health issue

Though there were points that air mattresses would relieve back pain, it all circles back to the build and quality of the mattress. If you’re sleeping with someone, then a single-chambered air mattress will transfer one person’s motion all around the bed, and that will be uncomfortable for the other. And if the mattress is low quality, then there’s a chance that it will sag and add more to the back pain.

See Also: How To Wash A Heated Mattress Pad?

How can I reduce back pain while sleeping on air mattresses?

There are some ways to reduce back pain with air mattresses, and those are:

• Set the firmness of the bed and see what suits you the most. For firmness, inflate or deflate the bed.
• Different adjustments of the bed help with the overall process of reducing back pain.
• The flat surface of the mattress ensures equal weight and pressure distribution.
• You will have a proper spine and limb alignment in this way.

Which air mattress is best for you?

If air mattresses convince you, then here we are, including a list of air mattresses that are clinically beneficial for back pain:

• EnerPlex Luxury Queen Delux
• Series SoundAsleep Dream
• Nectar Mattress
• WinkBed Air Mattresses
• Insta-bed raised air mattress
• Saatva Classic
• Englander microfiber

See Also: How To Get Sweat Smell Out Of Mattress?

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Air mattresses have always had their fair share of good and bad reputations. As a result, the mattress is a very affordable and comfortable setting for almost everyone. But if you’re suffering from serious health issues and back pain, we recommend checking the facts with your doctor first. They will give you proper instructions on if you should change the sleeping mattress or if there is more to the pain. If they recommend changing the mattress, then you can switch to any other soft mattress for the time being.