It's very common question by my patient asked.

Study Gets Mixed Results, but More Find Soft Bed Slightly Better for Back Pain.

That's no surprise to Molinari.(Robert Molinari, MD, associate professor of orthopaedics at the University of Rochester Medical Center.)

"We really don't understand why, but some patients respond better to hard mattresses and some to soft ones," Molinari tells WebMD. "There are very few studies lending support to one mattress over another."

So,it's depend on patient's condition.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

***The results of the study demonstrate that of those who remained in the study, the subjects using the waterbed and body conforming mattresses became slightly better. There was no statistical difference between these two types of mattresses. While there were some subjects who felt better with the futon mattress, it generally influenced back problems negatively. (SPINE 2008. Vol. 33, No. 7. Pp. 703-708)

Zak Han
www.backachetherapy.co.uk

_______________________________________________________________________

Patient is a 53 year old male and has had back pain off and on all his working life. he was never really treated for his back problems . When he was in his 20s he would get a burning sensation in the area just below his sholder blade just left of the spine when working bending and straining. he no longer have the burning feeling there, but now its just a numb area that never goes away.

Zak said:From the information given I would say that you has suffered what is sometimes called a soft tissue injury to the cervical spine,which can lead to nerves inflamed.then numb feeling ....,so I would suggest with shoulder blade pain that you probably need an neck MRI scan to see if there's pressure on the nerve or something. A more complete evaluation may open up other treatment options for you. Good luck!

research People suffering from chronic low back pain should sleep on softer types of beds that conform to the body, in order to alleviate pain and improve sleep, according to a new study.

Contrary to a common opinion, the report said that sleeping on a hard mattress might actually worsen the pain.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Mattress For Back Pain - Tips For Choosing the Best Mattress
By Khal Nuwar

If you happen to have back pain, it's important that you have the right sleeping surface. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can end up making the pain in your back worse. However, a great mattress can help to alleviate your lower back pain as well. This is why it is so important to choose the right mattress for the back pain that you are dealing with. If you are trying to find the right mattress for your back, here are a few important tips that will help.

Tip #1 - Try Out the Mattress for Comfort - First of all, when you are looking for a good mattress for your back, make sure that it is going to be comfortable. Every person is different and will have a different mattress that will be the most comfortable to them. If you are not comfortable, no matter how good the bed is supposed to be, you won't sleep well, which can make your pain even worse.

Tip #2 - Consider the Mattress Components - Another important tip for choosing a mattress for back pain is to consider the mattress components. Find out whether coils are used, or whether another type of material is used for the mattress. If there are coils, you'll want to know how many and how they are arranged. Padding is used on top of mattresses as well, although they vary in their thickness, which can make a difference to your back.

Tip #3 - Ensure there is Back Support - You will definitely want to go with a mattress that provides plenty of back support. A great mattress should provide support for the spine so that when you sleep it stays in the natural alignment that it should be in. If you have the right back support in a mattress, you'll be able to avoid dealing with soreness in your muscles when you work out. Usually a medium firm mattress is going to offer the best support for your back.

Tip #4 - Balance Comfort and Support - When choosing a mattress for back pain, it is imperative that you balance between comfort and support when you are making your choice. Yes, you want a mattress that is comfortable. You also want plenty of support. However, a mattress with too much support can be uncomfortable. On the other hand, you may find a really comfy mattress doesn't supply the support for your back that you need. So, you need to find a good balance that will allow you to get a great night of sleep.

Keep these tips in mind when you are purchasing a new mattress. With these tips, you should be able to pick out a great mattress for back pain. You'll sleep better and when you wake up in the mornings, your pain should not be as bad if you have a comfortable and supportive mattress.

Click here for more information and resources about back pain

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Khal_Nuwar