In regards to your health, the most important piece of furniture you own is your mattress. You spend approximately one third of your life in bed. An uncomfortable mattress can have a negative effect on the quantity and quality of your sleep. This is especially the case for millions of back pain sufferers who have been ill advised over the last several decades that a firm mattress is best for them. In actuality there are several factors to consider when choosing the best mattress for you, including: the type of back problem you are experiencing, your sleep position, mattress support, and your comfort preference.

Different types of mattresses help alleviate pain for different types of back problems and symptoms. People with lumbar disc problems have symptoms that include a shooting pain in one leg from the top of the buttock to the lower leg or foot accompanied by numbness, the feeling of “pins and needles”, or leg weakening. Those suffering from this condition would benefit from a firm mattress as a bending or flexing mattress can be very uncomfortable.

Sufferers of spinal stenosis experience pain, cramping or numbness in the back, legs, arms, and shoulders and function better in a flexed or loose position. Therefore, a slightly softer mattress works better for them. The most common back pain complaint is lower back pain. Usually people experience an aching dull pain in the center of the lower back. A clinical study out of Spain showed that a medium firm mattress is generally better at relieving chronic back pain than a firmer model. However, there isn’t one single style of mattress that works best for everyone with lower back pain.

In conjunction with the type of back pain you suffer from, another factor to consider is the position in which you sleep. If you have a lumbar disc problem then sleeping on your stomach with a flat pillow under your stomach and hips is probably the most comfortable position for you because it reduces stress on the degenerated disc in your lower back. A firmer mattress is best for sleeping on your stomach while a softer mattress will cause an uncomfortable arch in your back that will worsen your condition.

People with spinal stenosis are most comfortable sleeping on their side in the fetal position with a pillow between their knees. A medium firm or firm mattress is good for this sleeping position but most people prefer a thicker padding to reduce pressure on their hips and shoulders. Finally, those suffering from lower back pain should sleep lying on their back with a pillow under their knees to relieve pressure from the lower back. There is no single mattress style that works for all people with back pain, but people with lower back pain should choose a mattress that offers support, comfort, and ultimately, a good night’s sleep.

Another major factor in choosing a mattress is the support that mattress provides. A supportive mattress will offer the right balance of support and concavity in order to allow the spine to align naturally. There are several components of the mattress that contribute to how supportive a mattress set is. First, mattress springs and coils are the most important features of a mattress that provide back support. The coil gauge of mattress denotes how stiff or firm a mattress is. The lower the gauge of the coil, the thicker and stiffer the wire, thus, the firmer the mattress. Furthermore, the higher the coil count of a mattress, the better the quality. However, a higher coil count does not necessarily mean a more comfortable or supportive mattress.

The next component of a mattress set that affects back support is the foundation, or boxspring. The foundation/boxspring absorbs weight for the mattress. It is important to purchase the boxspring designed to match your mattress because manufacturers design both pieces to work together. A mismatched set may adversely affect the longevity of your mattress and the level of support the mattress provides.

Finally, the most important key to mattress buying is to buy what is comfortable for you. No two of us are the same when it comes to what we need from our mattress. Therefore, it is important to take time to actually try the mattress out, especially if you suffer from chronic back problems. It is suggested that you spend at least ten minutes on several different mattresses. Turn over from side to side and make sure that mattress provides enough support to allow the spine to rest in its natural state. The mattress quilt and just beneath the quilt, in the middle of mattress, consist of mattress padding made of polyurethane foams, puffed up polyester, and cotton batting. These materials affect the firmness of the mattress. Generally, people find that mattresses with more padding are more comfortable.

Overall, when choosing a mattress, consider all of the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, the best mattress for your back pain is the one you find most comfortable for you and your sleep preferences.

Chiropractic is a discipline in health and wellness which promotes proper functioning of the nervous system. It basically concentrates on the spine as it is through it that our nervous system functions. Though chiropractic tends to focus on the spinal cord, its importance is not limited to back-related disorders. It seeks revive the body’s vigor by means of the hands adjusting abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic experts believe that ailments affect the human body through the nervous system. Chiropractic does not utilize drugs and chemicals therefore, it is safe, natural and most of all, painless.

Chiropractic’s basic therapy is through manipulation of the spinal cord along the muscles that surround it. Chiropractors, a term used for chiropractic practitioners, are doctors themselves. Before they manipulate the spine, several tests and processes are conducted on the patients. Patients undergo consultations, physical examination, laboratory and x-ray procedures. According to principles that govern the practice of chiropractic, patients feel better when their spines are manipulated to an ideal form. They say that improvement in the spine’s form eliminates bad health conditions therefore improving the person’s quality of life. As mentioned, chiropractors do not only focus on the back part of the body. They also take part in determining the health needs of their patients such as food intake and exercise for overall vigor and revitalization of the body and the mind. They encourage their patients to practice healthy lifestyle along with care to the nervous system.

Many people believe that chiropractic is not needed to improve the quality of life. People tend to even ignore chiropractic when they do not feel backaches or when backaches are bearable. They do not realize the incredible health benefits this medical discipline offers.

Since chiropractic involves spine manipulation, it improves posture not only for aesthetic purposes but also to make the nervous system achieve its optimal function. When problems in the nervous system are addressed, the person’s mobility and muscle coordination greatly improve as well. With this comes a stronger immune system which will deflect harmful elements in our environment. Other benefits of chiropractic are rapid tissue repair, rapid recovery from physical injury, stress and tension free life, more energy and productivity.

The benefits of chiropractic are too important to ignore. If you want to be healthy for yourself and for your loved ones, start chiropractic and be an inspiration to others.

When you go in for your consultation, you will have to give out your medical history. This will involve filling out a form and letting them know all of your medical background information. This will help them to find any issues that you might have, leaving little room for doubt.

These are a few questions that you might be asked on the form:

• What day did you first start feeling pain?
• How did all this start?
• Do you know how it could have happened?
• Is there anything you can do to make it better or worse?

This information will help the doctor in assessing your condition. They will use your answers in comparison to the information that they have on file, and they will be able to use it to determine what is really wrong.

The Exam

A physical examination is required for all patients prior to going through the treatment. These tests can include reflexes, pulse, respiration, among other things. Once these tests are completed, the necessary information will bet here for a real and proper diagnosis of the patient.

Some of the things that are tested in the initial exam are strength and muscle tone, range of motion, and of course the patient will be tested for possible neurological imbalances. Sometimes physical activity will be required as this is necessary to see exactly how well the body is working at this point.

The Diagnosis

When all of the proper information is collected it will be necessary for a diagnosis to be made. There will be x-rays, an MRI, and many other procedures. All of these will work toward diagnosing and treating you properly. Once the doctor has compiled all of this information, they are ready. Now they need to figure out whether or not to proceed with the chiropractic treatment, or whether you need some other type of treatment, which is entirely possible.

How long will I be there?

More than likely you won’t be there for more than an hour. Believe it or not this will actually be adequate time to check your condition and read over the collected information. It shouldn’t be a rushed process, but it shouldn’t take all day. Just make sure you are treated properly and all of the information is acquired from you.

Determining Treatment

It’s possible that the treatment will begin immediately. It really depends on how bad your condition actually is. If you have a less severe condition however, then you will probably begin your treatment at the next session. Your chiropractor will take a look at your diagnosis and results and see exactly what needs to be done. Basically a set of goals will be made regarding the treatment which will be based on the extent of the damage and it will also be determined whether you need long term or short term treatment.

While you undergo these treatments you will find that your life improves significantly, and you will find that it stays that way for a very long time so long as you’re on the right treatment plan. This is what you can expect on your first Fort Collins chiropractic office visit.