This condition can be extremely debilitating, and a problem for back pain specialists to stabilise if the patient sleeps on an incorrect mattress. As we grow older, muscles, ligaments, and tendons shorten, generally resulting in a stiffening of the spine and associated joints. This often leads to postural changes and mechanical pain, as the skeletal system is faced with an imbalance, causing muscles to be used out of equilibrium. One hip can be loaded when walking, causing inflammation of the joint as the hip is constantly used in the wrong alignment. Facet joints of the spine can lock causing a further stiffening of the spine, resulting in back or neck pain.
Mattresses can either assist treatment of mechanical pain, or seriously hinder recovery.
If the specialist is able to mobilise the affected joints, there is no point in placing stress on the affected area for eight hours during sleep, as the brain will simply trigger a guarding action, by activating muscles and ligaments to compensate for the lack of support. With deep sleepers who lie in one position for long periods, this can have the effect of allowing the muscles to get into painful spasm. Light sleepers may toss and turn all night to overcome the problem of spasm, but of course they are not getting quality sleep. Quality sleep is an elusive commodity for millions. The complex process of attaining a quality sleep pattern can be compromised by the wrong mattress.