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What is the Best Mattress for Your Back?

As a chiropractor, I am faced with questions regarding proper mattresses and pillows almost on a daily basis. The average adult gets anywhere from 6-8 hours of sleep per night, which is 42-56 hours weekly, or 2,184-2,912 hours each year. In other words, we spend a significant time of our life sleeping; therefore, it is important to have proper support when doing so. Recently, I was in the market for a new mattress and found myself asking the same questions patients ask me all the time: What is the best mattress for my back? Like most markets in America, there are countless options when shopping for a mattress. Do I need firm or soft support? Pillow top or memory foam? Stationary or adjustable foundations? Name brands from Sealy, Serta, Tempur-Pedic, to revolutionary brands such as Casper? The options are limitless and can in fact be overwhelming, at least from my point of view. When you consider the investment (money and time spent sleeping), the selection of a particular mattress is a firm decision, no pun intended.

Just as characteristics of mattress may vary, the variety of spinal support varies per individual. I hope my shopping experience can provide some insight on finding the best mattress for your back.

Steps to Finding the Best Mattress

First thing, you must get out there and test drive different mattress from brands, materials, and firmness. Although a five minute test in the store doesn’t provide the optimal sleep experience, you will get a feel for what type of mattress is comfortable for your needs. From a spinal support perspective, a firmer foundation provides ideal support and allows your spine to be in a neutral position when sleeping on your back or side. The ideal mattress will conform to the natural curvature of the spine and evenly distribute pressure. For simplicity purposes, any firm mattress that allows the spine to remain in neutral position is the most important characteristic when finding a mattress that is best for your back. Other qualities come down to personal preference.

After trying out different styles, research the mattresses online. Consumer reviews provide another perspective on product quality and overall experience. Some things to consider include coil count (the more the better) and the breathability and heat retaining properties. Also research the type of materials used for chemical and allergen exposure. Daily and close contact with such chemicals and allergens may have adverse health reactions for some individuals.

Lastly and most importantly, whichever mattress you decide to invest in,  ensure there is a window of time or a trial period to test out the product. Many distributors like Mattress Firm, department stores such as Macy’s and Sears, and direct companies including Casper and Bear, allow consumers to test out the mattress for 30-100 days. The true testament of the mattress will be determined after multiple nights of sleep. Such trial periods allow for proper mattress assessment and provide the option to exchange and in some cases, even return the product. My personal experience supports this time period. My first few nights on my new mattress were far from dreamy. At one point I wanted to throw the mattress out the window; however, after a few nights to allow my body to adjust to the change, I now am satisfied with my decision. The point of it all, once you have made your purchase, be patient and allow your body time to adapt to your new mattress.

Best wishes on your ideal mattress hunt. Please comment below and share your favorite mattress type.

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Protect Your Spine While Travelling
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How To Take Care Of Your Spine While Traveling

Protect Your Spine While Travelling

As the summer months approach many people will be leaving Atlanta and heading to the beach. As much as an advocate I am of traveling and refreshing, it’s important to make sure you are actively caring for your body. So, for this article we’ll discuss how to take care of your spine while traveling.

Easy Steps to Follow

Many of you who have been through our corrective care program would like to not destroy your spine so here are some simple steps to use while being on that plane and sleeping in hotel beds.

1) Before you get to your hotel request a cervical or memory foam pillow. If your hotel does not have this than it is important to bring your own. These pillows help support the neck while sleeping and maintain its proper curvature, especially for those of you who have corrected their spine at our office in Atlanta.

2) Before leaving your house for the airport make sure to drink a bunch of water and bring healthy snacks. When traveling at high altitude our body becomes dehydrated. It’s important to keep our internal system hydrated and well nourished. Airplane food or convenience store food, for those driving, is not “real” food and has usually been created by man. If it has been artificially created then there is a strong likelihood your body does not know how to process this.

3) Bring lacrosse balls or grab Yoga Tune Up balls from our office and sit on them regularly. Place them on your gluteus muscle and make sure it does not get too tight. It will be uncomfortable for a bit but this means that it is working. Also, place those balls on your back while flying on the plane or driving.

4) Personally, when i travel I like to do at least 1 yoga class while on vacation to help stretch my body and improve energy. There is a great free app for your phone called Omfinder, which tells you where and when all the classes are in the location you will be staying and about the class.

Also, check out YogaGlo.com for videos you can do at your hotel while traveling so you don;t have to leave your resort. However, even though it is convenient to not leave your hotel, it is nice to try new yoga classes such as Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga or Yoga On The Beach or in the mountains.

5) Whether traveling by car or plane, please make sure to create movement in your body and either stop to stand up and stretch or walk around the plane to increase circulation.

Your Turn

Where do you plan on traveling this summer?

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Sciatica

Sciatica Chiropractor in Atlanta

Sciatica is a debilitating  pain that begins in the lower back and runs or shoots down one or both legs. Sciatica pain will often get worse with long periods of sitting or standing.

One cause of sciatic pain can be due to bulging, degenerative, herniated or ruptured spinal discs.

Spinal disc problems often occur over time and the pain and symptoms then begin from a number of causes, like picking up the newspaper. This can cause a decrease in space for the sciatic nerve, thereby causing inflammation and irritation to the nerve.  Coughing, sneezing or other kinds of movement can be painful. When not properly taken care of, the sciatic pain can then extend down one or both of your legs. Even though you feel the pain in your leg, the problem area is often the lower back!

Pills, medications and muscle relaxers won’t correct the problem that is causing your sciatica pain.  Medications only mask the pain and can allow the problem to progress.

There’s Hope

Taking action by getting specific chiropractic adjustments can significantly improve motion in the lumbar joints of your lower back.  In response the sciatic nerve has less irritation and the pain is relieved for many people.

Your first step is a consultation and thorough examination in our office. If we think we can help, we’ll tell you. And if we don’t think we can help, we’ll tell you that too and refer you to someone we think can. Call today.

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Whiplash

Whiplash Chiropractor in Atlanta

You’re sitting at the corner like always watching for the stoplight to change. You hear tires squealing behind you followed by the sound of metal crumpling against metal. Your body and your car are suddenly being vaulted forward!

You’ve just been rear-ended!

In only a moment, your body is smashed against your seat. Your head, isolated by your neck muscles, is slower to react.

Then, everything changes directions and your body moves forward engaging your seat belt. Suddenly your head is ripped backwards! There’s nothing you can do to stop it.

The smallest fender bender can cause a whiplash injury. Pain and symptoms from a whiplash injury can be immediate, take a couple days, or may be delayed for months before causing problems.  So what’s next?

Call our office today for a consultation and examination!

Restoring proper motion and position of individual spinal bones, with specific chiropractic adjustments, can help promote healing caused by a whiplash injury.

“The longer you wait,” says Dr. Austin Cohen, “the more unseen damage there is and the longer it seems to take to recover.”

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Back Pain

Back Pain

Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. Back pain can also come in many forms. Whether you are affected by upper back pain, lower back pain or middle back pain, it can be anywhere from annoying to debilitating and should be take serious.

Pain is a signal that something is not right in your body.

Some people choose to mask or cover up the symptoms with medications or pills.  That’s like covering your eyes so you don’t see something you dislike.  But it doesn’t make the problem go away.

Two Common Causes

The facet joints on the back side of each spinal bone is a very nerve sensitive are and are a common cause of back pain. When the facet joints don’t move correctly they can cause back pain.

Your spinal discs can also be part of the problem causing your back pain.  This can range from degeneration, herniation, bulging and rupture of the spinal disc.  This can in turn cause irritation and inflammation to the nerves that cause you back pain.

Your Choices

We’ve helped many people with safe and natural chiropractic care. However, other choices include:
Ignore it (Spinal problems may worsen.)
Bed rest (May prolong the problem.)
Therapy (Stresses malfunctioning joints.)
Medicine (Numbs the body.)
Surgery (The most serious last resort.)

The Chiropractic Approach

Specific chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal function. By restoring the way your spine works, discs and soft tissues may heal, nerve involvement may be reduced, pain can ease and better stability can return.

Cohen Chiropractic Center
2140 Peachtree Rd NW, Ste 203
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-382-9280

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