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Are Waterbeds Good For Your Back? [FIND OUT HERE]

Are Waterbeds Good For Your Back? [FIND OUT HERE]

Buying a waterbed may seem like a crazy, extravagant idea to many, but it is, in fact, a worthy investment. Waterbeds are pretty different from standard mattresses, as they contain some properties that regular mattresses lack.

Waterbeds are good for your back as they offer pain relief, muscle tension relief, and contouring properties. In addition, waterbeds have a form-fitting and pressure-minimizing nature which helps relieve back pain.

The modern waterbed was invented in 1968 by Charles Prior Hall, a San Francisco State University student. Throughout the 1980s, the modern waterbed was famous in the United States, with up to twenty-two percent in 1987.

However, the waterbeds soon lost their market; by 2013, their sales were less than five percent of bed sales. According to the Water Bed (waterbeds) Market Forecast report, experts predict the waterbed market to grow between 2022 and 2028.

waterbed

What To Do Before Buying A Waterbed?

While sleeping on a waterbed may be helpful, some situations may require other solutions. Therefore, we recommend consulting your doctor before deciding to purchase a waterbed. The doctor will inform you whether waterbeds are a remedy or not, depending on your condition.

How Does A Waterbed Benefit My Back?

Waterbeds are beneficial when it comes to back pain, for sure. In a study by The Spine Institute Center For Spinal Restoration, fifteen percent of people with back pain reported relief. They registered this after switching to waterbeds.

Contours Your Body

The Contouring property is one of the best features of a waterbed. Laying on a waterbed promotes even distribution of body weight, changing with your movements. In return, your body lifts pressure off the spine and spine-supporting muscles, reducing back pain.

Relieves Muscle Tension

Muscle tension impedes the ease of falling asleep for many people. Warm waterbeds soothe your back muscles, reducing back pain. Also, waterbeds are plush yet firm enough to hold your body in place without creating pressure on your muscles.

Provides Heat To Soothe Your Back

Waterbeds hold about 300 to 890 liters of water, depending on their size. Some people prefer keeping the water in their waterbeds warm; therefore, heating takes place for some time. The warm water can be therapeutic.

Warm waterbeds work in a similar way to applying a heating pad, as they contain similar benefits. In addition, the steady warmth from the mattress increases blood and nutrient flow to your spine and tissues.

Massages Your Back

Some waterbeds contain a property that produces waves in a steady motion in the water. In addition to the natural floating feeling that comes with the waterbed, the waves massage your body. As a result, your joints and muscles relax, relieving pain in your back and body.

What Are The Other Benefits Of Waterbeds?

While waterbeds do an excellent job for your back, they can also benefit your body in many other ways. An example is the ability of waterbeds to reduce pressure sores resulting from pressure on the body's pressure points.

Prevents Bedsores

The first variation of the waterbed was seen in 1833 to prevent bed sores in comatose and paralytic patients. When laying on a waterbed, your body displaces water underneath, reducing skin pressure.

Easy To Clean

One of the most attractive things about waterbeds is that dirt and other particles cannot penetrate them. Therefore, cleaning is an easy process that requires wiping away the particles that settle on the surface of the waterbed. You can also wash the cover of the mattress after a while.

Good For Arthritis

Waterbeds are an excellent investment for people with arthritis. The heating property of waterbeds provides warmth and pressure relief for patients with arthritis. Also, the waves in some waterbeds may be helpful as they massage the area suffering from arthritis.

Cons Of Waterbeds

While waterbeds may be a solution to your back problems, you may want to know their downside before buying one. For instance, finding bedding and accessories for your waterbed is quite a hustle since they are not as available.

Inflexible

Moving your waterbed is not as easy as moving a standard bed. It requires a lot of care and time as it involves draining the water and disassembling the frame. You will then reassemble the frame and refill the water after moving.

Expensive

Waterbeds cost more than regular beds in general. To keep the water in waterbeds warm, heating takes place for some time, depending on the bed size and climate. Heating requires power consumption of between 300 and 1,500 kWh per year.

We, therefore, recommend using a soft-sided waterbed instead. You can reduce power consumption by sixty percent by using a soft waterbed. As a result, you will also cut the costs due to power consumption.

Leaking

Leaking is also a possibility when it comes to waterbeds. You can reduce the damage to your waterbed by using plastic liners. However, installing plastic liners involves emptying, patching, refilling, and reheating the bed, which may be inconvenient.

What Is The Best Waterbed For My Back Problem?

Since their invention in the 1800s, waterbeds have been evolving. Nowadays, there are different variations of the waterbed in the market. Therefore, the best waterbed for your back pain depends on factors like the material, type, and construction of your waterbed.

Material

The material of the waterbed is a vital factor to consider as it controls the motion of water in the bed. Unlike in the past, when waterbeds were made of vinyl bags, waterbeds now come from soft polyvinyl chloride PVC.

Waterbeds also exist in materials like foam, fiber, coils, and baffles. Companies making waterbeds use these materials separately or combine them to create better properties.

Construction

There are only two types of waterbeds in construction: hard-sided and soft-sided waterbeds. Hard-sided waterbeds are the traditional version, with a rectangular bed frame supporting a vinyl bag full of water.

The soft-sided waterbed is a modern version of the waterbed. It is a sturdy rectangular foam frame surrounding a mattress containing water, like a regular bed. Therefore, it is a better option for comfort, budget, motion control, and support.

Type

Full-wave, Semi-wave, and free-wave waterbeds are the choices for this category. Full-wave waterbeds do not contain any baffles, consisting of only water inside the bed. It lacks enough motion control and support.

Semi-wave waterbeds are better than full-wave waterbeds as they provide better support and motion control. They contain fiber, baffles, or sometimes, a combination of both, offering a better sleep quality.

The free-wave waterbeds have fiber or baffles just like the Semi-wave waterbeds, except they are more. The fiber and baffles provide more support and better motion control. Both the semi-wave and Free-wave waterbeds are excellent choices when choosing a waterbed.

water bed room

Can A Waterbed Cause Back Pain?

Yes, waterbeds can lead to back pain. Some waterbeds lack enough support and allow the body to sink in too much. In return, there is poor spinal alignment, and the lumbar region experiences more pressure.

In a study by The Spine Institute Center, about ten percent of people with back pain had negative results. Reports show that they had worse pain after introducing themselves to waterbeds. Therefore, it is vital to consult with your doctor first to get the go-ahead.

Conclusion

Waterbeds are an excellent investment for people who suffer from back pain. However, they only help relieve pain and do not cure the source of the problem. We recommend seeking medical attention for underlying pain and conditions before trying a waterbed.