Do You Have Hip Pain? Here’s How You Can Sleep Comfortably

Chronic hip pain can happen to anyone – not just to old folks. For side sleepers, hip pain can cause sleepless nights and excruciating pain. This is the reason why the choice of sleeping position is crucial for those who are suffering from such discomfort. But aside from heeding the advice of a chiropractor, it’s also recommended to get the best mattress for hip pain. This bedding will help reduce pressure points on the hip and back area.

Overall, there’s no such thing as a “bad” mattress for those with hip pain. Everything works. But it pays to get one that’s more comfortable than the others. Hip pain could be a tolerable uneasiness for now, but it can worsen and jeopardize the quality of your sleep. As you know, poor sleep hygiene transcends to all the things you do at daytime.

So here, we will discuss the common cause of hip pain, what you can do to make it manageable, and some mattress recommendations we’ve tried and tested.

What causes hip pain at night?

The causes of hip pain are as numerous as what causes headaches. Hip pain at night can be due to underlying illnesses or a bad fall earlier in the day. Whatever it is, you should pay attention to it before the condition takes a serious turn. Take note that physical trauma can be a trigger for a more serious condition called fibromyalgia.

But usually, hip pain will cause discomfort in the groin and upper back area. It can be due to the tension on the ligaments, muscles, and soft tissues. To give you a bigger picture of what causes this hip problem, here are some of the culprits according to doctors:

Bursitis

Bursitis is a condition that causes flare-ups in different joints. When the bursae on the joints get inflamed, the person will experience intense pain. Nevertheless, bursitis tends to go away after a few weeks with proper medication.

Arthritis

Arthritis – including all its sub-types – can trigger hip pain to both youngsters and adults. Contrary to some notions, arthritis isn’t just isolated on the knees and hands. It can affect the hips as well as the skin, blood vessels, and more. A lot of people live with this condition their whole life.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis or the brittleness of the bones that can cause fractures. For those with chronic cases, a movement as isolated as coughing can already cause a bone to break. A lot of people who suffer from this tends to have bad hips.

Muscle strain

Muscle strain is, so far, the least daunting cause of hip pain. It can happen if you sit for too long or if you flexed your hip too much. This usually goes away after a few days.

Bruising

Did you have a bad fall earlier? The impact on your hips can cause bruises on the muscles, thus the pain when you lay down. Bruising isn’t usually a cause of alarm although the pain may linger depending on the severity of the injury.

Hip fractures

Never dismiss pain from a bad fall. If the discomfort and chronic pain is unbearable, you probably have sustained fractures. It could be both small and massive. No matter what, it requires medical attention and the best mattress for hip pain.

Infections

Bacterial infections can worsen and spread into the bones. When this happens on your hips, you’ll experience extreme pain that goes more excruciating as the condition is left untreated.

Pinched nerves

Pinched nerves can cause radiating and throbbing pain all over the body. It can also be isolated discomfort on the hips.

Aside from these listed conditions, there are more illnesses that can trigger hip pain. It ranges from a simple strain up to the worst case scenario.

Does your sleeping position have to do with it?

All of us have our preferred sleeping position. However, for those with hip pain, the position where they gravitate can either ease or worsen the suffering. Still, it’s important to take note that no sleeping position is worst or best for hip issues. It all depends on the condition of the person and what causes the pain on his hip.

But according to sleep experts, there are positions that tend to induce more pain. For example, side sleeping is said to aggravate the discomfort on the hip area. Since the spine is poorly aligned, there is a lot of strain on the lower back which includes the hips.

Moreover, stomach sleeping is also a no-no. On this position, the weight of your body is forced into your front. This makes the spine arched backward and the hips to endure more strain than what it experiences during side sleeping. The body sinks and if you don’t have a mattress that can support this position, you’ll wake up with a stabbing pain in your hip area.

Back sleeping is deemed to be the “safest” position for those who have hip pain. Still, weight, the cause of pain, and mattress firmness will all make a difference here. You can still stick to your usual sleeping position but make sure that you utilize different sleeping aids and a suitable mattress.

Why you need whole body support

Hip pain is enough of a suffering every night. If you don’t want this discomfort to worsen or spread all over your body, you have to ensure that your body is supported. A sagging mattress or one made with a poor material will sag. This will make your hip absorb a large part of your body weight. That will result in more pain after a few nights.

Remember that the back of your body isn’t a flat surface. Even if you gravitate toward back sleeping, you still have to fill those gaps under your neck, lumbar, and knee. If not, it will be pressure points.

When we talk about full body support, it’s not just about placing a pillow or towels on the said areas. The bigger concern here is the kind of mattress you’re currently using. For those with body pain, the rule of thumb is to use a mattress not firmer than a medium-firm. But I want to emphasize here that more than the firmness, it’s imperative to get the material that will do the job.

Usually, latex and memory foam are excellent as the best mattress for hip pain. Since these surfaces conform and compress according to the weight and shape of the body, it will provide more support. Later on, we’ll discuss more of this, but let us descant on one important point fist:

Why innerspring mattresses are no-gos

Yes, for those with hip pain, innerspring mattresses are banes. This traditional mattress is soft and a lot of manufacturers succeeded in reducing the squeaking. However, it doesn’t erase the fact that innerspring mattresses don’t provide support for those with body pain, let alone hip pain.

For those who stay in a single position all throughout the duration of sleep, innerspring mattresses create more pressure points than other bedding. Why? It’s because when you lay down on an innerspring mattress, much of your body weight is focused on the hips.

Since this type of mattress lacks support, it will cause the waist area to sag. And due to the continuous sagging, the spot where your waist rests every night will start to carve. In defense, some say that a firmer innerspring mattress will do the job. However, the answer is no.

Firmer innerspring bedding will hold the hips too high. Since it doesn’t conform or compress, the spine will contort.

What you can do to ease the pain

One thing you have to know is that pain isn’t normal. If you’re feeling even the least painful sensation, something is wrong with your sleeping position. Hip pain at night isn’t a normal thing. And if you have this condition, look for remedies that will stop the discomfort. Here are some of the tips we’ve tried and tested:

Consider switching to a different sleeping position

Like what I’ve said earlier, there’s no single sleeping position that’s bad or good for the hips. However, if your current sleeping pose is causing more discomfort, you should consider a new position. Back sleeping is so far the most recommended.

Stretch it a bit

If your condition allows, giving your hip a nice stretch before going to bed is advisable. This is important if you keep waking up with a sore hip. Tight muscles could be the suspect behind the discomfort.

Take medications

For those with conditions like bursitis, arthritis, and osteoporosis, your doctor will prescribe medications that will help soothe the pain. You can also take ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory pills but it’s best to ask the opinion of a physician first.

Practice better sleep hygiene

Taking a warm bath will help ease the pain on your hips as endorphins are released. It’s also good for relaxing the muscles; however, don’t dip in a very hot tub. It might wake you up and make it difficult to sleep even without the pain.

Considerations for the best mattress for hip pain

Those who have a bad case of hip pain, getting a mattress should include a meticulous assessment of what will work for your hips. Here are some of the things you should look for:

Support

Before considering the aesthetic and the price, always prioritize the support the mattress can give. Stick to a mattress that has the best balance of softness and firmness. Too soft and it will make your body sink; too stiff and it will increase pressure points.

Mattress type

This will vary depending on what type of sleeper you are. Most of the time, memory foam and latex are the most preferred for those suffering from hip pain. The more the mattress conforms, the better it will be for your body. It creates a cradling figure that eases the strain on the usual pressure points. However, it could be a little hot to sleep on.

Durability

I’m sure that you’re not planning to spend your hard-earned money on low-quality mattresses.  Invest in a mattress that can stand for years without compressing or sagging.

Our picks for the best mattress for hip pain

Sleep Innovations Shiloh 12” Memory Foam Mattress

If you have an average to big body size, the Sleep Innovations 12” Shiloh mattress would be a great choice. This has three layers of different foams including a 2.5-inch memory foam on top. It bears the DuoComfort designs so you’ll have cooler sleep whatever position you prefer.

This Shiloh mattress has a cradling effect with excellent motion isolation. Take note that as a bed-in-a-box, it will take a few days for the foam to stabilize.

The best part about this mattress is it has 20 years of limited warranty. That alone is a statement of how long-lasting this bedding will be. Many customers have experienced its wonders when it comes to the lower back pain.

Zinus Memory Foam Mattress

This Zinus mattress is a bestseller for good reasons. It’s composed of three layers of foam: 3 inches of memory foam, 3 inches of pressure relieving foam, and 6 inches of dense base foam. And if you are a hot sleeper, you’ll enjoy the infused green tea and seed oil extracts. These add-ons make the mattress fresh to use – something that’s common to most Zinus bedding.

Upon unboxing, let the foam stabilize for the next 48 hours. It should go back to its original form after that. And if ever you splashed some of your favorite drink into it, the mattress is pretty easy to clean. You’ll be blown away by how comfortable it is to sleep at.

The best mattress for hip pain will reduce your discomfort at night. Make sure that you invest in a bed that will last long. Some pieces might be expensive, but they are guaranteed to deliver support and service that will last for years.