Do Adjustable Beds Improve Arthritic Hip Pain? Graying With Grace

Arthritic hip pain can be incredibly disruptive to sleep. Pressure and stress on the affected joint is increased when lying down often increasing arthritis pain that is manageable during the day. Decreasing pressure is therefore critical to relieving pain and getting a better night’s rest. A good night’s sleep is more important to arthritis sufferers.

When you sleep, your body recovers, recuperates and heals. A lack of sleep can have all sorts of repercussions from simply being moody to lack of concentration and focus. It can also contribute to the development of a variety of different health conditions such as diabetes. There is even evidence that shows that a lack of sleep can be fatal.

Traditionally, it was recommended that every person get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep every night. However, this has pretty much been thrown out the window with newer sleep studies showing that each person has individual sleep requirements. In general, a period of 6 to 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep was adequate for most adults to wake up refreshed and well-rested.

So if your hip pain is preventing this from happening and you are waking up tired, then it is important to look for more comfortable sleeping options to reduce arthritic hip pain.

One of these options is investing in an adjustable bed designed to relieve hip pain. But what exactly is an adjustable bed and how can it help relieve hip pain?

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What Is An Adjustable Bed?

How Can An Adjustable Bed Relieve Arthritic Hip Pain?

Should You Buy An Adjustable Bed For Arthritic Hip Pain?

What Is An Adjustable Bed?

As the name suggests, an adjustable bed is … well… adjustable. These beds are comprised of two or more different surfaces that are hinged and allow for adjustment to different angles or heights. Think about a hospital bed that allows you to raise or lower the top-half of the bed. An adjustable bed allows your to adjust the middle, bottom and top sections of the bed separately and independently of each other.

The best adjustable beds for arthritic hip pain have 3 or more adjustable surfaces. These surfaces can be set at an angle or variable height to create the least amount of pressure on the hip joint. As mentioned above, relieving pressure on the joint affected by arthritis is critical to alleviating the associated pain. Adjustable beds can comprise of as many as 5 different sections or adjustable surfaces.

It is however important not to forego support and comfort when looking for an adjustable bed specifically aimed at alleviating arthritic hip pain. Support from a high quality foam mattress is just as important in reducing pain as relieving pressure on the joint is.

And what would be the sense in buying a bed that alleviates your pain but is so uncomfortable that you can’t sleep anyway?

Here are my recommended adjustable beds for older adults if you’d like to see some examples.

woman with arthritic hip pain sleeping on her side

How Can An Adjustable Bed Relieve Arthritic Hip Pain?

There are a variety of different ways in which adjustable beds can benefit arthritis sufferers with particular pain in the hip joint:The ability to adjust the various surfaces of the bed to different angles reduces pressure on the hip joint. Whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach, significant weight adds pressure on the hips while sleeping. This is the reason why arthritis pain in the hips is often worse at night than during the day.

An adjustable bed can distribute your body weight more evenly rather than a majority of weight being placed on one focal point which is normally the hip joint. This once again results in less pressure on the hip joint and therefore less pain.

Increased circulation will ensure that sufficient oxygen, essential nutrients and hormones to decrease pain and inflammation reach the hip joint to alleviate pain.

The varying angles of the bed also relieves strain and stress on certain muscles allowing them to relax. Not only does this ensure a better night’s rest but is also imperative to alleviating stress on the hip and other joints suffering from arthritis.

An adjustable bed allows for the optimal sleeping position to alleviate arthritic pain and pressure on the hips. Every person has their own comfortable sleeping position and an adjustable bed takes this into account. Also, the deterioration of cartilage and soft bone tissue can affect every person differently. So while sleeping in a certain position or having a specific section of the adjustable bed at a certain angle may benefit one person, it may not be as beneficial for someone else.

Should You Buy An Adjustable Bed For Arthritic Hip Pain?

There are clear benefits to buying an adjustable bed to help alleviate pain associate with arthritis. However, this is a costly purchase that needs to take into consideration a variety of different factors. Consider the bed as an investment and rather select a brand and manufacturer that provides quality beds backed by a warranty that will and provides the comfort and support that you need. Compare beds and find one that is most suitable to meet your unique requirements for alleviating hip pain associated with arthritis.

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