10 Life Changing Health Benefits of Adjustable Beds

by Chip Murison October 13, 2018

For most people, when they conjure up a picture of an adjustable bed, they imagine a hospital bed with side rails and gurney wheels. Good for a hospital stay, perhaps, but not something you would want in your bedroom. There is a very good reason why adjustable beds are used in the hospital though, and it’s not just because they offer a better night’s sleep. They also provide a wide array of health benefits.

These days, adjustable beds for the home look nothing like their hospital versions. Many can stand on their own as a piece of bedroom furniture or they can be fit into an existing bed frame and be completely hidden from sight. Don’t let their good looks fool your though, they still offer all the benefits provided by their hospital counterparts. Here are 10 life changing health benefits you can expect from an adjustable bed.

1. Proper Support

Are you a person who likes to relax in bed? Lie ins are great but if you are among the many that watch TV or read in bed you are probably not getting the back support you need. Propping pillows behind you is OK for a while, but as you have probably noticed, after a short time you find yourself slouching and slipping down and trying to adjust the pillows.

An adjustable bed can solve this “pillow adjusting” problem by providing you with excellent back support without pillows. Some adjustable beds are even equipped with extra lower back lumbar support and head tilt features. The heath benefits of having proper back support in bed are obvious but the convenience and comfort are an added plus.

2. Reduce Snoring

Snoring About 45% of the population has snoring problems. While many joke about snoring, the truth is that it can take a toll on your sleep, your relationship and your health.

The cause is due to the narrowing of the air passage when the base of the tongue and the soft palate collapse to the back of the throat causing a loud (and annoying) vibration. With an adjustable bed, snoring can be reduced by simply lifting the head and upper body. This changes the angle of the tongue and palate and makes it easier to breath thus ending the snoring.

3. Lower Back Pain Relief

Back pain can be caused by many things from degenerative osteoarthritis to simply muscle pain from having worked out too hard. An adjustable bed lets you adjust the height of the upper body and the lower body simultaneously which redistributes the pressure on the body. This relieves the normal pressure you would feel on the lower back and can greatly reduce or even eliminate lower back pain.

4. Lessen Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Adjustable beds can greatly improve the lives of those who suffer from acid reflux. Acid reflux is caused by acid from the stomach working its way up into the esophagus and causing a burning sensation in the chest.

Lifting the head and upper body with an adjustable bed is all that is needed to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux. A minimal change such as raising the head 4 to 6 inches can leverage gravity to keep the acid from moving up the esophagus letting you sleep comfortably all night long.

5. Alleviate Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea disorder occurs when a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or more while sleeping. It is a serious health problem and is surprisingly common, resulting in the sleeper waking up briefly throughout the night and never getting a sound sleep. In addition, it can lower oxygen levels in the blood. The condition is strongly associated with high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.

The cause is a relaxing of the throat and tongue which can block the breathing passage. An adjustable base can greatly relieve this problem which is why many doctors recommend them for their patients suffering from sleep apnea. By lifting the upper body it takes the pressure off the throat and lungs allowing the air passage to remain open throughout the night. An adjustable bed can be a game changer for people with sleep apnea.

6. Assist in Blood Circulation

Poor blood circulation can be a serious problem resulting in blood clots, leg ulcers, varicose veins, leg cramps, numbness, swelling and much more.

An adjustable bed can provide significant relief for these problems. Raising the feet above the heart prevents the blood from accumulating in the legs and distributes it evenly through the body. In addition, many adjustable beds come equipped with massage units that are designed to increase circulation while relieving muscle aches and pains.

7. Improve Digestion

It is a well-known fact that lying down is not the best position for digesting food. Unfortunately, in today’s busy world we often find ourselves eating late or being tempted by a late-night snack before going to bed. The human body is designed to be in upright position when digesting food so there are bound to be problems when you lie down after eating.

An adjustable base can help by raising your body into an upright position which will aid in digestion.

8. Assist in Mobility and Independence

Age, illness or disability can make it difficult for some people to get in and out of bed without help. An adjustable bed can provide the extra support needed so that a person can maintain their independence. By raising the head of the adjustable bed, it provides something solid to hold on to while getting into bed. In addition, by raising the head when trying to get out of bed, it makes it much easier to sit up, turn, and get your feet on the ground before trying to stand.

9. Relieve Arthritis

Chronic pain caused by arthritis or other conditions can be alleviated with the use of an adjustable bed. By being able to adjust the head and the foot positions you can find the best positions for pain relief. By relieving the pressure on the areas causing the pain you can give yourself more comfort and a better night’s sleep.

10. Ease Leg Swelling

For those who suffer from fluid build up in the legs an adjustable bed can be a godsend. Whether your symptoms are caused by pregnancy or edema, the ability to raise the legs prevents fluids in your body from pooling and causing swelling, pain and sleepless nights.

At Essential Sleep we carry a wide variety of adjustable beds. You can check out our adjustable bed gallery here.

Can an adjustable bed change your life?

Most likely yes, but each person has different needs so finding the adjustable bed that is the right fit for your health and budget is important. There are many different features in addition to lifting the head and feet. Head tilt, lumbar support, wall hugging (or not) and massage enhancements that can vary a great deal.

In Part 2 of this post I will get into the specific features available in adjustable beds and what you should be looking for when shopping for one.