Is sleeping on the floor or on a mat like the Japanese do/did really helpful for your back?? If not, what is?

Question:

I've got a bad back currently. I've got a herniated disc in the lumbar (lower back) region and I'm awaiting to hear from my insurance company if they'll cover the cost of the majorly expensive surgery or not. But meanwhile and especially afterwards, I want to improve my posture, build up my back muscles, and sleep on a mattress or no mattress at all if it means it will improve the quality of my back or the amount of strain. Please help.

Answers:
Thoracic Herniated Disc Surgery Article
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_printStory.cfm?storyid=14264

There are always exceptions, but generally a slow recovery (memory) foam mattress is recommended for herniated disk back issues.
http://www.foambymail.com/SRFMattress.html

Review
http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/cgi-bin/reviews.cgi?view=product&pid=283&pg=6&sort=&search=

Platform Bedbase
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?cat=91837

Pillow
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2684035

Other Answers:
Put a sheet of some pinewood under your mat.

think about it smart guy, how do u feel when you wake up after sleeping on the ground.

i injured my back a few weeks ago, its still healing you should take it easy since you can make it worse, when you are sleeping sleep with a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back, and use a pillow inbetween your knees if you sleep on your side i dont suggest sleeping on the floor like the japanese you can make things worse

im no back expert, but I have been sleeping on a futon most of my life. a futon is basically a japanese bed (not super bouncy or soft or anything...just like a thick mat). I never have back problems. people sometimes don't understand how i can sleep on a futon all the time but it doesn't feel uncomfortable. it doesn't really feel like anything. and my back never hurts. I am a contortionist with really really good posture (from playing french horn) and a futon has always worked best for me. i say try it out. and they are usually way easier to transport than big old regular beds.
also, i bought something from a chiropractor that is a sort of back support pillow. its not really a pillow but i don't know what else to call it. whenever you are sitting , especially when driving, place it behind your lower back. it does not change shape, and it fits the contour of your back and your seat. ask a chiropractor. my lower back never hurts when im using this thing.
oh yeah, futon stores ahould all have wooden things that go under the futon. that other girl who answered your question is totally right on that tip.

I guess it would depend on which would make YOU feel better. I know that when my back hurts, I go lay on my bed, which is soft. My father and mother-in-law sleep on a mattress that is about as hard as the floor. If you are seeing a chiropractor, then ask them which is going to be better for your situation. If you don't have one, then I guess it won't hurt to try to lay on the floor or putting a piece of hard wood on the bed and putting a mattress cover and sheets on top of it and then trying it out. Now, as to building the back muscles, I wouldn't do anything without talking to a doctor. I think at this point, anything that you do could make the pain worse and could, not definitely, push the insurance company into not covering the surgery. I don't condone insurance fraud, and if you truly need it, then anything that you do, could help push them into a denial of surgery. Just go talk to a doctor. That would cover all...

I can only give u my experience. I found out I had arthritics in my back..I tried everything. This is what I found out. Hard beds or floors do not work. As a matter of fact they make it worse. You need a bed to give enough to where your bones and muscles aren't sore the next day.I tired the bed with air in it and the bed that doesn't have springs in it. The foam bed works best for me.You will have to try them to find out for yourself..Just don't get a spring mattress. They end up wearing out and the springs hurt u. Good luck...From pain free

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Is sleeping on the floor or on a mat like the Japanese do/did really helpful for your back?? If not, what is?

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