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Benefits of a Good Mattress

By the SHAPE Team We spend roughly one third of our life sleeping. This fact is lost on most people when they think about their mattress. A mattress lacking in back support reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, and therefore sleeping on the wrong mattress has nothing but negative consequences for people with low back pain. Two main factors to consider when choosing a mattress are comfort and support. Both are equally important, and choosing one that provides both will help reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night. For people with low back pain it is crucial to choose a mattress that is best for their back and with such a variety of mattresses on the market, this decision can become a bit confusing. The following guidelines are designed to help patients suffering from low back pain choose the best mattress: Personal preference should ultimately determine what mattress to purchase. Any mattress that aids pain-free and rejuvenating sleep is the best mattress for that individual. There is no single mattress that works for all people with low back pain. Understand and inquire about the physical components of the mattress. The coils or inner springs inside a mattress provide back support. Padding on top of the mattress provides comfort and comes in many different thicknesses. Find a mattress with sufficient back support to reduce low back pain. A good mattress should provide support at the same time allowing for the natural curves and alignment of the spine, while also helping to avoid muscle soreness in the morning. Achieve a balance between back support and sleep comfort when buying a mattress. A medium-firm mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly. Mattresses that are very soft can feel good in the store but may not be a good long-term decision. Know when it’s time to get a new mattress. If an old mattress sags visibly in the middle or if the patient is no longer sleeping comfortably on the mattress, it is probably time to purchase a new one. A quality mattress will normally last for 8-12 years. Shop for the best value and quality of the mattress rather than for price. Finding a high-quality mattress is usually worth the investment, considering the effect a mattress can have on low back pain and sleep comfort. Mattresses with more coils and thicker padding tend to be higher quality and also more expensive. Give the mattress a test-run before buying. Try different sleeping positions and take some time to assess the feel of the mattress. Purchase mattresses from stores and companies that are trustworthy. Consider the customer service offered by the mattress store, such as delivery options, warranty, removal of old mattresses and especially the store’s return policy. Take good care of the new mattress. It is recommended that owners reposition their mattress every six months to ensure that the mattress is evenly worn. This includes rotating 180 degrees and flipping the mattress lengthwise on a regular basis. The following physical components are the important features of most high-quality mattresses. Mattress springs and coils provide back support. A common type of mattress contains spring coils in various arrangements to give firmness for back support. The wire in the coils comes in different thicknesses: a lower gauge number denotes thicker, stiffer wire and a firmer mattress. Mattress padding provides comfort. In addition to the spring coils in a mattress, the padding on top of the mattress is another factor that can indicate quality. Mattress padding is usually made of materials including polyurethane foam, “memory-foam”, puffed-up polyester or cotton batting. Middle padding in a mattress: This type of mattress padding is just below the quilted top layer and is usually made with foam. Insulation mattress padding: This padding lies on top of the coil springs so that they cannot be felt from on top of the mattress and also protects the coils from damaging the top layers of the mattress. Mattress foundations: The mattress foundation or box spring adds another level of back support to the mattress. Foundations usually consist of a wooden or metal frame with springs. Foam mattresses: Other types of mattresses are constructed from memory foam or latex foam. Some foam mattresses are made of multiple layers of foam adhered together while others have a foam core in the center. Foam mattresses come in various degrees of firmness to give patients greater selection for back support and back comfort. Asking questions, requesting written product information and examining each mattress thoroughly will help patients become more educated consumers. By following the practical guidelines for selecting a new mattress, patients will be well-equipped to find the best mattress for sleep comfort, back support and reducing low back pain.

 

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