How To Buy The Best Mattress For Your Back

Your overall quality of life is affected by how well you sleep. Furthermore, if you suffer from lower back pain, a cheap or old mattress can affect how you feel all day. It is in your best interest to make sure that you have a mattress that helps you get a good night's rest. The following guide can help you choose a mattress that best suits your needs.

Firmness

Popular lore about mattresses may lead you to believe that a firm bed is best for those who suffer from a lower back pain, the most common medical ailment that causes Americans to miss time from work. However, studies contradict advice to buy a firm mattress to relieve lower back pain.

When you are creating a list of features you want in a new mattress and you suffer from back problems, add medium-firm to the list. A medium-firm mattress provides a better distribution of pressure according to researchers while a soft mattress does not provide enough support for your back. A mattress that is too hard will make you feel as if you are sleeping on the floor.

Mattress Materials

While a mattress seems like a simple product, when you actually begin looking at mattress features you may be confused by the array of materials and characteristics.

Popular types of mattresses include:

• Foam and memory foam
• Gel
• Innerspring
• Latex
• Pillowtop

Different types of foam provide the support for foam mattresses. Memory foam uses viscoelastic material to help the mattress contour to your shape as you sleep.

Gel mattresses contain gel foam. They also help to dissipate heat when you sleep. Innerspring mattresses have coil support systems covered in padding material. The amount of coils will vary depending on the brand and firmness.

Latex mattresses consist of layers of materials made from plant and petroleum based products. Pillowtop mattresses consist of a fiber and foam materials topped with an upholstery layer. You can also purchase hybrid mattresses that contain a combination of foam and coil support.

Try Before You Buy

When you are in the mattress store, do yourself a favor and take advantage of the opportunity to test out the merchandise. The best way to test a mattress is to stretch out on the bed for at least 10 minutes. Turn on each side to see how it may feel when you shift sleeping positions at night.

If you share the bed with your partner, you should test the bed together. This can also help you decide if you need to purchase a larger bed to better accommodate two people.

Get Medical Advice

If you suffer from debilitating back pain, consult with your primary physician or a chiropractor before investing a new mattress. They can provide you with the best advice on what mattress are best for your specific medical condition. You do not want to make your condition worse by purchasing the wrong type of mattress.

Replacing an Old Mattress

If you take good care of your mattress, it should last about 10 years. However, you may need to purchase a new mattress if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up tired with neck and back pain.

In addition, if your kids jump on your bed you will have premature wear and tear on your mattress. Furthermore, if your mattress sags or has lumps, it is time to get a new one. As you age, you will also need to replace your mattress more often. Other factors that can affect the comfort of an older mattress include weight gain or loss and changing partners.

No matter what type of mattress you purchase, make sure it comes with a money back guarantee. If the new product makes your back pain worse or is uncomfortable, you want to make sure you can get your money back.

Investing in a durable and quality mattress may put a dent in your monthly budget but the long-term benefits will offset the costs especially when you wake up each morning feeling refreshed instead of cranky and achy.