What kind of mattress is suitable for people with back problems? An expert specializing in sleep ergonomics is responsible – 2024-02-22 02:01:19

Have you heard the claim that a hard mattress is best for your back? With this statement, which is still tenaciously alive, it seems that a few decades ago there was a reaction to overly soft and worn-out mattresses, which almost immediately provoked back pain. At that time, there were only two colors in the color palette of sleep ergonomics, black and white. Fortunately, science has moved forward in this area as well, as have mattress materials and, with them, an understanding of the right kind of sleeping ergonomics.

– Choosing a hard mattress can worsen existing ailments or even cause them. Every body is different and needs different support. The combination of pillow and mattress should be considered individually suitable for your body. If you don’t do this, a new bed can become an expensive impulse purchase, which in the worst case will further complicate existing sleep challenges, says a trained expert in sleep ergonomics Nordin Bellamine.

A good mattress supports the sleeper’s body in every sleeping position, but especially guides the side-lying position, as it is the healthiest sleeping position. Achieving a comfortable side-sleeping position requires pressure reduction, shaping and optimal support from the mattress and pillow, so that they adapt to the shape of the body. The characteristics of the mattress and pillow play an important role in making side sleeping possible without harmful twisting or bending of the spine. With a mattress that is too hard, the shoulders and hips cannot sink into the mattress, causing the spine to be steered into an ergonomic position.

An unsuitable sleeping platform can be the cause of back pain or stiffness

When sleeping, the body position control managed by the brain is at its lowest, and the responsibility for supporting the body position is transferred to the mattress and pillow. If the mattress does not support well and guides the spine to either twist or bend, the ligaments and capsules of the spine’s joints are stretched and the muscles around the joints can tense reflexively. This delayed protective reaction, which aims to prevent incorrect posture but can produce muscle stiffness and pain at the same time, is often only noticed in the morning. Sleep ergonomics and an individually suitable mattress and pillow together promote back health.

So what kind of mattress is good for the back?

– Simply said; a mattress that adapts to the shape of the body, chosen with an expert, plus a pillow of the right design and size, so that the spine can be guided into the right position, Bellamine states.

A mattress that molds to the body’s heat supports the back better than traditional mattresses. According to a study carried out in Finland, mattresses that shape according to body heat had the fewest bumps and sleepers felt that the mattress supported their backs sufficiently. Those who sleep on these mattresses also report that they feel less physically weak compared to, for example, those who sleep on spring mattresses. The research results therefore point to better recovery and functional ability achieved with mattresses that shape according to the body’s heat.

Although, in general, mattresses that shape according to the body’s heat are perfect materials for sleeping, there are also significant differences between them. Many memory foam mattresses have some pressure-relieving properties, but TEMPUR® material has been used, for example, widely in healthcare in different parts of the world.

Does a hard mattress last longer in use?

– High-quality materials and proper maintenance are to a large extent decisive in the lifespan of a mattress. The feel of the mattress does not determine the length of its useful life. If you get yourself a hard mattress and in use you notice that it is not suitable, that purchase may be very short-lived. Soon you will have to find yourself a new sleeping solution again, says Bellamine.

– Yes, it is the best and the easiest solution for the buyer of the bed to invest properly in choosing the bed at once, so that you will sleep in it for 15 years of high-quality sleep every night and feel good. It’s not worth settling for a mediocre one, because in the end it can be a more expensive solution that you often have to update as well. In addition, nowadays there are good payment options for purchases, so you don’t necessarily have to pay for an important purchase all at once, Bellamine explains.

Mattresses made of high-quality materials and made with longevity in mind in the manufacturing process last for years and are easy to maintain. For example, TEMPUR offers a 15-year Pro Rata guarantee for mattresses, and in the selection you can find products that facilitate mattress maintenance, such as protective sheets.

Back pain can continue if an old, worn pillow remains in use

If you change the mattress to a new one but continue to use the old pillow, your sleeping ergonomics are probably not optimal. The pillow plays a significant role, especially in the prevention of back and shoulder pain. When you have an expertly selected, ergonomically supportive mattress under you, you probably need a different pillow than you did with your old mattress. An expert can help you choose a pillow that fits both your mattress and the width of your shoulders, your sleeping position and your preferences.

The lenses for the glasses are chosen by an optician, the mattress for the sleeper is chosen by a trained expert in sleep ergonomics

– You wouldn’t even buy a new car without a test drive, so why would you randomly choose a new bed? You should always choose an individually suitable mattress and pillow with the guidance of an expert. The TEMPUR bed is an investment in a high-quality life both when asleep and awake.

When getting a new bed becomes relevant, always go to a professional who specializes in sleep and sleep ergonomics. Your help is free of charge from trained experts in sleep ergonomics, whose expertise includes choosing individually suitable sleeping aids, identifying factors that impair sleep, and giving concrete advice to achieve better recovery.

Look for the specialist closest to you at nukumisergonomia.fi/asiantuntijahaku

– In TEMPUR stores, you can test lie on different beds and feel at ease which option feels best for your back. Our experts take into account, among other things, the individual characteristics of your body and your personal preferences, so the color palette of sleeping ergonomics currently has many different colors, says Bellamine.

Check out the selection of beds online and make an appointment for a free sleep ergonomics survey. Our trained sleep ergonomics experts will help you find a bed that is right for your back.

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Make an appointment for a free sleep ergonomics survey at the nearest TEMPUR store. You get VIP service and a gift worth up to €109! >

Sources:

The effects of pillows and mattresses on the sleeper’s physical sensations. Kinnunen, H., Humaloja, A. 2012. TAMK

Referenced 11/12/2023