by Olivia O Leary D.C BSc Hons

The type of mattress you sleep on plays a key role in the health of your spine and preventing unneccessary back pain. But one style does not fit all when it comes to mattresses.

Your body weight, shape and personal preferences determine whether an pocket sprung or a foam mattress will be most comfortable for you.

Clues that you may need a new mattress include:
•    Morning pain or stiffness
•    Restless sleep
•    Sleeping better when you’re away from home
•    Visible mattress sagging or lumpiness

Modern beds are made from a vast number of different materials and technologies, which can be confusing to a person considering a new mattress. The chiropractors at Gorey Family Chiropractic have put this guide together for this very commonly asked question.

SO WHAT MAKES A GOOD BED?

1). SUPPORT

A good mattress is designed to provide support for your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture.

The choice and quality of mattresses can vary greatly dependent on budget and personal preferences.

•Open Coil: One of the most common foundations in mattresses is the open coil spring providing you with a cheaper and durable but less supportive mattress foundation.

•Pocket Sprung: Adapts to the contours of your body providing support and minimal partner disturbance with minimum roll together. As Chiropractors this is one of the most recommended types of mattress for the cost versus the benefit ratio.

•Dual Coil: Provides double the support, with a unique inner coil responding to variable pressure providing a second tier of back support. Another excellent choice for a back pain sufferer.

• Foam:  Memory foam mattresses popularised this type of mattress. It seems a love or hate relationship amongst buyers with some expecting the high price tag to improve symptoms beyond what a mattress is able to do, which is to offer support and good alignment to the spine and body thereby reducing strain.

2). Durability:

It’s the quality of the materials used and how they’re put together that determines how long a mattress and mattress base will provide comfort and support.

 6 TIPS FOR THE RIGHT MATTRESS
1.    Spend at least 10 minutes on a mattress you want to buy. Lie in all positions, to make sure the mattress is right for you. It will be a wise investment of time, and your back will thank you for it, compare how different types of mattresses feel to your back and body.
2.    Weigh the benefits of foam versus pocket sprung. A medium firmness Pocket sprung mattresses offers excellent support for the average person. Foam mattresses contour to the entire body, but can make it more difficult to turn and get out of bed.
 Clients with Hip bursitis or shoulder tendonitis may the find the softer moulding nature of the foam comfortable for their conditions.
3.    Consider your body type. If your hips are wider than your waist, a softer mattress can accommodate the width of your pelvis and allow your spine to remain neutral. If your hips and waist are in a relatively straight line, a more rigid surface offers better support.
4.    Make sure there are enough coils. If you go with an pocket sprung mattresses, more coils mean more support and firmness. The thicker the coil, the firmer the mattress, with heavy-gauge coils providing the most support. There are no magic numbers for coils, but steer clear of mattresses with few of them.

6.    There is no necessity to spend money on expensive upholstery. Fabric layers provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the mattress springs. But these layers are easily compressed and can make your mattress feel as though it is sagging long before the springs give out. Foam mattress toppers are inexpensive alternatives that can be changed easily when the foam wears out.

GOREY FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC: SUPPORTING RECOVERY, MAINTAINING RECOVERY AND PREVENTING INJURY

Our specialist Chiropractic team are trained and hold extensive experience both in Ireland and the U.K and are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of back pain, neck pain nerve and disc disorders as well as sports injury and osteoarthritis management. No GP referral is necessary.

On site x ray is offered and for your convenience all of our Gorey Family  Chiropractic team are registered with VHI, Glo, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers including the GAA Scheme.

For further information on our range of services to private individuals or companies contact info@chiropractor.ie or alternatively call 053 94 83338