How to Select a Good Mattress?
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler | January 20, 2023 | Read Time: 5 minutes
“Self-care is having a good mattress.” (Unknown)
Are you waking up with a sore neck or a stiff back? Do you toss and turn throughout the night? Have you had your mattress for at least 7 years? It may be time to get a new mattress. Picking the best mattress to fit your sleeping needs can be a challenging task. However, if you shop for comfort rather than aesthetics, this may help you.
When patients ask me what is a good mattress, I often ask them the following questions, and based on their answers, I offer tips on what to look for in a mattress. Neck and back pain can result from sleeping without proper spine (neck and back) support. Depending on the type of mattress you have, whether a memory foam, innerspring, latex, or gel, the mattress manufacturer will usually recommend suggestions on when to replace the mattress. Most mattresses are not built to last forever. Mattresses and pillows should be replaced especially if you experience sleep disturbances or pain in the morning.
How do know when to replace your mattress? If you answer “yes” to one or more of the questions below, then it’s time to throw out the old mattress for a new one.
- Do you experience neck or back pain in the morning?
- Do you find it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position?
- Do you toss and turn throughout the night?
- Have you had your mattress for more than 7 years?
- Do you have a visible dip or indentation in the mattress when you are not laying or sitting on it?
Sleeping on an unsupportive mattress can cause neck, back, and other joint pain. The goal of the mattress is to provide sufficient support to the spine while sleeping. What we do throughout our day, including when our bodies are at rest, can cause microtrauma. Microtrauma is a result of repetitive actions or movements, that can lead to muscle imbalance, thereby increasing the risk for soft tissue injuries, such as muscle strain or ligament sprain. If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, it is time to shop for a new mattress.
Suggestions for Picking a Good Quality Mattress
#1: Go for Self-Comfort
It’s all about comfort. Your body is unique and different. What feels comfortable to you may cause pain for someone else. Therefore, choosing a mattress that is comfortable and supports your body is essential. I recommend trying out different mattresses from different manufacturers to see what feels right to you. Comfort, like pain, is subjective. Buying a mattress just because someone else says it’s a good mattress for them, doesn’t mean you will experience the same level of comfort or support. Try the mattress out for yourself, don’t take the words of someone else.
#2: Don’t be Cheap
We spend more than 30% of our lives sleeping. If you want to wake up feeling recharged with less pain, invest in a good mattress. Like buying quality shoes, purchasing a quality mattress that will not cause aches or pains is important to your back (spine), health, and overall well-being. Your mattress can make the difference between getting a good night’s sleep or not. In addition, not getting quality sleep can lead to other health problems such as fatigue, increase weight gain, and pain. Check out my other blog post on Night Pain.
#3: Test the Mattress
Nowadays, mattress companies will allow you to test the mattress for a few days to see if it is the right pick for you. When you lay down on the mattress, after about 10 minutes or so, your body should relax and it should be fairly easy to fall asleep. If you find yourself readjusting throughout the night, chances are, the mattress is not the one for you. With over 100 mattress companies in the world, you should be able to find the right mattress that will give you the comfort and support you need to wake up feeling refreshed.
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler
