Introduction
“What is the best mattress?” this is the question we are asked most often, but there is no common answer to all.
Starting from the quality of the materials, respecting your budget, here‘s how to choose the mattress that will accompany you for the next few years.
The best mattress for back pain sufferers
How to choose the most comfortable mattress that guarantees a correct position and is suitable for back pain?
In this area there are now many models of mattresses, different from each other in terms of height, material, coverings and padding. A good mattress must adapt to the body day after day, maintaining its characteristics and elasticity for as long as possible.
To date, different types of mattresses can be chosen on the market: from the most rigid model to the most welcoming one, from the most ergonomic to the classic; this according to one’s physicality and resting habits.
While we sleep, the entire musculature that controls the correct position of the spine relaxes, thus allowing the body to adapt to the support on which it rests. For this reason a mattress, in order to be ideal, must be chosen based on certain personal physical characteristics of those who use it, specifically, the weight and height of the person who must use the mattress are the starting point for establishing the degree of rigidity. more adequate.
As far as back pain is concerned, to date, there is a latest generation material, memory, which brings numerous benefits to our body and above all to our always “bruised” lumbar area.
In particular, the memory mattress ensures that:
- the vertebral column is in the correct position that is straight;
- the shoulder-pelvis pressure points are attenuated;
- let the mattress adapt to us and not us to the mattress.
For this reason the memory, whether it is a layer of 3.5,7 cm or that it is on a base of springs or foam, is highly recommended for those suffering from back pain.
How to evaluate the comfort of a mattress
What makes a mattress comfortable?
Answering this question is difficult and varies greatly from subject to subject. Those who sleep on their backs will not look for the same characteristics as those who lie prone or sideways. Then there are those who love to feel supported and those who prefer to sleep on the soft side. And if you have to sleep in two, in addition to your own comfort you must also think about reaching a compromise.
Regardless of the positions in which we fall asleep and which we assume during sleep, it is essential that our spine remains in a neutral position, maintaining the natural curves of the body.
Types and characteristics of mattresses
With springs, memory or latex: here are the main models for choosing the right mattress.
All about spring mattresses:
Spring mattresses are divided into traditional springs and independent pocket springs. The most used support these days are independent and pocket springs, considered the evolution of the traditional spring. Each spring is “independent” and, thanks also to the differentiated zone processing, it adapts perfectly to the different pressures exerted by the body.
In mattresses with independent springs, the number of springs is very important, as it also determines the rigidity and acceptance of the mattress. For those who prefer more support, a mattress with a quantity of springs between 700 and 1000 is preferable; for those who love hospitality, a mattress with a greater number of springs, usually between 1600 and 3000, is recommended.
In conclusion, the higher the number of springs that make up the mattress, the greater the welcome and the comfort that this offers.
All about memory mattresses:
The good quality memory foam mattresses are designed to adapt perfectly to the different weights and pressures exerted by the body, giving us a pleasant sensation of comfort and relaxation of all the muscles and promoting good blood circulation. They also guarantee adequate support for the spine. Excellent are the performance of breathability and freshness during sleep. This type of foam is hostile to the proliferation of mites and bacteria.
All about latex mattresses:
This is one of the most elastic natural materials in nature, which allows the mattress to adapt optimally to the body, promoting total relaxation and also ensuring a correct position of the spine. It has the ability to recover its original shape almost instantly once the pressure is removed. It is hypoallergenic and has bactericidal, germicidal and fungicidal properties. It also has good breathability characteristics thanks to a structure with communicating microcells that allow greater air exchange.
What position do you sleep in? Here’s how to choose the right mattress!
The right mattress based on your sleeping position
Many people think that a firm mattress is the best for sleeping, but in reality each position requires a different type of support for optimal comfort. Here are some tips on the most suitable type of product based on the position taken during sleep.
- Supine position (lying on your back) Sleeping lying on your back is considered the best position for sleeping as it avoids the onset of back pain and any muscle contractures. To sleep on your stomach it is sufficient to have a pillow of the right height, which keeps the head in a neutral position, that is, not too bent either forward or backward. In this case the mattress will have to support the lower back allowing the muscles to relax, and maintain the natural curve of the spine. A model that is too soft can cause the lower back to assume an unnatural position, but a bed that is too rigid causes muscle and lumbar tension, as it does not offer enough support to the lower back. A medium-firm mattress will be the optimal choice for sleeping on your back.
- Lateral position (lying on the side) This is the recommended sleeping position for those suffering from reflux, acidity or heartburn. In particular, sleeping on the left side facilitates lymphatic drainage, improves blood circulation to the heart and promotes the elimination of toxins, encourages proper digestion and is beneficial for the flow of bile. It is always advisable to keep the back in a neutral position and the legs rather elongated; on the other hand, positions that are too tightly packed should be avoided as they put tension on muscles and ligaments. In this case, the suitable bed system should not be too rigid, but should follow the shape and weight of the body, allowing the shoulder and side area to adapt to the mattress, for optimal anatomical support.
- Prone position (lying on the stomach) This is the most not recommended sleeping position as it is potentially harmful to the spine. In this position the head is rotated to one side creating tension in the muscles and ligaments of the neck. Our advice? Use an anatomical pillow and place a low pillow under the pelvis. The adequate mattress in this case must not be too soft in order not to create an excessive arching of the spine, and therefore stretching, of the lumbar area.