Although memory foam mattresses are popular for their comfort and support, they can also cause problems for people with back issues. If you're waking up in pain each morning, it may be time to switch to a different type of mattress.
A memory foam mattress can cause back pain if you don't find the firmness level best suited for you. The ideally firm mattress for your sleep position keeps your spine in neutral alignment while relieving your pressure points. Side sleepers will be most comfortable on a medium, medium-soft, or soft mattress.
Some memory foam mattress users complain of waking with headaches. Others develop respiratory issues such as asthma. Still, others have concerns about the long-term health effects of years of nightly exposure to this material. It's not certain what risk every individual might encounter.
There are many conditions that can affect the quality of a person's sleep. One such condition is arthritis and arthritic pain can certainly affect how well we sleep. Many doctors recommend Nectar Memory Foam Mattress for arthritis because it could help to alleviate symptoms like morning stiffness and pain.
Latex. While not technically a foam, latex is a natural, eco-friendly, luxury product that shares many of the same qualities as memory foam, but has a more buoyant feel. Our latex mattresses allow the sleeper to experience support, comfort, and breathability together.
What mattress type is best for side sleepers? Memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses are ideal for side sleepers because they offer pressure relief for proper alignment, whereas innerspring mattresses can't contour around pressure points.
Memory foam is a highly resilient temperature sensitive material that reacts to your body heat and weight. As you lie down on the visco elastic, the foam instantly molds to your curves. This body-conforming feature is what sets memory foam apart from other mattress materials, making it an ideal choice.
They're no good for people who naturally toss and turn whilst they sleep because deep rivets form in the mattress at key pressure points and can make it difficult to roll over. For this reason, elderly people tend to struggle with memory foam.
This mattress material may be popular, but it can cause a variety of sleep issues – common memory foam mattress problems include overheating, sweating and also aches and pains when you wake. It's all down to the way that the memory foam works in order to mould to your body.
If you feel you're sinking into your mattress and your spine is not able to maintain a neutral position, it might be the reason behind your back issues. A mattress that is too soft for you can start hurting your spine sooner than you realize. A mattress that is too hard causes joint pressure.
Though they can seem more comfortable and luxurious, a soft mattress can actually cause back problems for back and stomach sleepers, and those of a heavier weight. Soft mattresses can also be problematic for bed sharers. The heavier partner may sink further in, making the sleep surface unbalanced.
If your mattress does have a “new mattress” smell after unboxing, you can let it air out for 3 to 7 days in a well-ventilated room or garage before putting any bedding on or using the mattress.
It's a good idea to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and allow the mattress to expand for at least 24-48 hours before sleeping on it. This ensures that the mattress reaches its optimal shape, firmness, and comfort level.
According to Sleep Foundation, memory foam mattresses have an average lifespan of 6 to 7 years. According to Serta, memory foam mattresses typically last 8 to 10 years. According to Casper, a memory foam mattress can last up to 10 years. According to Savvy Sleeper, memory foam lasts between 8 and 10 years.
Based on Your Sleep Position
Side sleepers typically benefit from softer mattresses because they cradle the hips and shoulders to help maintain spinal alignment. Back and stomach sleepers need less contouring and receive better spinal support from firmer beds with stable surfaces that prevent sinkage.
Side sleepers do best with a mattress that is a medium to medium firm feel, which is a 5-6 firmness on our scale. Lighter weight side sleepers may go as soft as a 4 firmness with ultra light weight side sleepers going as low as a 3. Heavier side sleepers may go as high as a 7 firmness, though not more than that.
Memory foam mattresses are perfect for side sleepers as they provide an extra layer of cushioning to protect shoulders, hips and ankles from discomfort. If you suffer from lower back pain, try sleeping with a slim pillow in between your knees to maintain natural spinal alignment.
Body weight
Generally speaking, heavier people prefer firmer mattresses. Soft foams may sink in too much for comfort and adequate support. Conversely, lighter sleepers may sink in less and find firm beds to be uncomfortably hard, so they generally prefer soft to medium firm options.
Some mattress companies strictly import their mattresses or memory foam in order to cut production costs or sell less expensive products. Memory foam mattresses constructed with lower quality, imported foams are not likely to hold up well to the everyday wear a mattress gets.
Higher-Quality: Memory foam is a higher-quality material because of its advanced design. This means you're likely to get better results from memory foam when it comes to factors like pressure relief performance, motion isolation, and durability.
Most chiropractors recommend mattresses that provide ample support and pressure relief. Memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses are usually recommended since they offer good contouring capabilities and motion isolation.