How to Choose the Right Mattress

Recently one of our chiropractors, Dr Anthony Coxon, appeared on the Channel 7 show ‘Sunrise’ to talk about choosing the right mattress.

It starts with a good base

There is no fancy technology in a mattress base. It simply needs to be stiff and firm. Most bases are comprised of wooden slats. A poor quality base not only reduces the performance of the mattress, but in some cases may void the warrantee.

The modern mattress

Gone are the days when mattresses were the same top and bottom, and you were required to flip the mattress every 3 months to ensure longevity. Modern quality mattresses have a spring section for support and a pillow top for comfort.

Structural support

The support section will make up most of the mattress and should include quality pocket springs to minimise partner disturbance. Other materials, such as dense foams will also contribute to structural support. This will help keep your spine straight when lying on your side and mould to your body’s natural curves when lying on your back.

The support layer needs to conform in a way that allows the wider hips and shoulders to sink further into the mattress, keeping the spine in natural alignment. Zoned mattresses may assist with this process.

Comfort layer

This is the layer on top and gives the mattress the feeling of being soft, medium or firm. Memory foam is often used here. Viscous gel infused foams can be useful in keeping you from over heating.

Posture in bed

No matter how good your mattress, your sleeping posture needs to be right so as to minimise spinal stress overnight. Remember it’s normal, and indeed beneficial, to change your sleeping position during the night.

Sleeping on your stomach will create neck and upper back problems with most adults, because you have to twist your neck to breathe.

Most people will sleep on their side. It’s important to use a pillow that fills the gap between your head and shoulder, so the neck stays straight when sleeping. An additional pillow between the legs prevents the hips from rolling forward and twisting the low back. Most side sleepers will prefer soft to medium comfort.

Finally there are a group that sleep mostly on their back. These people should use a thinner pillow and tend to do better on medium comfort beds. An extra pillow under the knees will help take pressure off the low back.

Where to start

Talk to one of our chiropractors for a referral to a bedding retailer. We have relationships with bedding stores that not only give great service, but also give discounts to our patients.