5 Mattress Buying Tips to Reduce Back Pain and Improve Sleep

• Updated on: 2018-01-09
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A quality mattress is among the most important pieces of furniture in your home (if not themost important), but buying a mattress can be tough. Pushy salespeople, confusion over the different types, the financial investment—it all adds up to an overwhelming shopping experience. But, the fact remains: A good mattress is good for your spine. To make the purchasing process less daunting, this guide will provide some mattress basics to help you become a more informed consumer. Types of Mattresses Here’s a snapshot of the most common types of mattresses that may help support your spine.

Innerspring mattresses Innerspring mattresses are the most popular type of mattress in the United States. These mattresses are made up of padding and steel coils (from 300 individual coils to more than 1,000). These mattresses can be soft or firm depending on the type of coil and padding used.

Salespeople may try to convince you that more coils means a better product, but it’s not as clear cut as that. Because innerspring mattresses have such wide appeal—and because many models fall within this category—your best bet is to test drive this mattress in store by lying on it for at least 5 minutes to see how it feels for you.

Specialty foam mattresses (memory, latex, and polyurethane) Specialty foam mattresses use foam (either a single type or combination of foams) to contour your body and provide support. Foams used in mattresses include memory, latex, and polyurethane. As a material, foam is extremely flexible in terms of its ability to mold into different shapes and thickness, so it can adapt to the unique needs of a wide range of consumers.

While grouped under the same category, foam mattresses vary greatly. For instance, memory foam is ideal for contouring and molding to your shape. Memory foam is great for people with chronic pain who struggle falling to sleep, but know that it can lock in heat.

On the other hand, latex is better at providing firm support, so it’s a great choice if you have back pain.

Adjustable beds As many people with back pain understand, sometimes the pain “moves”—one day it might be in your shoulder, but tomorrow it could be in your low back. Adjustable beds (which include the mattress and base) are a fast-growing mattress type that offer a solution for people who experience a wide range of pain.

As the name suggests, this type of bed allows you to adjust various parts of the bed (elevate, bend, raise, lower) so you can position yourself based on what’s most comfortable on a given day. Most types of adjustable beds also have dual functionality, so you can adjust your side of the bed in a different configuration than your partner’s.

Air mattresses Like adjustable beds, air mattresses offer a custom level of support and allow each individual the ability to adjust firmness. This type of mattress should not be confused with the portable air bed you might take camping. Air mattresses feature an air chamber covered by cushioning, so it’s designed to look like a traditional bed. If you and your partner disagree on the level of firmness, this is a good option to keep the peace.

Pillow-top mattresses Pillow-top mattresses include extra padding that covers the top of the mattress, which adds an additional layer of comfort and softness.

Hybrid mattresses Hybrid mattresses feature the steel coils used in innerspring mattresses with foam.

Mattress Buying Tips Ready to embark on your new mattress purchase? Check out the 5 tips below:

Tip #1.Know that there’s no “perfect” type of mattress for back and neck pain: The best type of mattress is the one you find most comfortable. You may have heard that firm mattresses are best for back pain—and firm mattresses may certainly support your spine. But, if you choose a mattress that is too firm, it could come at the cost of your comfort. Look for a mattress that conforms to your spine's natural curves and keeps your spine aligned when you lay down.

Tip #2. The best time to buy: According to the National Sleep Foundation, new mattress models hit stores between May and September each year, so a Memorial Day sale is a top time to get a great deal.

Tip #3. Don’t skimp on the box spring: The box spring absorbs the mattress’ stress and weight, and it’s a good idea to purchase the box spring designed to go with your mattress. Using no foundation, old foundations, or mixing mattresses and box springs can reduce your mattress’ level of support and durability.

Tip #4. Think about your bed’s height: Mattresses come in varying thicknesses, so consider how a new mattress might change your bed height. You can determine if your bed is the right height by sitting on the edge of the bed. If your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are in line with your hips, your bed is the right height. If your feet don’t reach the floor, your bed it too high. If your knees are above your hips, your bed is too low.

Tips #5. Know when to splurge on the extras: Mattress encasements, protectors, and pads will help extend the life of your mattress, and protect it from staining and dust mites. These items have varying levels of protection and price points, so it’s worth doing some research to determine which product meets your needs. You might also consider mattress toppers, which will give you an extra layer of comfort for a relatively small price tag.

Is Your Mattress Past Its Prime? Because mattresses vary so much in terms of price, quality, and type, there’s no set rule as to when you should replace your mattress. A common recommendation is to replace your mattress every 7 years, but other things to consider include:

The Ultimate Sign You Have the Right Mattress With so many mattress types, accessories, and price points, the purchase experience can be overwhelming. And, you may wonder if you are sleeping on the best mattress for you. Use this simple question to determine if you purchased the right product:How do you feel in the morning? If you wake refreshed, and your back and neck feel ready to take on the day, you are likely sleeping on the right mattress.