For the 2% of America currently suffering from fibromyalgia, pain is a constant companion. Your body hurts all over, you’re exhausted and no one can tell you why. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition where muscles, tendons and ligaments experience pain, fatigue and tender points that are sensitive to the slightest pressure. This condition can make getting comfortable in bed a serious challenge, and a lack of sleep only serves to further exacerbate daily fatigue and discomfort. Because memory foam excels at pressure point relief, people with fibromyalgia are often curious as to whether or not this type of mattress may be beneficial. In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of using a memory foam mattress with fibromyalgia, and provide a guide of what to look for when shopping to maximize comfort. Fibromyalgia & Memory Foam Memory foam was conceived by NASA in the 1970s as a way to cushion astronauts from the harmful G-Forces experienced at take-off and re-entry.
From there, memory foam was utilized in the medical industry to prevent pressure sores on beds and wheelchairs. Eventually these benefits carried over to consumer mattress markets, where memory foam mattresses continue gaining popularity each year and remain one of the best-rated mattress types for comfort and overall owner satisfaction. In contrast to traditional polyurethane foams which simply compress with weight or springs which actively resist weight, memory foam has a dense, viscous nature that contours to a sleeper’s body. Because heavier areas like hips and shoulders sink in, natural alignment is preserved and the lumbar area remains supported (preventing lower back, knee, hip and shoulder strain). The cells within the memory foam material also collapse and transfer weight across the surface rather than pressing upwards against gravity, preventing painful pressure points on sensitive areas. However, there are a few complaints voiced by some people with fibromyalgia that have tried memory foam mattresses.
Some people find that thick or viscous mattresses are difficult to get on and off of, and the same goes with memory foam toppers placed over other mattresses. Others may find that the pressure points can still be felt, or that their memory foam mattress sleeps too hot. There is significant variation between the types and brands of memory foam mattresses though, so fibromyalgia and memory foam can be a good match as long as you know what to look for to avoid issues. Choosing a Memory Foam Matress with Fibromyalgia Here is a list of features to consider and compare when looking for a memory foam mattress for fibromyalgia relief. Medium DensityThe density of memory foam affects how viscous and supportive it feels, and how durable it will be over time. Low density foams (under 3.5 lbs) soften fairly quickly and may not provide enough support or pressure relief for people with fibromyalgia. High density foams (over 5.0 lbs) may feel too thick which can make moving in bed and getting out of bed more difficult.
High density foams, while durable, are also associated with greater heat retention. Medium density foams, those between 3.5 and 5.0 lbs, provide the ideal mix of support and density for pain relief and ease of movement. Foam ThicknessOne of the key things to pay attention to when choosing a memory foam mattress for fibromyalgia is the thickness of the actual memory foam layer. There should be enough memory foam in the mattress to fully contour to your body, or you can ‘bottom out’ on the support layer and experience pressure points. If you are petite or a back/stomach sleeper, 3-4 inches of memory foam should be sufficient. If you are larger-framed or a side sleeper, look for 4-6 inches of memory foam. Mattress LayeringIn addition to thickness and density, the memory foam should be as close as possible to the surface in order to receive maximum pressure relieving benefits. Beds that have more than 1” of padding or non-memory foam may reduce comfort and may also compress faster.
FirmnessAccording to reports of people online, the best firmness for people with fibromyalgia is medium-firm. Logically speaking, you don’t want a mattress so hard that it causes pressure points, but you also don’t want a mattress so soft that your back is unsupported. The benefit of materials like memory foam is that the concerns can be balanced without compromising comfort for support or vice versa. ResponsivenessSlow-response memory foams can take up to 60 seconds to return to their original shape or recontour. This can create a feeling of being trapped in quicksand when trying to move, especially when combined with temperature-sensitive foams that use heat to contour. Fast-response foams are usually temperature neutral and quickly respond to changes in movement, requiring less effort for changing position or getting out of bed. Because there can so much variation in mattresses and in personal symptoms, the best mattress for fibromyalgia is ultimately going to be the mattress that feels best for your body.
Make sure you select a mattress with your particular needs in mind, and always make sure you have a long enough return period to ensure the bed suits your body on good days and bad days. Keeping in mind mattress specifications and individual needs will enable people with fibromyalgia to choose a memory foam mattress that helps prevent pain, provides support and improves sleep. Unsure which mattress is best for you? Easily compare our memory foam mattresses. A medium-firm memory foam mattress like our Revere may be the right fit for you.Welcome to all you need to know, and probably would rather not know, about mattress toppers. Mattress toppers serve many useful and valuable purposes when choosing the right bed. If you’re in a hurry read our top 5 tips or for more information covering everything please read on. A mattress topper is an additional comfort layer that is added to a core mattress to increase the longevity and also increase the comfort of the mattress. We recommend that all mattresses should have a topper and our dual construction method provides each of our foam beds with a built in removable mattress topper.
When trying to buy a mattress topper in retail shops, this is where the confusion starts; as you try to find the elusive ‘perfect mattress topper’. Most of our foam mattresses use a dual construction method which includes a topper, with the exception of some latex models, but I’m sure it is still on your list of questions to find out what a mattress topper does. The problem is the market is flooded with hundreds of different mattress toppers, some are brilliant and some way below par for the job. You can find toppers everywhere from bespoke bed shops to discount shops meaning that there is a huge variety of the offerings. Prices vary greatly and in some cases the only option you’re presented with is what size you want rather than the depth or firmness of the topper! With mattress toppers one size does definitely not fit all. Firstly you need to make sure it complements the bed you have and is of the necessary depth to have any real benefit. At John Ryan By Design we have individually matched our mattress toppers to our range and also have a range of stand alone toppers that can be bought separately to fine tune your existing mattress.
We offer hybrid foam and natural latex mattress toppers. As a rule, of thumb, the correct mattress topper can make a great mattress into a fantastic one. On the other hand, a topper can make a bad or unsuitable bed, much more bearable. Our site has received many comments from readers who questioned that if the mattress was expensive and had adequate comfort layers already, why was it deemed necessary to add further by way of a topper? This is an excellent question and the quick answer is that toppers increase the comfort and extend the longevity of your mattress. There’s much more to toppers than meets the eye so read on for a more detailed look. The benefits of using a mattress topper can be split into two categories, increasing comfort and increasing the longevity of the mattress. They are also an excellent way of increasing the life of your bed and providing you with flexibility. Let us go into a little more detail on the benefits of mattress toppers. 1. Providing additional comfort layers
If you choose to sleep on a core mattress without adding an additional topper, it will not be too long before the softer top component compresses under your bodyweight and the mattress will become discoloured through perspiration. Adding a topper gives another layer which will compress before the mattress; giving you more comfort but ultimately a layer that can be easily turned and rotated. We’ve spoken on mattress construction about the issues with one sided mattresses; a necessary construction method with foam beds. A topper helps to address this issue. 2. The longevity of the mattress Moving on to the longevity of the mattress we need to tackle the uncomfortable subject matter of sleeping directly on your mattress. This means there is nothing there to combat the three main enemies to your mattress: The additional benefits you get from utilising toppers will, in the long run, pay dividends, it allows your mattress to stay newer for longer and provides you with increased comfort.
When the topper has taken all it can after the barrage of nightly activities, it is a small expenditure to replace as necessary rather than reaching the stage where the complete mattress requires replacement. The answer is yes. It will change and soften the top layer of the pocket sprung mattress, but any quality mattress topper should be suitable with a pocket sprung mattress. The type of topper you choose will determine the extra sink it provides. If you need more guidance on how a topper may affect the feel of one of our mattresses, then please get in touch for tailored advice. 1. A suitable mattress topper will protect your mattress from the three evils. Body perspiration, dead skin/ bacteria and indentations/ settlement issues. 2. A high-quality mattress topper will provide additional comfort layers, providing you with an even more comfortable and forgiving mattress. 3. A mattress topper will help extend the life of a mattress, especially a no turn Memory foam mattress as you can turn and rotate the topper to reduce compression or wear.
It can also be replaced more easily and cost effectively than the entire mattress. 4. Usually, the topper is made of the same or similar material as the mattress ie memory foam with a memory foam topper vs natural wool pocket sprung bed with a wool or cashmere topper. This is to keep consistency with the mattresses comfort and response levels. However, there is nothing to stop you experimenting with different topper materials. 5. A mattress topper can make a good bed fantastic, and make a bad bed much more bearable! A mattress protector should be the very least of your efforts to help reduce the damaging effects of sweat and other fluids during your time spent in bed. A mattress topper is a great way to increase the comfort layers of your mattress. They also help to reduce the wear and tear put on your core mattress. A good rule of thumb is to match the materials of the topper to those within the core mattress though this is not mandatory. If you need more help why not have a look at our single and double mattress toppers in our shop for details of our range.