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.How can Purple be firm and soft at the same time? Purple’s Smart-Comfort Grid System™ is designed so that each individual cell wall of Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ has a specific pressure/weight threshold. When that threshold is breached, the wall releases, distributing the weight and pressure to surrounding cells. This means that high-pressure areas like your hips and shoulders sink in while the broader, low pressure areas like your back get fully supported.
Even when the cell walls release, they don’t collapse and lose support; they will maintain the exact right amount of support needed for that part of your body so you don’t bottom out. How much weight is the Purple designed to support? The Purple® Bed should easily support 600lbs total or 300lbs weight per person per side. If you’re worried about accommodating someone significantly heavier than that but still want the power of Purple, please be assured that all users, regardless of weight, should find comfort benefits with the Purple® Bed. Please be advised that, while with the use of significantly heavier users will not void the warranty, it may cause the bed to soften more quickly than with an average-weighted user and therefore may eventually alter the Purple™ Bed’s comfort providing abilities. Will you be adding more sizes to your mattress options? As we grow we are only producing the four most popular sizes of mattress Twin XL, Queen, King and California King.
This certainly doesn’t mean we won’t add sizes, but we apologize if we don’t have the sizes you’re looking for right now. To be notified if we ever do add more sizes, fill out this Google Form and we’ll be sure to let you know if your desired size becomes available! What does the Purple 30-Night Challenge work? If you’re not convinced that Purple® Mattress is right for you after 30 or so nights, head over to your guest room, take your sweetie on a romantic getaway, or simply spend a night or two where you can sleep on a different mattress and compare it to your Purple. You may just realize how awesome Purple really is! Don’t worry, you still have your full 100 nights to decide. Is the Purple® Mattress cover washable? For the mattress cover, we recommend using a stretchy mattress protector and spot-cleaning with upholstery when it does get dirty. **The cover does zip off, but we recommend not putting it through your washing machine unless absolutely necessary.
If you do, use a completely cold cycle and hang or lay flat to dry only (there is a LOT of spandex in it, so if you put it in the washer/dryer, it will shrink and that could potentially interfere with the benefits of Purple™). Why do I need stretchy sheets for my Purple® mattress? The stretchier your sheets and mattress protector, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of Purple. Too tight and/or non-stretchy fabrics can act as a barrier between you and the Purple so you don’t get as much pressure release as you could. Also, don't forget to check out our amazing sheets that will work perfectly on your mattress! What is the quality of the foam? We use a premium high-density density foams, which include: 3.25” – 1.8 lb/ft³ medium-soft comfort layer 4.00” – 2.0 lb/ft2³ medium-firm support layer All of our foam is certified by CertiPUR-US® CertiPUR-US® approved foams are: Made without ozone depleters Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants
Made without mercury, lead and other heavy metals Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)All of which is, of course, topped with and protected by 2″ of Purple™ — so it’ll last even longer than your average high-density foam. Will you be selling a Purple® Topper? We may add the option of a Purple® Mattress topper in the future, but we don’t have any sort of timeline. But if you want to to be notified if/when a Purple® Topper is available, fill out this quick form and you’ll be among the first to know! Does the Purple® Bed need a boxspring? Of course we recommend our platform base! However, the Purple just needs a sturdy surface to sit on, whether that’s a platform, slats (3″ apart or less), box foundation, an adjustable bed frame, or even the floor — it all works just fine. Make sure your mattress won’t be on a sagging frame or foundation and you’re good to go!
What type of flame retardant is in the mattress? We use a fabric knit barrier that meets all of the industry standards for your safety without filling your mattress with toxic chemicals. Does it emit off-gassing? There may be a faint “new mattress” smell right when it comes out of the packaging, which the few who have noticed it have described as nutty and sweet. If it is noticeable, it will fade within a few days and is not toxic (most toxic off-gassing that is associated with mattresses comes from memory foam, which we do not use). To find out more about the certification for the foam we use, visit CertiPUR-US® Why did you choose the cover you did? We specially designed a patent-pending, high-quality, white-on-white cover that has never been seen in the industry. It’s super stretchy so you get the best experience with Purple possible, and will look great in your room, even while you’re washing the sheets! What are the dimensions of the Purple™ Beds?
California King: 71.5" x 83.5" x 9.5" King: 75.5” x 79.5” x 9.5” Queen: 59.5” x 79.5” x 9.5” Twin Extra Long: 37.5” x 79.5” x 9.5” How much does the Purple® Bed weigh? The following are approximate weights — just remember Weight is Quality!! Twin Extra Long – 70 lbs Queen – 110 lbs King – 140 lbs California King – 140 lbs How does the Purple® Mattress Ship? The Royal Purple® Seat cushions will ship in boxes, just as one might expect. But we’ve invested in a super nifty mattress roller that allows us to ship Purple® Beds and Tops directly to your door in a vinyl tube with handy little handles to help you carry it. The mattress packaging dimensions are approximately as follows: California King King – 72″ Long x 15.5″ Diameter Weighing appx 141 lbs King – 76″ Long x 15.5″ Diameter Queen – 60″ Long x 15.5″ Diameter Weighing appx 111 lbs Twin Extra Long – 38″ Long x 15.5″ Diameter
Weighing appx 76 lbs If Purple® Mattress is so great, how can you sell it for so little? When we say we skipped the middle-man, we mean we skipped like….4 of them. The inventors (which means we don’t have to pay royalties) The manufacturers (Which means we don’t have to pay someone else to do it) The Wholesalers (the most commonly referred to middle-man) The Retailers (The stores and the sales people) If we had gone a more traditional route, Purple would be a $3000-$5000 mattress, and let’s face it, most people can’t afford that. We are so confident about this technology and how much value it will add to your life, that we are assuming all of the risk so that we can offer it to you at a much more affordable price. Do I have to rotate my Purple® mattress? We don’t have an official policy. Not required, but recommended every 6 months or so. The Purple® Mattress also shouldn’t be flipped or you could lose its benefits!
You can rotate the mattress, although it’s not necessary! How do I unpack my Purple® mattress? There will be a great little Purple slicer – that looks suspiciously like a letter opener – included in the package. Use that to cut down the length of the plastic tube, (Yes, it will cut between the teeth of the zipper and through the fabric and plastic) and unroll the mattress from the several layers of purple fabric holding it together. Your bed will be ready to sleep on right away. How firm is the Purple® mattress? Most of our customers rate our mattress a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, but it really just is personal preference! Is the Purple® mattress vegan? There are no animal products used to produce The Purple® Mattress. Can you feel your partner moving next to you on Purple? The Purple® Mattress has very limited motion transfer! You won’t feel your partner stir, those cute little ones climbing into the sheets, or those little paws finding the most comfortable position.