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. Memory Foam and Latex Foam Mattress The first mattress created especially Mattress For Fibromyalgia Sufferers! Sale Prices Below, Starting at only Click here to view larger image special memory foam we use in this mattress never gets hard when the room temperature drops. Fibro-Pedic uses our specially designed hand-stitched hypoallergenic, stretchable terry cover that is easily removable for washing. It has a special breathable
design that will ventilate better than most covers to keep your body you will not have to worry about this mattress getting too hot. We are so convinced that you will not find a more comfortable mattress that we are offering a 120-day trial and will pay for shipping of another mattress if you are unsatisfied for any reason at all. As you can tell we are extremely proud of this mattress and want you to experience first-hand why the Fibromyalgia sufferers remember what it means to sleep soundly and wake up "My thanks to you, Dr. Swartzburg, for the amazingI have had my mattress for three months. I am 87 years old and had bought three of the most expensive mattresses on the market and could not get a comfortable night’s sleep. one this mattress has been a joy to retire to at night, knowing I would be able to rest and sleep comfortably. Also, the Therapain spray gives instant relief. have had fibromyalgia for 20 years and it gets worse as time goes on.
can see that I was desperate for some relief. Thanks again." -Catherine T. Walker, MS by U.S. Patent No. body type generates extra heat or you just want to sleep cooler, the Fibro-Pedic™ now offers the option to add on our patented airflowOur patented Airflow Transfer System allows the cooler air to flow in two directions even when you are sleeping in the same position throughout theCooler air will enter through the many small holes that go down through the surface of the foam layers and out through the channels on the firmer base foam. also works in reverse, as air can enter through the sides and up through the surface holes. This unique system also allows a heat transfer as the warmer air radiates off the body and ventilates down through the holes and out the sidesThat is why we always keep a breathable fabric where the channels exit on the sides of the In addition, a greater volume of airflow transfer
will occur with even the slightest movements that occur throughout the sleeping process. companies offer airflow through the middle layer of the mattress, they fall short of allowing the mattress user to receive any airflow benefit. For those that need a cost saving alternative to the Fibro-Pedic, take a look at out Memory Zone Deluxe models!*As the direct manufacturer, we also offer split Queen and king sizes, as well any custom size mattress you need. Click Here to get started! If you would like more information, feel free to call us at 800 667-1969 or fill out our Visco-elastic memory foam was originally developed for NASA, for astronauts undergoing the high pressure of G-force testing. dense foam that molds to the shape of your body. realized that this high density elastic memory foam was ideal for relieving pressure on burn patients, and this is how the trend of Memory or Visco-Elastic foam started. Tempur-Pedic® successfully introduced this visco-elastic memory foam to the
consumer marketplace many years ago. they have to import this memory foam from Sweden since there weren't any domestic manufacturers making this unique foam. The high cost of importing bulky memory foam on container ships is ultimately passedOnce manufacturers realized that there was a demand for this visco-elastic memory foam, they started to make it here throughout North America. Fortunately, this unique memory foamTherefore, any foam manufacturer is able to duplicate the exact same foam product, although many do not choose to use the same quality. In fact, most of the memory foam you see available today comes from China, where they do not require the same stringent requirements that U.S. manufacturers face. allows there to be a wider discrepancy between the high quality U.S. produced memory foam found from a certified U.S. manufacturer like Selectabed and the much lower quality foams produced in China for the vast majority of the market place.
and national mattress companies also have to spend large amounts of money advertising via television and print media. who depends upon our reputation that has grown tremendously over the last 10 years, we are able to avoid the heavy advertising costs and pass the savings down directly toThe bottom line is that knowledgeable consumers have the upper hand when it comes to sorting through all the hype and are able to make a sound purchasing decision, while saving a significant amount of money by going direct to the source here at our Selectabed manufacturing facility in California.*Tempur-Pedic® is a registered trademark of Temper-Pedic, Inc and is used only to illustrate differences between products. "Watching my wife, who suffers from Fibromyalgia, wake up with pain every day was enough to convince me that a specialized mattress was needed to take the pressure off the many tender points that this debilitating condition
The Fibro-Pedic offers complete support of the spine, but feels instantlyIt does this by properly contouring the body to eliminate pressure spots on individual areas of the body that press harder against theIt was assumed in the past that a hard mattress is needed to support the spineThis may have been true with the old spring mattresses that would give a trampoline/hammock effect and cave in when it became too soft, but this is not the case with a proper density memory foam or latex foam mattress. Fibro-Pedic was created after extensive testing and research on my part with the help of Relief-Mart and , as well as several sleep centers. The results have been amazing. My wife slept better on this mattress from the first night and woke up with feeling more refreshed, energetic andMy Fibromyalgia patients who used this mattress all note immediate improvement in their sleeping patterns and feel that this mattress