Related to Back Pain Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain Study Disputes Long-Held Belief by Some Doctors That Firmer Bedding Is Better Nov. 13, 2003 -- For years, many people with back pain have been advised to sleep on a firm mattress. But a new study shows that might just add to the nightmare of their morning-after misery. Researchers in Spain say that people who sleep on a medium-firm mattress were twice as likely to report improvements in lower back pain compared to those sleep on more firm bedding. They reach this conclusion after replacing bedding of 313 patients with a history of back pain with new "firm" or "medium-firm" mattresses. The patients didn't know which mattress type they received. This study, published in the upcoming issue of the Lancet, is among the first to test the popular belief -- at least among some orthopaedic doctors -- that the firmer a mattress is, the better it is at preventing or relieving lower back pain. While there's little hard scientific data to support that firm mattresses are better -- only a handful of studies have been conducted -- the Spanish researchers say that about three in four orthopaedic doctors recommend firm mattresses to their patients.
In fact, a survey of Atlanta-area orthopaedic surgeons indicates that two in three said they recommend a firm mattress to their patients, and most believed that a mattress' firmness had a definite role in managing back pain. This finding, by Emory University orthopaedist Howard I. Levy, MD, was presented at the 1996 annual meeting of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. But chiropractors have long argued that firm mattresses are not the best choice, says George McClelland, DC, spokesman for the American Chiropractic Association. "Traditionally, what we have recommended is that a moderately-firm works best, or when using a firm mattress, you should add a 1½- to 2-inch thick padding on top of it," he tells WebMD. "It's wonderful to be validated by some form of research." McClelland says that this extra padding -- or using a medium-firm mattress without the extra padding -- better adapts to the natural curvatures in the spine. This padding is available at most stores that sell mattresses or bedding supplies.
"The spine is not a straight line, and padding or a moderately firm mattress 'gives' better to the concavities and convexities of the spine," he says. "A younger spine may tolerate a firm mattress perfectly well. But as we get middle years any beyond, when back pain is more prevalent, we find that more equalized support seems to be better." The researchers, led by Francisco Kovacs, PhD, who operates an independent medical research company in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, say that a medium-firm mattress leads to better "pressure distribution" when lying in bed, resulting in less pain while lying or after getting up. But McClelland and others say you also shouldn't use a soft mattress, because it doesn't provide enough support. "From my own perspective, if a mattress is soft or too hard, it's not comfortable," says orthopaedic surgeon Dana C. Mears, MD, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "Something in the middle works best for me -- a medium-firm mattress.
If a mattress is too firm, you might as well be sleeping on the floor." When buying a mattress, McClelland advises against relying on store ratings as an accurate guideline. "These numbers are all over the place," he says. "Individual companies use different rating systems, so you don't really know what you're getting." In fact, in the U.S., firm mattresses typically have a higher rating number; in Europe, a lower number goes to firmer mattresses. His advice: "When testing for a mattress, don't push on it or bounce up and down, as many people do. What's better is to lie on it for 10 minutes or so -- on your back, on your side, every way. It shouldn't be too hard. If it is, get some padding to place on top of the mattress."*Not available in the state of Minnesota or Wisconsin New (2) from $154.99 This item's packaging will indicate what is inside.Ship in Amazon box Best Price Mattress 10-Inch Memory Foam Mattress, TwinDetailsTwin Size SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector - Vinyl Free FREE Shipping on orders over .
Memory foam provides a great sleeping surface. In normal temperatures it is somewhat firm, but when you lay down, it starts reacting to the temperature of your body and begins to mold itself to your shape. Then, weight is evenly distributed along the surface, relieving pressure points and helping you to sleep more without tossing and turning. A significant feature of this mattress is our PRESSURE RELIEF SYSTEM that you can actually feel when you lay on the mattress. Special areas inside the mattress are more pliable and accommodating to the areas of your body that create pressure points: your shoulders and hips. Most people move during sleep and when you roll to your side, your shoulders and hips create pressure points that can disrupt sleep. Our pressure relief foam really does minimize these pressure points. Size Available: Twin 39" x 75" x 10" Full 54" x 75" x 10" Queen 60" x 80" x 10". 75 x 39 x 10 inches 47.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Amazon only ships this item within the contiguous 48 United States.
Other Sellers on Amazon may ship this item to Alaska, Hawaii and US Territories. This item is not eligible for international shipping. 4.5 out of 5 stars #2,301 in Home and Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home and Kitchen) #214 in Home & Kitchen > Furniture > Bedroom Furniture > Mattresses & Box Springs > Mattresses Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please Zinus Sleep Master Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 10 Inch Mattress, Twin Signature Sleep Memoir 10 Inch Memory Foam Mattress with Low VOC CertiPUR-US Certified Foam, 10 Inch Twin Memory Foam Mattress - Available in Multiple Sizes LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress - Dual-Layered - CertiPUR-US Certified - 25-Year Warranty - Twin 5 star72%4 star16%3 star5%2 star3%1 star4%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsGood value for mattress.|| HEAVEN ON A CLOUD for this PRINCESS ON THE PEA! High quality for the price! Learn more about Amazon GiveawayOnce George Washington had selected the location for the nation's capital, the borders had to be set—Congress had authorized exactly 100 square miles of land to be used.
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