Memory Toppers Versus Egg-Crate Foam Pads Health Concerns Mattress pad retailers and manufacturers say their toppers can cure a wide range of sleep problems (insomnia, backpain, joint aches, etc). No mattress foam pad can cure these problems but what they can do is help prevent bedsores, bring some pain relief and increase comfort during sleep. This, however, doesn't apply to everyone as we're all different and require sleeping surfaces suited to each and every one of us. But first, here's what you must know about home mattress trials and what makes a good foam mattress. Topper Recommendations from Doctors Many customer say in reviews that memory foam pads have helped them with apnea, fibromyalgia, insomnia as well as back and hip pain. There are no solid studies to back up these claims which is why doctors reserve judgment and many choose not to recommend memory foam mattress toppers as medical treatment. This doesn't mean that they don't work, it just means scientific proof is yet to be found that they do.
Egg crate foam toppers, on the other hand, have been known to receive more endorsement from doctors, especially since many hospitals use this type of pad for recently operated patients. Some doctors even suggest that patients take the egg-crate mattress topper home and continue sleeping on it after being discharged from hospital. The convoluted shape of these foam toppers can prevent and help heal skin ulcers, eliminate bedsores, reduce pressure points, allow air to flow and prevent your body from becoming too hot during sleep (fever is notoriously dangerous for recently operated patients). Low quality egg crate pads, on the other hand, may be dangerous as they are a source of toxic formaldehyde transmissions. These two types of mattress pads work differently in offering support and comfort. Support is one of the major criteria when buying the right sleeping surface. Visco memory foam toppers provide proper support as long as they are the high-density type, are layered over a firm, flat mattress and is the heat-sensitive type.
Egg crate pads, unlike memory toppers, cannot, on their own, offer proper support since they are very light and thin at the dips. It all depends on the kind of mattress they are placed on. The foam pad will offer necessary support and proper neck and spine alignment if placed on top of a firm mattress. Health care specialists say that to be labeled as providing pressure relief, a mattress has to have the pressure of 32mmHg or lower, whereas pressure reduction performance is agreed to occur between 32mmHg and 50mmHg. Good quality visco memory foam toppers like Tempur-Pedic overlays were shown to reduce average pressure to around 15 mmHg from nearly 30 mmHg. We couldn't find any numbers related to the pressure exerted by an eggcrate mattress pad on the body, but considering its shape and doctor-endorsements, we believe that these toppers do relieve pressure points. Allergy And Topper Choice Just like there are no allergy-free mattresses, there are no regular allergy-free pads (except for the ones manufactured especially for people suffering from allergies).
Since egg crate mattress pads are also made of foam, they are just as prone to host dust mites as memory foam toppers are, even though foam is generally not a source of food in itself. The only way to keep dust mites out from your mattress topper, be it the memory foam or egg crate type, is to use dust-mite resistant encasings and covers. When I laid on it, I couldn't imagine anyone wanting memory foam. Once on it, I could barely move and turning over was a real challenge. I also could see how this could get very warm at night. The mattress was firm and soft at the same time (as advertised), and we woke up with our backs feeling all springy and stretched out. We did notice that the temperature of the bed was warmer than with our old mattress, but taking off one layer of blanket solved that problem. We also could let the house get colder in the winter nights which might save energy, though to be honest, we didn't track it. My wife now sleeps through the entire night.
It did not heal her back, it just provides great support to assist her in obtaining a good night's sleep. The material forms/molds to the body like a parent holding an infant child. I tried an egg crate mattress recently with my 9 mo. because she refluxes and has a hard time sleeping. I thought it might help her. My Foam Mattress Has Memory! A Critical Eye On The Latest Mattress Technologies Authenticity TestHow can you check if your purchase as good as a true Tempur-Pedic bed? You can try the wine glass test, the egg test, or the fridge test. Top Memory Foam ComplaintThe most commonly reported problem consumers have with memory foam mattresses is that they sleep hotter when compared to conventional sleeping surfaces.But sleeping conditions are influenced by environment temperature, the material's heat sensitivity and your own body heat. 3.5 lb vs 5 lbWhich to choose from a 3.5lb foam overlays versus 5lb Tempur-Pedic bed overlay comparison? Higher density alone does not make a quality sleeping surface.
The formula behind the best sleeping surface uses best quality, high-density foam that responds to body temperature. You are here: Home > Compare Alternatives > Health Reports On Memory Foam Toppers And Egg-Crate PadsAre you one of the 80% of people who experiences back pain from time to time? Back pain has reached nearly epidemic proportions, with nearly one-third of the population suffering from pain in their necks and backs almost daily.Uncovering contributing factors and remediating them may help eliminate or reduce these aches and pains, which can have a significant impact on well-being. One key area to examine is the bed, since it’s where we spend around one-third of each day.The quality and construction of your mattress and individual things like sleep position and health can all have an impact on comfort. Read on to learn a few steps you can take to avoid and reduce back pain during sleep and throughout the day.First, if you notice that your pain is the worst at night or after waking, your bed might be the first place to check.
Here are a couple of options that tend to do well with reviewers (more on beds and pain relief below).The average person changes their sleeping position between 40 and 60 times during a typical night. One study conducted by RTI International graphed movement during the night and compared it to how people rated their rest the following day. This study showed that the less movement that occurred during the night, the more rested they were the following day.You may be asking yourself how this correlates to back pain. Well, if your mattress is not providing adequate support and comfort, you are likely going to be more restless during the night, switching positions in an attempt to alleviate discomfort.A different survey conducted by the British Chiropractic Association also found striking connections. Around 30% of respondents reported neck and back pain after sleep, and 83% said the feel stiff and sore in the morning. Study authors suggest that high percentage of people that had mattresses older than 10 years may be contributing factor.
Oklahoma State University researchers also found that people slept better and felt less pain on a new mattresses compared to their older ones, which averaged 9.5 years old. The exact mattress wasn’t extremely important in their research, simply having a new bed was enough for better comfort (at least initially).Choosing the best bed to keep your back happy is mainly a function of firmness, preference and age.A mattress that is very soft may feel wonderful when you initially lie down, but during the night, your body will relax and you will sink into the bed, and if it lacks support, this can contribute to lower back pain as the spine shifts out of it’s natural alignment, or result in numbness or tingling in the limbs due to nerve compression.Do you know what your sleep position means? Sleep Junkie has the answersA firm mattress is a common recommendation for people looking to avoid soreness and stiffness. However, an overly firm mattress has a similar effect in some ways as one that is too soft, forcing the body to conform to the hard surface, throwing out your spine’s natural alignment.
A bed that feels too hard can also cause discomfort around pressure points.Similarly, a mattress that is very old may lack the resiliency to contour adequately and provide support. Over time, springs lose their ability to bounce back. Foams and fiber tend to compress and soften, and worn down cushioning layers can contribute to pain and pressure points.Research by Sleep Like The Dead found that deep impressions in mattress surfaces were associated with higher pain meaning that when your bed starts to show signs of wear, it may be time to look around.The average lifespan for a bed is 7 to 8 years, but some may need to be replaced sooner, particularly beds that use lower quality materials or see heavier wear.If you suffer from regular back problems, there are a few things you can do to relieve or at least minimize the severity.1. Try a new pillow. The pillow you use can have an effect on your spinal and neck alignment. If you are back or stomach sleeper, flatter pillows are generally better, whereas side sleepers need loftier pillows.
Your head should sit at a natural angle to your neck throughout the night (parallel to the ground if you sleep on your side, or at a neutral standing angle for back sleepers). Opting for a different thickness or material could have big benefits.2. If your pain is due to a mattress being too stiff or a firm, a feather or memory foam topper could be a good way to reduce pressure points if the underlying bed is still in good shape. They can also help with lumbar support, thus reducing lower back tension.3. Every mattress should be rotated (from head to toe, only flip if you have a two-sided mattress) a couple times a year to ensure even wear and prevent impressions. 4. Support your mattress. One potential contributor to aches and pains, especially for mattresses that aren’t overly old, is insufficient or incorrect support. Box springs that are worn out can cause premature sagging, as can slats that are spaced too far apart in platform-style beds. Foam and spring mattresses can feel overly stiff on very hard foundations as well.5.
Modify your sleep position. The Mayo Clinic suggests for reducing back strain:An adjustable bed can also be helpful, since it allows you to elevate legs and upper body at custom levels. trying different angles and positions (whether with pillows, wedges or an adjustable bed) can help you find your ideal way of sleeping.6. Stretch before and after bed. Light stretching or yoga both before bed and in the morning can be very helpful for reducing stiffness and sore back muscles.7. If your bed is more than 8 years old or if you notice significant signs of wear it might be time to go. These include body impressions, sagging, hammocking, and changes in firmness that affect comfort. Very minimal sagging is associated with decreased sleep quality and discomfort.8. Keep support in mind during the day. As you work during the day, take regular breaks to stretch and walk around. Monitor yourself to make sure you’re sitting with good posture, and try not to stand in non-ergonomic positions too long.
A lot of back discomfort is occupation related, so checking with a doctor or chiropractor on ways to prevent strain and knowing your limits can also help.As an affordable memory foam mattress, the Amerisleep Revere delivers the right balance of pressure relief and substantial support with quality materials designed to provide lasting comfort. The Revere will always keep your spine in perfect alignment, especially when sleeping on your back or stomach.Amerisleep goes above and beyond with its Celliant-infused mattress covers which have been clinically proven to help people fall asleep faster and relieve aches and pains throughout the night.If you’ve determined your mattress is the culprit of your back pain, then it’s time to pick a new one. When you do start shopping, here a few important things to consider, beyond personal comfort preferences:The level of firmness preferred by most people, including those looking to relieve aches, is medium-firm, particularly for back pain reduction.
Medium firm is a good bet, though smaller back sleepers may prefer firmer beds, and side sleepers may need a little more padding. Get a good idea of you and your partner’s preferences to determine what would work best.No one mattress type or brand is going to be right for every person. Familiarize yourself with pros and cons of different beds, and read reviews to see what others with similar preferences say. You may find that specialty mattress is better suited to your needs, or you may find your body likes springs best. Comfort is a very unique thing, and it’s worth checking a wide selection of mattresses.Many people with pain like memory foam for its ability to reduce pressure points and contour to the sleeper (usually around 80% in general, compared to 65% for springs). Memory foam also earns slightly better scores on durability compared to average spring beds. Memory foam isn’t as expensive as many people think either — some of the top rated memory foam brands like Amerisleep and Tempurpedic are priced similar or even below similar-quality spring beds.
Unfamiliar with different types of beds? Learn the benefits of memory foam, innerspring and moreIf your mattress wears out early, it can lead to pain. Check the warranty before purchasing, and choose a company that provides transparency, including the length of the full replacement and proration terms. If the manufacturer requires impressions deeper than one-inch to make a claim, for example, you could be more likely to have sagging and thus pain.This provides you with the opportunity to determine whether you have chosen the best type and firmness level to help alleviate back pain. Choose a mattress from a company that provides at least 30 days of in home trial. Some companies provide the opportunity to exchange firmness levels or return the mattress during this time period. It is important to read the policy thoroughly.Healthy, comfortable sleep is one of the keys to beating the pain epidemic. Pain levels and stress soar when we don’t feel well rested, and are further irritated by a lack of support.