Memory Foam vs Spring MattressesI’m going to cut straight to the chase with this page on my website, and start by telling you the main reason spring or “coil” mattresses are still manufactured is because they’re cheap to construct and to buy. The technology used within a spring mattress hasn’t changed that much in many years, and the support you received from a new one bought 10 years ago will be the same if you buy one now. However, I’m not about telling you what’s good for you and what isn’t. My job is to make sure you get both sides of the story and I think this page will be very useful for those of you who are not sure if moving from a spring mattress to memory foam is the right choice for you. So, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons you can expect with both types. Of course, I will try not to be biased, but I can’t help starting with memory foam. There is far more choice with a memory foam mattress simply because of the abundance of technology available to manufacturers.
Plus the levels of firm to soft are far more accurate than that of a coil spring, not to mention the different layers foam mattresses can have. Starting out with a foam mattress before you suffer from back, neck or shoulder pain could stop this from happening all together because you get the natural support you need from the word go! If you do have trouble with various aches and pains whether they’re mild or severe, a foam mattress will definitely help because it supports important pressure points across the body. Unlike a spring mattress, the technology within is like having billions of tiny springs supporting your frame and it will contour to your natural shape much better. Think of it like buying a suit that’s been made for you rather than buying “off the peg”. Foam mattresses will last much longer and the warranties available are more extensive because the materials used are far superior to that of a spring type. Largely, you’ll be doing the environment a favor especially if you look out for the CertiPUR-US certification.
One of the biggest complaints about foam mattresses is the fact they produce additional heat. However, there are brands on the market like the DynastyMattress 12-Inch New Cool Breeze GEL I have reviewed that pretty much eliminate this problem. Depending on the way of packaging, you may have to wait for your mattress to expand before you can use it, and in some cases there will be an odor. Finally, yes, foam mattresses will cost you more. But, they last longer if cared for properly and could avoid problems in the future due to aches and pains caused by a poor sleeping surface. First of all, as I have mentioned a spring mattress is cheap. The main reason for this is the technology used to construct them is pretty basic. When you first buy a spring mattress, there is no need to wait until you can use it because they “spring” to their original form instantly. Since spring mattresses don’t rely on heat to adjust to your body, you won’t get the problem of being too warm when you sleep.
They are well ventilated. You won’t get the “outgas” odor that’s sometimes synonymous with foam mattresses because of the materials used. If you don’t like the idea of waiting for your mattress to conform to the contours of your body, a spring mattress might be the answer. This is a personal issue though, and most people get used to this characteristic of memory foam fairly quickly (plus new foams and layer set-ups are being developed every day, making the problem slowly go away). If you suffer from various aches and pains, don’t expect a spring mattress to help. This is because the coils within simply push weight back at the same pressure at which it’s received. This leads me on to another con with this type of mattress… Body weight will not be distributed evenly so it’s impossible for a spring mattress to help support various pressure points around the body that can cause spine or joint problems. It’s virtually impossible to find a mattress of this type with anything more than a 10 year warranty due to the materials used and in many cases they will start to sag after a year or two because of the way they’re designed.
Maintenance of a spring mattress will take up much more of your time because they not only need to be rotated often, but flipped as well.2000 Sep;48(9):901-2., , , , .BACKGROUND: Many medical residents used to sleeping on cotton mattresses at home complain of mild to moderate back pain after sleeping on foam mattresses provided in the hospital and hostel rooms.OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of sleeping on foam mattress with the appearance of back pain in a 500 bedded multispecialty tertiary care hospital.METHODS: One hundred medical residents were interviewed for the appearance of backache after sleeping on 10 cm thick foam mattress provided to them in the hostels. Pain was scored over a visual analog scale of 10 cm. Effect of sleeping on a regular cotton mattress was assessed.RESULTS: Sixty-three (5 female residents) developed back pain on the morning of a night of sleep over the foam mattress. The pain was mostly of lower back and was not associated with any objective neurodeficit.
Four residents on account of the backache reported thirteen episodes of absenteeism. Sixty-one residents had a relief of the pain on going home where they would sleep on regular cotton mattresses, only to recur after sleeping again on the foam mattress in the hospital/hostel.CONCLUSION: Sleeping on foam mattress is associated with the appearance of backache in medical residents which is reproducible and gets relieved after using regular cotton mattresses.A dense memory foam topper may help relieve back pain. A memory foam mattress topper may sound like a good investment if you frequently wake up with a sore, aching back. In some cases, a foam topper or pad can offer a bit of back-pain relief, but it depends on the density of the topper and the condition of the mattress itself. First and Foremost, Your Mattress Matters The condition of your mattress has a huge impact on the quality of your sleep, no matter what kind of mattress topper you choose. If your mattress sags so much you feel like you're being swallowed by it, even the highest quality memory-foam topper will not prevent this from happening.
If your mattress is just slightly uncomfortable -- a little too firm or too lumpy for your liking -- a quality memory foam topper can minimize the discomfort. Likewise, a box spring that shifts and practically dumps you out of bed at night will do so even if you add a topper to the mattress. Both the mattress and box spring must be in decent shape for you to fully experience the benefit of the foam topper. Topper Density Memory foam mattress pads or toppers are sold in different densities. The higher the density, the better the quality, generally. To experience the most relief for your back, choose a topper that has, at minimum, a 4-pound density. Even the highest density topper may not alleviate back pain -- it depends upon the underlying cause of the pain, and possibly your sleep position. A doctor is better equipped to assess the best way to alleviate your specific type of pain. Topper Thickness The thickness of the memory foam also affects the level of its benefit. A thin pad, such as one an inch thick, won't feel much different than your current mattress, since there isn't much room for you to sink into the pad.
Likewise, an overly thick pad may cause you to sink so far into it that it cuts down on the potential for added back support, minimizing any relief you may get from back pain. A topper approximately 2 inches thick offers enough space for you to sink in slightly while still supporting your back. If possible, test out several thicknesses and densities of memory-foam toppers in a mattress store, trying them all out on the same mattress so you can feel the difference. Memory Foam for Awkward Sleeping Situations If you sleep on a pull-out sofa bed or camp frequently, a memory-foam topper will give you greater relief than suffering through the feel of bed springs or uneven ground. In such cases, memory foam may cushion you quite well from the discomfort beneath you, but it still depends on the thickness and density of the foam. References Sleep Passport: Don't Even Think About Buying a Memory Foam Topper Until You Read ThisHealthy Foundations: Memory Foam Topper Pad Buying Guide Photo Credits gpointstudio/iStock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction