The Use of Mattress in patients with Back Problems

[Sonj]

Hi there. Just thought I'd reply to this topic as a sufferer of back problems (see the disc protrusion thread for the probs I'm having with my back)

I've slept at various friends houses during the course of my injury and they all have different kinds of beds. Myself I have a futon mattress which I just have on the floor. It's getting a bit old and saggy and I do believe it contributes to me being unable to sleep well at the moment. I've just ordered a VERY firm mattress. I've slept on a Orthapaedic mattress and I found it amazingly comfortable and I slept a little better. Also a PROPER Tempur mattress I have found to be good for getting a better sleep but Memory Foam is a cheap version of Tempur and I found it to be the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in. It felt like the foam was almost curling around your body shape as you lay on it and felt highly clausterphobic!! I also felt it had a horrible feel to it, unnatural and plasticy and sweaty and have since found out that memory foam contains latex.

[alophysio]

There are many reasons why you choose a mattress.

Apart from the suggestions above, the rule i go by is that the spine is kept in neutral when you lie down.

Therefore, A bigger person will need something firmer than someone who is slender and light.

For example, if you put a light person on a firm bed, the person will lack the weight to deform the mattress and will no doubt feel like they are sleeping on the floor. Then if you put a heavy person on a soft mattress, then they will deform it too much and they might as well be in a hammock.

For my "mismatched" couples, i tend to recommend the firmest, most apporpriate mattress for the heaviest person since it is much easier to make it softer by adding material to it - much harder to make something firmer!

I also get my patients to lie on a new bed for at least 15-30 mins to test it out - you really don't know until then. And take your pillows too since they may have to change depending on the spinal angle the new bed gives you.

All this = TIME !! Enjoy it!