ORTHOPAEDIC MATTRESS

Buying an orthopedic mattress

People buy orthopaedic mattresses for two reasons. Either because they recognise the value and importance of their bed and mattress and want the best possible sleeping environment that they can afford, or because a medical condition demands an orthopaedic mattress.

If the mattress purchase is the result of a doctors advice, then seek further clarification from that doctor as to the type of mattress that they feel would best address the problem being treated. If the buying decision is based on finding a good supportive mattress for “common sense” reasons, then here are some thoughts to consider.

Things to consider

• Set a budget for your orthopaedic mattress purchase and remember that this piece of furniture may be with you for more than a decade. Bearing this in mind and considering the cost per year if you were to dive the initial outlay over say 10 years, give yourself a respectable sum of money to spend.
• Speak to anyone that you know who has bought a new bed recently and get their thoughts and impressions on their purchase. Did they opt for memory foam or a spring system and are they happy with it.
• Try to eliminate mattress options as you consider the different formats and prices available. If the bed is a double, queen or king size, remember that this must be a joint decision between both sleeping partners.
• Think about how you sleep and the kind of sleeping environment that you would like. Do you like a mattress that engulfs you and do you like to feel warm or cool in bed. Your specific sleeping habits and night time requirements should influence the type of mattress that you eventually buy.
• Do not make the mistake of assuming that a mattress with good orthopaedic qualities has to be firm or hard. The current consensus of opinion suggests that mattresses that mould and contour themselves to the body, and particularly to the back, are superior to firm and un-giving mattresses.
• Consider bed and mattress size and buy the biggest bed that you can afford. If you can fit a Queen size bed in your room, then buy that rather than a standard double.
• Check warranties, guarantees and return conditions. Many memory foam and Latex foam mattresses are bought on-line, so the terms of the sale and return policies are very important. A number of internet mattress retailers also provide trial periods of up to 3 months on their more expensive products enabling you to have a what equates to a prolonged trial of your new mattress.
• Always check out prices though a number of different outlets and on-line retailers. Companies selling through the internet are often the manufacturers direct, or the main agents and the prices can be considerably lower than regular retailers.
• Find out as much as you can about the quality and construction of any mattresses that you may be considering buying. How thick is the mattress, how many layers of foam does it have, or what is its coil count. If the mattress is of memory foam, how many layers does it have. If it is a composite, how is is constructed and which materials are used and where. Common sense will often tell you if a mattress is genuinely good or "over sold" in the literature.
• One point to always keep in mind is that there will be lots of mattresses out there that will suit both your body and your sleeping patterns, so you are not looking for that single illusive product.
• If you can test a mattress or bed, then do so. First hand experience is always the best way to discover the difference between e.g. memory foam and springs, or a budget mattress and a luxury mattress.

If you have an existing medical condition, or if you have been directed to buy a new mattress by your doctor, seek their advice on the type of mattress to buy.