Mattresses

Getting quality sleep is a very important factor in achieving and maintaining good health.  Patients often ask for advise on purchasing a mattress.  The mattress needs to provide both comfort and support in order to be effective.  There are many good mattresses on the market and comparing them can be difficult when different brands have different features.  A knowledgable sales person is a great asset when trying to make a choice.  Certainly you will want to buy from a story that will give good service.  The cost of a mattress can look formidable but always keep in mind that you will be spending approximately one third of your life on mattresses.  That usually makes the price seem more reasonable.  Most mattresses come on sale regularly.

Consider your individual needs when shopping for a mattress.  Do you share the bed?  Do you have physical challenges, circulation problems, or a bad back?  Are you a large person who needs extra space or firmer support?

Look at the following areas when selecting a mattress:

• Size: A mattress should be large enough to accommodate not only yourself comfortably, but also your spouse if you have one.  Remember that it is normal for people to move and turn in their sleep and you don't want to distrurb one another.
• Support: A good mattress will support the body at all points while keep the spine in the same posture as when standing.  The heavier parts of the body, the hips and shoulders, should sink into the mattress enough to keep the spine in its normal alignment.  Too much or too little support and the spine will be contorted.  This can result in disturbed sleep and morning stiffness.
• Comfort: There should be a cushion on top that embraces the body and the surface should be breathable.  Natural fibres breath the best.  
• Durability: Look for materials that have know lasting quality.  Buy the best mattress you can afford  so you can have years of comfortable sleep.
• Construction: Metal coils provide the best long term support.  The greater the coil count in relation to surface area the more support and durability.  These coils may be concentrated more in the areas where there is more weight.  Connecting coils can reduce motion transfer.
• Warranty: The longer the warranty, usually the higher the quality of the mattress.  Never buy a mattress with less than 10 years warranty.  Keep in mind that the warranty is not necessarily an indication of how long the mattress will last.  It's there to protect you against flaws and defects.

Test the mattress.  Trying laying in all your usual sleep positions.  Make sure your partner is on the mattress at the same time doing the same thing.  Are you both comfortable?  Can you move without disturbing each other?  Sit at the edge of the mattress.  Does it support your weight or does it sag?  Take your time to do a mattress test.  Remember mattresses are a major purchase and can have either a positive or negative impact on your health over the life of the mattress.