Better for Your Back: Firm or Soft Mattresses

by: Jennifer Bailey

If you were to ask a group of consumers whether they prefer a soft or firm mattress, most of them will report that they rather the soft mattress. If you were to ask this same group of consumers which is better for their back, a soft or a firm mattress, most of them will incorrectly reply that the soft mattresses are better. Unfortunately, this is because many people wrongly equate the softness in a mattress with its potential for providing adequate support to them while sleeping.

Many people wonder how comfortable mattresses, that enable you to sleep straight through the night, could be bad for your body. While we all want to sleep on mattresses that have some level of comfort to them, it is important to purchase a mattress not only based on how comfortable the top layer is. When perusing the vast mattress options, you should also consider what materials the internal layers of your mattress consists of. Firm support mattresses, such as those offered by memory foam mattresses, are far superior to the unreliable support provided by metal spring mattresses.

When you are considering purchasing a new mattress, it is important to be knowledgeable on the different types of mattresses available, so that you can be content with one that will provide better support for you back and a better sleep. While a “bouncy” mattress may be comfortable for relaxing on while watching television, beds with too much bounce in them often do not offer the resistance of firmness against your body while you sleep. This usually leaves you sleeping on your back or neck incorrectly and, ultimately, waking up stiff and sore. Not having the correct support underneath you to keep your spine, head, and neck in proper alignment while you sleep, can often cause you to awaken with headaches and stiffened joints.

While being cautious of mattresses that are too soft, you also do not want to go too far in the other direction either. When choosing a firm mattress in attempts to gain the support you need to help you sleep better, it is important to note that a mattress that is akin to sleeping on a hard rock is not one that will let you get much rest. There is a long held belief among many people than putting a hardwood board under your present mattress will provide you with the proper support needed. Many experts agree that this is not only bad for the lifespan of your mattress, but studies have also shown that hardboards placed under mattresses do not offer any health benefits to you.

Consumers need to try to find a happy medium between an overly bouncy, soft mattress, and an extremely firm, hard mattress. It is up to the consumer to properly choose the best mattress that will fit for your body type, sleeping style, and budget. Research should be conducted on brands, materials, lengths, thicknesses, and other features available in mattress styles that will work best for your height and weight. It is also important to take into account when purchasing a mattress, whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach. Seeking answers from professionals who are knowledgeable about various types of mattresses that are available, and how they work for different kinds of bodies, can be extremely beneficial to you before you make any purchases.

A previously stated, the very popular memory foam mattress can sufficiently provide the firm support needed for you to be able to sleep better and to wake up feeling fully rested and ready to take on the day. There are a few requirements to a good memory foam mattress to be on the lookout for when considering buying them.

• Quality memory foam mattresses only need a platform base underneath them to provide the mattress with enough of the support it needs to function properly. Avoid wasting your money on memory foam mattresses that need a box spring to support them, as they will not give you the same full support as quality made memory foam mattresses.

• Look for a warranty on the memory foam mattress you are considering. Companies are more likely to provide warranties on their quality memory foam mattresses that a knock-off brand. Companies offering inferior memory foam mattresses to consumers are less likely to provide warranties with their mattress products.

If you are not getting the rest and comfort you need while sleeping, it might be the perfect time to invest in a new mattress. The comfort your mattress provides may not be giving you the firm support that your back and body needs, which can cause further problems down the line. Choosing a mattress for the firm support that they may offer over how plush their coverings may be is a smarter way to select a mattress that will overall be better for your back, body, and health. It is important to remember that a comfortable cover on a mattress is worlds away from how well it will work to provide you with the proper support for a good nights sleep.