Summary: When it comes to picking out the right mattress it can be overwhelming with all the options on the market. Use this as a guide to know what to look for in your next mattress, explore some of my most recommended brands so that you can give your spine the best place to rest. 

The information provided in this post is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Links throughout this blog may also contain affiliate links. Please be assured, that these are all products I personally use and/or recommend. There is no additional cost to you, and often times when you use my link, you will save money with my exclusive discounts and coupons.

MattressWhen it comes to picking out a mattress there are a few things to consider. In general, you should know that mattresses have a lifespan. Mattresses tend to last 7-10 years before they need to be replaced. You can extend the lifespan of your mattress by flipping it every 6 months so that it wears equally. Additionally, mattresses are not one size fits all. Everyone’s body is different and thus everyone will have their own preferences on what type of mattress works best for them.

From a chiropractic perspective there is not one perfect mattress. But there are many brands and styles of mattresses that all have qualities that promote healthy sleep for your spine and body. When evaluating your current mattress or picking out your next mattress, you can find a few things to consider below.

Firmness

You want to look for a mattress that is firm rather than a mattress that is soft, or plush. A firm mattress provides support for the body regardless of the position that you are sleeping in. If you have a softer mattress, the body is less supported during sleep, and over time you may find that your body starts sinking into the bed. You also want to be sure that you don’t have a mattress that is too firm. Laying on a surface that is too hard does not allow the pressure from your body to disperse throughout the bed, which can lead to soreness.

My personal recommendation is a medium-firm mattress. This gives you a good balance between the firmness to support your body, and pliability which makes the mattress comfortable. If you feel the medium-firm mattress is too firm, try adding a pillow top for a cushion. This will give you the feel of a soft bed while maintaining the support of a medium-firm style mattress.

 
 

Material

Mattresses can be made of many things but, springs, foam, air, and water are the most common materials. Each of these materials come with their own pros and cons; however, generally speaking, they are all fine to use as long as you select a mattress that is the right firmness for your body.

If you are someone who likes to be aware of the toxins around you and in your home, your mattress is an important thing to evaluate. Many mattresses release small amounts of toxins which are thought to be released by various flame retardants used in many mattresses. There are non-toxic mattresses but they, of course, come with a higher price tag. Looking into the toxic components of mattresses is truly a personal preference, but something to be aware of.

 

Heat

Science tells us, that our bodies sleep best when they are cool. Some of the materials used to make mattresses, like memory foam, tend to retain heat and can affect your quality of sleep. So, even if you find the mattress comfortable, if it gives off a lot of heat and disturbs your sleep, it in fact isn’t very good for you after all. How much the heat from a mattress can affect you will vary from person to person. If you love the mattress and it gives off too much heat for you, consider using cooling sheets to help minimize the heat that is given off.

 

Other Considerations

Look for a mattress that has a return policy. We spend an average of 26 years sleeping during our lifetime, and laying on a mattress for 5 minutes in a store will not give you a good enough feel for how well the mattress will work for your body long term. I highly recommend working with a brand or company that provides you with this flexibility. Mattresses are an investment and you want to make sure you get the right fit for your body.

 

My Personal Recommendations

I sleep on a basic Serta mattress with a mattress topper. It isn’t fancy, it wasn’t expensive, but it works great for me.

 

Other mattress that I have found to work well for patients of mine are:

 

  • Design Sleep: This is a great non-toxic mattress. It is more expensive than other mattresses, but it is very high quality.

  • Tempur-Pedic: This brand has great technology behind their mattresses that support good spinal positioning while sleeping. This mattress is more expensive than other brands but tends to have a longer lifespan.

  • Sleep Number: These mattresses are great because they are customizable even after you purchase them. You can control the firmness of your mattress from a remote, and they even have options for a dual controller which can be great for couples.

  • Tuft & Needle or Casper These mattress are foam mattress and are delivered to your door in a box. They have a great return policy and their mattresses are easy to get without shopping around. In my experience, patients have found these brand of mattress very comfortable and supportive and are more affordable than most mattresses. As mentioned above, from mattresses give off a lot of heat, but Casper has new technology in some of their mattresses to combat this. 

    For a limited time, get 10% off your Casper purchase using the code DREAM10 at checkout.

There are a lot of mattresses on the market, but don’t be overwhelmed when it comes time to chose your next mattress. Be conscious of the position you tend to sleep in and test the mattress out with whatever pillow you normally use in whatever position you sleep in. You’ll know you’ve found the right mattress when you wake up feeling good, rested, and restored. If you feel sore, or don’t feel like you’re getting a good nights sleep, then keep looking!