Considerations When Buying a New Mattress

When shopping for a mattress, it is important to be aware of the quality and value of each potential purchase. The following are things a patient should consider when purchasing a new mattress:

1. Shop for the best value and quality of the mattress rather than for price. Mattresses with more coils and thicker padding tend to be higher quality and also more expensive; however, a higher price does not guarantee that the mattress is more comfortable or more supportive. Mattress stores often have sales and promotions, so it is a good idea to comparison-shop for the best price after finding the right mattress.
2. Be aware of mattress advertising gimmicks. Claims that a mattress is “orthopedic” or “medically-approved” should be viewed skeptically. There has not been extensive medical research or controlled clinical trials on the topic of mattresses and low back pain. The individual must determine whether or not extra features on a mattress make it more comfortable or supportive.
3. Give the mattress a test-run before buying. To sample mattresses, people can try sleeping on different makes and models in hotels or at other people’s homes before going to a mattress store. When shopping at the store, shoppers should lie on the mattress for several minutes to decide if it is a good fit. If two people will be sleeping on the mattress, both should test it at the same time to make sure they have enough space and are both comfortable on the same style of mattress. 
4. Purchase mattresses from stores and companies that are trustworthy. Consider the customer service offered by the mattress store, such as delivery options, warranty, and removal of old mattresses and the store’s return policy. Look for mattress stores where customers can return a mattress if they are not satisfied with the quality or comfort after sleeping on it for a significant amount of time (i.e. a couple of weeks to a month).
To help preserve the quality of a new mattress, it should be repositioned every six months to ensure that the mattress is evenly worn. This includes rotating 180 degrees and flipping the mattress lengthwise on a regular basis. The Better Sleep Council advises against putting a mattress on a box spring/foundation that is not made to go with the mattress, as this may decrease the life of the new mattress.

How to Evaluate a Mattress

Choosing a new mattress that is comfortable, supportive, and high quality is important to help people with low back pain get a sound night's sleep. And marketing messages, promotions and special features can make shopping for the right mattress a challenge.

By understanding the physical composition of a mattress and being prepared to ask questions about the interior of a mattress, individuals can accurately evaluate and compare mattresses. Some mattress stores will offer cutaway views of the interior; this is a good aid in understanding and gauging mattress quality.

Key Components of a Good Mattress

The following physical components are the important features of most high quality mattresses.

Mattress springs and coils provide back support. The wire in the coils comes in different thicknesses, where a lower gauge number denotes thicker, stiffer wire and a firmer mattress. A higher concentration of steel coils may indicate a higher quality mattress, but this does not mean that the highest number is best: patients should use their own judgment regarding which mattress is best suited to provide support and help alleviate their low back pain.
Mattress padding provides comfort. In addition to the spring coils in a mattress, the padding on top of the mattress can indicate quality. Mattress padding is usually made of materials such as polyurethane foam, puffed-up polyester or cotton batting. Extensive mattress padding is often more expensive, but many people find it more comfortable and worth the extra cost.
Middle padding in a mattress. This type of mattress padding is just below the quilted top layer and is usually made with foam. When looking at a cross-section of the mattress, softer foams feel almost moist to the touch while firmer foams won’t spring back as quickly. The next layer of mattress padding is made of cotton batting that may vary in thickness across different mattresses and even within one mattress. This causes the mattress to feel firmer in some areas rather than others, such as increased firmness in the middle of the mattress.
Insulation mattress padding. This padding lies on top of the coil springs so that they cannot be felt from the top of the mattress, and it also protects the coils from damaging the top layers of the mattress.
Mattress ticking and quilting. The outer layer of a mattress consists of ticking, which is usually a polyester or cotton-polyester blend in a good quality mattress. The mattress quilting attaches the ticking to the top layers of padding. It is a good idea to examine the quality of stitching on the mattress quilting, looking for consistent, unbroken stitches.
Mattress foundations. The mattress foundation or box spring adds another level of support to the mattress. Foundations usually consist of a wooden or metal frame with springs. A plain wooden frame may make mattresses feel harder than a frame with springs. A wood mattress foundation should only be purchased if the wood has no cracks and is straight. The Better Sleep Council recommends that purchasing a foundation and mattress as a set helps preserve the mattress.
Foam mattresses. As an alternative to traditional mattresses, some types of mattresses are constructed entirely or mostly from memory foam or latex foam. They can be purchased in different densities. Some foam mattresses are made of multiple layers of foam adhered together while others have a foam core in the center. Foam mattresses come in various degrees of firmness to give people greater selection for back support and comfort. Choosing between a foam mattress and a traditional mattress is based on personal preference.
Asking questions, requesting written product information and examining each mattress thoroughly will help patients become more educated consumers. By following the practical guidelines for selecting a new mattress, patients will be well equipped to find the best mattress for sleep comfort, back support and reducing low back pain.


Call ABChiropractic Family & Wellness in St. Charles MO at 636-916-0660 to schedule your no risk appointment.  Our chiropractors can help address your pain complaints and mattress concerns.  We offer a full range of different chiropractic adjustments, as well as decompression, traction, and massage therapy.

7 Sleeping Tips for Patients with Chronic Pain

Patients dealing with back and neck pain will often have trouble sleeping.

Consider these points:

• Various studies detail how chronic pain can make it difficult to sleep and how sleeping problems can exacerbate one's symptoms.

• A past Spine-health poll of nearly 1600 people found that 63.7 percent of people get less than or equal to 6 hours of sleep while only 29.9 percent of responders get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep.

We've compiled some sleep tricks that seem to help many of our forum members:

1. Only go to bed when you are tired

Do not allow yourself to toss and turn in bed. This only makes things worse, and usually you'll end up stressing about everything you have to do the next day.

If you are not sleeping within 20 or 30 minutes, get out of bed and engage in something that makes you tired. One person suggested the iPhone app, "Words with Friends."

Once you figure out your optimum bed time, do your best to keep a regular sleep schedule.

2. Cool the room

Simply cracking the window in cold weather or cranking the air conditioner a little more in hot weather is a great way to make the room temperature colder and to have deeper and more restorative sleep.

3. Drink herbal tea

Make a conscious decision to avoid coffee after dinner and expand this to exclude/limit pop and even other stimulants like alcohol and nicotine.

Chamomile tea is an excellent choice to help you relax.

4. Work up a sweat

While many chronic back pain and neck pain sufferers worry that exercising will only exacerbate their pain, the opposite is actually true: remaining inactive is often worse for pain.

Engaging in regular exercise, stretching, and strengthening programs can promote the body's natural healing process and make you feel better both physically and mentally. And, as a bonus, it will make it easier to fall asleep at night.

5. Write down your worries

Why is it that when your head hits the pillow, all your worries become so intense? Try "forced worrying." Before you go to bed, take 15 minutes or so to write down your worries on a blank sheet of paper.

Remind yourself that you will have plenty of time to address these concerns the following day. If you find yourself in bed worrying about other things, keep a notebook and pen nearby and write these down as well.

6. Visualize something peaceful

With your mind free of worry, gently close your eyes and think of something tranquil and relaxing.

Consider incorporating a sound relaxation machine or even aromatherapy.

7. Check your "equipment"

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my mattress provide me with enough lumbar support? Check out these mattress guidelines.
• How does my pillow support my neck? Is it too high or too firm? Remember these suggestions for pillow support and comfort.
• What position is most comfortable when sleeping? Am I relaxed on my back, side, or am I curled up? How do I feel when I wake up in the morning after having slept in these positions?

Certain sleeping positions are recommended for different types of pain.

For example, patients with pain from osteoarthritis are advised to sleep in the fetal position (on their sides, with knees curled up), while patients with degenerative disc disease may prefer to sleep on their stomach. Those with hip pain may achieve relief by placing a pillow between the knees.

Call Dr. Awwad, ABChiropractic Family & Wellness, your Pain Relief Center in St. Charles MO 63303 to schedule your new patient exam and consultation to see how we can help you with your pain complaints.  Call 636-916-0660 and speak to Karen or Rachel to schedule your life changing appointment.  Chiropractic is safe and effective for the detection and correction of pain symptoms.