Need advice on getting more lumbar/hip support from latex without sacrificing comfort
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I just received my Latex Green 3" topper today (Dunlop-processed, 16-18 ILD) from sleepwarehouse.com. It is marvelous! It is plush, sumptuous, luxurious...it feels like a dream. It's like being suspended on top of velvety firm jello (best analogy I could come up with, though it sounds really weird, I know). It arrived very quickly, too -- only three days after placing my order. It is probably not the prettiest latex topper, it does have cosmetic imperfections. Not all of the pinholes are aligned perfectly on one side, there are shallow indentations here and there where air bubbles were created during processing. In its favor, it is odorless as promised (except for a very, very faint rubber scent that can only be detected if you press your nose against it) and I imagine that it feels exactly the same as a prettier topper would. I almost forgot, it's cut a little larger than the specified dimensions, so I have maybe a 1/2" hanging off of the sides and 1" hanging off of the head and foot of the bed. Thank goodness my fitted sheets have deep pockets! I'd ordered a Cuddle Bed that also arrived today, but decided to forgo it after trying them together. Together they make the comfort layer too thick and I lose some support; also, I prefer the feel of the latex. The only problem (at least I think it may pose a problem), is that my hip really sinks into the topper when lying on my side. I feel like I could use just a wee bit more support in the lower back/hip area. I would not want to change the firmess at all anywhere else. In fact, I wouldn't mind if it were just a little bit softer in the shoulder area. So my question is this: Can I firm up the lumbar/pelvic area by placing a plank of plywood (cut to cover only that area) between the topper and my mattress? Or I would I be better served by trying a different latex topper arrangement? Any advice welcomed. :-) |
Re: Need advice on getting more lumbar/hip support from latex without sacrificing comfort
| Nevermind. I woke up with stiffness and soreness in my upper back today, and I could not get my hips into a comfortable position last night. It's too soft and too hard at the same time. I may give up on latex for the time being, since it seems to be a fickle creature to deal with. |
Re: Need advice on getting more lumbar/hip support from latex without sacrificing comfort
| You don't say what this topper is over. A mattress with springs? Memory foam mattress? |
Re: Need advice on getting more lumbar/hip support from latex without sacrificing comfort
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<BR> Leo3 wrote: You don't say what this topper is over. A mattress with springs? Memory foam mattress?<BR> <BR>It's on top of a brand-new innerspring mattress that I would say is medium-firm. I guess I might be one of those people who would benefit from zoned latex, but I haven't been able to find anything with soft enough top and bottom zones. It seems like the shoulders and legs portions are always a medium ILD of around 26.<BR><BR>This message was modified Jun 4, 2009 by Zzzzzzzspleaze
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Re: Need advice on getting more lumbar/hip support from latex without sacrificing comfort
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Is your new innerspring mattress the flippable kind or the no-flip, topped with lots of foam kind? In any case a 3" topper is probably too much latex. You're not getting enough support. 2" probably would have been better. Perhaps you can exchange it? If not, you might try placing new carpet remnant pieces under the latex in the lumbar region to firm up the bed. I know it sounds weird, but it works for me, although I have to add, I have a slight gap between two squares right where I would feel a pressure point on my hip if I didn't have that gap. Takes a little experimentation, but it's softer and more flexible than plywood--which would be way too hard under 3" of foam--and provides the additional rigidity my back needs. |
Re: Need advice on getting more lumbar/hip support from latex without sacrificing comfort
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<BR> cloud9 wrote: Is your new innerspring mattress the flippable kind or the no-flip, topped with lots of foam kind? </p><p>In any case a 3&quot; topper is probably too much latex. You're not getting enough support. 2&quot; probably would have been better. Perhaps you can exchange it? If not, you might try placing new carpet remnant pieces under the latex in the lumbar region to firm up the bed. I know it sounds weird, but it works for me, although I have to add, I have a slight gap between two squares right where I would feel a pressure point on my hip if I didn't have that gap. Takes a little experimentation, but it's softer and more flexible than plywood--which would be way too hard under 3&quot; of foam--and provides the additional rigidity my back needs.<BR> <BR>Thanks for the suggestion. :-) I've decided to go in a completely different direction, mattress-wise, since authoring the original post, but I'll definitely keep the advice about utilizing carpet remnants in mind for future reference.This message was modified Jun 7, 2009 by Zzzzzzzspleaze
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