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Hi, First, thanks for this forum - it's a great resource. I only wish I'd discovered it a few weeks ago! At any rate, I recently purchased a new Simmons beautyrest firm, non-pillowtop mattress (yes, I'm aware of the concerns about Simmons, but apparently the firm mattresses use a heavier gauge wire in the coils less prone to sagging). The mattress is uncomfortably firm, and I believe it is seriously exacerbating my previously-mild lower back pain. I read in the very helpful newbie thread that one should always get the firmest mattress possible and then add toppers as needed, but my concern is that a too-firm mattress isn't allowing my hips and shoulders (I'm a side sleeper) to sink sufficiently to keep my spine aligned (and there appears to be some support [no pun intended!] for this hypothesis: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/news/20031113/best-mattress-for-lower-back-pain). I did try a 3 inch memory foam topper (fairly dense) and it seemed to help but could only tolerate one night due to it being way too hot. I am thus considering availing myself of Sleepy's exchange policy to get a less firm mattress (probably sleep to live, which I know gets quite a few negative reviews, or a plus simmons, which will be more prone to sagging than the firm one I currently have). The other option is to try other toppers. I have a few questions: - I understand that toppers can alleviate pressure points in a firm mattress, but will toppers also allow enough sinking to ensure proper spinal alignment? Might a plush mattress be better, not for comfort but for alignment? - I've seen "cool" MF topper advertised - does anyone have actual experience with MF toppers that slept cool? - Would a latex topper be a better choice? I know it wouldn't have the head issue , but would it allow enough sinking to ensure proper alignment? Any other topper recommendations? Any other thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! This message was modified Oct 28, 2010 by adamjs
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I think that we are using the term "support" in different ways. Memory foam does compress and is not completely "viscous" so in the sense that it will stop compressing before you go through the layer yes it does provide support. However I have been using "support" in the sense of it's ability to "push back" and change in "real time" to provide correct "spinal alignment" in different positions as opposed to "pressure relief". In this meaning of support (resilience), memory foam is a very poor material and is not supportive in nature ... no matter what it's density or composition. In the way that you are using it, there are more and less supportive memory foams however in the way that I mean it, no memory foam can be supportive to the degree that is necessary in an overall mattress construction. I believe that it would be helpful to alleviate the misunderstanding surrounding memory foam to call it "firmer or softer" which is a measure of how far you can sink in as opposed to "more or less supportive". This is why it always needs a supportive (more resilient) underlying layer. Stopping the "sinking in" process and "support" for me mean different things and while I realize that this may not be an issue with some, I believe that this confusion is part of the reason for the misunderstanding and misinformation about memory foam in general . I posted some of my thoughts/beliefs about this in a new thread. Phoenix This message was modified Nov 5, 2010 by Phoenix
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Thanks for chiming in Phoenix, and thanks as always Sandman. Your recent posts raise a question for me. I had pretty much decided to exchange my current MF for either 2" mem-cool or 2.5" 5lb Aerus. The two objectives I'm trying to solve are 1) comfort, and 2) alignment (in that I suspect the firmness of my mattress doesn't allow my hips and shoulders to sink enough as I sleep on my side). After reading the last posts, I'm wondering if 2) will actually be solved by MF. I guess the question is, will I have the right sinking "pattern" with MF - ie, will my shoulders and hips sink the right amount, relative to my torso, legs, head, etc.? If MF isn't truly supportive, then that seems to imply that I won't. |
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adamjs wrote: Thanks for chiming in Phoenix, and thanks as always Sandman. Your recent posts raise a question for me. I had pretty much decided to exchange my current MF for either 2" mem-cool or 2.5" 5lb Aerus. The two objectives I'm trying to solve are 1) comfort, and 2) alignment (in that I suspect the firmness of my mattress doesn't allow my hips and shoulders to sink enough as I sleep on my side). After reading the last posts, I'm wondering if 2) will actually be solved by MF. I guess the question is, will I have the right sinking "pattern" with MF - ie, will my shoulders and hips sink the right amount, relative to my torso, legs, head, etc.? If MF isn't truly supportive, then that seems to imply that I won't. So, the real key is to find the right level of support and comfort. Some do that will all latex, some do that with just memory foam, some do it with a combination (my case), some do it with other methods. Ultimately, each one of us will have a different preference. That is part is why I advocate use small increments of memory foam and latex, to be able to fine tune, and to be able find out what works for you. Unfortunately there is no way around the trial and error. Some people are lucky on their first try. Some are very tolerant of almost any combination. I also advocate wool filled toppers and/or mattress pad to help with overheating. That helps for many people, but there is no gurarantee it will work for you.
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| too firm mattress is not good for back pain. If a person is having a back pain problem then medium firm mattress is best for him because it is neither too hard nor too soft. |