One of the most common questions I get in myMonroeville/Penn Hills Chiropractic office is, What kind of mattress should Ibuy? Although this is a very important question, the answer is somewhatsimplistically complicated. Confused by that? Don't be.
Its a vitallyimportant question because, if you think of it like this (and few do), if yousleep a minimum of 6 hours per night, then you spend 1/4 of your entire life inbed. Thats just getting a minimum required nights sleep. If you get closer to8 hours, then you spend 1/3 of your life in bed. In light of that, a mattressis the most important piece of furniture that youll buy, so its important toget a good one.
The answer thoughas to what you should have is complex. I mean, if there were a mattress thatmade everyone sleep well and wake up feeling good, refreshed, and pain-free,then everyone would have it and we wouldnt see such a variety out there. Sothe perfect mattress, or moreso one thats right for everyone, doesnt exist.Thats why I never actually endorse a particular brand. The crucial rule ofthumb though is this: you should have one thats firm and supportive. It shouldsupport your body well, not sink-in and be too soft, but then again not toohard where you feel uncomfortable. Neverever sleep on a water bed!
What I tell my Pittsburgh Chiropractor patients is this: Buy a mattress thatsfirm/really firm. Make sure it is nice and supportive. Its difficult thoughbecause lets face it, when youre shopping and lying on mattresses for 5minutes at a time at the store, nearly each one feels great. Its really notuntil you get it home for a week or so do you truly know if its right. Butheres the trick, by buying one thats firm/really firm (no pillow tops also),if you get it home and it ends up being too firm for your liking, then itsvery easy to soften it up a wee bit to your liking. You can buy thin egg-cratetoppers etc. to put on top of your mattress. You cant however harden up amattress if its too soft to begin with.
So get somethingfirm and supportive. It should be like that regardless and that will give youthe best support and the best nights sleep. If you need to soften it up a tadthough (try to resist that, but I understand if it needs a bit of softening),then you can do it easily and tailor it to your comfort level.
Happy sleeping!
- Dr. Brent Shealer -- Monroeville, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh Chiropractor