Is a Memory Foam Mattress Good For My Back?

This is a great question and is one that is commonly asked. Most importantly what we all need to know is that memory foam is a blanket term for many many different kinds and brands of memory foam mattresses on the market. The fact is that each is very different. There are as many if not more memory foam mattresses to choose from as all the different brands and models of cars that are on the road today.

So who’s the expert and what do I need to know in order to buy the correct mattress?

The truth is I am not a doctor. I have had considerable experience over the last 24 years working with people of many different shapes, weights. Often people have complex sleeping and physical health related issues that somehow they believe I can help them correct with a mattress.  Sometimes I can help them find comfort or possibly even some level of relief; however I do believe that shoppers need to recognize that a mattress cannot repair a bad back. Doctors and chiropractors are the people who specialize in such repairs and we need to look to them when it comes to fixing back problems and sleep issues. Unfortunately most know little or nothing about mattresses, all the various kinds, and how each of these uniquely constructed beds work.

So can a memory foam mattress help your back if I have?

Arthritis
Muscular Pain
Joint Pain
Degenerative or some other disc issues
Etc.

If you have problems like these it is very likely memory foam can aid and comfort the issue while on the other hand it may aggravate other issues. Most memory foam mattresses are excellent beds where a person can find pressure relief in areas like painful joints and muscles. There are cases where a problem can arise while trying to roll over or getting out of the mattress. This problem is similar to that of old waterbeds. The pressure relief from these mattresses has the ability to reduce tossing and turning, but the repositioning that goes along with from turning over or getting out of bed can be a deal breaker for some individuals. The good news is that foams are now being designed that are quicker responding which have been able to alleviate such issues, so it is important to visit lots of stores and take all the time you need while test resting.

Customer feedback on memory foam mattresses

Consumer Reports polled their readers in their October 2009 issue asking people who owned specialty mattresses like memory foam if they would buy them again and most said yes. Tempur Pedic the world leader in memory foam is now the 4th biggest seller of mattresses in the industry knocking out Spring Air from their former position. I might also add that personally I have recommended memory foam mattresses to a good number of my family members, friends, and customers for many years now with a lot of positive feedback over the last 10 plus years.

The truth is all mattresses are built in a nonspecific fashion meaning that they are built for the masses. They are marketed to a broad range of consumers varying in height, body weight, and shape. Whether or not it would be bad for your back is a hard thing to say, which is why many physicians rarely recommend mattresses. They know the chances are slim to none that the mattress could actually fix a problem. In addition most would agree that as long as the memory foam bed has good support and is comfortable there is really no reason a person couldn’t sleep on one.
Take your time and test rest mattresses till you find the one that feels and supports “you” the best.