Orthopedic beds and mattresses

Orthopaedic mattress facts

An orthopaedic mattress is ideal for anyone who prefers a firm sleeping surface. Put simply, orthopaedic mattresses ensure a healthy posture by providing the essential support that the body requires for a rejuvenating and restful night's sleep.

In the 21st century, more than 50 percent of people suffer from various degrees of back pain and it has become increasingly important to choose a mattress that will alleviate back ache and offer a good night's sleep. An orthopaedic mattress is normally the best solution.

Nothing compares to a good night's sleep, and the quality of bedding is the most important factor in determining both sleep patterns and the ability to wake up feeling relaxed, refreshed and pain free.

Remember - how well you feel during the day is directly related to how well you slept during the previous night.

Why you might need an orthopaedic mattress

Do not under estimate the importance that a piece of furniture like an orthopaedic mattress can have on your life. If you experience back, hip, shoulder or muscle aches, or if you feel tired or un-rested in the morning, it is highly probable that your sleep patterns are the problem. The solution is almost certainly a new orthopaedic mattress or bed.

The purchase of an orthopaedic mattress is an important and "health critical" decision. The well-being of your joints, ligaments and muscles will be greatly enhanced if your body is adequately supported during sleep, so you need to be sure that you choose the right orthopaedic mattress for you.

Also, the older you get, the greater will be the benefits of an orthopaedic bed or mattress.

Orthopaedic bed facts

An orthopaedic bed or mattress will last from one to ten years before it needs replacing and during that time it will support and relieve pressure from your back, joints and muscles on a daily basis.

Most people will get through a minimum of 7 (and more probably 15 or more) mattresses in a lifetime. During that period they will spend almost one third of their life lying and sleeping on it, so buying a new mattress is one of the most important lifestyle purchases that anyone is ever likely to make.

Amazingly, you will spend far more time on your mattress and bed than you ever will in your car. Despite this, you will only spend a fraction of the money on purchasing it, you will replace it less frequently, and you will do little if anything to maintain its performance and general upkeep. Even so, it will be the single most import purchase that you make in relation to your health and well being, so think carefully about your new bed and mattress and think about buying an orthopaedic one.

Types and sizes of mattresses and beds

Mattresses come in four grades of firmness, i.e. medium, medium firm, firm and extra firm, the later "traditionally" being referred to as orthopaedic.

There are also four primary mattress types, namely, pocket sprung, open sprung, foam, and latex and all of these mattress constructions have been available in orthopaedic bed formats. Air and water beds are also available, but these do not have the same recognised orthopaedic qualities.

Each mattress type has its own merits and some types of mattress cannot be successfully used with some types of bed, so always seek advice from the seller if you are unsure.

Types of orthopaedic mattresses

Today, many orthopaedic mattresses combine the comfort and pressure relieving properties of a soft profiled top layer with the traditional firm base section. This is necessary in an orthopaedic product and results in a comfortable but supportive mattress.

The softer profiled surface of the mattress moulds to the contours of the body and this evenly distributes the sleeper's weight whilst helping to relieve the pressure points of the body. Having a nodular construction to the "contact level" top layer assists in effective ventilation and gently massages the body as it moves during sleep.

Orthopaedic mattresses are normally covered with a high quality, hypoallergenic cover, but they can also be purchased with a water-resistant, vapour permeable zipped cover. This addition aids hygiene and washing.

The most common type of mattress is the innerspring, which is made of tempered spring coils covered with layers of padding and upholstery.