The Best Mattress for a Good Night's Sleep
When it comes to buying a new mattress, don't just jump into bed with the latest model. Experts offer their tips for a better night's sleep.
By
Charlene Laino
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By
Louise Chang, MD
When it comes to getting a good night's sleep,
there's no question -- your mattress matters. But with so many choices --
traditional coil, air, latex, and memory foam mattresses being some of the top
contenders -- buying a new one can be a nightmare.
Neither bells and whistles nor a super-expensive price tag necessarily mean
one mattress is better than another, say four experts consulted by WebMD. The
right stuff, they say, should be firm enough to provide support to your back,
neck, and legs, while still offering some cushion and recoil for comfort.
It's a delicate balance, says Charles Cefalu, MD, chief of geriatric
medicine at Louisiana State University in New Orleans.
"You want a mattress that is firm enough to distribute your weight or
you'll wake up sore due to your shoulders sagging or your hips sinking. On the
other hand, you don't want to sleep on a board," he says.
Alan Hilibrand, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery at Jefferson Medical
College in Philadelphia and a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons, agrees that firm is usually the best choice.
"As a general rule, people tend to be most comfortable on a firm
mattress, but there's a lot of variation," he says.
"Researchers have tried very hard to study this in a scientific fashion
and have found that there is too much variability between people to come to any
firm conclusions about what's the best mattress," he explains.
Tips for Mattress Shopping
Roger Herr, PT, a Seattle-based spokesman for the American Physical Therapy
Association, recommends a mattress that allows you to relax but that also
supports the normal S curve of the back.
You have to devote time (Hilibrand suggests 15 to 20 minutes per mattress)
actually testing various sleep surfaces before deciding, the experts agree.
Don't be shy: Lie on your back, your belly, your side. If you have a
significant other, he or she should be along for the trip.
Clete A. Kushida, MD, PhD, director of the Stanford Center for Human Sleep
Research in Stanford, Calif., and a spokesman for the American Association of
Sleep Medicine, suggests this test: "Lie on your side. If your shoulders
and hips are sinking, if you feel your spine is not aligned, it's probably too
soft. If you feel pain and discomfort, it's probably too firm," he
says.
Herr recommends shopping as late in the day as possible. In the morning,
when you're perky, "a lot of things feel good that wouldn't later," he
says. Even then, buy your mattress from a store with a 30-day refund policy.
"That way you have time to really give it a chance."
Kushida says that "best" doesn't necessarily mean "most
expensive." "Just make sure it's well constructed," he says.
Coil vs. Foam Mattresses
Coil mattresses still offer maximum comfort for many people, depending on
their personal preference, the experts say. One factor to consider is the
density of the coils: In general, the more coils per mattress, the smaller they
are and the more flexible and adjustable the mattress, Herr says. He recommends
680 or more coils per mattress. However, heavier people might want larger coils
because they are stronger.
"Larger coils are found in the 400s per mattress. They are more
durable and preferred for heavier-weighted bodies," Herr says.
Herr says that while some people may find that mattresses made from memory
or latex foam are more comfortable, they're not necessarily better for your
health. The materials react to body heat and pressure, allowing them to mold to
the body within minutes.
"It's a good marketing tool and may be comfortable for some people that
don't move around much. But if you want to roll around, which can be good for
your skin and body, what's the point of a material that remembers your position? You have
to make sure it's accommodating to all your sleep positions," he says.
On the other hand, people with joint sensitivity due to arthritis or other conditions may benefit from a mattress
that adapts to the body contour, Herr says.
"The bottom line is looking at a mattress on paper, numbers, etc., does
not guarantee a good night's sleep. How it feels makes the
difference," Herr says.
Sleep RSS