How Do I Know When My Mattress Is Going Bad?

There are a few ways to know if your mattress is going bad.

First, if it is more than ten years old, stick a fork in it, its done.  Its shot, its gone.  I don’t care what its was made out of, it won’t last ten years.

Second, if its between five and ten years old, it is suspect.  It might still be good, but you need to evaluate it a little closer.  Does it look like its sagging ?  Are there pits in it ?  Do you feel pain in the morning ?  If so, something is wrong with the mattress.

Sometimes you can flip it, sometimes you can put a board between the mattress and box-spring, you can even try switching sides with your partner.  But, these are stopgap measures that will get you by until you can get a better mattress.

What kind of mattress should you get ?

The firmer the better.  As firm as you can. This flies in the face of every mattress salesman in the country, but my clinical experience, the clinical experience of other doctors and the research shows that a firm surface is best.

Most of the stuff on the market today is way too soft.  The exotic foams they use make it like sleeping on a bag of marshmallows.  Not good for the spine.

For more information on pillows, mattresses and spinal health log on to my web-site www.painfree-greatposture.com.

For more information on back pain, log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.

Mattresses, Pillows and Back Pain

I am often asked, “what is the best kind of mattress for my back?” The answer may surprise you..

Contrary to what is currently being sold in every mattress store in the country, I suggest that you sleep on a firm mattress.  Pillow-tops, memory foam, Swedish foam, water-beds and gel- beds are all too soft.  Way too soft.

You see, your spine needs support at night. It needs a steady, firm surface so it can rest and your discs can get re-hydrated.  If the mattress is too soft, you will not relieve the pressure on the discs.  They will never recuperate at night, leaving you more prone to spinal degeneration.

People mistakenly believe that when they have sore spots or “pressure points” when they sleep, they need a softer mattress.  When in fact, what they need to do is change their pillow height.

If you sleep on your side, you need to have your head propped up slightly.  Most people have a pillow that is too low.  The low height causes you to get more pressure on your shoulders and you will inevitably toss and turn.  Slightly propping up the head will take pressure off your shoulders and make it possible for you to stay in one position all night.

If you sleep on your back, you need to be as flat as possible.  Just a few layers of a towel under your head is often all you need. If what is under your head is too big, you will feel like you need to put something under your knees to take pressure off your back.  Or, you will feel like you need a softer surface.  Don’t make these mistakes, use a firm surface with the correct pillow height.

If you wake up sore, stiff, dizzy or with a headache, something is wrong with your mattress or pillow.  Work with the pillow height first because it is easiest to change.  If that doesn’t work, look at your mattress.  Mattresses never last more than 10 years and if your mattress is over 5 years old, it is probably getting worn out.

I recommend one of three options for a new mattress.

1) Go to a mattress store and ask for the firmest mattress they have and don’t listen to what the salesman says about how “softer is better”.  Softer is more expensive, it feels good to lay on for a few minutes in the store, but in the long run, it is bad for your back.

2)  I recommend the Sleep Number Bed basic model.  (The one without memory foam.)  The foam makes these too soft.  The Sleep Number can be pumped up firmer than most mattresses, it costs the same and it has a 10 year warranty.  A sleep number above 80 with the correct pillow height works great.

3)  The Mercedes Benz of mattresses can be found on www.new-chiropractic-solutions.com.  They also sell an adjustable height pillow that is great for side sleepers.

Watch for a video on my web-site www.painfree-greatposture.com that will explain how to sleep.

For more information on how I treat back pain, sciatica, degenerative discs and spinal stenosis, log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com and order a copy of my free information.