Orthopedic mattress benefits and harms

From a quarter to a third of a person’s life span is allocated by nature to sleep. The body relaxes, rests, and the brain processes the information received. The quality of rest depends on the comfort of the position.

About orthopedic mattresses

Classic orthopedic mattress is a special certified medical product used as prescribed by a doctor, intended for treatment in a hospital or at home.

But in everyday life this is the name for a product that has an “orthopedic effect.” There are no special regulatory requirements for such a mattress in Russia. It is considered as such if it has the following properties:

• provides comfortable sleep;
• prevents problems with the back and joints;
• maintains the spine in the required physiological position;
• does not lead to compression of the vessels of the circulatory system.

The rapid spread of such products has given rise to many myths.

Myth: An orthopedic mattress is only necessary for people with back pain.

This is a misconception. Not being a special medical product, it is a means to prevent deformities of the spinal column and musculoskeletal system. Allows you to maintain health without effort.During the day, we take little care of our posture; at night, the mattress helps the body take an optimal position.

Important! If you have diseases of the musculoskeletal system, when choosing a mattress, it is advisable to get the opinion of an orthopedic doctor.

Myth: a hard mattress is preferable.

Wrong. The main parameter of the product is elasticity; it determines the position of the body. Children benefit from moderately rigid, elastic models that provide the desired position for the developing spine. On a soft surface, incorrect bends can become fixed, become a habit, and lead to stooping.

Mattresses are divided into 5 categories according to the degree of hardness:

• For older people, softer, more elastic models with several zones of rigidity are recommended.
• Soft or medium elasticity - suitable for consumers weighing less than 60 kg.
• Medium firmness recommended for people weighing up to 90 kg.
• For heavier body weights, a rigid design is preferable.

Important! To maintain the characteristics of the mattress, it is advisable to turn it over every three months.

Main benefits and harms

Problems of the musculoskeletal system in people arise due to high activity. An uncomfortable sleeping position perpetuates these anomalies.

Myth: a hard mattress is preferable.

Orthopedic properties lie in the ability of the product to provide the body with the correct position. A good orthopedic mattress has several zones of rigidity. The area under the hips should be less rigid and sag from their weight. And the neck and lower back are supported – located on more elastic zones.

Benefit

• It adapts to the curves of the body, which gives a therapeutic result: muscles relax, pinches and headaches are relieved, and insomnia goes away.
• Prevents spinal diseases.
• Special impregnationand promotes bacterial safety.
• Made from safe materials, ne causing allergic reactions.
• Used to heal acquired injuries.

Harm

• The right choice is important, otherwise there may be consequences of sleeping on a bad mattress: lack of sleep, headaches, allergies.
• An overly soft or hard sleeping place leads to unnecessary stress on the spine.
• Some cheap products do not cope well with ventilation and moisture - odors accumulate and bacteria can multiply.

Spring mattresses

Springs have been used to make mattresses for quite some time. The orthopedic properties of the product are determined by their number and installation method. When on a sleeping area measuring 1 square meter there are quantity reaches 250 pieces, it becomes quite convenient. The most advanced models have such an area 1000 – 2000 small diameter springs. When installed, they can be connected by ligaments or positioned independently.

Dependent spring block

A once widespread design in which springs are connected to each other, called a “bonnel”. Used in low-cost products.

Benefit

• Ability to withstand loads up to 180 kg/m².
• Affordable price.
• model for people who do not have problems with the spine.

Harm

• Such an elastic field works as a single one, reacting to local load with a large depression.
• The product is characterized by wave-type vibrations that disturb the person sleeping nearby.
• Some springs are constantly loaded. They gradually lose their elasticity - the product sags and begins to creak.
• The small number of springs and their significant size do not provide these models with the proper orthopedic properties.The mattress has little local compliance, does not adapt well to body irregularities, and provides insufficient comfort.

With a block of independent springs

Designs made from freely located springs do not have these disadvantages. Each is installed in a fabric case and takes an individual load. In general, the product perfectly adapts to the contours of any body, has variable rigidity along the length (up to 9 zones), while more complex ones belong to the middle price category.

Benefit

• A large number of springs and their different elasticity give the model the best healing properties, ergonomic fit to the human body, and comfortable bends. The spine is ensured an anatomically correct position.
• High quality ensures comfortable sleep and relaxation.
• Uniform distribution of pressure over the surface of the body in contact with the mattress - there is no “flowing” of the body.
• Full functioning of the circulatory system of the limbs and organs.
• Complete relaxation of all muscle groups and ligaments - removing stress from the spine.

Harm

• The appearance and accumulation of dust inside over time as a result of wear and tear of the filler and fabric. The likelihood of developing mites that cause allergies.
• Rusting of springs when exposed to moisture, their creaking, breakage.
• The occurrence of a static charge when using metal springs, which has a negative effect on humans.

With all kinds of additives and fillers

Springless products are based on natural or synthesized materials - additives and fillers. They are laid in layers, which allows you to create products of different levels of rigidity, with different elasticity along the length and sides. There are models in the form of a monoblock from one component.

They are produced in a significant price range - from budget products using polyurethane foam to high-cost models using expensive fillers.

One of these is natural latex - an elastic, elastic material. Capable of withstanding loads up to 140 kg, recovers quickly, can be either soft or hard (up to 7 levels). A latex mattress has high orthopedic properties and is recommended for people with excess body weight and diseases of the spine.

• Coconut coir. Gives increased rigidity and durability, helps to form correct posture in children, and prevents back pain in adults. One of the most expensive fillers.
  Read more about the benefits and harms of coconut coir here.
• Horse hair — durable, elastic, non-moisture-absorbing natural material. Used for rigid models that have a high price category.
• Material Memory Form – one of the best fillers with “memory effect” of body shape. Manufactured using the latest technologies from polyurethane foam. Relieves stress from the back, provides comfortable rest, recommended for people with spinal problems.

Other fillers used include: wool, palm coir, coconut spring, sea ​​grass, bamboo fiber, other materials that have their own advantages and have different price characteristics.

Benefit

• noiselessness - due to the absence of metal parts;
• high breathability of most products;
• compact packaging of models with low rigidity;
• orthopedic ability to take the shape of the body;
• long service life.

Harm

• products made from some artificial materials have insufficient bacteriological resistance;
• loss of shape over time by individual fillers such as foam rubber. In depressed sleeping areas, the spine is subject to deformation;
• difficulties in moving high-rigidity products due to significant weight;
• possibility of formaldehyde release. When purchasing, you must require certificates for materials.

And in conclusion

You don’t choose a mattress based on the advice of friends or acquaintances. The best option when choosing a mattress is to consult with an osteopath. Having a certificate for a mattress will give you additional confidence in the quality of the product. But still, the best mattress is one that is comfortable for the body. You need to lie down in several possible positions on various products, feel the features of each model and make a choice.