Composition, characteristics and properties of an orthopedic mattress

What product can be called an orthopedic mattress? This is a mattress that does not treat spinal curvature and various pathologies, but helps it take its anatomical shape during sleep and eliminates pain.

It eliminates muscle spasms, thanks to the correct physiological posture, it is possible to improve the nutrition of the spinal column. It is pleasant for a person to sleep on such a mattress, and he feels good during the daytime.

Composition of an orthopedic mattress, what types of fillers there are

Pocket spring block independent spring block

It consists of barrel-shaped springs, which are covered in special covers made of durable non-woven material. The block will support the human body in the correct position.

Thanks to their unique design, the springs respond to point loads without affecting the rest of the “barrels”.Such a point distribution of the weight of a lying person helps relieve tension from the spine.

Bonnel block dependent spring block

The block is formed from cone-shaped springs, which are framed by a metal frame. Despite the fact that their manufacturing technology is more than 60 years old. They are one of the best-selling in European countries due to their affordable cost and long service life.

For production, steel wire with a thickness of 2.2 mm is used. Five turns of the spring are formed from it. The upper and lower turns have the same diameter: 90 mm. This design does not give the mattress the necessary rigidity and does not provide the orthopedic effect of the product.

Heat pressed felt

The material is a synthesis of cotton and wool. It is durable, has a long service life, and has high wear resistance. The material is well ventilated, absorbs sound and vibration. It is independent of temperature changes.

Typically, felt is used to provide insulation between the spring block and the soft layers. Thanks to this elastic material, the load on the sleeper’s body is evenly distributed, but at the same time the felt is a rather rigid and elastic material. It easily restores its shape after a person gets up.

Coconut coir

The material is made from coconut bark. The coir production cycle is 10 months. The fibers are peeled, separated from the nut, cleaned and kept in water for a long period of time. Then the coir is dried in the sun. This material is strengthened with natural latex.

This procedure helps make coir more reliable and durable. Coir is often used to give the mattress rigidity.It does not absorb moisture and kills germs and bacteria.

Natural latex

This is a natural material that is obtained from the juice of the Hevea plant. If it has a high juice content, then latex is afraid of light and fat. These factors cause its destruction. Isoprene monomer is added to latex. The material is used not only to make mattresses, but also hats, tires, toys, and rugs. Latex for mattresses is distinguished by its manufacturing technology: the mixture is mixed, foamed, and vulcanized.

After this, it is removed from the mold, tested for strength, weighed and packaged. The latex content does not have to be 100%. It can vary from 45 to 65%. This kind of latex is the most wear-resistant, resilient and has good elasticity. Natural rubber springs well, is ventilated, it is wear-resistant and hygienic, and does not rustle.

A more detailed article about what is latex.

Polyurethane foam

This is the second name for unnatural latex obtained artificially. It has an affordable price and is an orthopedic material. It has good ventilation properties and a long service life.

Viscoelastic memory foam

This NASA development for flights into space, which easily remembers the contour of the body as the material heats up and the pressure of the human body. The foam is light, almost weightless, and prevents the formation of bedsores. It has good orthopedic properties and evenly distributes the body load, taking care to relieve tension from the muscles.

Sheep's wool

This material is obtained from sheared sheep wool. It is soft and has good thermal insulation. It is warm to sleep on in the winter; it removes moisture well from the body and evaporates it.The material has a high degree of elasticity.

Cotton wadding

Cotton fibers with a loose weave. The material is natural, absorbs moisture well, and has antistatic properties.

Prolatex

A new product in the world of synthetic materials, which in its properties is close to latex. It has a high degree of elasticity, has a long service life, and holds body weight well. Prolatex is an alternative for people who love mattresses with an independent block, a very soft and pleasant material.

Struttofiber

Non-woven fabric material, which consists of polyester fabric connected to each other by thermal means. It is soldered using a wave of hot air.

In cross-section, struttofiber resembles a soufflé with alternating thick and thin layers. It is often supplemented with phytocomponents or wool.

3D fabric

Relief knitted material with a relief structure, which has good heat transfer, allows air to pass freely. Often in mattresses it is placed in the lumbar region.

Protective screen

This material is a polyamide-based mesh that prevents the layers of the mattress from coming into contact with the spring block. At the same time, such a protective screen has good air exchange.

Which filler composition is better?

It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question “what is the best mattress filling?” how many people, so many opinions. But rightfully one of the very first places is occupied by products made from natural latex.

This filler is always of good quality and has a long service life. Thanks to their porous structure, such products breathe, they can withstand the heavy weight of a sleeping person and, despite heavy loads, quickly restore their shape.There is no allergy to this material, it is environmentally friendly. Its only drawback: high price.

Characteristics of an orthopedic mattress

Hard

The concept of rigidity is assessed by manufacturing companies on a five-point scale. Rigidity depends on the deformation of the product under weight and its resistance to load. If the mattress hardly changes under the human body and shows great resistance, then it is considered hard. Usually, high rigidity of mattresses occurs in monoblock or combined products.

Medium hard

These mattresses are the most common and versatile, and are the most comfortable. If the mattress was not prescribed by a doctor, but was chosen solely based on personal preferences, then this is the best solution. These can be mattresses without springs; they combine coconut coir with latex or polyurethane foam. Layers of equal thickness. Mattresses on a spring block can be either dependent or independent. Manufacturers differentiate them by the degree of compression of the steel springs themselves.

Soft

If the mattress is soft, then it provides less resistance to the body. It adapts to body weight, can be with or without springs. To make soft mattresses you need soft material. It can be polyurethane foam, felt, latex base. The materials are highly elastic, but quickly regain their shape. With spring mattresses I will forgive everything; springs with thinner wire are used, and the coils are larger in diameter than standard ones.

Double sided

These are products whose top is different, for example, one of the sides can be hard (coconut coir), and the second is made of a softer base (latex). Products can be of two types: spring and springless. The coconut coir layer is considered hard, and the latex filler, felt or polyurethane foam is soft.There are mattresses with a “summer-winter” effect. On one side there is a layer for flooring, aimed at heat preservation. On such a layer, for example, covered with wool, one sleeps in the winter months, and in the summer it is preferable to rest on the linen or cotton side.

Which mattress is better to choose?

Mattresses should be selected based on spinal problems and weight. If the weight exceeds one hundred kilograms, then doctors recommend sleeping on hard mattresses, for weight up to 90 kg it is better to use products with medium or low hardness. It is not recommended for people with back pain to rest on soft mattresses. This option does not provide the desired orthopedic effect and will not keep the back in the desired position.

Properties of an orthopedic mattress

Advantages

• mattresses with independent springs are perfect for following all doctor’s recommendations;
• long service life;
• does not lose shape;
• relieve tension;
• give a comfortable rest to the back, relaxing the muscles.

Flaws

• the top covering can be hard. This problem can easily be eliminated with a mattress pad;
• due to filling with natural material it can be very expensive

How to choose an orthopedic mattress

Design

First you need to decide what type of mattress you need: spring or without springs. In a spring block mattress, it is believed that the more springs there are in the block, the better. Mattresses with spring filling are cheaper compared to other mattresses. But if the coils are too large in diameter, this will weaken the orthopedic effect.

If the spine is curved, then you should only buy a mattress with independent springs. It is more comfortable to sleep on products with a large number of turns; they are more comfortable and healthier.Mattresses without springs are expensive, their properties are better than those of a spring block. It is better for teenagers or old people to sleep on non-spring blocks. Such products do not creak, the load is evenly distributed, and the muscles relax.

Fillers

A mattress with springs is filled with many curls inside, while a springless mattress consists of polyurethane foam, latex, coconut coir and other materials. The batting can form clumps, sleeping on it will not be very comfortable, and its orthopedic properties are poor.

Felt - practical material with long service life. Coconut fiber is considered the best filling for a mattress. They are expensive, but they can be used for a long time and given a lot of stress.

Latex is also a material with a high orthopedic effect. Moreover, this filler is natural, although very expensive. The filler also needs to be selected depending on the properties that the consumer himself needs (softness, hardness, practicality, naturalness, etc.).

Case When purchasing, it is important to choose the right case, mattress cover, which will help preserve the properties of the mattress for many years. It is best to use mattress covers made from natural fabrics, such as linen or cotton. Important properties for mattress cover fabric include hypoallergenicity, practicality and environmental friendliness. The size is selected as follows: 20 cm is added to the person’s height (this is the length). And the width is most often standard and corresponds to the size of the bed (80, 90, 140, 160, 180 or 200 cm).