Dr. Jerry Wright and Dr. Tyler Hunsberger are often asked about the best mattress to buy for our patients optimal MSK health. A good night sleep is invaluable for most of us, and the right mattress can make one of the biggest differences not only for your sleep, but also your back discomfort.
According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, “A 2011 study by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) reports that 41% of women and 36% of men claimed their back pain was caused by a poor night’s sleep”. This back discomfort can often be attributes to a number of factors such a firmness, size, or support offered. If you find yourself waking up with back or neck pain, it may be time to reevaluate the quality of your mattress and consider if its time to replace it.
The Canadian Chiropractic Association suggests a few things to consider when purchasing a new mattress.
First: How old is your mattress?
Waking up consistently in the middle of the night, or waking up in the morning with a sore back may be a sign its time to switch your mattress. Typically, it is said that after 10 years, the bed will begin to deteriorate. If you cant remember how long its been, it may be time to consider buying a new one.
Second: What size do you need?
The appropriate mattress size for you depends on the number and size of people sleeping on the bed. Do you share your bed with a spouse or partner, Kids, the family dog? Maybe all of the above?
Consider the following:
* Buy a mattress that provides the proper support for your entire body and promotes good posture.
* The sleeper’s spine should lay parallel and not sag in any area because the bed is too soft, or bow because the bed is too hard.
* The mattress should be six inches longer than the tallest person sleeping in the bed.
* The width of the bed should allow enough space for the person’s pillow and even for a person to put their hands behind their head without their elbows touching any other person sleeping.
* If the person is a restless sleeper, it is recommended that the bed be wider to accommodate some tossing and turning.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when it comes to purchasing a new mattress, especially if you have specific concerns or needs. No matter what, your sleep is extremely important to your MSK and overall health and it is what will ensure you keep functioning optimally in all your work and leisure activities.
Consider the above when it comes to your mattress. A good night sleep in combination with regular chiropractic maintenance with Dr. Hunsberger and Dr. Wright at Broadway at Burrard Chiropractic could make all the difference.
Book in today at www.broadwayburrardchiro.com/contact
References
1 British Chiropractic Association, Mind Your Posture When Buying a Bed, http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/gfx/uploads/member%20area/New%20posture%20sheets/Mind%20your%20posture%20-%20buying%20a%20bed%20-%20sleep.pdf
2 Utah State University, Selecting a Comfortable Mattress, http://www.sleep-mart.com/utah.pdf<
