Kipli shows you how to choose your orthopedic mattress.
When you’re suffering from back pain, you may quickly start to wonder about the usefulness and benefits of an orthopedic mattress. If that’s the case for you, this article can help! We’ll give you the key tips for choosing the best orthopedic mattress to combat back pain based on your needs and preferences.
What is an orthopedic mattress?
An orthopedic mattress is designed to reduce and relieve back pain by providing tailored support for different areas of the body. Made from natural or synthetic materials, it offers the necessary support for the spine. This type of mattress is recommended for people who regularly suffer from back and/or lower back pain. In fact, it features comfort zones with varying densities that provide the different parts of the body with the support they need. Typically ranging from 3 to 7, these zones ensure excellent support for the spine, neck, and hips. The optimal support provided by orthopedic mattresses is also recommended for relieving stress that builds up in the spine. In short, this type of mattress is a great ally in the fight against back pain. Night after night, it will improve your posture and reduce pain.
What are the differences between an orthopedic mattress and a medical mattress?
Orthopedic and medical mattresses are often confused. However, they are indeed two distinct types of mattresses. A medical mattress is one that is prescribed by a doctor and may therefore be covered by health insurance. They are suitable, for example, for people who need to remain in bed following surgery or because they suffer from limited mobility.In contrast, no prescription is required to purchase an orthopedic mattress. Its purpose is to distribute body weight evenly to reduce pain in the neck, back, and hips. This type of mattress is therefore recommended for back or lower back pain, such as sciatica or herniated discs. However, it will not be sufficient in cases of major health issues such as pressure sores or a disability.
The Different Types of Orthopedic Mattresses
To help you make your choice, we've put together a summary of the various orthopedic mattresses available on the market and their features.
- The Orthopedic Latex Mattress: Latexis a material known for its elasticity. This characteristic allows it to adapt to your body weight—and thus to the needs of different areas of your body. This material is therefore an ideal solution for back pain.In addition, there are 100% natural latex mattresses available on the market. This means they are made exclusively from natural latex and are not mixed with other synthetic materials derived from petrochemicals, such as polyurethane.These types of mattresses therefore have the advantage of being natural orthopedic mattresses, as well as being dust-mite-resistant and antibacterial—making them ideal for people prone to allergies. Their only drawback may be their higher-than-average price, which is justified by the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.
- The Orthopedic Memory Foam Mattress:Viscoelastic foamis the primary material used in memory foammattresses. This technology conforms to the body’s shape and is designed to absorb shock. However, this synthetic material is not very breathable and tends to trap heat, which is not recommended for people who sweat a lot.
- Orthopedic Spring Mattresses: Inthis last category, we’ll focus on spring mattresses, including those with pocket springs. If it’s high-quality, this type of mattress offers good motion isolation, thereby providing good sleeping independence. Its design allows for optimal ventilation, so it’s recommended for people who tend to get hot at night. Some orthopedic pocket-spring mattresses feature a layer of natural latex that enhances comfort and provides optimal support.
- The Universal or Hybrid Orthopedic Mattress: As its name suggests, the universal orthopedic mattress combines several of the technologies mentioned above. This hybrid design gives it a certain versatility: a soft feel, firm support, good breathability… It can be suitable for many sleepers. However, it’s important to check the synthetic materials used to ensure you’re choosing a healthy mattress.
What criteria should be considered?
To choose the most suitable orthopedic mattress, here is a list of criteria to consider.
- Firmness: Determining the ideal firmness of a mattress depends on two factors: your body type and your sleeping position. A soft mattress is ideal for people who are on the slimmer side and for those who often sleep on their side. Conversely, people who are heavier and prefer to sleep on their back or stomach need more support. In this case, a firm mattress is a better choice.
- Density: Anorthopedic mattressmust be particularly comfortable to provide the best possible support. Support is indicated by density, measured in kg/m³. However, this measurement depends on the materials used in the mattress. - Natural latex mattresses: The density of a natural latex mattress ranges from 65 to 95 kg/m³:
- For a soft feel, choose a density of 65 kg/m³
- For a firmer feel, choose a mattress with a density of 85 kg/m³. - Foam mattresses: Some mattresses are made of polyurethane foam, which is derived from petrochemicals. These mattresses have a density ranging from 22 to 35 kg/m³, making them lightweight. With moderate density, they offer fairly limited support.- Memory foam mattresses: Derived from petrochemicals, memory foam mattresses are designed to conform to the body and provide adequate support. Their density generally ranges from 55 to 85 kg/m³. The lower the density, the less support the mattress provides. Therefore, you should choose the density of a memory foam mattress based on your preferences and needs.
The Different Types of Orthopedic Mattresses
- Comfort Zones An orthopedic mattress is perfect for relieving back pain. A good mattress should offer enough elasticity to reduce pressure points and provide optimal support for the spine. To alleviate tension, it’s important to pay attention to the available comfort zones: the more there are, the better the mattress will support your body weight. Generally, when there are 3 support zones, they correspond to the head, back, and legs. The feet and shoulders are added when there are 5 support zones. Finally, mattresses with 7 comfort zones provide additional support for the calves and lower back.
- Dimensions:To fully enjoy the benefits of your orthopedic mattress, it’s important to feel comfortable and know which bed size to choose. The dimensions depend on several factors: Do you sleep alone? Are you tall or short? How much space do you have in your bedroom? What is the size of your box spring? The most common size is the 140x190 orthopedic mattress. It’s sufficient for a couple and ideal for a single person. In general, taller people or couples will prefer a 160x200 or 180x200 orthopedic mattress.
- We hope this article has helped you learn more about orthopedic mattresses. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via chat or by email at help@kipli.com.
Of course, The Kipli Team 🌿