Time to change your mattress? Research by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) found that 43% of people questioned found that sleeping on their bed or mattress triggered back or neck pain. However, reasearch that the BCA carried out in 2013 showed that one third (33 per cent) of people only change their mattress once every ten years, despite recommendations to do so every seven years (Sleep Council recommendation). While a mattress is a significant investment for most, so it is important to make sure that you recognise the signs that it does need replacing and, of course, to choose a good quality, suitable replacement. BCA chiropractor Tim Hutchful said: “How often you should change a mattress depends on lots of factors including your weight and how well you have cared for your mattress. But as soon as a mattress stops supporting your back it’s vital you get a new one. A mistake that people often make when choosing a new mattress is thinking the firmer the better - this is not always true - one bed does not fit all. “We spend a third of our lives in bed so it’s important to spend time choosing your new mattress and remember; if you’re planning on sharing your bed with your partner, take them with you to test it!” Five signs that it’s time to change your mattress: 1. You wake up feeling stiff or aching 2. You had a better night’s sleep somewhere else 3. Your mattress is misshapen or sagging 4. Your mattress creaks when you move 5. You can feel individual springs The British Chiropractic Association also has some great advice to help you make the right selection. - The best mattress is a ’supportive one‘. A 16 stone person sleeping on a mattress may not get the same support as a 10 stone person sleeping on the same mattress. - If you are lying on your side, your spine should be parallel to the mattress and your spine should not sag (bed too soft) or bow (bed too hard). The longer you can spend lying on a mattress before you buy it, the more accurate this feeling will be. - Your pillow should be an extension of this i.e. your neck should be a continuation of the straight spine and not too high or too low. - Always shop with your partner as your respective ideal mattress tensions could be very different. If this is the case, buy beds from a range that allow two single mattresses to be zipped together, so that you both get the support you need. For more information on how to maintain a healthy posture and avoid triggering neck and back pain whilst in bed, the BCA has developed a simple guide on choosing the right bed and getting a comfortable night’s sleep.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 19:00:01 +0000
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