Buying an orthopedic mattress

If you want to buy an orthopedic mattress to help relieve some kind of medical problem like back pain, lumbar discomfort, or aching joints, speak to your doctor or health advisor first and take any advice that he or she provides.

Things to check

• Start by setting a budget for your new mattress.
• Get feedback form others - speak to any friends or colleagues and find out what kind of mattress they use and what they think of it.
• Narrow the choice down - think about the different kinds of mattress constructions (i.e. sprung systems, memory foam, latex foam, water, air and composite mattresses) and decide which options do not interest you.
• Decide on the bed or mattress size that you want - if there are two of you, select a minimum of a Queen size rather than a standard double. Also make sure that you both have the same ideas and requirements of your new mattress.
• Conditions - check manufacturers and on-line retailers warranties and return conditions. A number of on-line mattress retailers offer money back guarantees and trial periods while you decide if you like your mattress. These are good ways of ensuring that your purchase is made with safety. (You can compare the relative advantages of buying online versus high street by clicking the underlined text.
• Get the best price - check out a number of retailers for price. The best way to do this is on-line. Always compare prices and specifications with different retailers. Decide if you want to buy a brand name bed or mattress, but remember that you will pay for a well known name.
• Considerations - be aware that certain mattress types (e.g.memory foam, water etc.) are heavier than their traditional counterparts and that the more expensive the mattres the heavier will be its construction. Ensure that the delivery includes taking the mattress to its bedroom location.
• Be specific - consider your own sleeping habbits and be aware of the things that you do and do not like with regard to your current mattress. e.g. Do you get hot in bed - memory foam mattresses "sleep warm", so a latex foam mattress may be more suitable.
• Quality and construction - look at the construction of the mattress. If it is memory foam, does it have multiple layers and does one of those layers have a ventilation function etc. Consider your bed purchase carefully, it is an important and health conscious decision.
• Personalise - try to decide if you like a firm mattress, a soft mattress, or a mattress that will profile itself to your body. There is no right or wrong approach, but you need to find the right mattress for you.
• Make sure that you are familiar with the terms and descriptions used in the bed and mattress world. This mattress type, construction, component..... information page can send you to numerous resource pages that explain what different words (e.g. tufting, fillings etc) mean in the context of mattress construction.
• Finally, if you can physically test a mattress, or if you have a mattress at home on trial, spend as much as you can accessing it. A new mattress is a purchase that will have a direct impact on your health over a long period of time, so you need to make the right decision.

If you have any kind of medical condition that could be impacted by a mattress or bed, speak to you doctor or health practitioner before buying.

For help and ideas when it comes to buying an orthopedic mattress or bed in the USA or the UK, see these pages -
mattresses in the USA, or
Mattresses in the UK
for some general showroom guidelines and suggestions.