Is it time for a New Mattress?

The value of a good night sleep goes far beyond the price of a new mattress. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a mattress. Your back will thank you!

How well did you sleep last night or throughout the week?

Quality of sleep has definite impact on quality of life, interactions socially or with family, and most importantly your general mood. Sleep deprivation is not only lack of sleep. It is also the quality of sleep throughout the night. Waking up every couple of hours effects the quality of sleep. At the work place Sleep deprivation can lead to decreased productivity, increased sick days, and increased risk of injury due to poor response time and accuracy.

Back pain can also be attributed to a poor night’s sleep. British Chiropractic Association (BCA) study in 2011 reported that 41% woman and 36% men claimed that back pain contributed to their back lack of sleep. If your consistently woken up with neck and/or back pain? You want to examine the quality of your mattress. The average night's sleep is eight hours (one third of a day), one sleeps for one third of one's life. If you live, say, 75 years, that's 25 years asleep, or 9,125 days. This clearly is a reason why your mattress play such an important role in maintaining your musculoskeletal (MSK) health. Here are some Tid Bits when purchasing a new mattress.

1       Beds tend to deteriorate after Ten years. So waking up with a sore neck or back on repeated occasions, and mattress is over Ten years old. Consider buying a new mattress.

2       Chronic low back pain. Medium-Firm mattresses are better when compared to soft mattresses. Studies show that the quality of sleep can improve by 55% and back pain decreased by 48%.

3       Adjustable bed according to an individual preference is associated with quality of sleep.

4       Mattresses that promote skin warming may improve the quality of sleep by reducing early morning awakening and enhancing a deeper sleep.

5       Soft mattresses decrease excessive compressive forces on your joints. However, mattresses that are more firm help maintain proper posture.

Keep in mind that each individual has a different body type. Saying this, take the time to try out the bed before buying and see if it’s right for you.

Make sure you explore all the options and do the research to meet your specific needs. A good night’s sleep will ensure you can continue your daily activities and quality of life. Consider these tips before your purchase of your next mattress. Your back depends on it.

Dr. Elton Clemence D.C.

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to book an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca