The biggest challenge when choosing a mattress is determining the level of firmness you need. This is one of those parameters that cannot be estimated with standard measuring instruments.
Misconceptions about mattress hardness
Many buyers are mistaken in thinking that the harder the mattress, the more beneficial it is for the spine and back as a whole. This is one of the myths that formed in our country back in the Soviet years. At that time, a very hard mattress was actively opposed to a soft sleeping place with pressed springs, creating the so-called hammock effect. In fact, both the first and second options are harmful to the health and condition of the spine, in particular, since they exclude the possibility of resting in a natural position for the body.
Let’s turn to physiology. The spine is not an even line like a string; in its shape it is more like a wave. Accordingly, sleeping on a very hard surface will lead to the fact that the shoulders and hips will receive the maximum load – they simply cannot immerse themselves in the soft layers of the mattress. At the same time, the space around the lumbar spine will remain unfilled, it will not receive the necessary support, which will lead to over strain of muscle tissue. Too hard surface can disrupt the work of the circulatory system due to excessive compression of individual vessels, which provokes problems with blood circulation. This can cause numbness in the limbs, muscle stiffness, and general fatigue after sleep.
Too soft a mattress is no less harmful to health, but for other reasons. On such a surface, the spine bends too much and takes the shape of a crescent. And again, muscle over strain occurs, the lungs are compressed, and the respiratory process becomes difficult.
When choosing the rigidity of the mattress try for find one without much give, one should take into account the weight and age of the person, the anatomical features of his body, medical indications based on diseases of the musculoskeletal system and internal organs.
How to determine the optimal firmness of a mattress?
For newborns from the first days of life. The first few months of its existence, the child goes through a stage of constant formation of the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole. Therefore, pediatricians recommend putting babies to sleep on the most rigid springless mattresses.
For children from 2 to 13 years old.
During this period, the baby moves from a crib to a teenager. The mattress chosen for her should take into account the characteristics of the child’s development and significant changes in his body weight over several years. For this purpose, both spring and springless models of medium rigidity are suitable.
For teenagers and young people under 25. The formation of the spine lasts a quarter of a century. Therefore, it is undesirable to use soft mattresses for sleeping under 25 years. Models of medium and high (if there are problems with excess weight) rigidity will be relevant.
For people from 25 to 50 years old. During this period of life, you can stop the choice on a mattress of any hardness, depending on personal preferences and weight category:
- up to 55 kg – soft models without coconut coir or with a thick layer on top of it;
- from 55 to 90 kg – mattresses of medium hardness. In this case, pay attention to the maximum permissible load for the selected model. If it is above the 140 kg mark, the product will seem too dense and uncomfortable to sleep;
- more than 90 kg – mattresses with the maximum hardness parameter. Here, models with a reinforced spring block or with a double layer of coconut coir will work well. If the mattress is used for sleeping by a couple, it is necessary to focus on the weight of the heavier partner.
People over 50 years old. Very hard mattresses are contraindicated for them – this can lead to serious problems with intervertebral discs. The optimal choice for them will be soft and medium-hard models.
For people with problems of the musculoskeletal system.
If a person has diseases of the spine, you must first consult with your doctor. In each case, the selection of the mattress should be carried out individually. But there are general recommendations:
-in the case of problems in the thoracic or cervical regions, models of medium hardness are suitable;
-in the presence of diseases in the lumbar region, soft mattresses are most relevant;
-for osteochondrosis and problems with posture, rigid models are recommended.