Bed Mattresses & Spinal Health

Having the right mattress is vital for spinal health. "Since most of us spend at least a third of our lives lying down, a good quality mattress goes a long way in avoiding a whole host of musculoskeletal problems later in life," states Dr. Karl Petrie, D.C., C.S.C.S, at the American Wellness Center.

Features

• According to the American Chiropractic Association, to maintain a healthy spine, your mattress should provide uniform support from head to toe. "If there are gaps between your body and your mattress (such as at the waist), you're not getting the full support that you need."

Function

• A mattress should maintain the shape of your spine while you sleep. Richard A. Staehler, M.D., from the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin states that, "a mattress should have enough coils to provide adequate support and allow for the natural curves of the spine".

Considerations

• Making an actual visit to a mattress store to pick out the right mattress is the best way to do it. Lie on different mattresses to make sure you select the one that best suits your comfort level.

Tips

• To avoid discomfort and backaches, the American Chiropractic Association advises turning your mattress clockwise, or upside down every few months, so that body indentations are kept to a minimum.

Misconceptions

• Just because a mattress is very firm does not make it the right one for maintaining your spinal health. On the other hand, a very soft mattress will distort the shape of your spine. Dr. Karl Petrie, D.C., C.S.C.S, at the American Wellness Center points out that the most important thing is choosing a mattress that gives you the most support and comfort without straining your spine.