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What Is An Orthopedic Mattress

Let’s go straight to the point: Any mattress that is firm and even, can align your spine and joints depending upon your sleeping position, and also make you sleep comfortably is an orthopedic mattress.

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Some 20 years ago, Rosy was diagnosed with a slipped disc. She couldn’t do her daily chores or even sleep well, due to the pain. And we all know that; we recover most in our sleep as it is an essential function for body repair. Now, the then 85-year-old orthopedic doctor, an extremely well-known master of his trade, told Rosy to put a thin sheet of wood ply over her regular mattress. She was asked to bed rest on it for at least 15 days. And no prizes for guessing, her pain subsided and she could sleep peacefully. She recovered in some time and could carry out her normal activities.

Let us understand what happened here. Till the ’80s, handmade cotton-filled mattresses were still the most popular choice, especially among Indians. The pros were that they were cost-effective and breathable due to the use of organic cotton. The cons were that with time the mattress would sink due to the depression caused by body weight. This would result in an uneven surface which would generally prove to be detrimental to the spine.

So, the wise doctor just created a firm and even surface for Rosy’s spine and dislocated joint to come back together.

Cut to 2022, how do we find this needle from the haystack. Or simply put, among thousands of varieties available in the market today,

How do we find the best orthopedic mattress?

Let me drop the truth bomb here! The term ‘Orthopedic mattress’ is not a medical term. It is a marketing term. Some studies done by orthopedic experts and lots of research done by mattress companies in the 1950s suggested that orthopedic issues like back pains and joint pains could be significantly reduced if a specially designed mattress was used for sleeping. The mattress had to be designed to be firm, with materials that didn’t cause depression due to body weight, and had the required comfort that helped in aligning the bones as per their original shape. 

Many experiments have been done since then with different materials and layers, but what we need to focus on while buying an orthopedic mattress today are still the two basic points;

  • Firmness – It should align our spine in its exact shape and reduce pressure forming on the joints.
  • Comfort while sleeping – It should help in retaining body temperature and breathability.

How is the firmness and comfort of an orthopedic mattress determined? 

Any modern mattress today is divided into four main layers with a definite purpose:

  • Foundation layer – This layer determines the height and support of the mattress. The material used for this layer should ideally provide air circulation benefits and should act as a protectant from dirt and mites.
  • Support layer – This layer is the main core support system of the mattress. It should ensure ideal body weight distribution to not sink or become uneven.
  • Comfort layer – This layer determines the softness or the firmness of the mattress. Its thickness and density will vary depending upon the orthopedic need of retaining the body shape, pressure relief, and weight distribution.
  • Cover layer – This layer determines the comfort i.e breathability, temperature regulation, and moisture content in the mattress. This layer is softer than the rest as it needs to adapt to the body shape as you change the sleeping positions throughout the night and helps relieve pressure from elevated lumbar areas, shoulders, and hips.

A mattress manufacturer usually plays with different materials of varying thickness among every layer. However, the final firmness, feel, and overall comfort level will depend on how your individual body weight, body type, and dominant sleeping position interact with the mattress.

Benefits of sleeping on an orthopedic mattress:

  • Spine alignment – Humans have a natural S-shaped spine. We tend to change positions while sleeping and this may cause various bones and their connected muscles to put pressure on the natural posture. An optimally designed mattress should be firm enough to not allow the body to sink or change the spinal shape and comfortable enough able to contour the joint’s pressure points.
  • Pressure relief – Depending on our sleep position, we tend to put pressure on various points in our body that can cause misalignment or pain. The common points are the shoulders, the curvature of the spine, hips, and knees. An ideal orthopedic mattress helps us relieve pressure from these points and aligns our spine in our natural shape.
  • Lumbar support – Lumbar is the lower part of the back. This part of our spine is slightly curved. If it doesn’t come in contact with the mattress due to its shape it will start collapsing and may lead to aches, misalignment, and dislocation. Hence a good orthopedic mattress that uses high-quality materials supports the lumbar part and may help in reducing back issues.

Who should use an orthopedic mattress? 

  • People with back problems – Dislocated spine, Slipped disc, sciatica, Cervical spondylitis, muscular spasm, etc.
  • People with joint problems – Arthritis, osteoporosis, knee problems, etc.
  • People recovering from injuries – sports injury, accidental injury, etc.
  • People who live in pain, chronic conditions, seniors, etc.
  • Anyone who feels comfortable sleeping on a firm surface.

5 best orthopedic mattresses in India – The ultimate list of 2022 

While this may be an ultimate guide to a perfect orthopedic mattress, we must be selective while purchasing it. It is highly recommended to try out the mattress for at least 15 minutes to get a good sense of comfort.