Best Mattresses for a Healthy Spine

When you come into our care and make progress with pelvic and spinal alignment correction, we always want to address getting a mattress that will work FOR you and not hold you back.

Comfort does not always mean it is good for you. Your lower back won't heal unless your mattress is firm.

Below I break down what I suggest looking for once you are ready to upgrade your mattress in order to  get the most out of your treatment and support your spinal health.

Let’s start off with what I don’t recommend when it comes to your mattress: 

1. Foam mattresses like the Tempur-Pedic. Their slogan is true - the foam will form to YOU. However, if your spine is out of alignment or has lost its four essential curves, then your bed is essentially holding you in this mal-positioning. No wonder why you feel so sore in the morning! Foam mattresses are really only helpful to some people who have already had "hardware" put into their spines. 

2. Tempur-Pedic pillows are TOO HIGH for the average person. They MIGHT be good for side sleeping for certain people but I suggest investing in something else before you end up spending thousands of dollars in surgery, dealing with drug side effects, or temporarily relieving pain with cortisone shots, not to mention having to halt the things you love to do because of the pain. 

Consider all of our great-great-great grandparents; They were most likely sleeping on the ground or on a hard surface of some kind. Sleeping on the floor with a mat is better than a foam mattress, I promise you. 

Now let’s discuss what I do recommend when it comes to your mattress:

1. Have your mattress be as firm as you can sleep on.

2. Sleep on a cotton futon and a tatami mat on the ground. Learn more as you continue reading this blog. Dr. Cassie, my son and I sleep like this and love it. It supports our alignment, deep sleep, circulation and lymphatic flow through the night. We wake up feeling energized, refreshed and pain free every morning!

3. For American mattresses: Buy a VERY FIRM coil or latex mattress. If you sleep on your sides, then you can use a 1-2 inch foam topper on the coil mattress for your shoulder & hip points. If you're a back sleeper, you don't need a foam top. (You could also put your foam topper on the floor and sleep on that as you transition to even firmer sleeping!)

4. Flip or turn the mattress every 6 months

Firm Mattress Recommendations for Spine health and overall wellbeing ($ low to high)

1. Zonli - Thin foam layer to put on the floor for people on a budget. ($100 - $200). We recommend buying a tatami mat (more info below) to put between the floor and the zonli floor mattress for aeration so the zonli doesn't mold.

2. Matsu Store - Futons, Bed Frame, Gifts ($575-$1,000) - A Bay Area family owned store in El Cerrito where you can lay on a tatami and futon set up to try it out and you can customize your futon cover. This is what Dr. Cassie and Dr. Marisa and their family sleep on.

3. The Futon Shop ($575-$1,000) - Stores in SF and Walnut Creek that sell cotton and wool chemical free futon for a comfortable yet firm and healthy rest. This is my top choice for people new to Japanese style sleeping.

4. J-Life International: Shikifutons, Kakefutons, Zabutons ($575-$1,000) - This is an international Japanese style bedding seller for people looking from around the world. We suggest the super firm 10" shikibuton (Japanese futon) and a tatami mat underneath it as an option. The Futon Shop, referenced above, has other similar options.

5. Comfort Pure ($575-$1,000) - Another online organic Japanese style bedding vendor

6. Mattress Discount Center ($650-$1,000) - Bay Area local store for American mattresses. We recommend the Imperial Mattress, which is very firm.

7. Avocado mattress ($1,000+) - Offers organic, sustainably made American mattresses

Organic Firm Mattress Recommendations

Japanese style futons can be found made of organic cotton and the tatami mats are made of igusa rush grass and straw grown in southern Japan. The cotton and grass will be non-toxic. The igusa rush grass offers breathability under the futon, which will prevent mold growth of the futon from your body’s heat and moisture. The grass smells incredible and is very relaxing to sleep on.

If you are not ready to buy a Japanese style sleep set-up, remember that a lot of toxic chemicals can sneak into mattress production. Naturally, the organic ones are on the more expensive side. Latex is sourced from trees and most latex mattresses are very firm. Be careful and keep an eye out for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certifications.

More Floor Sleeping Recommendations:

Until you receive your new and firm mattress, I recommend you sleep on your back on the floor (preferably carpeted). Put down comforters, blankets or a yoga mat. Add a sheet over all of it, and you’ve got a make shift floor bed; it’s like camping. This will help you reset your spinal curves and allow your low back to calm down. It will take some getting used to for the first week or so, so be patient with yourself.

Many people acclaim this floor mat as a source of healing as well:

1. Biomat - for increased circulation and decreased pain

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me at the office. You can also attend the Spinal Care Class that we lead at Kaname Chiropractic every two weeks. It is free of charge for you and your guests!

Have a good night's rest!