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 who 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. I recommend a coil mattress or even better - sleeping on a cotton futon on the ground. Learn more as you continue reading this blog. If you sleep on your sides, then you can use a 1-2 inch foam topper on the coil mattress for your shoulders & hips. 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 instead!

3. Flip the mattress every 6 months

Firm Mattress Recommendations ($ low to high)

1. Amazon - firm mattresses ($100 - $200)

2. IKEA - Latex mattresses ($600) - non flammable, no flame retardants, very firm

3. Keetsa - Coil with thin foam top ($500 - $900)

4. The Futon Shop - Buy a Tatami platform bed with a cotton and wool chemical free futon for a comfortable yet firm and healthy rest. This is my top choice and what I sleep on! ($575-$1,000)

5. The Imperial Very Very Firm mattress from the Mattress Discount Center ($650)

6. Beauty Rest "Black" ($1,000+)

Organic Firm Mattress Recommendations

A lot of things can sneak into mattress production that are toxic. Unfortunately the organic ones are on the more expensive side. Latex is sourced from trees therefore laborious and expensive. You can do a coil and latex hybrid to cut the price but all latex mattresses are the most firm. Be careful and keep an eye out for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certifications.

1. Organic Plush Beds ($1,000+) 

2. Avocado mattress ($1,000+)

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 a comforter or a yoga mat. This will help you reset your spinal curves and allow your low back to calm down. It will take some adjustment so be patient with yourself.

If you are looking to buy a specific floor mat to really commit to resetting your curves, I recommend:

1. Japanese style -  Look into a super firm 10" shikibuton (Japanese futon) and a tatami mat underneath it as an option. Or possibly just a tatami mat with a blanket over it. Research what would work best for you! My son and I sleep like this and love it. It supports my alignement, deep sleep and circulation and lymphatic flow through the night. The Futon Shop, referenced above, has other similar options.

2. Biomat - for increased circulation and pain

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

Have a good night's rest!