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best mattress for arthritis

Best Mattress for Arthritis

When faced with any problem that impacts your ability to acquire good sleep, it’s wise to look for relief.  Where better to start than in the bedroom?  Pain associated with arthritis can keep you up at night.  It can make it harder to get to sleep and sometimes even wake you up in the middle of the night. A good mattress might do more for managing arthritis pain than you think.  It’s true that even the best mattress for arthritis won’t cure this medical condition.  However, advances in mattress development, thanks to new knowledge and technology, are the reason a mattress might help.

 

What can the Best Mattress for Arthritis do for this Medical Condition?

The biggest impact that a mattress can have in regards to arthritis is seen in pain management.  The best mattresses for arthritis will target pressure points, soothe symptoms, and reduce joint pain.  Hopefully, by removing the more intense pain, the best mattress for arthritis will help you fall asleep faster.  Once you are sleeping, the lesser remaining pain won’t wake you as often.  You get more sleep and better sleep throughout the night.  The type and severity of your arthritis does make a difference in which mattress would have the greatest influence.  Mattress type and construction as well as firmness are all factors that should be examined.


Mattress Height as a Consideration for Arthritis Sufferers

Arthritis sufferers should try to protect joints from further irritation which can be addressed in part by mattress depth.  As the height of the bed is related to the mattress thickness, consider choosing a low profile mattress.  This can make it easier to get into and out of the bed without aggravating knee joints and causing pain.  Mattresses come in various thicknesses ranging from around 7 inches to as much as 14 or 16 inches.  There are other ways to lower the bed and decrease the challenge of climbing up.  For example, you may opt for a bed frame or adjustable base with low leg height options.

 

How You Position Yourself As You Sleep

Damage can be done to bones and joints by sleeping in an awkward position or on a saggy sleep surface.  Rubbing or stress can cause painful inflammation in both of these circumstances.  Make sure you choose a mattress firmness level that matches up with your preferred sleeping position.  We have a mattress guide set up that can help you to identify which would be best for you.  While it is possible to sleep train yourself to change your habitual position, most people don’t.  So, the best mattress for arthritis will be one that accommodates the position your favor.

 

Mattress Maintenance and Your Bones

You might think that you can save money by putting off a new mattress purchase.  It’s one of those things that must be done when it is time.  The longer you put it off, the worse the consequences can be.  It’s similar to neglecting to change the oil in your car, or not flossing your teeth.  Ignoring maintenance now may save you a few bucks but eventually it can lead to costly or irreversible damage.  An old, sagging mattress just won’t provide sufficient support and can put undue pressure on the neck and back.  Some mattresses hold up well and can last for anywhere between 8 and 30 years.  However, if you notice sagging or wear is affecting your sleep, it may be time for a replacement.

 

Mattresses Made From Natural or Organic Latex

Mattresses are comprised of different materials.  Natural latex is made by processing sap from trees that grow in Asia.  Organic mattresses follow strict eco-friendly procedures and undergo testing.  Latex mattresses boast a number of health-related benefits, one of which is seen by motion isolation.  Thanks to the upward pressure that comes from a latex mattress, the body is suspended with very little disruption.  When someone who has arthritis gets to sleep, this quality can go a long way towards better sleep.  Staying asleep is more likely when you’re not feeling every move that your partner makes in bed.  Staying asleep also helps you cycle through the important aspects of sleep otherwise known as the sleep stages.  People who get quality sleep like this are less prone to disease and have less sensitivity to pain.

  • Talalay Latex for Arthritis Pain-Talalay latex comes in pieces. When a mattress uses Talalay latex for support, it usually means the support is customizable.
  • The Dunlop Latex Difference-Dunlop latex is generally higher density latex and therefore incredibly durable. It often comes in sheets or layers that are on top or within the mattress.

 

Memory Foam Construction

Memory foam mattresses can be some of the best mattress for arthritis.  Modern trends have incorporated memory foam for its contouring characteristics.  There are many varieties of memory foam that are created using different methods and materials.   Manufacturers employ research and development teams whose primary job is to create better products and produce efficiencies.  Work within these teams is responsible for the incredible growth of the industry and are also the difference between mattresses.  The foam forms a barrier of support around your hips, shoulders and neck.  By cradling your body and conforming to the natural curves, weight is distributed in a manner that lessens pressure points.

 

Get It All with a Hybrid

Most mattresses these days come in a hybrid form.  Be sure to look at these models in your search for the best mattress for arthritis.  Hybrid mattresses basically merge the benefits of multiple mattress types.  They do this by using several different materials within the mattress.  Each hybrid mattress is constructed differently; some have layers, others infusion.  Choosing this kind of mattress means you get solid support and a comfortable sleep surface.  It can also bring with it antimicrobial properties or other perks such as cooling capability.  The carefully selected materials are strategically constructed to work in collaboration, all to enhance your sleep experience.  Adjustable firmness is not uncommon in hybrid models, though it can also be found in latex and memory foam mattresses.

 

Change Your Firmness Level As Many Times As Needed

Arthritic discomfort can be caused by joint swelling or bone friction.  To avoid joint cartilage from rubbing together, your mattress must be reactive but not too much so.  Adjustable firmness mattresses do something that others cannot, they change as your needs change.  Perhaps you find yourself beginning to sleep in a different position and need a different level of firmness.  You can simply adjust the mattress instead of suffering through or paying for a new mattress.  How about if you gain weight or your mattress becomes older and you find yourself wanting a firmer mattress?  Just unzip and change the firmness in minutes!

 

Tips picking the Right Mattress

Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with arthritis, a good mattress can help with regular stiffness and pressure sensitivity.  If you lose sleep over persistent joint pain, one of these mattresses might be the right choice for you.  The best mattress for arthritis will incorporate one or more of the following traits.

  • Uplifting sleep surface
  • Contouring support
  • Proper firmness for sleep position
  • Low profile when needed
  • High density
  • No sagging
  • Adjustable support
  • Responsive to your body
  • Provides motion isolation

Jesse Crow
Jesse Crow graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. As a life-long participant in sports and motocross, he suffered considerably from joint and back pain. It wasn’t until he purchased his first quality mattress that he found any relief. After having studied and tested hundreds of sleep products, as well as visiting manufacturers both overseas and in the U.S., Jesse established Rest Right Mattress. His approach is based on assessing the individual needs of each customer, and meeting those needs through expert knowledge of sleep products.