Hi Jessica.
If your back has been hurting lately, it is unlikely that your mattress is the sole problem. You must remember that for the most part of evolution, humans did not have comfy beds as we know them. We are designed to handle some uneven surfaces without a problem. However, if your spine is not stabilized do to a variety of reasons, then little things will cause pain and reduce your health. I teach classes on proper sleep. All of my patients have this knowledge and sleep well. I don’t generally recommend a particular type of mattress but the adjustable type seem to give the best of both words. As for coil mattresses, the more coils the better. Pillow tops should be kept to the minimum and get the firmest mattress you comfortably can. Your age should not dictate the type of mattress. If you are so unhealthy that your skin is breaking down, your biggest problem is the underlying causes and not the mattress. I would not go out just to buy one because of these qualities; I would try to find out the actual underlying problem so that you can have a chance to become healthier. Mattresses can’t make you healthier. I have a family based practice and treat a variety of common and uncommon problems people have with great precision and success.
If you are having other problems sleeping, such as waking up at night and difficulty sleeping, you may be experiencing functional medical problems that have a significant impact on your health. I perform proper diagnostics and laboratory work to identify and treat so that you get more than a good nights rest…you get a chance at living a healthier life.
With over 17 years of specialized experience culminating from medicine, chiropractic, and alternative care, I can help you make the best decisions for your health.

Dr Bob.

Good question Danielle.

I teach classes on proper sleep. All of my patients have this knowledge and sleep well. However, I do not recommend memory foam as a mattress, mattress pad or pillow.

The reasons are that:

1. High cost of the best rated material and low quality of imitation products.

2. Depressions deepen as one lays on the mattress or pillow, reducing the ability to move easily at night and provide support.

3. Depressions deepen as material ages (see above).

4. Material tends to be “hot” as is reflects heat back to person.

5. Because of manufacturing difficulty, shapes to fit a person exactly cannot be made effectively and pillows tend to be smaller than full size.

6. Mattress pads are of no value…if the mattress is bad, buy a new one. If your shoes are wore out a soft pad insole will not fix the problem.

7. The memory foam was never intended by NASA to be used as a mattress. It was designed to secure helmets and other items from vibrating.

Although the memory foam has some qualities that may be beneficial for mattresses, there are other considerations that should be taken into consideration such as:
1. Support
2. Longevity
3. Cost
4. Personalization of product
5. Long term comfort

For instance, we provide custom made pillows that are made to exact measurements taken from the customer to support proper head alignment and neck support. They also come with a 2 year warrantee. My patients Love’em. Best of all, the cost is less than the name brand memory foam pillows that are not custom and don’t have a 2 year warrantee.

I remember when water mattresses were all the rage because they were considered “comfy” but after years on the market, they fell out of favor due to the 5 points listed above.

No matter what your preference is, you must get a good nights sleep. It is the time when your body heals the most from the previous days use.

Thanks Danielle for the great question and don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Dr Bob.

By John of Algonquin.

Basically your pillow should fit you. This means that you should be in a neutral spinal position while lying down on you bed. Unfortunately, most pillows push your head forward which causes your natural curve in you neck to straighten. This is a big problem in that you sleep each night.

In this configuration, your neck will straighten and this sets you up for several problems including degeneration. So yes you are right that a thinner pillow will slow this process but it will not stop it. A pillow that supports you natural neck curve is the only means to support you in a lifetime. So now comes what pillow is best. Well, one that would fit you specifically. Not a store bought neck contour pillow which generally costs over a hundred dollars for a premium and as little as twenty for a cheap one, I’m talking about a custom pillow just for you.

They are available and are less than the premium priced store pillows that are not made for you. Of course, the custom pillow takes into account the bed that you sleep in and your dimensions. This is key to getting the best support during the night that is just right for you. This is what we have available in our office and during the month of October, for every can of food that you bring in to donate toward the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Food pantry, you will receive a percentage discount on all of our custom pillows and vitamins, including supplements. I’m proud to be the Algonquin drop point for the food pantry. We can accept food during our normal business hours. Just call the office and we will help you sleep comfortable and straight while you help out our food pantry feed the hungry.

So get a good nights rest with a custom made pillow while you help prevent someone going to bed hungry.

Dr Bob.