Ortho Support Mattresses. The Facts

It has come to that time when it is time to replace your old mattress and you need to consider your replacement options. It is ultimately important to make the correct choice as it is vital to the long term health of your body.

An ortho or orthopaedic mattress is probably one type of mattress you will be considering. The term ortho generally means extra firm.

Construction of an Ortho Mattress

An ortho mattress has been constructed to correctly support the spine, skeletal and muscles of the body avoiding wear on pressure points of the body such as hips, shoulders which, can occur in unsupported mattresses. It is because of there construction that they can assist in supporting and resting our backs. An ortho mattress has the ability to shape and contour the body which, will occupy the gap under the lower back. To ensure it is the correct mattress you should carry out the hand test this can be done by lying flat on your back and sliding your hand between the mattress and your back, if your hand slides under comfortably it is the correct support. This will ensure the remainder of your body is getting the correct support.

As with all mattresses although they may have a manufacturers guarantee of between 10 -20 years this is just for the materials, after a period of time they will cease to function properly. However, an ortho mattress will last longer than standard mattresses which will start to deteriorate after 5-7 years whereas a ortho mattress will last 10-12 years. It is important to regularly check your mattress to ensure that it is not sagging as it will longer provide the correct support. The springs also begin to fail and lumps will appear.

Ortho mattresses are categorised into spring and non spring ones. Spring mattresses are now considered to be out dated. They have been proven to have no real ortho or healing properties. Predominately, these are now bought because of their low cost. Ultimately, this can be a false economy as it can infer with your health and sleep pattern.

With the spring mattresses it is better to choose one with independent springs. The two choices of springs available on the market are independent and multi pocket. Orthopaedic mattresses with multi pocket springs provide the correct level of comfort but, it is important to ensure the springs are from a reputable manufacturer/supplier.

It is considered that latex ortho mattresses are the best option for providing the correct support. Again the materials utilised in manufacture will affect the cost. It is best to choose a mattress with natural fibres such as coconut, sheep wool and horsehair. Something to consider when choosing a latex mattress is that the material is extremely resilient and can prolong high pressure and will revert back to its original shape.

Benefits of an Ortho Mattress

An orthopedic mattress is probably more suitable to those who prefer a firm mattress or those who predominantly sleep on their backs. The reason being that it will for the most part keep your back straight whereas a less firm mattress will allow your spine to sink. The mattress should be firm but not hard however, if you do suffer from back pain then a medium firm mattress opposed to a hard mattress is better.

If you opt for a latex ortho mattress these can be beneficial to those who suffer from asthma or allergies this is because the materials used are hypo allergenic and with anti-microbial properties.

Housekeeping an Ortho Mattress

When you purchase an ortho mattress and take it home it is imperative to lay it on a flat and hard surface or an orthopedic grating. The specially designed orthopedic grating will prolong the mattress lifetime and is most beneficial for your spine.
Mattresses should be a minimum of 15cm over the height of the user.
Most importantly the mattress should be rotated every six months.