Orthopaedic Mattress For Back Pain: What You Need To Know

There’s a popular joke that says people miss their childhoods because of one thing: they never had excruciating back pains back then. This isn’t far from the truth, to be quite honest with you. As you age, your spine undergoes changes that only trigger back aches and pains.

It can also mean that chronic body aches can’t give you quality sleep anymore. Do you remember the nights you constantly tossed and turned to no avail? The sun has already come up yet all you got is a groggy feeling that won’t go away.

Luckily, some mattresses available in Malaysia are designed to give you the best sleep of your life and cater to various health issues simultaneously. This includes the orthopaedic mattress—a brilliant cushion that can finally relieve pain!

Let’s learn more about it, its benefits and how you can choose a quality orthopaedic mattress. Continue reading below for more information!

Getting Started: What Is an Orthopaedic Mattress?

An orthopaedic mattress—also spelt orthopedic for Americans—is a medically designed mattress that offers support to the joints. They provide great pressure relief to the hips, shoulders and other sensitive body areas for a neutral spinal position. 

This is highly recommended for athletes, seniors and people with chronic pain or recovering from an injury. Unlike an ordinary cushion, it feels firmer against the body while still maintaining comfort and cosiness. 

Keep in mind that orthopaedic mattresses are made using high-quality materials, supportive top layers and zoned comfort. It means that they are more expensive than the standard mattresses you’d usually see in online stores. 

But these top-notch materials and design elements ensure that it won’t quickly sag despite daily usage. Besides, they last for about ten years. You won’t break the bank by replacing your mattress every now and then!

A Brief History: How It All Started

In the 1950s, the term ‘orthopaedic mattress’ was first coined. It was when studies had proven that specially-designed mattresses could help people wake up in the morning without back pain or other body aches. 

During the first few years when it was released in the market, mattress manufacturers truly stuck to the orthopaedic principles to help people sleep peacefully again. However, things turned around for the worse when they noticed that they were doing well in the market. 

They started calling mattresses ‘orthopaedic’ even if it wasn’t. And since there haven’t been government regulations to keep these things in check, marketers were free to use the term and get away with it. 

Pros and Cons Of An Orthopaedic Mattress: Why Do You Need One?

You’ve probably noticed that body pains become more frequent as you’re older. You’re doing everything your doctor tells you, such as sticking to a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and going for a run, to name a few.

Yet you can’t put your finger on it and identify what’s missing. Allow us to answer that question and fill that void by discussing why an orthopaedic mattress can change your sleeping habits and improve your health.

Pros

Proper Back Support

If you’ve been sleeping all your life on a standard mattress, you’re more than likely to trigger back pain due to increased strain on your spine. However, when you switch to an orthopaedic bed, you’ll get a firmer surface for proper back support. 

Meaning to say, this kind of mattress is the perfect replacement for patients who have undergone surgeries. 

It goes the same for people with spinal injuries, arthritis, back discomfort and joint fractures. Your body will remain in place and refuse to sink against the bed because it’s much firmer.

No ‘Roll Together’ Effect

The so-called ‘roll together’ effect happens when you share a bed with another person. When the depression of your body weight causes the bed to sink, the person beside you rolls into it. This might leave little to no space between the two of you, resulting in an uncomfortable sleeping position.

An orthopaedic mattress, on the other hand, completely eliminates this effect. Because of its firmness, you can sleep undisturbed, especially in the warmer months!

Better Sleep Quality

If you think you don’t need an orthopaedic mattress because you don’t experience chronic back pains, then good for you! But what makes it superior to a standard mattress is it helps you sleep like a baby. 

You can say goodbye to the constant tossing & turning and truly embrace the wonders of a good night’s sleep! Sleeping on an orthopaedic mattress means that you won’t spend half your time finding that sweet spot to fall asleep in.

It also means that you’d wake up feeling more refreshed and energised. You can face the day fully awake and tick off your to-do lists without breaking a sweat.

Improved Blood Circulation

Since orthopaedic mattresses are designed to support the spine and joints, it leads to healthier blood circulation. It keeps your body in a correct alignment and reduces the pain you may endure during the day. 

Remember that poor circulation can result in various health problems such as swelling, fatigue, muscle cramps and digestive issues. This goes to say that investing in an orthopaedic mattress means you’re investing in your overall well-being as well!

Durable And Long-Lasting

There’s no denying that mattresses are expensive, no matter which brand it comes from. This is especially true when it comes to orthopaedic ones since they come with specific design elements. 

However, there’s a silver lining to this. Compared to a standard mattress, they are considered to be more durable and long-lasting despite wear and tear. When orthopaedic mattresses are manufactured, they have to meet specific medical criteria before they are released to the market. 

For example, they are made of high-resilience foam. They also have an open-cell foam structure that maintains good air circulation to keep you relaxed and comfortable. With this kind of mattress, you won’t need a new replacement for years to come. 

What’s more, since they cater to different medical issues, they can help you avoid costly medical surgeries. Your back pains won’t get worse in the long run, so hospital bills may not be a part of your worries anymore!

Cons

Increased Weight

Orthopaedic mattresses tend to be bulkier and heavier, so they’re more difficult to move around. This might be a bit of an inconvenience if you live in a small space.

So, if you’re planning to rearrange rooms, shifting the mattress from one room to another may require a helping hand. Fortunately, Bedding Affairs offers a free installation so everything is in place once it’s delivered right to your doorstep!

High Cost

As mentioned before, orthopaedic mattresses in Malaysia have higher prices compared to standard ones. If you’re on a tight budget, you might have a hard time finding a cheaper orthopaedic mattress that’s genuine and meets your preferences.

However, Bedding Affairs roll out bundle deals to help you save money and cut down costs!

Types of Orthopedic Mattresses

In Malaysia, you might observe that any type of quality-made mattress can be labelled ‘orthopaedic’. But there are certain types that include extra-supportive mattresses that can benefit a weak spine, including:

Firm Innerspring

Although new mattresses like memory foam have garnered traction among customers, a firm innerspring mattress still remains a popular choice. This is because people that suffer from orthopaedic issues find it difficult to sleep on a soft mattress. It causes the spine to sink in, applying pressure to the joints.

On the other hand, a quality firm innerspring mattress keeps the pressure points of the spine aligned and supported since it’s made of metal. Some of them also have coils around the parameter for decent edge support, keeping the bed from sagging despite constant use.

Extra-Firm Hybrid 

There are instances where an extremely firm mattress can do more harm than good. They can place your joints into unnatural positions and inflict pain on your neck or spine. In this case, an extra-firm hybrid mattress is a good option. 

It has layers of adaptive foam for additional decompressing. And to make sure that it still provides maximum pressure relief on your joints, choose something that offers the highest comfort level. 

Firm Latex Mattresses

Firm latex mattresses are the best choice for support and pressure relief. They are also known for improving blood flow during the night since it contours around your body, helping with muscle relaxation and reducing orthopaedic pain upon waking up.

Qualities Of A Good Orthopaedic Mattress: How To Find One

One of the dangers of buying orthopaedic mattresses in Malaysia without doing research is that many marketers take advantage of their customers. Due to the lack of regulations in various countries, companies typically get away with selling regular mattresses they claim to be orthopaedic.

If you become one of their victims, it can be extremely heartbreaking to see your hard-earned money go down the drain. 

But don’t worry, Bedding Affairs is here to help you distinguish the real ones and get your money’s worth! Take a closer look at the qualities of an authentic orthopaedic mattress:

Spine Alignment

One of the first few things you have to look for when buying an orthopaedic mattress is a good spine alignment. A quality mattress is firmer in the middle and softer towards the top and bottom of the cushion. In this way, it will fit the natural curve of your spine and offer good pressure relief. 

Avoid a mattress that is either too firm or too soft. If you lie down on an extremely soft surface, it will provide no support at all. Your hips and shoulders may sink too much and lead to an unnatural spine curve.

And if the surface feels too hard against your body, you won’t find a comfortable position to fall asleep in. You might wake up feeling sore and restless. So, make sure that you find a properly-designed orthopaedic mattress for maximum comfort and sufficient support.

Pressure Relief

When you’re lying down in bed, the parts of your body that are in contact with the surface—such as hips and shoulders—usually bear the brunt of your body’s weight. If you use a mattress that’s too firm, the buildup in friction can cause excessive discomfort. It may even result in tissue damage in worse cases.

Meaning, a mattress can only be labelled orthopaedic when sensitive areas are cushioned. You can purchase an innerspring or memory foam mattress for optimal pressure relief and an even distribution of your body weight. 

Final Thoughts

Orthopaedic mattresses are specifically designed to provide the highest level of support for your body posture, especially if you’re prone to chronic back pains. They feel firmer than an ordinary mattress to prevent your body from sinking in too deep and put your spine alignment on the line.

This isn’t to say that these mattresses can only benefit people with orthopaedic issues. If you’re someone who wants to improve sleep quality and invest in your health, then an orthopaedic mattress can turn your life around for the better!

There’s no doubt that sleeping in a good bed is a game-changer. You can say goodbye to the days when you’d crankily snooze the alarm and dread the day ahead of you. With an orthopaedic mattress, getting re-energised and well-rested won’t seem impossible anymore. 

FAQs

What is meant by an orthopaedic mattress?

First coined in the 1950s, an orthopaedic mattress is a type of mattress designed to support and relieve joints and back through a firmer sleep surface. It mostly benefits seniors, athletes, people suffering from chronic body aches and the ones recovering from surgeries or injuries. 

What is the difference between an orthopaedic mattress and a normal mattress?

While regular mattresses are typically made of soft materials like foam or cotton, authentic orthopaedic mattresses are made of firmer elements like latex. This is to provide relief to joint pains and evenly distribute the body weight across the surface.

What are the advantages of an orthopaedic mattress?

The advantages of an orthopaedic mattress are proper back support, improved sleep quality, no ‘roll together’ effect, healthier blood circulation and long-lasting, to name a few. 

Buy An Orthopaedic Mattress Now And Say Goodbye To Back Pains!

Interested in buying an orthopaedic mattress in Malaysia for better sleep and less body pain? Say no more— Bedding Affairs has you covered! Our company policies such as return policies, warranty and shipping guarantee that you’ll get your product on time in its best quality. 

You can also take advantage of our sleep trial policies to test if our mattresses are the perfect choice for your sleeping habits. That way, you’ll avoid wasting your money on something that won’t work for you in the long run!

Aside from that, we offer free disposal of your old mattresses so you can instantly enjoy a new bed. Purchase now and get a 10-year warranty, free shipping and other amazing features you won’t find anywhere else.

Get in touch with us!

September 08, 2023 — Zulaikhah Omar