What Is An Orthopaedic Mattress? Our Ultimate Guide

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With so many mattress types to choose from these days, it can be hard to know which mattress type is most suitable for you, your sleeping style and the firmness you desire. 

So we’re taking a deeper look into orthopaedic mattresses and their pros and cons to help you to understand whether they’re the right choice for your next mattress.  

What Does Orthopaedic Mean?

First of all, to understand what exactly an orthopaedic mattress is, we need to understand what the word ‘orthopaedic’ means in the first place. Interestingly, the greek root of the word actually referred to the cure of deformities in children, with ‘ortho’ referring to being upright and ‘paed’ referring to children. 

But these days, someone practicing in orthopaedic medicine is much more likely to be helping older patients with their knees, hips and backs as in the modern world, the word ‘orthopaedic’ relates to the entire musculoskeletal system, from your bones and muscles to everything in-between such as your tendons and cartilage. 

Unfortunately, as we age, we start to suffer from problems relating to all our moving parts, but by doing our best to look after them, we can stay more mobile and pain free for longer. That’s where an orthopaedic mattress comes in. 

What Is An Orthopaedic Mattress?

Just as the name suggests, orthopaedic mattresses are designed to be kind to and support your bones, muscles and essentially your entire musculoskeletal system as you sleep. 

So if you constantly find yourself waking up with aches and pains or back, hip or neck discomfort, it could well be time to look into investing in an orthopaedic mattress. 

Orthopaedic mattresses are usually much firmer than other types of mattresses and as such provide tailored support to your body as you sleep. Helping to keep your spine aligned and providing pressure point relief in all the right places. This makes them a great choice for anyone who suffers with muscle, bone and joint pain, athletes and older people who both require extra support to help with recovery for different reasons and people who generally like a firmer mattress to sleep on. 

Cashmere Ortho Medium Firm Mattress

What Are Orthopaedic Mattresses Made Out Of?

These days, orthopaedic mattresses are usually constructed of a mix of materials such as memory foam, pocket springs and latex, but what do each of these materials bring to an orthopaedic mattress?

Orthopaedic Hypoallergenic Soft Knitted Pocket Sprung Memory Foam Mattress

Pocket Springs

Pocket springs are an evolution of the traditional bonnell springs that dominated the mattress market for many years and are still an option when looking to buy a new mattress. 

However pocket springs bring independently moving support to your entire body due to the fact that each spring is individually encased in a ‘pocket’. These pockets are usually constructed from fabric such as polyester or cotton and due to their flexibility, can help the springs to independently move and provide the support you need, even when you move and change position. 

As you can imagine, pocket springs are a popular internal component for modern day orthopaedic mattresses as they help to support your body and help alleviate pressure point pain.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is known for its body contouring properties and is often seen as a ‘sink in’ kind of material, which it certainly still is. However that mostly pertains to mattresses made almost entirely from memory foam, not hybrid mattresses which combine the body contouring benefits of memory foam with the supportive nature of pocket springs. 

Many orthopaedic mattresses on the market are hybrid mattresses and as such, will contain memory foam within their design. Usually utilised as a thinner top layer inside the mattress, which sits on top of the pocket spring mechanism. The combination of the two helps to provide the orthopaedic support you require, helping to provide pressure point relief and help to align and support your spine.

Washington Pocket Spring Memory Foam Mattress

Latex

Latex is known for its responsiveness and supportive nature when used in mattresses. It’s a great choice when it comes to the top layer of an orthopaedic mattress, because it provides excellent pressure relieving qualities and contours to your body similar to memory foam. 

However you may find that orthopaedic mattresses that contain latex foam may be generally more expensive than mattresses with other fillings. Something to think about when on the lookout for your orthopaedic mattress. 

What Are The Benefits of an Orthopaedic Mattress?

There are many benefits when it comes to orthopaedic mattresses, however it’s important to note that some of these benefits may be more or less noticeable depending on the materials included within your chosen orthopaedic mattress. Whilst we’ll do our best to cover as many variables as we can here, it’s always a good idea to do further research and ask questions to whoever you’re looking to purchase your orthopaedic mattress from. 

Spinal Alignment

Orthopaedic mattresses are designed to provide a firmer sleeping surface that’s more supportive and promotes the natural curvature of your spine whilst you sleep. The firmer surface helps to prevent your lower back from sinking too far into the mattress, which can result in you waking up with aches and pains due to the length of time you’re spending in this position.

By keeping your spine more aligned, your body isn’t straining to keep you balanced (something you won’t even realise it’s doing) and as such, your body can truly relax and let the orthopaedic mattress do its job.

Pressure Point Relief

Orthopaedic mattresses are designed to help alleviate pressure point pain symptoms. The presence of and in some cases, combination of memory foam, pocket springs and latex foam within the mattress helps to reduce pressure on problem areas such as your hips, shoulders and lower back. This is because the materials contour to and support your body in a variety of positions, spreading any pressure load your body may be experiencing more evenly across your entire body, instead of one or two areas taking the load.  

Memory foam and latex foam contour to your body and provide the comfortable cushioned support your body needs, whilst the pocket springs individually move with and support your body’s natural curves as you move in bed. Providing comfort and support no matter your sleeping position. 

Improved Circulation

By supporting your spine, muscles and joints by distributing your weight, orthopaedic mattresses also improve blood circulation, which promotes healing, reduces muscle soreness and can even positively impact cognitive function throughout the day too. 

Improved circulation also increases the oxygen and nutrient delivery to your vital organs, ensuring they can operate effectively for a happier and healthier you.

Improved Sleep Quality

The combination of the previous three benefits will of course likely result in an improved sleeping experience for you. Especially if you’re suffering from aches and pains brought on either by your existing mattress or any other injuries or conditions. 

Orthopaedic mattresses are designed to provide comfortable support for your body so that over time, your aches and pains improve, enabling you to get the relaxing, good night’s sleep that you’ve been craving.

What Are The Disadvantages of an Orthopaedic Mattress?

But of course, as with anything, there are also drawbacks when it comes to orthopaedic mattresses. However, not all of these may be negatives for you as it all comes down to personal preference when it comes to your mattress and what it provides.

They Can Be Very Firm

Orthopaedic mattresses can be very firm and as such, too firm for some people. Resulting in an uncomfortable experience and a lack of sleep. This can especially be true for anyone who likes to sleep on their side. That’s why it’s really important to test run any mattress type before purchasing. 

They Can Be More Expensive

Orthopaedic mattresses can be more on the pricier side due to the materials involved within their construction that allows them to provide the supportive orthopaedic benefits. As such, they may not be within everyone’s budgets. However, you’re sure to find a good deal in our range of orthopaedic mattresses.

More Difficult To Move

Due to their construction, orthopaedic mattresses can be more difficult to manoeuvre without accidentally damaging them. This is mostly in part due to the additional weight of the materials and technology used to construct them.

It All Comes Down To Personal Preference & Your Needs

Ultimately, your choice of mattress all comes down to you (and your partner’s) sleeping preference and any additional needs you may require from your mattress. As orthopaedic mattresses are designed to help alleviate aches and pains, they are quite a specialist mattress and as such, aren’t suitable for everyone.

As with anything, make sure you do your research and if you can, test out any mattress you’re looking to purchase. Hopefully our guide has helped you to determine whether an orthopaedic mattress is potentially the right choice for you and if so, be sure to check out our range of orthopaedic mattresses or our entire mattress range if you’re considering other mattress options too. 

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