Best Bed/Mattrass? Firm/Soft/Pocket Spring/Foam...Bad Back
Discussion
I keep waking up in the morning wondering how bad my sciatica is going to be, and it seems worst first thing, this has got me wondering as I flounder around looking for a (part) solution that I might consider clutching at this particular straw. A new bed, as this one must be 10years old easy.
Been in a few bed stores today and apart from the obviously too hard or too soft, after two or three beds they all felt much of a muchness, and as a bloke it became annoying when presented with too much choice and a subjective decision to make (how does it feel?!!!), and not enough time to find out which was best 'turn the lights on the way out of the store and I'll tell you in the morning', and before shelling out £500-£1000 on 5 mins,, I thought I'd give the PH-massif, an opportunity to fill me with further befuddlement.
So best kind, best brands, things to consider etc
Been in a few bed stores today and apart from the obviously too hard or too soft, after two or three beds they all felt much of a muchness, and as a bloke it became annoying when presented with too much choice and a subjective decision to make (how does it feel?!!!), and not enough time to find out which was best 'turn the lights on the way out of the store and I'll tell you in the morning', and before shelling out £500-£1000 on 5 mins,, I thought I'd give the PH-massif, an opportunity to fill me with further befuddlement.
So best kind, best brands, things to consider etc
From experience 
You need something that is both supportive enough to take the weight of your body without sagging, but also soft enough that your hips, shoulders etc. sink in eonugh to keep your spine as straight as possible during sleep.
When I was looking, I found that the combination of a pocket sprung mattress (NOT Silentnight 'Miracoil' which is utter s
t) and a thin layer of some kind of foam made the best compromise. A lot of manufactureres offer this combination now, so it's really just a matter of finding one that suits you.
I found the 100% memory foam mattresses very uncomfortable, and they're apparently quite hot too.
You need something that is both supportive enough to take the weight of your body without sagging, but also soft enough that your hips, shoulders etc. sink in eonugh to keep your spine as straight as possible during sleep.
When I was looking, I found that the combination of a pocket sprung mattress (NOT Silentnight 'Miracoil' which is utter s
t) and a thin layer of some kind of foam made the best compromise. A lot of manufactureres offer this combination now, so it's really just a matter of finding one that suits you.I found the 100% memory foam mattresses very uncomfortable, and they're apparently quite hot too.
parapaul said:
From experience
You need something that is both supportive enough to take the weight of your body without sagging, but also soft enough that your hips, shoulders etc. sink in eonugh to keep your spine as straight as possible during sleep.
When I was looking, I found that the combination of a pocket sprung mattress (NOT Silentnight 'Miracoil' which is utter st) and a thin layer of some kind of foam made the best compromise. A lot of manufactureres offer this combination now, so it's really just a matter of finding one that suits you.
I found the 100% memory foam mattresses very uncomfortable, and they're apparently quite hot too.
Oddly enough the first bed Benson for Beds tried to sell me today was the Silentnight Miracoil! Someone recommended me Myers beds as it was pocket sprung it seems like that and the foam pad is the way to go thanks. You need something that is both supportive enough to take the weight of your body without sagging, but also soft enough that your hips, shoulders etc. sink in eonugh to keep your spine as straight as possible during sleep.
When I was looking, I found that the combination of a pocket sprung mattress (NOT Silentnight 'Miracoil' which is utter s
t) and a thin layer of some kind of foam made the best compromise. A lot of manufactureres offer this combination now, so it's really just a matter of finding one that suits you.I found the 100% memory foam mattresses very uncomfortable, and they're apparently quite hot too.
i tried memory foam and found it too hot. ive got a feather and black mattress now and never wake up with a bad back althought would perhaps like it a bit softer - they do a huge range ( too much ) of hard/soft settings. its impossible in a shop though to test a bed as you need a full nights sleep - the makers should join up with hotels to let you test them.
if u have a bad back i cant rec pilates enough
if someone could just cure restless leg syndrome i might now get some sleep
if u have a bad back i cant rec pilates enough
if someone could just cure restless leg syndrome i might now get some sleep
I try to walk at least an hour a day, I used to be very fit, the sciatica flared up (again), in 2007, (after an operation to decompress my sciatic nerve in 1990) I used to notice it while swimming it just got slowly worse. Now I've had another operation, in April 09, no one has explained why it flared up again, but the second operation suggested it was scar tissue, I'm not convinced it is that, "backs are complicated/funny (not ha, ha things) apparently, and I've tried everything bar acupuncture, I've a 90min exercise programme with a lot of core stability work to do each day (much of it pilates based). There is nothing else the NHS will do, I find TENS gives me some relief, and the odd shot of Tesco's Ibrufren (in tablet form) sometimes help. The NHS had me on Diplofenac (as anti inflamatory) and Gabapentin (as painkiller, sorry modifier) and then Lansaprozole as the other two played havoc with my digestion system.
I'm getting fairly desperate, the only 2 things in my life I've had since my first operation are my bed and mattrass predating operation 1 and my golf 2002. So as I'm running out of things to try as I know my sciatica is not improving, and worryingly I think it might be deteriorating very slowly (i never have any good days anymore). I can just about hold down my desk day job.
Its really ruining my life. Not to be melodramatic or anything.
So the bed's next on the list...
I'm getting fairly desperate, the only 2 things in my life I've had since my first operation are my bed and mattrass predating operation 1 and my golf 2002. So as I'm running out of things to try as I know my sciatica is not improving, and worryingly I think it might be deteriorating very slowly (i never have any good days anymore). I can just about hold down my desk day job.
Its really ruining my life. Not to be melodramatic or anything.
So the bed's next on the list...
should have been first on the list really! i wouldnt have the dedication to do pilates at home as you have to do everything slowly. really would suggest joining a class - u'll be surrounded by old ladies but it will be worth it. i use a lot of co-codamol and hot water bottles!
def get a new bed - dont get one thats too hard as its an old wives tale hard ones are good for your back you need to keep your spine level.
ps if youre walking a lot might be worth trying those funny shoes - mb something?
def get a new bed - dont get one thats too hard as its an old wives tale hard ones are good for your back you need to keep your spine level.
ps if youre walking a lot might be worth trying those funny shoes - mb something?
Edited by loltolhurst on Monday 4th January 00:15
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