Best mattresses for pressure point relief

Have you ever woken up with a sore back or shoulder? If the answer is yes, then probably it is your mattress to blame. If your mattress’s firmness level and structure are not adequate for your sleeping position, your pressure points are overstressed.

Pressure points are a severe problem, and you should take this factor into account when you pick your next mattress. Finding the right mattress that relieves pressure points on your body will help you achieve better and more relaxing sleep without aches the next day.

What are pressure points?

The expression of pressure points refers to the part of your body where you feel most of the pressure when you lie down on your mattress. These are the areas that come into tight and direct contact with your foam.

The most common pressure points are the shoulders, back, buttocks, and hips.

For a relaxing good night’s sleep, you need a mattress that provides excellent pressure point relief.This is something you can achieve with a high-quality mattress.

Why do you need a quality mattress? If you sleep on the wrong type of mattress, it will not ease your pressure points, and you will experience aches and pain in different areas of your body. High-quality mattresses are constructed in a way that they provide support and distribute a person’s weight evenly. As a result, the pressure is relieved on these points.

Remember that insufficient and poor quality of sleep can have a negative impact on your health. You may experience:

• Obesity

• Depression

• Heart disease

• Type 2 diabetes

 

 

Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with the pain coming from your sleep every single day or suffer from the long-term consequences of poor quality of sleep. Often, you can relieve it with a new mattress. If you are about to shop for your new foam, consider if you usually sleep on your back, stomach, or if you’re a side sleeper because pressure points depend a lot on your sleeping position. Pick one that will work for your sleeping style.

Why does the body ache after waking up?

You may feel pain in the morning because of a variety of reasons. You may have slept in a position for too long, you may use the wrong type of mattress, or you might suffer from chronic health issues.

If you experience constant discomfort and soreness in the morning, the first and most important thing is to rule out any underlying health condition.

From there, maybe it’s time to choose a different mattress type – one that is more suitable to your sleeping position and body type.

If your body is properly aligned during the night, you are less likely to wake up in pain.

Pressure points and sleeping positions

Normally, people sleep in the following positions:

• On their back

• On their side

• On their stomach

Some people are combination sleepers. It means that they switch positions many times while they are asleep.

Of course, there is no single perfect position. Some sleeping positions are more popular than others, while some are more likely to cause discomfort in the long run.

Everybody has their favourite way to sleep but many people do not realize that their favourite sleeping style on the wrong type of mattress can bring about long-term health problems.

Side sleeping

Side sleeping is preferred by most adults. Side sleeping has many benefits. It can reduce the risk of snoring, it’s also great for your digestion, and may reduce heartburn.

On the other hand, sleeping on your side may not be the best option. This sleeping position means that one side of your body must support the other so there is a lot of strain on certain areas. It can cause stiffness in your shoulders - even if you change sides frequently, you may wake up with discomfort in your shoulders.

You need to use the right mattress combined with the right pillow to find a solution for this. Your shoulder needs to sink into the mattress. At the same time, the mattress needs to keep your spine aligned.

The other common pressure point for side sleepers is the hips.

With the right mattress, you can achieve relaxing sleep even if you tend to sleep on your side. When you choose your mattress, remember to pick one that is designed to relieve pressure points for side sleepers. Your mattress is supposed to cradle your hips and keep your spine in a neutral position. If you lie down on your mattress (in your usual position), make sure that your neck is in a straight line with your spine.

For most side sleepers, medium-soft or medium-firm mattresses work best.

Back sleepers

According to most sleep studies, back sleepers account for around 10% of all sleepers.

If you prefer to sleep on your back, look for a firmer mattress. If back sleepers spend the night on soft foam, they are more likely to experience back pain. If you opt for a mattress that is too soft, your hips will sink further than your shoulders. Consequently, your spine would not be aligned. Please note that the optimal firmness level depends on your weight too.

If you’re a back sleeper, proper support of your neck and shoulders is essential. Pay attention to the kind of pillow you use to ensure your head is supported adequately.

Stomach sleepers

For stomach sleepers, finding the right mattress can be a bit challenging. The stress on the neck and spine can be too much causing potential aches and pains in the morning. Sleeping on your stomach may result in back, shoulder, and hip pain.

Stomach sleepers usually favour medium firmness level with their mattresses. They usually enjoy latex mattresses. A hybrid mattress can also be a great choice but it is more likely to sag.

Remember that both comfort and support are key considerations when finding the right mattress.

 

 

How to choose a mattress to relieve pressure points

You need a mattress that suits your sleeping position and body type as well. To find the perfect solution, always consider these factors before buying your new mattress:

Bodyweight

Your weight can determine the position of pressure points because your body weight affects how much pressure you place on your mattress and how much cushioning you need.

For a person with overweight, mattresses with extra support in the middle are the most suitable.

Materials

There are many mattress materials to choose from. The most popular mattress types include springs, memory foam, hybrid, and latex. Each of them provides support and comfort in a different way, so you need to choose the one that is the most suitable for you.

Stomach sleepers normally prefer memory foam, latex or hybrid mattresses. Side sleepers like memory foam and latex mattresses. Back sleepers may like all types, especially latex.

Sleeping position

As we’ve seen before, your pressure points are determined by your sleeping position. Let’s see again which areas can be relieved by the different mattress types.

Side sleepers need medium-soft or medium firm mattresses, as their main pressure points are the shoulders and hips.

Back sleepers prefer medium-firm and firm mattresses. As a result, the lower back will not sink too much into the mattress.

Stomach sleepers need firm or medium-firm mattresses to prevent the hip from sinking and having lower back pain.

Combination sleepers need to use medium-firm mattresses so they can get the balance and support for various sleeping positions.

Mattress firmness level

If you find the right firmness level, you find the right mattress.

Firmness refers to how much cushioning a mattress provides. Cushioning affects pressure points and mattress firmness has a significant role in relieving pressure points.

As explained above, choosing a mattress firmness ultimately depends on your weight and sleeping position.

Mattress home trials

Most reputable companies offer free trial periods for a certain amount of time. This makes mattress shopping completely risk-free, even if you buy your new mattress online.

If you have any problems with the newly purchased mattress or if you do not find it comfortable enough, you are eligible for a full refund during the home trial period.

Reviews

Remember to check other customers’ opinions and experiences with mattress types.

Best types of mattresses to relieve pressure points

The material of the mattress you sleep on affects the support the different areas of your body get. You can find below the most popular mattress types and how they relieve pressure points.

Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses are famous for their abilities to relieve pressure points as the foam gently contours to your body shape.

One of its disadvantages is that you can get hot easily on a memory foam mattress. Apart from this, they aren’t very responsive.

Latex

Latex beds are one of the greatest mattresses that have ever existed. If you would like to enjoy all the benefits it can offer, always choose a 100% natural latex mattress.

Latex is breathable, sustainable, and durable.

Most sleepers find latex mattresses comfortable with excellent pressure relief since latex prevents their body from sinking into the mattress.

 

 

Innerspring mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are very common mattress types. They are one of the oldest types of mattresses. They are popular yet affordable. They are made of steel coils for body support.

The main problems of innerspring mattresses are the following:

• They are noisy

• They transfer motion

• They are not too durable

• Innerspring mattresses are not the best for pressure relief because they can go flat, and the pillow tops can shift out of place

Hybrid mattresses

Hybrid mattresses feature a coil support system combined with foam comfort layers.

Standard innerspring mattresses have open coils, hybrid mattresses have pocketed spring coils that are independent of each other. As a result, there is less motion transfer.

Most hybrid mattresses have foam layers of memory foam or latex. The thicker comfort layers help alleviate pressure points and they make it easier to sleep without aches and pains.

Natural latex mattress for support and pain relief

Mattresses made of coils provide support. Memory foam mattresses provide pressure relief. The combination of both can be found in natural latex mattresses.

Natural latex is a very unique material. It combines support with pressure relief. People who don’t like the sinking feeling of memory foam or have limited mobility, usually prefer natural latex mattresses.

Many people have the conception that natural latex mattresses are extremely firm and stiff. Of course, this is not always the case. It mainly depends on the manufacturing process. Latex mattresses may feel plush too. (If you want to read more about the Dunlop and Talalay latex mattresses, please click here.)

Support is one of the most essential functions of your mattress. Instead of distorting your sleeping posture, the mattress must help your body keep its natural alignment. If you wake up with neck, back, or shoulder pain, you probably do not get the support you need from your current mattress.

Support is one of the most important features of natural latex mattresses. Thanks to the latex mattress’s superior support, your weight is evenly distributed, and your body can take its natural shape.

Your hips, shoulders, neck, and other areas of your body carry a lot more weight than other areas. Relieving these pressure points by sleeping on a natural latex mattress can improve blood flow. Your bodyweight is distributed on the surface instead of concentrating only on some area. For that reason, you can sleep comfortably throughout the night.

If you are looking for latex mattresses to relieve your pressure points, you need to pick a 100% natural latex mattress. Synthetic latex does not provide the same amount of support (and durability) as its natural counterpart.

In contrast with other mattress materials, latex is naturally derived. It is produced from the sap of a rubber tree. It can be grown organically, and the latex foam can get GOLS certification (Global Organic Latex Standard).

Though synthetic latex can be cheaper, it’s not a natural material. It’s made of synthetic materials and will offgas chemicals indoors.

In contrast, natural latex mattresses are extremely durable, breathable, and healthy. They create high-level comfort, support, and pressure relief. The unique support and pressure distribution allow latex mattresses to rank high even among the popular mattress types.

What is the best natural latex mattress?

Remember that comfort levels and preferences vary from individual to individual.

If you are looking for a 100% natural latex mattress to relieve your pressure points, you get all the desirable features with Milam’s Original and Premium mattresses. The mattresses are available in different firmness levels. They are made of natural latex with organic cotton and wool covers. Milam also offers white glove delivery and a 30-day trial period.

Conclusions

While a good mattress is not always the ultimate solution for pressure point pain, you can significantly improve the quality of your sleep and consequently your day.

When picking your next foam, it’s important to look for a mattress that provides excellent support.

Take advantage of a quality mattress and relieve your pressure points for a relaxing night’s sleep. Remember that a night of good sleep is critical to our physical and mental health. Subsequently, a really good mattress is the best investment.