A study published by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine suggests switching to a new mattress can significantly help reduce back pain and stiffness.Winter 2008A study published by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine suggests switching to a new mattress can significantly help reduce back pain and stiffness.
The study by Oklahoma State University found subjects who suffered from persistent back pain found immediate and significant relief by switching to a new mattress. It also found people who were sleeping on mattresses five years or older were significantly more likely to suffer from back pain and stiffness.
“More than 80 percent of Canadians suffer from back pain at some time in their lives, says Dr. Stacy Irvine, chiropractor and fitness expert, on behalf of the Better Sleep Council Canada.
“There are many ways to treat back pain, but people may not realize the answer might be right under their noses, literally, in the age and state of their mattress,” he says.
The study notes sleep deficiency interferes with daytime activity, social interactions, mood, and even loss of work production further making the case that a new mattress can improve sleep quality and overall quality-of-life.
According to Statistics Canada, one in every seven Canadians over the age of 15 — 3.3 million of us — report they have difficulty going to sleep or difficulty staying asleep.
“To fall asleep, you have to be comfortable,” says Gary Robicheau, who sells Tempur-Pedic Swedish mattresses and pillows at the Teak Furniture Centre.
He can’t say enough good things about his own Tempur-Pedic mattress.
He says he sleeps better during the night and requires less hours of sleep then he used to.
“I crave my mattress when I’m away,” he says. On a normal bed in a hotel room, he tosses and turns. He travels with his own Tempur-Pedic pillow.
Robicheau explains the mattress foam material was developed by NASA to relieve the pressure experienced by astronauts during lift-off.
Fegerdala World Foams of Sweden spent a decade developing the Tempur-formula. Tempur mattresses were first used in hospitals to prevent bed sores. Patients liked their comfort and support, and Tempur-Pedic began to develop a retail market.
Founded in 1989, Lite Generations/Tempur Canada is a family-owned and operated business located in London.
Tempur classic mattresses come in all sizes from twin (38 x 74 x 8 inches) to California king (72 x 84 x 8 inches). Deluxe mattresses are two inches thicker.
The only way to buy a mattress is to lie down on it. It takes some people a few days to get used to their new mattresses, but Robicheau has never had one returned.
The Better Sleep Council recommends consumers shop for mattresses in the morning; wear comfy clothes; and test out each mattress for 15 minutes.
The average person sleeps a few minutes short of eight hours per night.
Human beings spend about a third of their lives in bed, so it makes sense to invest in a quality mattress.
“People are spending a little more to get back a little more,” says Robicheau.
