Here’s what Dr Ranj has to say about Britain’s favourite mattresses

Wondering which mattress will offer you the best support for uninterrupted sleep? The latest research from one of Britain’s top furniture retailers has revealed that firm mattresses seem to be the most sought-after option. Furniture Village has evaluated recent data on firm versus soft mattress searches and discovered that firm mattresses receive three times more searches in Britain than the softer ones. But is this really the best choice for us? The evidence varies so Dr Ranj, Furniture Village’s sleep ambassador, breaks down the ins-and-outs of mattresses, and what makes them all, firm or soft, a worthy investment that guarantees a good night’s sleep.

Pros & cons of a firm mattress

If maximum support is what you need, Dr Ranj recommends a firm mattress. They are less likely to change shape under your weight, making them the preferred choice for heavier people and potentially those with back issues. However, he suggests keeping in mind that “the firmness can mean that there is more pressure applied on pressure points, which could be uncomfortable for some”.

Pros & cons of a soft mattress

Soft mattresses are designed to cushion and contour around your body. Because they adapt to your body shape and weight, they are the perfect choice for people who like the feeling of ‘sinking into the bed’. Dr Ranj advises that “soft mattresses provide the least amount of support and therefore may feel cosy but might not maintain neutral spinal alignment. These mattresses could also have a shorter lifespan, depending on the materials they are made from”.

What is the best mattress comfort level for different types of sleepers?

Side, front, and back sleepers will have different needs. At the end of the day, it’s about spinal alignment and pressure relief.

Back sleepers may have a tendency for their lower backs to sink into the mattress. This can affect the natural curvature of the spine. So, choosing a firmer mattress may help keep a more natural spinal alignment.

Front sleepers may find that there is increased curvature of the spine if they sink into the mattress too much. Like back sleepers, choosing a firmer mattress may help prevent this from happening.

Side sleepers should be wary of pressure points (particularly their shoulders and hips) which stick out from the body as they lie down and can become uncomfortable. Choosing a mattress that changes shape and contours to the body, whilst maintaining a neutral spinal alignment, will help relieve pressure.

The best mattress comfort level for different ailments

Suffering from stiffness, back pain, joint pain, hip pain or bad posture? Here is what Dr Ranj recommends when looking for the right mattress for you.

Stiffness can be due to several reasons and conditions. Because of this, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and trying different mattresses out before you buy may be really helpful when making a choice. However, stiffness can also be very temperature sensitive, so if keeping warm improves your symptoms, then a mattress containing memory foam may help retain heat whilst providing pressure-relieving comfort.

There’s plenty of research into back pain and the best type of mattress to use, but the results are often conflicting. Whilst it’s very much an individual choice, it seems that a medium-to-firm pressure mattress is a good place to start for those who suffer with lower back pain (the most common type of back pain).

Hip pain may be worsened by poor spinal alignment and pressure on the hip joint itself. Something like a memory foam mattress may help relieve pressure and keep a more natural alignment. If memory foam mattresses feel too warm (the foam tends to insulate heat), then try a gel mattress which has similar properties but feels cooler.

Similarly, any joint pain which feels worse under pressure would benefit from a pressure-relieving memory foam or gel mattress.

Bad posture can be both the cause and result of the spine not being in an ideal alignment (in both forward, back and side planes). This is where choosing a mattress that maintains the normal curves of the neck, upper and lower backs whilst keeping the whole spine as straight as possible when lying on the side is ideal. However, if you have a medical reason for altered spinal alignment, ‘forcing’ your spine into certain positions may be uncomfortable, so it may be worthwhile discussing with your health professional first.

Finding the mattress of your dreams is vital for a good night’s sleep, but it’s not always easy. However, with help from experts such as sleep ambassador Dr Ranj, you can make the right choice for your needs. Shop Furniture Village mattresses here: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/bedroom/mattresses.

ENDS

For more information

Paige Aldred

tmwi, acting on behalf of Furniture Village

outreach@tmwi.co.uk

01789 404180

Note to editors:

Furniture Village is one of Britain's largest independent furniture retailers with 54 stores nationwide. Since 1989, they have remained a strong family business, offering high-quality, beautifully designed furniture at a great price.

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