Sleepers with certain body parts that burrow into the sleeping surface may occasionally feel unpleasant pressure points. You might have noticed that while some hospital bed mattresses cause pressure points no matter how much you flip and toss, others seem to lessen these painful areas. Pressure relief, which varies from model to model, is the capacity to redistribute weight to lessen pressure building. You may learn more about a mattress’s ability to relieve pressure by looking at its construction and materials.
No one mattress is ideal for every sleeper because pressure alleviation is greatly dependent on your body type and sleeping position. Understanding what you want in a mattress may help you narrow your selections because some models seem to perform better in this area. We’ll examine pressure relief in detail and outline what you should know and when to use a pressure relief mattress.
Pressure relief mattress: What is it?
Mattresses are supposed to ease the pressure by uniformly distributing body weight and preventing painful places. Mattress firmness directly impacts pressure alleviation, and most people find versions with some contouring to be the most comfortable. The comfort system aims to lessen force around typical contact points, such as the shoulders and hips, by conforming to the body’s contours.
Although cushioning and pressure alleviation are frequently associated, spinal support plays a bigger role in this process. Strains in some important areas, such as the lower back, can result from a mattress that cannot maintain the spine on an even plane. The comfort layer of the mattress should ideally allow you to sink into it, while the layers underneath should provide gradually firmer support.
The zoned version, where the bed is harder in certain places and softer in others, is occasionally used in more advanced models. These patterns are meant to elevate the body parts that generally require greater support and to relieve common pressure locations. Pressure release, which influences tension, impact, and spinal alignment, is a major factor in the overall perceived comfort of a mattress.
Who must be concerned with pressure relief?
One of the most crucial mattress features is pressure reduction, which can be even more important for athletes and others with chronic pain. However, the ideal mix of pressure relief and support may seem different depending on the body type and favorite sleeping position. A softer mattress may be necessary if you frequently have pressure spots on your side or weigh less than 130 pounds. Because they exert little force on the surface, sleepers under 130 pounds cause it to feel firmer.
On the other hand, side sleeping places more strain on the hips and shoulders, which, if there is little padding, can soon cause stiffness. The best bed medical mattresses for side sleepers typically have thicker comfort layers that let wider body parts sink in just enough to keep the spine straight. Because back sleeping naturally straightens the spine, those who favor this position usually sleep best on a surface that feels balanced. The lower is the main concern for those who sleep on their backs since it can get compressed if the hips and lumbar region are not well supported.
Over 230-pound people and people who like to sleep on their stomachs need a harder surface to keep their spines aligned. Although stomach sleeping doesn’t typically result in pressure points in the conventional sense, it can create poor spinal alignment and lower back pain if the person’s middle sinks in too deep.
Different types of pressure relief mattresses
Most models fall into one of five categories: hybrid, latex, innerspring, air mattress, or all-foam, depending on the materials used in the support core. Although it doesn’t directly affect pressure alleviation, the support core can make a small but significant contribution.
- Hybrid
The hybrid mattresses seek to combine the benefits of various bed kinds that have a design of thick comfort systems atop coil support cores. Hybrids typically offer above-average pressure alleviation depending on how the comfort system is made. Most versions employ pocketed coil systems, which collapse under pressure to provide a deep cradle. Zones are routinely added to pocketed coil cores for more precise support and relief.
- Latex
Latex mattresses typically have a strong and supportive feel. Despite not providing specific contouring, they can help lessen pressure spots resulting from poor spinal alignment by minimizing sinkage.
- Innerspring
Since most innerspring models are made of interconnected coils that move together as a whole, they typically do not have specific support. Moreover, innerspring mattresses typically offer little to no pressure relief because of their thin to nonexistent comfort systems.
- Air mattress
Strong pressure relief is frequently found in air mattresses with thick, cushioned comfort layers. Adding or removing air from the air chamber core can also change the hardness of the bed, giving sleepers the option to find the firmness that best suits their needs.
- Foam mattress
High-density polyfoam support cores in foam mattresses help keep sleepers from sinking too deeply. Some softer all-foam models don’t support sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds, which can cause excessive sinkage in weight-bearing areas and a corresponding pressure accumulation.
Can I increase the pressure relief in my mattress?
There are various techniques to enhance pressure reduction in your mattress. Since correct support and cushioning are both parts of pressure relief, the optimum approach will depend on your specific requirements.
A mattress topper is the simplest approach to increase your mattress’s pressure alleviation. By adding a layer of padding, mattress toppers alter how the mattress feels. If your mattress provides options for adjusting the hardness, this gives you another chance to personalize the feel. Air mattresses and flippable types with a different firmness on either side frequently include adjustable firmness.
Final Thoughts
A pressure-relieving mattress often does a good job of oscillating motion, which may be helpful for sensitive bed partners. On the other hand, close-fitting textiles could trap heat and restrict movement on top of the bed. When choosing a mattress, you should think about the aspects that matter to you the most.
Everyone benefits from finding a mattress with proper pressure relief because it enables a comfortable night’s sleep devoid of unneeded aches and pains. A bedridden person should pay particular attention to this since prolonged pressure sores and body aches might result from excessive pressure. Here at AvaCare Medical, we can help you find the best pressure relief mattress you need. Call us today at 1-877-813-779 or email us at info@avacaremedical.com to talk with one of our experts.