Modern mattress materials offer good choices for the side sleeper. With so many mattress styles in your average mattress shop, it can be confusing, but with a little common sense, a good choice can be made. The main thing to keep in mind is that the mattress of a side sleeper needs to conform to the contours of the body while supporting the spine. The best sleep surfaces in this case are natural latex, pocketed coil springs and memory foam. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.
Natural Latex Mattress: This mattress is made from several layers of natural latex. Natural latex is extracted from the tropical rubber tree in a way that is similar to tapping a maple tree for syrup. It's foamed and processed into as natural and chemical-free of a foam rubber product available today. Latex has been proven to relieve more pressure points than other high-tech foams. A high quality latex mattress will have a 6 inch base layer of a firm density latex foam, next a softer layer of about 2" of natural latex. A third layer of extra soft latex may be added for extra plushness. A light weight sleeper may actually need this softer top to prevent hip and shoulder pressure. A heavier person will do better with firmer layers. A custom mattress maker can provide the proper layers for each body type.
Traditional Pocketed Coil Spring Mattress: These mattresses are made with individually fabric-wrapped pocketed coil springs, that are fastened together to form the mattress base. A high quality pocketed coil spring mattress will have a combination of firmness-es in the coils so they conform to the sleeper's body, with less pressure on the shoulder and hip areas, thus keeping the spine straight. The top comfort layer should be 2-3 inches of a high quality foam such as Talalay Latex.
Memory Foam: There are many memory foam mattresses on the market right now. The price runs from the discount store "cheap-o-pedic" type to the expensive so called Swedish foam, with which we're all familiar. Many of the famous and popular brands import their memory foams from Asia to cut the cost of the mattress and increase the bottom line for their shareholders. If you're shopping for a memory foam mattress, make sure it is American made. A quality basic memory foam mattress consists of a 7 inch base layer of firm urethane foam, made with ventilating channels, and a 3 inch layer of 4 pound memory foam. There are up-grades to this with several densities, layered with the higher density first (8 pound)and topped with 3 pound. A side sleeper will benefit from this style. Memory foam also does a good job in supporting the spine and cushioning the body. A lighter weight sleeper may find a memory foam mattress to be a bit on the firm side.
Mattress Topper: If your mattress is fairly new or you can't afford a new one right now, many side sleepers have found comfort and relief by adding a HIGH QUALITY mattress topper. Don't but a cheap, convoluted type (egg crate). They don't last and they have a minimal effect. 2" of 3 or 4 pound quality memory foam, or 2 inches of natural latex on top of your firm mattress will go a long way to relieve the pressure.
When you go mattress shopping, make sure you actually lie down on it in the store -in your usual sleeping position. BRING YOUR PILLOW WITH YOU. Your pillow has a lot to do with how well you sleep. The pressure-relieving properties of the mattresses described here are listed from the most relief to the lesser relief. We will cover this in a future article. Remember that your mattress choice is a big decision. You'll probably be spending 10 years on your next mattress, so take your time and try them all.
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