Stop Dreaming About Quality Sleep!

An old Chinese proverb states, “Only when one cannot sleep does one know how long the night is.” Anyone who’s ever experienced periodic bouts with insomnia—and that’s most of us—can relate to this all too well.

In fact, surveys have shown that between 40 and 60 percent of the general population has trouble sleeping.  In my chiropractic office in Springfield, VA I see patients on a daily basis that suffer from sleeping problems.   Daily stress and worries, pressures from job and family, body aches and pains caused by uncomfortable mattresses or pillows, and a host of other issues can keep a person from getting enough quality sleep.

Sleep is critical to good health and functioning, so lack of it is a serious health concern.  Sleep is one of the most important functions of the brain and through it, our bodies recharge and renew for the next day’s challenges. And let’s face it: if we do not get quality rest, then we cannot expect to be our best the next day.

Creating a comfortable place to sleep by choosing the proper mattress and pillow is also essential to getting the quality sleep that our body needs to function optimally. And since we spend approximately one-third of our lives in bed, investing in a quality sleep system is an extremely wise decision.

Important Mattress Facts…

• If you’re not sleeping well or if you are waking up in pain, it’s likely time for a new mattress. There is no standard life span for a mattress; it all depends on how one’s body is responding to the mattress.  I recommend replacing your mattress every five years.
• A mattress should support the body’s weight evenly, but more importantly, it should avoid painful pressure points. Choosing the right sleep system (innerspring, air, foam or gel) can be a daunting task, so that’s why our office researched sleep systems to find what we believe is the best bed ever.

• A mattress should provide uniform support from head to toe. If there are gaps between your body and your mattress (such as at the waist), you’re not getting the full support that you need. In the opinion of our doctors, a gel mattress is the absolute best option for achieving that important goal…and why we sleep on a gel mattress ourselves.
   
• If suggested by the mattress manufacturer, periodically turn your mattress clockwise, or upside down, so that body indentations are kept to a minimum.
   
• Be aware that changes in your life can signal the need for a new mattress. For example, if you’ve lost or gained a lot of weight, if a medical condition has changed the way you sleep, or if you have changed partners, it could mean that it’s time to find a new mattress that will accommodate those changes and help you sleep more soundly.  Again, our doctors believe that a gel mattress is the best choice to address those factors.

Important Pillow Facts…

• After investing in a quality mattress, don’t forget to choose equally supportive pillows.  People will spend several thousand dollars on a mattress and then skimp on a pillow that doesn’t support their head and neck properly.  It is the opinion of our doctors that a gel pillow is the best choice for achieving that important goal.

• When choosing a pillow, be very careful. When lying on your side, your head and neck should remain level with your mid and lower spine. When lying on your back, your head and neck should remain level with your upper back and spine. In other words, your pillow should not be so thick that it causes your head and neck to be propped up or angled sharply away from your body, or so thin that you essentially have no pillow at all.
• Be wary of pillows that are made out of mushy foam materials. The weight of your head can displace this kind of foam, leaving little support. We suggest choosing a gel pillow that presses back and supports the head. If you find yourself sleeping on your side with one hand propped under your pillow, that’s a clue that you’re not getting the support you need from that pillow.

Doctors of Chiropractic Can Help…

As spinal experts, the most common question a doctor of chiropractic is asked is, “Doctor, what type of mattress do you recommend?” 

After hearing that question for many years, our chiropractic office in Springfield, VA decided to research and test all the different sleep systems (innerspring, air, foam and gel) so we could definitively answer that question for our patients and assist them in making the right decision.

After our research and personal testing, the best bed is that one that feels good to you.  I know it is not the answer you are looking for but I have had several patients that like the tempur-pedic, Sleep Number, Sealy, and Simmons.  To find the best mattress for you, I recommend that you try each one, and lay on it for several minutes multiple times.  Also, try to go with a firmer mattress because they will last longer and give your spine better support.  If you have back pain try replacing your mattress, and if you have already replaced the mattress and still have back pain give our office a call today at (703) 912-7822.