And so to Bed! - easy steps to buying the RIGHT bed for you

Having spent much of the bank holiday weekend traipsing around furniture stores, I know that buying a bed can be a costly and time consuming exercise! However, since a poor night's rest can cost you precious sleep and precipitate back pain, it's important to get it right.

• 27% of women and 24% of men said their back pain started during the night

Patients often ask me what type of mattress is best. As yet, there has been no sound research done in this area to find the answer to this question; it really comes down to personal preference. Salesmen may try to blind you with science and make statements that a particular type of mattress is the best one for your spine - usually in an attempt to make you buy the most expensive bed available! However, armed with a bit of knowledge you will be able to make the best, most informed choice that you can afford - and it is worth spending as much as you feel comfortable. After all, a decent mattress should last about 10 years - and when you break it down, every £100 spent works out at just 2.7p per night over 10 years - a small price to pay when it comes to a good, restful night.

So, what's the best mattress?
The best mattress is a supportive one - this will differ for each person, depending on their size and shape. What's right for a 10 stone lady might not be right for her 16 stone husband.

And, how do I find the right one?

• Take your time, and don't be shy! We spend over a third of our lives in bed so it's important to get it right.
• A good way to check if the bed you are lying on is too soft, too hard, or just right is to lie on your back, placing your hand in the small of your back. Try to move your hand about beneath you - if it moves too easily, the bed may be too hard for you; if it's a struggle to move your hand, then the bed is too soft. If you can move your hand with just a little resistance, the bed may be just right for you.
  

Ideally, your spine should be straight when you are lying, either on your side or your back. If your mattress sags or bows so will your spine, and this may cause aches and pains. Your neck is a continuation of your spine - and you should aim to keep this straight too when sleeping, so choose a supportive pillow that isn't too high or low (more on pillows at a later date...!)

---

• Make sure you try out a variety of beds for sake of comparison, and try lying in a variety of positions - after all, we change position regularly during our sleep.
• If you share your bed, take your partner with you and make sure that it suits both of you. An uncomfortable, restless partner will disturb your own sleep - they'll be wriggling about trying to get comfy! Always aim to get the biggest bed possible and perhaps consider getting two separate mattresses that zip together so you can choose your individual, ideal mattress.

Types of Mattress
There are several types of mattress, and again, it comes down to personal preference...

• Open Sprung Mattresses - Generally the most common, and cost effective mattress. Usually machine made.
• Pocket Sprung Mattresses - More luxurious than the open sprung, the springs are housed in their own individual pocket. Individual pockets allow each spring to move independently, responding to individual body weight - ideal if there's a considerable size or weight difference between people sharing the bed. Often have some hand-stitching - a sign of quality and workmanship.
• Visco-elastic ('memory foam') - Foam mattress that is softened by body heat, and then moulds and re-moulds to the body's contours. May help to support the body and maintain the posture and alignment of the spine. Needs regular turning to prevent wear of the mattress.
• Latex mattresses - A more expensive polymer than visco-elastic, it is resilient, yet very durable. Moulds and adapts with body heat, supporting the contours of the body. Breathable so prevents over-heating.
• Mattress Toppers and Protectors - A soft, quilty type topper can provide a more luxurious, cosy feel to your mattress. They can help a firm mattress feel a bit 'softer' and more snuggly. Available in a variety of materials - goose down, feather, cotton fibres or man-made polyester - and often a combination. A washable mattress protector will enhance the life and longevity of a mattress, and reduce allergies.

So, with a bit of time and consideration, it is possible to find exactly the right mattress for you and your partner. It can be an arduous task, but, it is definitely worth it. Another little tip - if you've slept well on a bed at a friend's house, or in a hotel, try to find out what make of mattress it is. I've been known to phone up a hotel after a particularly good night's sleep and ask that exact question. A bit of bed-dismantling by the domestic manager and I now enjoy a 'hotel-bed' sleep every night...!