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If the rule of thumb is that mattresses last about a decade, experts say that life span may get shorter as we age. That's because our limbs and joints need more support as we sleep. If you have trouble getting comfortable when you hit the hay or if you wake up in the morning stiff and achy, you may have to accept that it's time for a new mattress.
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“A good mattress cannot fix your back problems, but a bad mattress can exacerbate symptoms,” explains Jaspal R. Singh, a physician and co-director of the Weill Cornell Center for Comprehensive Spine Care. That's because after most of us settle down for the night and drift off to sleep, we stay in a fixed position until morning, thereby reducing blood flow to our spine, muscles and joints. If your mattress is worn out, it won't offer enough support to compensate for this kind of pressure.
Start shopping and you will quickly discover that the mattress industry has changed dramatically in the past decade, as online retailers have reshaped the landscape. Gone are the days when your only option was to lie down on a dozen mattresses in a busy, brightly lit showroom, choose one and hope for the best. Instead, companies now offer months-long trial periods on mattresses that promise to wow your back with cooling gels, layers of foam and technology that claims to respond to your every movement. (Just be sure to check the return policy. Some manufacturers, such as Casper, offer lengthy trial periods with free shipping and returns on their beds-in-a-box. Other retailers, such as Macy's, charge delivery, pickup and restocking fees.)
What else is new? Firm mattresses are no longer considered the de facto solution for back pain, as studies have found that people with lower back pain preferred medium-firm mattresses to firm ones. As Singh puts it, the trick is finding a balance between enough support and the “touch of give” that makes shoulders, hips, and ankles comfortable. To try out a new and possibly different-feeling mattress, experts recommend bringing your own pillow to a showroom and lying down on any possible pick for 15 minutes.
Know the types
Mattress shopping can often feel like a baffling chore, with endless marketing terms that seem meaningless. Break all the jargon down, and there are three general categories: memory foam, innerspring and adjustable air. Many mattresses today are also hybrids, with aspects of different styles blended together.
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