Hi Crash55,
Thanks for posting this question on The Mattress Underground site.
You have a challenge ahead, because your body is definitely conditioned for sleep on that malleable waterbed surface. I have to assume that during the past 20 years you slept on other beds while on vacation or visiting family; so you know you are going to be able to get healthy sleep on a new mattress. You just need to find what will work for you!
Based on your sleep style, I recommend you start your search with a Pocketed Coil mattress.
These are the mattresses that have individually wrapped coils that move independently of each other, and are meant for side sleepers.
Please read this articleto help you understand the different choices and why each is so important.
When you visit a mattress showroom, the Retail Sales Associate will be able to see what type of spring is the correct support for you. You will also find mattresses made using Offset springs. These are connected springs that provide, what I call predictable support, and can be great for people with back issues. Based on you being a side sleeper, chances are this spring may not provide enough movement for your shoulder and hip. The RSA can definitely help you with this. The final category would be springless mattresses, and include beds like Temperpedic and Latex mattresses. You will also run into mattresses people are calling hybrids, but this is just combining springs and latex and memory foams together into one mattress read this example for a comparison using an innerspring and Latex.
Coming from a waterbed, which has a different feel than any conventional mattresses, you need to understand your body needs and preferences and take a little more time adjusting to any new mattress you may chose. Then as time moves on you’ll lose more of your previous “learned alignment”. You will also want to select a product that has a good return policy in case it doesn’t meet your comfort needs.
I hope you have looked over these very important articles:#1 #2 #3as these are a great place to start your research.
You have a big job ahead of you, and please see this articlefor points you may not have considered.
I wish you great success in your search for a wonderful mattress that will provide years of healthy sleep.
Debbie Lewis
Parklane Mattresses
