Mattress for lower back problems

[phoenix]

Hi Finalnub,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

First, big appreciations for the founder and the community for this forum. It is a godsend to have a hub of unbiased information on a murky industry. Thank you.

You’re welcome.

I suffered what I suspect to be a herniated disc in my lower back area 3 months ago and have aggravated it due to what I believe is a problem with my mattress.

I’m sorry to hear about your low back injury and subsequent issues.

From what I’ve read here density of the memory foam is of paramount importance, as it would affect how much the mattress would sag beyond the natural position as well as the durabiilty. Is this right? If so, as I am a big guy (5’11, 230 lb) and reading between the lines it seems like 3 lb pcf density may be too weak to support me for more than a year.

The density of memory foam and polyfoam are certainly paramount for durability. The key will be finding componentry that will be of appropriate quality for your specific situation, which will then give you the best chance at have a successful comfort life, so I would always make sure that you find out theinformation listed here so you can compare the quality of the materials and components. Those in a higher BMI range want to be especially prudent in the choice of their components. For those in a higher BMI range, there is more information about selection a mattress in the durability guidelines here.

Specifically, if your BMI is 30 or higher:

Higher BMI ranges will need more durable materials and components in a mattress and in a BMI range of 30 or higher I would include any 1.8 lb polyfoam core or 4 lb memory foam as a “lower quality/density” material (relative to a higher BMI only) and minimize their use to a total of “about an inch or so or less” in the mattress.

Polyurethane foam: If your mattress is one sided then I would look for 2.0 lb per cubic foot density or higher. If the mattress is two sided then I would use a minimum density of 1.8 lbs per cubic foot or higher.

Memory foam (or gel memory foam): If your mattress is one sided then I would make sure that any memory foam is at least 5 lb per cubic foot. If the mattress is two sided then I would use a minimum density of 4 lbs per cubic foot.

[quote]1. Would memory foam still be something that’s right for me?
2. if not, what are the opinions on these hybrid mattresses?
2b. Same with coiled mattresses.[/quote]

While I can certainly help with “how” to choose … It’s not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for either a mattress, manufacturers/retailers, or combinations of materials or components because the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, or PPP or how a mattress will “feel” to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress), sleeping positions, health conditions, or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more reliable than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).

I’m assuming that you’ve read the mattress shopping tutorial here but two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you (including the price of course and the options you have available after a purchase if your choice doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for).

I have not been able to find much literature on this site on hybrid mattresses. I tried the Simmons Moxie II hybrid at a brick/mortar store and I found it reasonable good and the concept (1’, 5 lb pcf memory foam followed by support foam for flexibility as well as support) to be right for me

A “hybrid” mattress, as originally classified by Mark Quinn at Leggett and Platt, is supposed to be a traditional memory foam mattress where the polyfoam core is replaced by a pocketed spring unit. The term has been so diluted by the mattress industry now as to include any pocketed spring mattress that uses even as little as .5" of memory foam. Instead of shopping for mattresses based upon “classifications” (that may or may not be accurate descriptors or particularly relevant), I would instead advise you to focus on the aforementioned process outlined in the mattress shopping tutorial.

Regarding the Simmons mattress, the major brands such as Sealy/Stearns & Foster, Simmons, and Serta all tend to use lower quality and less durable materials in their mattresses than most of their smaller competitors that will tend to soften or break down prematurely relative to the price you pay which is why I would generally suggest avoiding all of them completely (along with the major retailers that focus on them as well) regardless of how they may feel in a showroom along with any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the type and quality/durability of the materials inside it (see the guidelines here along with post #3 here and post #12 here and post #404 here).

4. Can someone recommend me a few sites that have been Underground approved, so to speak?

When you can’t test a mattress in person then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart and who can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and “feel” of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness etc.) and the options they have available that may be the best “match” for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the “averages” of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about “matching” their specific mattress designs, options, and firmness levels to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with) than anyone else.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use the expertise of the members listed in post #21 here who are all very experienced and knowledgeable and specialize in providing the type of help and guidance on the phone that can help you make good choices. There are a wide range of latex and memory foam and other options included in the choices there and I believe that all of them compete well with the best in the industry in terms of their quality, value, service, and transparency.

Phoenix