Hi worldastage,
[quote]A question that was raised, but not answered, in post number 11 concerns whether foam mattresses meet the requisites for proper alignment. I think you suggest, in that post, that going with foam is a risk on that score.
So my question is, which type of mattress, in your opinion, gets the best scores on alignment. Ultimately that is what I’m looking for as I have recurrent lower back problems.[/quote]
There are two essential “needs” for every mattress which is pressure relief and alignment/support. These specific needs are all about how well the specific design of a mattress “matches” each individual body type and combination of sleeping positions and the sensitivity of each individual rather than being inherent to the types of materials or components it uses. This is why I don’t agree with so many of the statements that are made throughout the industry (usually made by people who are selling a specific type of mattress) that “this type of mattress is better than that type of mattress” because of “this or that”. Any “type” of mattress with a combination of layers and/or components that matches the needs of a specific person can provide good pressure relief and alignment regardless of the type of materials or components used.
Beyond these specific needs … everything else is a matter of preferences. Preferences (such as those listed here) can be just as important a part of a mattress purchase and the quality of sleep as the basic “needs” but they get to similar pressure relief and alignment end result with different “feels” and performance characteristics. Some of the most knowledgeable people I know who could sleep on any type of mattress they choose will sleep on an innerspring/latex hybrid, some will choose a memory foam mattress (which is usually “all foam” but of a specific type), and some will choose an all latex mattress (which is also “all foam” but of a different type again) or any other combination that they may prefer. The common factor is that no mater what combination of materials and components they choose … they will choose the best quality available of that particular material and they will make sure that the design of their mattress matches their specific needs and preferences. The quality of a specific material (whether it is one of the three types of foam or any other mattress material or component) determines how long the performance and “feel” of the mattress will last. You can’t “feel” quality in other words because low quality and higher quality materials of the same type or category can feel and perform in the same way initially. This is similar to how a piece of furniture made of particle board and veneer may perform the same function as the same piece of furniture made of real wood … but it won’t generally last as long or be as durable and I certainly wouldn’t want to pay “real wood” prices for particle board.
So my own approach is to first become familiar with the feel and performance of different materials and test to see which types of materials each person prefers and then to make sure you have the best possible design and quality of those specific materials that are available in your budget range and that match your specific and individual needs and preferences. There is no “bad” material or “bad type of mattress” IMO … only better and worse quality and value choices and better and worse designs (for that specific person) no matter which design or combination of materials and components you may prefer.
Phoenix