New Bed - Back Pain

[orangein]

Looking for a new bed. I have somewhat chronic neck and back pain.

Considering a "Memory Foam" mattress but do not want to spend the $ for the Tempure-Pedic brand name. Looking for any advice or recommendations on a medium firm mattress at a good price which also will help my back pain.

Especially would like to hear from persons whom have purchased one of the tempur-pedic knockoff beds.

How do you like it? How much did you spend? Where did you get it, etc.? I have slept on such beds before at hotels, so I do have an idea about the firmness of such beds.

Thanks

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

I bought a Back Supporter mattress by Spring Air. It's got a lot of special coils inside that make it really supportive, and then had a layer of memory foam on top (like a memory foam pillow top). I had chronic back problems and had surgery to repair a herniated disk in my lower back. Even after the surgery my back still bothered me a lot, especially in the morning. This mattress totally changed that - it is amazing. My back is really only sore now if I have to sit for long periods of time - otherwise it feels great.
I got this mattress at Mattress Firm. I have a queen size, I think it was around $900. I think it is perfect - soft and easy to get comfortable on, but still somewhat firm underneath.
The weird thing is that if you read reviews of it online like on epinions (my brother told me about this), they are pretty negative. I'm not sure if it is just a different style number or if different mattresses work better for different people. I've had mine for two years and it hasn't worn out, doesn't have ridges or valleys where I sleep, and is still as comfortable as the day i bought it.

 

[lostman]

It is worth spending the $$ to get a good mattress that gives you a really good night's sleep. I have had back surgery and also have had a hard time with a hip and shoulder on our old mattress, which cost about $800 about 12 years ago.

I looked at tons of mattresses and mattress shops. I dragged Mr. Lostman to a shop that had the Tempurpedic mattresses so that he had a frame of reference, as well.

We ended up getting a higher end Sealy with the memory foam on top (cost around $1800 if I remember correctly) and have loved it. No more back aches and shoulder aches in the morning. The hip ache has lessened, as well. What we did not realize was how much poor sleep we actually were getting on the old "firm" mattress.

The memory foam either on top of a conventional mattress or in the Tempurpedic mattress give you a much better night's sleep since you are not constantly repositioning because pressure points (shoulders and hips if you are a side sleeper) hurt.

I would suggest going to mattress stores and laying on every mattress the same way you sleep (side and stomach for me). One will feel right. I kept coming back to the Sealy, and comparing it to others. In the end it was the Sealy or a Tempurpedic and went with the Sealy becasue I liked the feel of a conventional mattress under the foam. Plus I like the look of a high mattress in our room. You are going to have it 10+ years, it is worth spending the $$$ in my opinion.

Good luck.

 

[lowery21]

Sleep # bed. I like the bed softer, she likes it...er...hard. It has been invaluable to our marrige.

 

[Macanudo]

Buy a memory foam topper. Got our 4" a while back and love it. Cheaper than a whole mattress and a good "try out." Someday, we'll buy a new memory foam mattress.