Which Bed is best for my Back?

Over the past 23 years in practice, I have been acted many times “Which bed is best for my back?” Over the years my answer has changed slightly. I think that this is a biproduct of all the different bed choices that have come and gone in the market. When answering the question “Which be is best for my Back”? I think it is important to understand the fundamental principles of a good bed and then we can dive into the choices that meet these requirements.

Criteria for a quality bed…in my opinion:

• A soft top layer to cushion your spine and joints.
• A firm inter core that will not sag or wear out with the weight of your body.
• A hard bed foundation that will not give or sag with the weight of the bed and your body weight.
• A trial period of more than 30 days.
• A manufacture warranty of 10 years or greater.

When I am asked the question, “Which bed is best for my back”? I use these 5 criteria to explain my suggestions. I typically start by saying that I recommend for them to either spend more than $3,000 on a bed or under $600. I feel that any beds that falls in the middle is a waste of money and usually not the best option for your back. Why? Because most beds that are in the middle of this price range are either a memory foam bed that comes in a box or a basic bed with an expensive pillow top. Lets look into the issues with these two types of beds.

Memory Foam Beds in a box:

• Made out of cheap non supportive foam – Any bed that can be delivered to your door by a UPS driver and then fills with air over the next 2 days is never going to be firm and supportive for your back.
• Only 30 day trial typically.
• Less than 10-year warranty.

Pillow Top Beds:

• Typically use a basic base or mattress covered in an expensive pillow top
• Pillow top material will shift and compress over the first year
• Pillow top material shift will case a depression where you and/or your partner sleeps.
• Typically, the mattress itself will have a 10-year warranty but the pillow top will not.
• No trial period longer than 30 days.
• You will be left with a bed that you spend $2k for that has compression divots in it after only a year or two.

People will now often ask, “What about the sleep Number Bed?, That bed is over $3,000 dollars.” Yes, it is a very expensive bed but all it is a basic air mattress with an expensive pillow top and pressure regulating system on it. The sleep number base and air mattress does have a 20 year warranty but the pillow top part does not have a warranty. So again, after a year or two you are left with a compressed pillow top that is no longer comfortable and forcing you to sleep in a divot.

Ok, so then “What is the best bed for my Back?” In my opinion it comes down to 2 choices.

Number One Choice: $3,000-5,000

• Any Tempur-Pedic Mattress – They are made from a quality dense foam material that weights hundreds of pounds and not full of air.
• 90-day money back trial period.
• 10-Year Warranty

Number Two Choice: $400-$600

• The basic floor model mattress and box spring from Costco.
• Then top it with a 2″ Memory foam topper from Costco.
• If you are not satisfied after a month or two Costco will take it back.
• If the topper wears out or gets a divot after a year or two you can buy a new one or bring it back to Costco, they will probably exchange it for a new one.
• And the bed itself will have a 10-year warranty.

If you have any questions about you specific needs, please feel free to come in and set up a consultation with one of our doctors. If you already have one of these beds and you are experiencing any back or neck discomfort in the morning you may not have a bed problem but a spinal problem. Schedule an appointment at Reed Chiropractic in Tempe and we can evaluated and try to address the underlying issue that is causing your discomfort.

Reed Chiropractic

VOTED BEST CHIROPRACTOR TEMPE 2023

Written by: Dr. David T. Reed