Do Firmer Mattresses provide better back support?

[jewpinthethird]

Now, I do believe they do, however I have no evidence to back that up. And I want serious answers, that is why I posted this thread in Critical Thinking.

[Ryusei_]

Re: Do Firmer Mattresses provide better back support?

I dissagree simply for the fact that I own a water bed and have never had what I would call a bad nights sleep. Or back problems. But like you, I don't really have evidence for mine either.

[mattc16]

Re: Do Firmer Mattresses provide better back support?

I had a slight stress fracture of my back 2 years ago, and have had lumbar spine problems ever since. One of the thngs suggested to me by a physiotherapist was to change to a firmer mattress in my bed, as my then current one was old and soft, which the physio said could have increased the damage done to my ligaments.

Since changing to a firmer mattress the pains have become less freqeuent, so, in my case, a firmer mattress did help my back.

However, it doesn't sort out spine problems, i still get them quite regularly.

[Afrobean]

Re: Do Firmer Mattresses provide better back support?

Think of the extremes:

A solid block of concrete.

Floating on air.

Which would support your body better? Obviously floating on air is impossible, but it would definitely support your body better. In order for the body to be supported comfortably, the thing supporting the body should shape to the contours of your body.

All that said, people are all different. Sometimes I feel more comfortable on something firm (I've been known to sleep on the floor from time to time), and other times I want something soft and loose.

@matt: you're obviously not normal so your anecdote is relatively irrelevent.

[emptiness]

Re: Do Firmer Mattresses provide better back support?

Here's the serious answer
-Tempur Pedic Swedish Sleep System.
The billions of viscoelastic memory cells!! (drools)