It’s no secret that poor sleep is bad for your health. But few people realise the true power a memory foam health mattress can have when it comes to easing common ailments and health conditions.
A memory foam mattress can provide the best sleep surface for those seeking relief from back pain, insomnia and a whole host of other niggles that can impact night-time health.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the health benefits of memory foam - from head to toe.
Mental Health Benefits of a Memory Foam Mattress
A good night’s sleep not only benefits your physical body but your mental health too!
Mental wellbeing and Sleep Disorders
Quality of sleep and mental health are connected. Here are some common problems that can affect sleep and lead to insomnia;
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
According to the NHS, approximately 1/3 of the UK population is suffering from insomnia at any one time, with a particular prevalence in the older population.
Sleep disorders are often a side-effect of stress, depression or other mental health issues.
Better sleep can improve your mood, concentration levels and overall mental wellbeing, and your mattress plays an important role.
While a memory foam mattress is not the cure, a bed that allows your muscles to relax completely helps to create an environment that is enjoyable to rest in and will help you drift off.
Chronic Tiredness or Exhaustion
Even if you don’t suffer from a sleep disorder, a memory foam mattress can improve your quality of sleep. The viscoelastic foam moulds to your shape, providing tailored comfort and support for your whole body, allowing you to relax completely and wake up refreshed.
The foam provides excellent movement absorption and can reduce disturbance from tossing and turning by up to 80%. (Tip: Opt for a king size memory foam mattress if you really want to enjoy an undisturbed sleep)
A severe lack of sleep can put you at risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems, so a comfortable mattress that helps you sleep well is really important for a healthy and happy heart.
Physical Health Benefits of a Memory Foam Bed
Memory foam can provide cushioning and support from head to toe! Let’s delve deeper...
Head and Neck Pain
Here we explore how memory foam can help with:
- Head and neck aches and pains
- Headaches and migraines
- Tension, pain and stiffness
The real star of the show here is the memory foam pillow. Unlike your standard squishy pillow, gel memory foam pillows provide proper support for your neck and upper spine.
The high-density support of a memory foam pillow reduces the frequency of headaches and migraines and allows your neck muscles to fully relax and recover - meaning no aching in the morning!
A polyurethane foam mattress ensures correct spinal alignment which also works towards easing neck and back pain which can worsen while you sleep - especially if you’re a front or side sleeper.
For issues that are slightly more severe, there are specialist orthopaedic mattresses and medical-grade foam mattresses available, which provide unmatched pressure relief and support.
Shoulder Pains
Memory foam can help if you suffer from:
- Frozen shoulder syndrome
- Shoulder aches and pains
The rigid design of traditional spring mattresses means they pile pressure on your shoulders. Unlike traditional mattresses, memory foam doesn’t expect your body to do the adapting. The heat-sensitive foam provides extra cushioning for these high-pressure areas, so you wake up free from upper body aches and stiffness.
Pains in the Arms and Hands
Memory foam mattresses can help to reduce:
- Pins and needles
- Numbness
- Blood clots
The tailored, pressure-relieving support of a memory foam mattress allows you to sleep in an optimal anatomical position. This results in increased blood circulation around your body. Healthy blood circulation reduces the chance of pins and needles, numbness and blood clots in your arms and legs.
Foam Products and Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow - the tender damage to the muscles and tendons around the elbow - is a self-healing ailment, however, this can take a long time. Thanks to the full-body support of a memory foam mattress, pressure is not piled on your elbows during the night which allows the muscles and tendons to fully relax and recover faster.
How Memory Foam Can Ease Back Pain
Memory foam can help to ease:
- Upper and lower back pain
- Nerve tension
- Bad posture
Whether you sleep on your back or side, a traditional mattress does little for your lower back. Most of the time, your lumbar area is left suspended in mid-air without any support from your mattress – so is it any wonder so many of us suffer from back pain?
Memory foam is one of the best types of mattresses for a bad back as it moulds to your body shape and follows the natural contours of your spine, providing optimal support for your upper and lower back. This allows your spine to rejuvenate and heal overnight and reduces the chance of back problems developing again in the future.
If you’re struggling with back pain, check out our range of Orthopaedic Mattresses. These medically-inspired designs use memory foam, medical foam and pocket springs to provide ultimate support for your lumbar region.
Easing Hip Aches and Pains
Memory foam can help with:
- Hip aches and pains
- Bed Sores
Much like your shoulders, your hips are a high-pressure area. Over a long period, this extra pressure can result in aches, pains and – for bedridden people – bed sores.
The pressure-relieving properties of memory foam mean that your hips no longer bear the brunt of your body weight during the night. Instead, your weight is evenly distributed which greatly reduces the chance of pressure sores forming. That’s why the NHS uses medical-grade foam mattresses to support their patients.
Legs, Knees and Ankle Pain at Night
Find out how memory foam can help with:
- Joint pain
- Knee pain
- Arthritis
- Swollen joints
Memory foam is a temperature sensitive material that provides superior pressure relief. On contact with body heat and weight, the mattress will soften and provide extra cushioning for tender areas.
As mentioned above, a healthy sleeping posture at night encourages greater blood flow around your body. This eases symptoms of arthritis such as swollen joints and prevents additional swelling during the night.
Involuntary Movements at Night
Memory foam helps to reduce:
- Muscle Pain
With a memory foam mattress, every part of your body is fully relaxed and supported, including your legs. This allows your hard-working muscles to fully relax and rejuvenate and calms involuntary movements and twitches which can be a potential disturbance for both you and your partner.
Chronic Snoring
Discover how memory foam can help to relieve:
- Sleep Apnea
- Snoring
A memory foam mattress and pillow can help to align your head and spine, keeping your airways open. This makes it easier to breathe unobstructed which can help to reduce snoring, sleep apnoea and asthma symptoms.
Allergies and Eczema
The dense structure of memory foam makes it a naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial and dust mite-resistant material. This hygienic sleep environment is perfect for asthma, allergy and eczema sufferers – particularly as dust mite allergies are often to blame for nighttime attacks.
Which Type of Mattress is Best for Health?
The benefit of memory foam when it comes to full-body health is that it moulds to the shape of your body for personalised support. If you regularly suffer from back or joint pain, it may be worth investing in an orthopaedic memory foam mattress designed specifically to provide enhanced spinal support.
Here are some of the best mattress types for health.
Orthopaedic Memory Foam Mattress
Orthopaedic memory foam mattresses feature strategically placed grooves in the foam to relieve pressure and provide spinal support where you need it most.
Medical Grade Foam Mattress
Medical-grade memory foam is often used by the NHS as it helps to relieve painful pressure points and provide a cushioning yet supportive sleep surface. High-density foam helps to keep the spine in a natural position, easing pain throughout the body.
Explore our range of medical memory foam mattresses and pillows.
Hypoallergenic Mattress
A hypoallergenic mattress is a great choice if you're looking for a clean and healthy sleeping environment that won’t set off your allergies at night.
Find Your Fit
So there we have it, the health benefits of a memory foam mattress from head to toe.
If you have any questions at all, give us a call! We’ve been producing foam mattresses for the NHS in our Yorkshire factory for years, so we really do have a deep understanding of memory foam and the health benefits it can offer.
Ready to unlock the health benefits and enjoy waking up feeling refreshed? Buy a mattress online here.
