Bed Buying Tips From Hancock Beds

“It can be intimidating to try out a bed in a store – but your pain could be far more intimidating if you don’t.”

Solutions vary widely. Water beds, adjustable beds, pocket spring beds, foam, latex or visco-elastic beds, divans with sprung bases, bedsteads with slats, separate beds, king size beds - they all have their advocates

Different back problems require different solutions and the best approach is to research the options carefully, take time to try them out and choose what you find supportive and comfortable, regardless of labels or even price tags.

Lie on each bed you are considering in your normal sleeping position for a minimum of 5-10 minutes.

Check out bed height - ensure you can get in and out of bed without pain or discomfort.

Don’t just buy a bed because it says it’s good for your back.

Bear in mind that the term ‘orthopaedic’ generally just means an extra firm bed; it is not based on any medical or other common standard

Firmness is not determined by price, although comfort, luxury and durability do improve with better quality, more expensive beds, while additional features such as adjustability obviously cost more.

Buy as big a bed as possible, especially if two of you are going to share it. You need to be able to sleep without being disturbed (and vice versa).

Pay careful attention to pillows, ensuring your neck and head are also supported correctly, as well as your back.

The following five tips are the ones that we think are most useful when buying beds and mattresses.

• Buy the biggest bed you can afford and comfortably fit in your bedroom – the bigger the bed, the better night’s sleep you’ll get.

• Balance firmness and comfort, bearing in mind your weight and build – too firm and it’ll be like sleeping on a board; too soft and you’ll have too little support.

• Buy the best quality mattress you can afford – it will repay you many times over in the quality of sleep you get.

• Buy the right type of mattress for your bed type – some mattresses are designed to work best with a particular type of base.

• Ask for help – at Hancock Beds we are always happy to give you all the expert help and advice you need on how to choose a bed or mattress.

More detailed advice on choosing beds, on pillows and on sleeping positions is provided in a new booklet from BackCare, called Back in Bed, which costs 50p. Send cheques/postal orders to BackCare, 16 Elmtree Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8ST. For more information about BackCare and other publications, visit the website at www.backpain.org or send £4.00 for an information pack.