Do you have lower back pain every morning like Kent did?
For me a mattress is no big deal, I fall asleep within 5 minutes after my head hits the pillow and often don’t move at all for 7-9 hours. I know I’m blessed, because some of you out there really struggle with sleep; and I’ve been so much better about getting to bed earlier the past few months–I've realized how important sleep is to our overall health and I don't want to get sick because I'm up late working on my health and nutrition blog!
Read more here about that: How to find the time for what's important and get more peace in your life.
However, a few months ago I found out that apparently Kent had been having a lot of back pain.
I knew he’d had back issues over the years at times, and that he'd been using an extra pillow to try and get comfortable at night, but I didn’t realize how bad his pain had gotten, because he never complains. So when this company gave us a new mattress to try, he was happy to give it a go.
Here's what happened after we got the new mattress…
He went to sleep before I did and when I crawled in next to him a little later, I freaked out because he was so quiet, as in, not snoring. I had to shake him to make sure he was okay!
In the morning he got out of bed, stretched a little and just said, “Wow.” I asked, “What? Does your back hurt?” He said, “Actually, NO.” He said that was the first time in weeks that he woke up without back pain. I thought it would take at least a few days to notice a difference! And it did take a few days to get used to it overall, which they told us was normal, but when he woke up with no pain, we were hooked. (Actually, they told us that some may even have more back pain for a few days, I guess it's like walking around all slumped over, then all of a sudden you have good posture–it could cause some sore muscles until they adapt into a healthy alignment.)
Nowadays it's not like his back never hurts, it'll definitely still bother him now and then, especially if he's in the car a lot, it he's sitting too much at work, or if he sits in a weird shaped chair at a restaurant like we did a few weeks ago, but at least we know now that his time in bed is restorative sleep, and not causing problems like our last mattress. (Also Joette helped him find the right homeopathic remedies for when he does have any lingering back issues.)
What about a “pillow-top” mattress?
We had a pillow-top mattress but found out how quickly those go bad, and they're not cheap either! A few years ago these were all the rage (maybe they still are?), and when you first lie down on them they are really comfortable, but we've found that they just don't hold up well. When it's time for bed, you'd better just plan on crawling into your crater for the night and keeping that same position.
Are these organic beds?
When Caroline shared a guest post here a few years ago I learned that newer mattresses can be dangerous because of how they “off-gas”, which means that all the fumes from the fire-retardant chemicals that are sprayed on the bed can be breathed in, and her story shows how terribly these toxins can screw up your health. Read that story here: Is Your Mattress Toxic?! One girl's scary story and how she finally got better. (And if it's harmful for adults, imagine what that could mean for your newborn sleeping on a new mattress!)
Side note… here's the answer to a question I'm asked about often: Caroline found in her research that it takes 3-4 years for a sprayed mattress to “out-gas”, that's a loooong time.
But here's why organic isn't the best option:
Her answer was to buy an organic bed, but if you start asking around, you find out that organic beds don't hold up well. Almost all material that is considered organic breaks down quickly when you put pressure on it, such as from tossing and turning, and especially when it's combined with moisture (people tend to sweat at night). So you'd spend all that money and end up only getting a couple good years out of it.
We've been very happy…
- The government requires a fire-blocker, but it's not regulated to make sure it's safe! This one is silica based and basically goes on like a sock, so there are no bio-available chemicals and it's not sprayed on.
- They offer a 90-night in-home sleep guarantee and a 20-year warranty (10-year for the Aria).
- We've had our mattress for a few years now and still love it. No weird smell, I know that it will last, that it has all the best technology and research behind it so it's the most supportive, and you've heard it before: we spend a huge chunk of our lives on our mattress, so it's a worthy investment for sure. Now we're saving up to get new mattresses for the kids too.
Click here for off the non-toxic mattress Kent and I have — use the coupon code KOP for a 15% discount!
BONUSES: Also get free premium sheets, a free mattress protector, and free ground shipping too.
If you know someone with back pain, please share this post with them, and if you can share it using the social media buttons below, even better!
More you might like:
- NEWER POST: Do you still sleep with your spouse? Because I don't! Read that post to find out why.
- Note: if the mattress above is not in your budget and you don't have back issues, this is a reasonably priced mattress option with a lot of great reviews. My good friend loves hers, but I doubt they'll hold up long-term.
- Find more information and posts here about natural/non-toxic living
- How to take the stress OUT of mealtime
- A whole list of real food recipes to look through
- Know someone who needs to do a detox and boost their immune system? Check out the GAPS Diet for Rookies
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
FYI, if an upper end non-toxic mattress is cost prohibitive, this is a VERY reasonably priced non-toxic mattress: https://amzn.to/2rbEXAk
Janna jamieson says
Hello,
I generally have a problem of lower back pain. I thought sleeping on the floor would reduce it, but it never helped. While searching measures to cure lower back pain, I found your article. It was really helpful. I could realize that one of the reasons for my back pain would be usage of wrong mattress. I have bought this new mattress and fortunately my back problem has reduced to level that I can move around and sleep relaxed at night. Thank you for the help!
Thank you
Janna
KitchenKop says
So happy to hear this Janna!!
Kelly
Flo LaDuke Richards says
You and Kent are the opposite of us. Though Jeff has been having shoulder pain, once he finds a good position he STILL usually sleeps through the night. He, and our son, Michael, both are blessed with the ability to go to sleep quickly and stay asleep! They can’t sleep in, though. I CAN — but it’s small consolation for waking up (for various reasons) and then losing part of the next day.
radiantlux says
I tried a foam mattress that supposedly doesn’t outgas. It made me terribly sick. I tried airing it out and it just wouldn’t work for me. It was from Tuft and Needle. The shopping process was easy and it shipped in a few days. The good thing was they they refunded our money. The return policy actually gave it to the Salvation Army. But I couldn’t stand the smell. We also bought a foam mattress for our daughter from IKEA. I can’t stand to be in her room and it makes me crazy. The rest of the family can’t smell it.
We found an organic latex mattress company in my metro area. For anyone in the Chicago area, we went to Quality Sleep Shop in La Grange, IL. The mattresses are made here. It was expensive but we really like the mattress. The saleswoman helped us decide the best choice of mattress and it was made to our specs. We got innersprings with a latex layer on top. It doesn’t smell at all.
Elaine says
I don’t think your video comparing beds is working….
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Elaine,
Can you try a different browser? Because it’s working okay for me.
Kelly