Types of Mattress Firmness

Levels of Firmness

• The common types of firmness designated by mattress manufacturers include soft, medium and firm. Variations fall in between these three basic levels depending on the type of mattress you select. When testing the firmness of a mattress, the goal, regardless of the position in which you sleep most comfortably, is to maintain a straight spine. Each person has individual needs in regard to spine alignment based on the firmness or softness of the mattress.

Firm Vs. Soft

• Most assume that with back conditions, the firmer the better; however, this is not necessarily the case. A mattress that is too firm for you will actually cause more aches and pains. The firmness of the mattress needs to support your spine in a manner that does not cause improper bending. Support for the lower back is imperative for a restful sleep. A mattress that is too soft will not support your lower back when lying down, which is where the majority of your body weight is concentrated. A mattress that is too firm will result in uneven support with high pressure areas that cause a person to move more often during the night.

Sleep Positions

• Sleeping positions play a part in selecting the firmness of a mattress. Persons who sleep on their sides may require a mattress that is not as firm as a person who sleeps mostly on his back or stomach. Side sleepers require a certain amount of softness in the mattress to accommodate hips and shoulders comfortably. The important factor is that the mattress provides adequate sleep to enable the person to wake refreshed and rested with no aches or stiffness.

Types of Mattresses

• Different types of mattresses offer firmness in all basic levels, such as innerspring, which you can purchase in soft to firm. Air and water beds are adjustable to a certain amount of softness to firmness but will not provide the full extent of firmness that an innerspring carries. The memory foam mattress leans more toward the medium-to-firm level as does the futon. Latex mattresses also run from medium to firm and provide even weight distribution and proper conforming support for spine alignment.