which bed?

which bed?

which bed?

IF you spend the first half of your day walking around like Quasimodo with a back shaped like a roller-coaster, maybe the problem lies in your bed.

Don't underestimate it, a bed is one of the most important investments you can make when you consider we spend about a third of our lives lying on it.

Although four out of five Australians suffer back problems at some stage during their lifetimes and 50 per cent of people buying a new bed do so because of back problems, it's estimated that most households have beds more than 20 years old.

The Australian Chiropractors' Association's Posture Committee, which has advised bed-makers since 1974, says a standard mattress becomes soft and saggy after 10 to 15 years and offers little back support.

Comfort, body and spinal support are the essential factors to consider when choosing a bed. You shouldn't be embarrassed to recline on as many different beds as possible in the showroom with your partner by your side.

The experts say you have to test a bed for at least five or 10 minutes to know if it suits you. Be sure your hips and shoulders can sink into the bed slightly - an important factor in keeping your spine straight.

But even before you carry out the showroom test, you have to decide which style of bed you want.

There are four major types to choose from: chiropractic and orthopaedic-designed beds, the ensemble (inner-sprung mattress and base), waterbeds and japanese body pillow-style futons.

The posture committee's chairman, Dr Bob Moore, said the only scientific research available on bedding shows that inner-spring mattresses are by far the best for back support and a healthy spine.

"There has been research into the use of waterbeds and futons but they only give subjective results where people say they feel comfortable or their back feels better," he said.

"There are no scientific studies to say that any type of bed is better than an inner-spring mattress."

He said waterbeds provide even pressure and support, but they don't give your spine the correct support. They may be very comfortable, but there is no research to show they are good for your posture.

And he said it would take "a fair bit of convincing" to win him over to the benefits of a futon.

"You need to have 'give' for the shoulders and hips but your spine may be distorted because a futon is too hard," he said.

The inner-spring mattress still reigns supreme in the slumber stakes with more than 80 per cent of the Australian market in its grasp.

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