FAQ - Common Questions About Sleep AND Mattresses
General Spinal Alignment Questions
What is proper spinal alignment during sleep?
Proper spinal alignment means your spine maintains its natural S-curve when lying down. Your head, shoulders, hips, and heels should form a relatively straight line when viewed from the side, with appropriate support for the natural curves of your neck and lower back.
How do I know if my mattress is causing spinal misalignment?
Common signs include waking up with back pain that improves throughout the day, stiffness in the morning, tossing and turning at night, or feeling like you need to stretch immediately upon waking. If you sleep better in hotels or other beds, your mattress may be the culprit.
Can a mattress really cause back pain?
Absolutely. An unsupportive or worn-out mattress can cause or worsen back pain by failing to maintain proper spinal alignment throughout the night. Studies show that medium-firm mattresses significantly reduce back pain for most sleepers. However, our research based frequently asked questions on the best mattresses for back pain will help you choose your perfect mattress.
How long does it take to adjust to a new mattress?
Most people need 30-60 days to fully adjust to a new mattress. Your body needs time to adapt to the different support levels, especially if you're switching from a very different firmness level.
Mattress Firmness And Thickness Questions
What's the difference between soft, medium firm, and firm mattresses?
- Soft mattresses allow significant sinking, which can cause spinal sagging for most sleepers
- Medium Firm mattresses provide balanced support and contouring, maintaining natural alignment for most body types
- Firm mattresses offer minimal give, which can create pressure points and gaps under the lower back
Read our expert guide on How to Choose Mattress Firmness
Is a firmer mattress always better for back pain?
No, this is a common misconception. While some people with back pain benefit from firmer support, research shows that medium firm mattresses are typically most effective for reducing back pain. Too firm can create pressure points and prevent natural spinal curves.
Read our expertly crafted article on Hybrid Mattress: Frequently Asked Questions which addresses 53 FAQs including mattress firmness, back pain and other related topics which will help you make an informed decision on buying a correct mattress.
Why do most of the people buy a firmer mattress? Are your mattresses suitable for people with bad back?
Selecting a particular mattress firmness is a personal choice and preference. Most of the people have a misconception that a firmer mattress is good for their back due to a misguided information and advertisements. Their wrong selection makes them turn and toss as the mattress exerts an excessive amount of pressure points on their body. For a mattress to be most useful for sleep and bad back, an effective surface area contact and maximum pressure point reduction is of paramount importance which is achieved via a medium firm mattress.
Sleep Harvester mattresses are designed to reduce the pressure points and turning and tossing and can be useful for people with bad back. They cater to all the people irrespective of their weight, size, shape and age as they are designed to accommodate a wider range of various parameters affecting our blissful sleep. Read our Ultimate Guide on Choosing an Orthopaedic Mattress.
I'm a side sleeper - won't a firm mattress hurt my shoulders and hips?
Yes, side sleepers typically need softer to medium-firm mattresses. A firm mattress creates excessive pressure on your shoulders and hips (the widest parts of your body), leading to discomfort and poor circulation.
Can couples with different firmness preferences share a mattress?
Yes! Consider a mattress with dual firmness zones, adjustable bases, or a medium-firm option that works for both. Medium firm is often the best compromise as it suits the widest range of sleepers.
Does body weight really affect which firmness I need?
Definitely. Heavier individuals need firmer support to prevent excessive sinking, while lighter individuals may find firm mattresses too hard and need softer options for proper contouring and pressure relief.
Which mattress thickness is good for my body type or plus size people?
The thickness (height or depth) of your mattress is very important as it affects how (i) your mattress contours to your type of body, shape and weight and (ii) your mattress provides the pressure relief to your body. People with their weight between (i) 14 and 18 stones require 25 cm (10 inches) deep mattress and (ii) 18 and 32 stones require 30 cm (12 inches) to 36 cm (14 inches) mattress.
Most of Sleep Harvester mattresses are designed with the thickness between 25 cm and 36 cm considering a wide range of weight and shape of people. We design our mattresses in this thickness because if the thickness of the mattress is higher than it contours to your body better for minimising the body pressure points. The thickness of our mattresses is ideal for all the weights up to 30 stones (individual weight of 15 stones). For the individuals over 15 stones or couple’s weight greater than 30 stones, we have also developed an exclusive mattress range called IVORY COLLECTION (mattresses for heavy people). Read our comprehensive guide on Mattresses for Heavy People: Frequently Asked Questions.
Learn more about the signs of a premium mattress in our guide on how to tell if a mattress is actually high quality.
Sleeping Position Questions
I sleep in multiple positions - which firmness should I choose?
Combination sleepers typically do best with medium firm mattresses, which provide enough support for back sleeping and enough contouring for side sleeping. This versatility makes medium firm the most popular choice. Our Mattress Firmness Selector Tool will help you find your perfect mattress in 3 simple steps.
Why do stomach sleepers need firmer mattresses?
Stomach sleeping naturally puts stress on your lower back. A softer mattress allows your hips to sink too much, creating an unnatural arch in your spine. A firmer surface keeps your body more level and reduces lower back strain.
Can changing my mattress firmness improve my sleep quality?
Yes! Proper spinal alignment reduces tossing and turning, decreases pressure points, and allows for deeper, more restorative sleep. Many customers report significant improvements in sleep quality after switching to the right firmness level.
Maintenance & Longevity Questions
How often should I replace my mattress for optimal spinal support?
Most mattresses should be replaced every 7-10 years (ideally between 5 and 8 years). Signs you need a replacement include visible sagging, waking with pain, or the mattress feeling less supportive than when new.
Will a mattress topper fix spinal alignment issues?
A topper can help fine-tune comfort, but it won't fix a fundamentally unsupportive or worn-out mattress. If your mattress has lost its support, you'll need a replacement for proper spinal alignment.
Does mattress firmness change over time?
Yes, mattresses naturally soften with use. A medium firm mattress may feel slightly softer after a few years. Quality mattresses maintain their support longer, which is why investing in a good mattress is important for long-term spinal health.
What is a difference between support and comfort related with a mattress?
Your mattress should provide a good strong support to your weight while imparting a luxury comfort to you. If a mattress is foam based then the support comes from the high density, high resilient core foundation layer. If a mattress is sprung based then the support comes from the pocket sprung or the open coil sprung unit. You get your comfort from the top fabric and the foam core or natural materials depending on your mattress type (hybrid or natural). The comfort layer is the top layer on which you sleep.
Health Specific Questions
I have chronic lower back pain - what firmness is best?
Most people with lower back pain benefit from medium-firm mattresses. However, if you have a specific condition, consult with your healthcare provider. They may recommend specific support levels based on your diagnosis.
Can the wrong mattress cause sciatica?
While a mattress doesn't cause sciatica, the wrong firmness can aggravate existing nerve pain. Proper spinal alignment helps reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. Medium firm support is typically recommended for sciatica sufferers.
I'm pregnant - should I change my mattress firmness?
Pregnancy changes your body's support needs. Many pregnant women find medium-firm mattresses with good edge support most comfortable, especially when combined with a pregnancy pillow for additional support.
Does age affect which mattress firmness I should choose?
Yes, older adults often benefit from slightly softer mattresses (medium to medium firm) as they may have more sensitive pressure points and conditions like arthritis. However, adequate support remains crucial.
Sleep Harvester Specific Questions
How do I know which Sleep Harvester mattress is right for me?
Use our decision tree guide above, or contact our sleep specialists who can help you choose based on your body weight, sleeping position, and any specific concerns. We're here to ensure you find your perfect match.
Read our comprehensive guide on Mattresses for Heavy People: Frequently Asked Questions on choosing a correct mattresses based on body weight and sleeping position.
Do you offer a trial period?
We offer 30-day return. Please read through our return policy Return Policy – sleepharvester
What if I choose the wrong firmness?
We will exchange the undamaged, unspoiled mattress for the correct firmness with £60 delivery/collection charge. Please read our our return policy Return Policy – sleepharvester for further information.
Foam Specific Questions
What is Polyurethane foam, Latex foam, Memory foam and Gel foam?
All the above foams are commonly used polymers as a constituent(s) in either in mattresses, blankets or pillows. They come in different densities and firmness which is measured in Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) values. IFD and densities determine the comfort level and the quality of the foams.
Polyurethane foam: This foam is manufactured by reacting polyols with isocyanate in various concentrations depending on the quality required. This foam is commonly used for cushioning and the comfort. They have the open cell structure which allows the foam to be highly breathable.
Memory foam: This is a type of polyurethane foam also called viscoelastic foam due to its viscosity and density. An important property of this foam is that it is temperature sensitive as it softens when come into contact with our body heat. This helps the memory foam takes the shape of our body to minimize the body pressure points. Due to its semi closed solid cell breathable structure, a memory foam slowly recovers to its original shape. Memory foam provides good body support as well as comfort while helping you to keep your spine in a perfect alignment during sleep.
Latex foam: This foam is made from the sap of the rubber tree and offers quality comfort and durability. It is highly breathable foam with hypoallergenic property. It also resists the growth of microbes, molds and dust mites and provides coolness in warmer season and vice versa making it a vital component of mattresses.
What is a foam density and Indentation Force Deflection (IFD)?
Foam density and IFD measurements are used to compare or judge memory foam mattresses. When you buy a memory foam based mattress, you should look for these two main measurements.
- Foam density: It represents the weight of the foam (weight per unit volume; kg m-3). For example, a foam with 75kg m-3 density will have the weight of 75Kg when it is cut into 1m length, 1m width and 1m height. A quality memory foam mattress like ours uses 70 to 80 kg m-3 density foam, whereas a poor quality memory foam available in the market may use 40 to 50kg m-3
- IFD: It represents the firmness or softness of the foam which support or comfort the body. If the IFD value of the foam is higher then it means the foam is firmer and vice versa regardless of foam density. This means that a foam with less density can be more supportive than a high density foam. Furthermore, it is a misconception that higher the density of foam means better the quality or durability of foam. In nutshell, the density does not describe the softness or firmness of the foam and its ability to support to support your weight. IFD values are used to describe how soft or firm is your mattress and its ability to support your body weight. Thus IFD values give us an indication of mattress’ load bearing capacity. IFD is measured in Newton (unit of force) by pressing the foam down by 25% of its original height. A soft foam will have an IFD value of 436 when it requires a force of 436N and a firm foam will have an IFD value of 1309 when it requires a force of 1309N and a very firm foam will have an IFD value of 2181 when it requires a force of 2181N to press it down by 25% of its original height.
Our mattresses are designed to bring the symbiotic benefit of foam density and IFD values (soft to firm) for your comforting sleep.
Why some of memory foam mattresses get too hot or take longer to rebound?
Some mattresses manufacturers buy the memory foam from the foam manufacturers who use the outdated memory foam technology. These memory foams have too high density which traps the body heat easily and makes it too hot to sleep comfortably. Too high density foams do not rebound quickly to their original shape as well. The memory foam with its density of 80 kg m-3 and greater can become soft, sticky and hot when it comes in contact with our body heat giving us a sleepless night. Furthermore, such foams become stiff when they come in contact with a temperature lesser than 15 0C making it difficult to rebound quickly. A poor quality memory foam does not have the same lush soft comfort level as that of a premium quality memory foam.
Our mattresses which are manufactured using memory foam or healthcare foams and have the perfect blend of density and softness. The density of our memory foam is 50 kg m-3 which is the best versatile density as it is highly durable, dissipates heat efficiently (builds up less heat) and bounces back more quickly and smoothly giving you a deserving sleep. Our mattresses containing memory foam and healthcare foams are also designed to accommodate a broader temperature tolerance. Our mattresses do not become stiff when the room temperature falls below 15 0C and also do not become sticky and hot when the room temperature jumps above 32 0C. Our best cooling mattresses UK are designed for temperature regulation and moisture wicking for comfortable sleep. Furthermore, our expert Ultimate Guide to Cooling Mattresses UK will help you choose a correct cooling mattress.
