by An orthopedic mattress is a mattress that is essentially designed to help support the back, neck, and joints by evenly spreading the bodyweight to help avoid the buildup of pressure on certain points. We’ll help you discover the differences between an orthopedic mattress vs. Tempurpedic mattress and determine which one is right for your needs.
The advantages of using an orthopedic mattress vs. Tempurpedic mattress are that they alleviate joint pain, are firm, and are suitable for spinal problems. The disadvantages include their high price, indistinguishability, and that they are unsuitable for more than one sleeper.
If you are co-sleeping with someone, a Tempurpedic bed would be the best option since the foam in them does not bounce back and so movement is not transmitted or carried across the bed.
What Is An Orthopedic Mattress?
An orthopedic mattress is a mattress that is designed to support the spine and joints of the body. These mattresses are generally recommended for people who suffer from pain, are recovering from an injury or surgery, athletes who might suffer from muscular pain, and older people.
Orthopedic mattresses are designed to support the spine and joints and to relieve pain. They are made from a combination of innerspring technology, memory foam, and latex and are commonly used by people who are recovering from surgery, have spinal issues, or suffer from muscle and joint pain.
Orthopedic mattresses like these are specially designed to support the entire body. The materials that are used play a big role in the support that these mattresses provide as we explain in our article about orthopedic mattress materials.
Innerspring is known to ensure that the body has the right combination of support and comfort and this is especially useful for athletes who are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit.
Memory foam is known to mold to the shape of the body and this, therefore, helps in relieving joint pain and pressure on heavier parts of the body. Latex orthopedic mattresses like these are known to be quite firm and generally help for spinal problems as well.
An orthopedic mattress is designed to support the spine and joints in the body. Image Source: Amazon.Make sure to take a look at our related article explaining the 7 benefits of an orthopedic mattress and how to choose the right one for more information.
What Are The Advantages Of An Orthopedic Mattress?
Orthopedic mattresses might be relatively expensive, but they also have a number of advantages. As pressure is distributed to all parts of the mattress, the buildup of pressure on certain points and painful areas of the body is avoided.
Advantages of orthopedic mattresses include their pressure distribution and relief properties, and their ability to support the spine, joints, and muscles.
This in turn also ensures that the muscles of the body are really relaxed and not tensed up, which is always a plus point for athletes and older users. Another important advantage is that orthopedic mattresses like these provide the right kind of support for spinal alignment and comfortable sleeping positions. This video, presented by Dr. Kez from Chirolab, provides helpful tips on what mattress to choose for back support.
Orthopedic mattresses also provide relief for people that live with chronic pain, which is discussed in more detail in our article that provides tips to choose an orthopedic mattress for sciatica pain. You might also find interest in learning how to choose an orthopedic mattress for elderly sleepers, be sure to check that out too.
What Are The Disadvantages Of An Orthopedic Mattress?
While Orthopedic mattresses are known to help with pressure buildup and sores, and body and joint pain, they also have certain drawbacks, and might actually be harmful to some people.
The main disadvantage of using orthopedic mattresses is that they are often hard to distinguish from regular memory foam mattresses, they can be expensive, and are not beneficial for sleepers who do not have joint or sprint ailments.
For example, someone who has trouble sleeping already will not sleep better on an orthopedic mattress because they might feel like it is too firm or too stiff. This article from the Journal of Peer J Inc. provides some interesting information about the biomechanics of sleep and how different mattress types like orthopedic mattresses can support joints. In some cases, orthopedic mattresses might actually trigger neck pain. If you find yourself in this situation then our article that provides tips to choose a mattress topper for neck pain could be helpful.
Choosing a suitable orthopedic mattress could be tricky because it is not always easy to tell the difference between an actual orthopedic mattress and an ordinary mattress like this. This factor is sometimes exploited by retailers, so it is prudent to buy it from a reputable manufacturer or supplier. Some common medical-grade orthopedic mattress retailers are presented in our article on orthopedic mattresses covered by insurance. Another drawback is that orthopedic mattresses are quite expensive, especially when compared to other prescribed and non-prescribed ones. Check out our article about choosing a mattress topper for back support to help you choose a mattress topper like this if your budget doesn’t allow you to invest in a new orthopedic mattress.
You might also be interested in learning the differences between an orthopedic mattress vs. a regular mattress. Be sure to check out that article as well.
What Is a Tempurpedic Mattress?
Tempurpedic is a mattress brand that boasts four or five layers of foam in its mattress. These mattresses are designed for the general public and marketed to sleepers with mild chronic back pain. One key advantage is that each Tempurpedic can have different firmness levels for different types of pain.
Tempurpedic mattresses are designed to cushion certain parts of the body such as shoulders and hips, and also to alleviate muscle tension. They are made from soft memory foam which provides cushioning, firm memory foam which helps to relieve pressure, and polyfoam which provides support and durability.
This is a high-quality, high-density mattress that is made of a material called Tempur. Tempur is a kind of slow-moving memory foam that basically has little to no bounce in it. It is also made from two different kinds of memory foam – soft and firm, and a material called polyfoam. This guide on memory foam from Tempur, explains it in more detail.
A Tempurpedic mattress is made up of several layers of foam. Image Source: Wayfair.What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Tempurpedic Mattress?
There are several pros and cons of using a Tempurpedic mattress. However, at the end of the day, the choice comes down to what you actually need it for. Sleeping positions and preferences play a very important part in deciding whether this is the right kind of mattress for you.
Pros of using a Tempurpedic mattress include support for people who sleep on their sides, pain relief, and very little transfer of movement. Cons of using a Tempurpedic mattress include the fact that they retain heat and are not suitable for someone who sleeps on their stomach.
One advantage is that Tempurpedic mattresses are very good for people who tend to sleep on their sides as the mattress provides just the right kind of support for that position. Tempur foam tends to remember the shape of the body and will mold to its shape. Tempurpedic mattress foam is suitable for people who are looking for slow-moving memory foam and for co-sleepers since the foam doesn’t transfer the energy of movement and allows people to sleep peacefully next to each other regardless of the other person’s movements during the night.
One drawback of using a Tempurpedic mattress is that it retains heat so this would not be a good idea for people who tend to feel warm during the night or those living in warmer climates. It is also not the right choice for people who sleep on their stomachs. To help you make the right choice we provide some useful tips including orthopedic mattress sizes to help you choose the correct mattress for your needs.
Make sure to take a look at our related article explaining orthopedic mattress side effects and disadvantages too for more information.
How To Decide Between An Orthopedic and Tempurpedic Mattress
Deciding between an orthopedic and Tempurpedic mattress can be a very daunting task, however, one important fact to keep in mind is that different health conditions would require different kinds of beds. What might be suitable for one person might not be suitable for another.
When deciding between an orthopedic and Tempurpedic mattress, choose an orthopedic mattress for spine and joint medical conditions, and a Tempurpedic mattress for more general use.
An orthopedic mattress like this would work well for someone with spinal problems since these mattresses provide the right support needed to keep the spine aligned. As discussed in an article from the Journal of Chiropractic medicine, a medium-firm orthopedic mattress relieves back pain. Our orthopedic mattress price guide provides tips and tricks to help you choose the perfect orthopedic mattress for your needs.
However, a Tempurpedic mattress would not work for someone with spinal problems but would be great for someone with chronic shoulder pain. This is because it allows you to sleep on your side while providing excellent support for your shoulders and hips. An orthopedic mattress would not be beneficial for this type of pain.
A person with chronic back and hip pain would be better off buying an orthopedic mattress since a Tempurpedic mattress would not provide the correct support for these conditions. However, a person with sciatica would benefit from using a Tempurpedic mattress since it can adapt to your weight and shape, thus alleviating pain caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve.
The kind of mattress you should buy depends on what condition you are buying it for. Orthopedic mattresses are better for spine and joint pain. Tempurpedic mattresses are more general purpose and can alleviate shoulder pain. Image Source: The Sleep Judge.Orthopedic Mattress Vs. Tempurpedic Mattress
Here is a summary of an orthopedic mattress vs. a Tempurpedic mattress:
| Reason For Purchasing A New Mattress | Orthopedic Mattress Vs. Tempurpedic Mattress. Which mattress is best? | Why is this type of mattress best? | Example From Amazon |
| I need a general-purpose mattress with good back support | Orthopedic Mattress | Firm mattresses like orthopedic mattresses offer good back support and help with aches and pains. | Spectra Orthopedic Mattress Premium 12.5 Inch Medium Plush Memory Foam & Gel Quilted-top Pocketed Coil Mattress |
| I need a mattress for sciatica | Tempurpedic Mattress | It adapts to your body weight and shapes alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve. | Tempur-Pedic -LuxeAdapt Firm |
| I need a mattress for joint pain | Orthopedic Mattress | It offers sufficient support for joints and is just firm enough to alleviate pain. | Spring Coil9-inch Pillow Top Orthopedic Mattress |
| I need a mattress to help with my spinal pain. | Orthopedic Mattress | Orthopedic mattresses align the spine. This one contains latex and is particularly firm. | Sunrise Bedding Natural Latex Queen Mattress |
| I have chronic shoulder pain. | Tempurpedic Mattress | Tempurpedic mattresses are softer and allow side-sleepers to sleep comfortably without pressure points. | Tempur-Pedic Cloud Prima Medium-Soft Mattress |
Key Takeaways
Orthopedic Mattress Features
Orthopedic mattresses are designed to provide firm support to the spine, joints, and entire body, making them suitable for individuals with back issues or joint pain. They utilize a blend of innerspring technology, memory foam, and latex to offer a balanced mix of support and comfort. These mattresses are particularly beneficial for athletes, the elderly, or those recovering from surgery due to their support and pressure distribution capabilities.
Tempurpedic Mattress Features
Tempurpedic mattresses, on the other hand, are crafted with multiple layers of foam to cushion specific body parts and alleviate muscle tension. They are characterized by their ability to adapt to the body’s shape, providing a more personalized sleep experience. Tempurpedic mattresses excel in minimizing motion transfer, making them a preferable choice for co-sleepers. They cater well to side sleepers by offering the requisite support to shoulders and hips.
Comparative Advantages
The primary distinction between orthopedic and Tempurpedic mattresses lies in their target user base and the support they offer. While orthopedic mattresses are tailored for individuals with spinal or joint ailments, Tempurpedic mattresses cater to a broader audience, including those with mild chronic back pain. Tempurpedic mattresses also stand out for their motion isolation feature, which is beneficial for those sharing the bed.
Selection Based on Medical Conditions
The choice between an orthopedic and Tempurpedic mattress significantly hinges on the individual’s health conditions and sleep preferences. For instance, someone with spinal issues would benefit more from an orthopedic mattress due to its firm support, while a person with chronic shoulder pain may find relief with a Tempurpedic mattress due to its cushioning effect.
Financial Consideration
Orthopedic mattresses are often priced higher, and discerning an authentic orthopedic mattress from a regular one can be challenging. On the other hand, Tempurpedic mattresses also come with a high price tag but offer a variety of firmness levels to cater to different user needs.