Research suggests that 80 per cent of the Maltese population will suffer a disabling lower back pain at some point in their life. Considering we spend 25 years of our life sleeping, ensuring that a good night’s sleep that does not culminate in disabling pain is somewhat preferable.

When lying down, the hips and shoulders take on most of the brunt. A mattress should be designed to distribute weight evenly and avoid pressure build-up on any particular point of the body.

Orthopaedic mattresses do so through the use of lever springs, making the mattress completely ergonomic. Intricate spring work divides the mattress into four zones, each providing sufficient support tailored for the specific area of the body.

It is important to note that a rigid mattress is not an orthopaedic one. Rigid mattresses exert a force equal to your body weight which could pose a serious risk of long-term back problems.

On the other hand, mattresses that are too soft do not support your weight, leading to arching of the back and added pressure on the spine. A professional retailer should offer you the option to test at least three different orthopaedic mattresses to find the one most appropriate for your weight.

Pillows are equally important and an ill-fitting pillow can lead to neck discomfort. Pillows should be tailored to shoulder size and ensure full support of the head and neck.

With four in every 10 Maltese suffering from hay fever and a third of the population being asthmatic, it is hardly a coincidence that the prevalence of respiratory disease is Malta is one of the highest globally. All modern mattresses are non-allergenic, but care must be taken to choose mattresses that have been specifically treated against allergens prevalent in Malta.

Unfortunately, most imported mattresses would not have undergone such a treatment and the opportunity of buying a mattress produced to the requirements of the Maltese climate is not to be shunned. Make sure that your seller provides mattresses that are also treated against dust mites.

General guidelines stipulate that a mattress should be changed every 10 years, at which point hygiene treatments become ineffective. It is paramount to appreciate that a guarantee extending over several years does not always reflect the quality of the mattress.

Irrespective of the length of warranty, the lifespan of a mattress never surpasses 10 years. Nevertheless, due to our climate, it is advised that mattresses are replaced more frequently, especially for those with respiratory problems.

As opposed to mass produced mattresses, often filled with foam, a good mattress is usually an artisanal product constructed using specialised techniques that limit the effects of dust and humidity prevalent in Malta. Moreover, mattresses that rest on a hand-made iron frame that aids stability and ensures comfort are the best.

http://windsormalta.com

Ian Galea is head of the bedding division at Windsor.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.