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Somebody recovering from whiplash may well find that they are not getting the good night's sleep they need to let their body fully recover if their spine has been badly affected by a car accident. Getting a new mattress and pillow is a worthwhile investment if you really want to give your body the optimum space and time to heal.
Many people keep mattresses for years, and let them sag and disintegrate slowly until they can no longer bear to keep them. This is not good for your back! Make sure your mattress is still firm and supple and if it is not, consider buying a new one.
Choosing a new mattress
If you have a history of back problems or have been badly affected by whiplash, consider orthopaedic versions and models by companies like Tempur (www.tempur.com), who produce mattresses that mould to the shape of your spine.
There are various schools of thought about what is best for your back - a soft or a hard bed base and mattress. In the past, it has been thought that a wooden board placed under the mattress would stop it from sagging and therefore keep your spine and neck in good alignment.
Futons and tatami mats
Futon mattresses and Japanese beds operate on this principle. When the futon was first introduced to the UK in 1980, it became a roaring success overnight. The strength of the frame and mattress together created a sturdy structure that contributed to good posture and ensured a healthy night's sleep.
Visit the futon shop at www.futonshop.co.uk and the futon company at www.futoncompany.co.uk for the full range of futon products.
Traditional floor mats like tatami mats - woven straw mats - were originally used by emperors, nobles, religious leaders and high-ranking officials and were placed where people sat. By the Muromachi period (1338-1549) they were used to cover the whole floor.
According to Chinese medicine they are not only heat and water-absorbent, but also calm the body and soothe the spirit. As they are made of straw, they are wonderful in the summer and bring an aromatic smell to a room which is not only relaxing but also aids peaceful sleep.
Orthopaedic and memory mattresses
Orthopaedic beds have firmer mattresses but are not medically recognised or regulated in any way, although it is suggested that they have a positive effect on back pain. Read more at www.orthopaedicbeds.com
Newer companies such as Tempur, however, believe that they in fact keep the back rigid and don't allow the spine to adopt its natural curvature, compacting it further at the point of injury. They also think that lying flat is not always comfortable or the best pain-reliever, and as a result have produced adjustable beds that raise in height (like those used in hospitals) so that you can lie in bed with a slight incline of the head. Visit www.relaxtheback.com for more information.
Their mattresses support the spine in the correct anatomical position, providing pressure relief for the back, neck and spine which can be crucial in recovering from a whiplash injury.
The company originally developed their products for space flights and has been given an award of recognition from the national aeronautics and space administration (NASA) as well as a certificate of achievement from the US Space Foundation.
A memory mattress like those produced by Tempur is a good alternative to buying a new and often expensive mattress, as you can buy a "top layer" to put on top of your current mattress at a fraction of the cost. Memory top layers have already proved to be extremely popular worldwide, especially with those who have suffered a personal injury such as whiplash.
Hard mattresses for backs around the world
In many Asian countries, people sleep on the floor, on reed mats or on small mattresses near ground level to keep their back and neck straight. In Vietnam, for example, a bed is made of either wood or bamboo and covered in a reed mat.
Futons first appeared as reed-made rags in ancient Japan. A traditional Japanese futon set consists of a kakebuton (comforter), shikibuton (mat) and makura (pillow). The makura is traditionally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads.
Many nomadic groups around the world have no beds at all and use a mat that they roll out and sleep on wherever they happen to pitch their camp.
