Back Pain? Could Your Mattress Be to Blame?

It is one of the most common reasons for time taken off work and around 80% of us will suffer from it at some point in our life. Back pain is a a debilitating problem which can rule your life if left unchecked, yet thousands of us put up with it, often at the cost of our careers, family life and enjoyment of daily activities. There are many different factors which cause back-pain including incorrect lifting, sudden movements and frequently repeated actions. However, the reason that most of us suffer from back pain is more simple than that – our beds are not offering us enough support when we sleep! An easy way to identify whether your mattress is the cause or a contributor to your back pain problems is to make a note of whether you experience discomfort in the lower back or neck on waking. Pain caused by an unsuitable mattress occurs while you are still in bed or within hours of rising.

Choosing A Mattress to Avoid Back Pain

Are you still sleeping on a old-fashioned spring type mattress? If so, consider upgrading for the sake of your back. The construction of sprung mattresses means that within three to four years, your body will not be getting the support it needs. While a new mattress might be a costly option, a better mattress means better quality sleep – something which will help you wake up alert and free from discomfort. In the long run, this will result in less days off work, doctor's appointments, physio sessions...

So what should you look for when you purchase a new mattress?

Experts in back pain suggest that sufferers should choose a mattress which offers ample support to the entire body, yet they disagree as to whether this means that the mattress should be of a firm or medium texture. The best mattresses are latex foam, which cushions the body and moulds to its shape. A mattress must be big enough to allow whoever sleeps on it room to stretch out and move during sleep.

For those who can't afford a new mattress, latex foam toppers are an alternative which will provide a little more support at a reasonable cost.

Free Yourself From Pain Tips

Your mattress plays a vital role in preventing back pain, but there are other tips which you can follow to help prevent back injuries while you are in bed. Keep these hints in mind, and enjoy freedom from pain.

    * Treat yourself to a latex foam cervical pillow which follows the natural curves of the neck and prevents excess pressure being exerted on the area as you sleep.
    * Prepare yourself for the day ahead before getting out of bed by warming up your muscles with a simple stretching routine. Luxuriate in slow, gentle movement to get your blood circulation flowing and prevent strains caused by sudden movements.
    * Instead of jumping out of bed, take a few moments to roll to the edge of the mattress, and lift yourself up using your arms.

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Everything You Need to Know About Thread Count

When shopping for new bedding, one term which you will see frequently is thread count. To understand what thread count means and whether it should influence your choices when shopping, read on.
The Definition of Thread Count

Thread count is used by bed linen manufacturers to describe the number of threads per square inch (or square centimetre) of textile. If you look at your bedlinen, you will notice that the individual threads run vertically and horizontally. In the textile industry the vertical threads are called the weft, and the horizontal ones are known as the warp. Standard cotton bed linens have an thread count of 180, while more luxurious bedding offers a thread count of 250 or more.

How Does Thread Count Affect Quality?

In terms of texture, higher thread count bedding is generally smoother and has a fine finish which looks lustrous and feels great against your skin. However, experts in bedding design remind shoppers that thread count is not the only consideration when shopping for bedding. A high thread count cannot disguise low quality thread, so it is important to only purchase bed linen from reputable manufacturers. Some companies look to make savings when sourcing their raw materials, and although they pass the saving onto their customers, the final results are unsatisfactory.

How Does Ply Affect The Feel of Your Bedding?

In recent years there has been much discussion about whether single or multi-ply high thread count bedding is a better purchase. Single ply bedding means that the thread count is made up of single threads, while multi ply is woven from two or more threads which are twisted together. Generally single ply bedding is woven from cotton which has longer strands such as Egyptian cotton. Ideally, you should choose bedding which balances ply and thread count for your own personal comfort level. A single ply 250 thread count duvet cover set will be light and soft while reasonably hard-wearing, while a higher thread count with multi ply threads would feel thicker and warmer.

What Are The Benefits of High Thread Count Bedding?

As mentioned, high thread count bedding has an incomparable feel, and as we spend so many hours in bed, it is well worth considering treating yourself. With so many different styles and patterns of high thread count bedding available, it is possible to give your bedroom a fresh look and compliment your home décor, quickly and easily. High thread count bedding makes your bedroom an even more pleasant place to be, a zone of tranquillity and relaxation, which is something we all need!

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Cover Sets – Duvet Covers, Quilt Covers, Doona Covers

A duvet (from the French duvet "down") or doona is a type of bedding a soft flat bag traditionally filled with down or feathers, or a combination of both and used on a bed as a blanket. Duvets originally came out of rural Europe and were ready from the down feathers of the Eider duck, which is well known for its usefulness as an insulator.


Duvets reduce the complexity of making a bed, as it is a single covering instead of the mixture of sheets, blankets, and quilts or other bed covers, which is traditional in many parts of the world. The cover is called a duvet cover or a "quilt cover".


In Australia a duvet is called a "Doona", from a trademarked brand name derived from the Old Norse "dunn" meaning "down feathers". Though still registered to the Tontine Company, the name "Doona" has become a general term for a duvet or down quilt. A duvet is sometimes confused with a comforter, although comforters go on top of the traditional sheets and blankets and are primarily decorative while duvets are used alone.



    * Originally the term "continental quilt" was the standard name used across Australia, some regions of Australia still use this term today.

    * A duvet is also called a quilt, following British tradition.

    * Duvets are still commonly used in Europe (especially in northern Europe and Scandinavia where it is the most common form of bed covering), and have become popular throughout the world in the late twentieth century.

    * In Danish and Norwegian a duvet is called a dyne, which is pronounced similarly to the Australian name "doona".

    * In the US, confusion often occurs as the word "duvet" may refer to a comforter cover rather than the down blanket itself.

    * In Spain and Latin America a duvet is known as edredon.

    * In Russia a duvet is called a "cotton blanket". It is the most general form of bed covering in Russia and a bright coloured atlas is often used for top and bottom cloth.



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A Touch of Luxury in the Bedroom

For many people, one of the highlights of a holiday is staying in a hotel – crisp bedding, perfectly made beds and a mattress which makes you feel like you are floating on a cloud. In fact, it isn't that difficult to bring that luxurious feeling of a hotel stay into your own home by choosing bedding which looks and feels that extra bit special. In fact, you can change your bedroom in an instant by selecting bedding in fabrics which will make sleep experience more comfortable and pleasant. Read on, and discover which materials will make you feel fabulous when you slip between the sheets.

Egyptian Cotton

The world's best cotton is harvested from the white, fluffy fibres produced by Gossypium barbadense, perhaps better known as the cotton plant. Egyptian Cotton, grown along the banks of the majestic Nile river has become famous for its superb quality and inviting texture which hasled in turn to it being used in prestigious hotels including the Hilton chain. Bedsheets which are made from Egyptian Cotton feel incredibly smooth against your skin, and because they are highly breathable, they will prevent you from overheating in summer, or feeling chilly in winter.

Pure Linen

Pure Linen brings a sensation of classic opulence to a bedroom, and is surprisingly easy to carefor. With its rich, crisp feel and soft sheen, the texture is quite different from other fabrics. Linen is made by spinning fibres from the Flax plant which is grown commercially throughout Europe. Some of the best known linens come from Scotland and Ireland, with Belgian linen also rated very highly in terms of luxury.

Mulberry Silk

Perhaps the most romantic fabric that you could choose for your bedding – silk is sensual andexotic. The best silk is Mulberry Silk – completely natural, it is produced by the Bombyx mori, more commonly known as the silkworm moth. The larvae of the moth eat the leaves of mulberrytrees, and produce the silky substance which is harvested and woven. These moths have beencultivated in China for thousands of years for commercial purposes, and to this day, the best silkcomes from the Western region of the country – an area sometimes known as the Silk Road.

A Final Tip

If you want to indulge yourself with luxury bedding fabrics such as Egyptian Cotton, Pure Linenor Mulberry Silk, choose the highest thread-count that you can afford. If you follow the care instructions carefully, your bedding will last for many years making it a real investment, even if the initial outlay is fairly high.


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Choosing the Right Bedding Store for Your Bed Sets

Bedding sets, which generally include blankets, sheets, pillow cases, comforters, duvets, valances or bed skirts, coverlets, and what ever else that are laid on the bed mattress are now available in a wide variety of styles, materials, texture and colors. Likewise, luxury bedding is available as well as cheap bedding is. Luxury bedding duvet covers are usually made of silk or satin and features intricate designwork, while cheaper bedding is usually made from cotton, wool, or from different synthetic materials and features more simple duvet cover designwork.

There is no need to hire a professional to create a bedroom that is so appealing and comfortable that you won’t mind staying in your room for hours while awake. First, you have to make sure of that you have a comfortable bed. Then, depending on your budget, chose the bed sets that would feel good because it is the bedspreads that your body comes in contact with as soon as you go to bed. The comforters, duvets, duvet covers, or the visible top layers of your bedding choose the color and design that would best complement the overall room decoration concept. If you want your bed to stand out and to be the focus of attention in your room, you can have plain, neutral-colored walls and very attractively-designed coverlet, duvet, bed spread or comforter.

Make time for choosing your bedding. After all, the kind of sleep you get has a significant bearing to the kind of mood you will have the next day. With the wide variety of choices on-line it is now easier than ever to dress up your bed according to your personality and budget, and find the right sheets or duvets for you!

Looking for Sheet Sets online? Browse Just Bedding's huge range of top brand name Bed Sheets. A range of thread counts, styles and sizes to suit any bed.More brands available on http://www.justbedding.com.au/bed-linen/sheet-sets.html

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8 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Mattress

1. Warranty

Most mattresses come with a 10 year warranty. However, some warranties are void if the mattress has even the slightest stain on it. If you plan to use your mattress warranty at some point it is critical that you purchase a waterproof mattress cover early on. Some warranties also require that the bed be flipped every six months.

2. Take your time!

Don’t rush through the purchasing process. There are many different types of mattresses (innerspring, foam, air, water, futon) and even more manufacturers (sealy, serta, simmons, tempur-pedic, king koil, spring air, etc.). Don’t just lie down on a mattress for 10 seconds; take your time and relax on it, then try another. If you sleep with a partner be sure you bring that person with you to test. Lie on the bed facing away from your partner and see if you can figure out when he/she is getting in and out of bed.

3. Firmness

Firmer is not necessarily better. There is a common sentiment that a firm bed is good for the spine. In fact, this is not the case. A very firm mattress doesn’t “give” which can force your spine to bend at the hips and shoulders. A softer (more plush) mattress can allow your hips and shoulders to sink into the bed slightly, keeping your spine straight when you sleep on your side. Don’t confuse firmness with supportive – they’re two different things.

4. Size

Pick the right size for your height. If you’re a tall person (over 6 feet) you will probably want to go with a king size bed. If you’re extremely tall you will want to consider the california king size. The california king is slightly narrower and taller than the “regular” california mattress. For most couples under six feet tall, a queen size bed should provide enough space to sleep comfortably.

5. Coils

More coils are not necessarily better. The two main types of innerspring mattresses are interlocking coil and independent coil. Interlocking coil mattresses actually require fewer coils because the coils are tied together with wire. Independent coil mattresses require more coils because each one must work on its own to support you. The benefit of an independent coil mattress is that it is less prone to movement if your partner is getting in and out of bed. This can be an important factor to consider if you’re a light sleeper.

6. Hybrids

Sometimes a hybrid mattress is worth considering. The lines between the different types of mattresses have blurred in recent years with the advent of innerspring mattresses with memory foam, innerspring futon mattresses, and innerspring mattresses that have water chambers inside them. Don’t get sold on too much hype – the ultimate test is how it feels to you.

7. Budget

Decide on a budget before you go in the store. Mattresses are very expensive – it will typically cost you at least $800 for a decent mattress & box spring combo and many people spend $2,000 or more on a bed. As you test different mattresses you will undoubtedly notice that the more expensive the mattress, the more comfortable it feels.

8. Brands

Sometimes it’s worth it to go with a major brand. Smaller mattress retailers will sometimes try to sell you on a mattress that they claim is “just as good” as a major brand but at a much lower price. As with most things, you get what you pay for. Inexpensive mattresses are often cheaper because corners have been cut somewhere in the manufacturing process whether it’s the coils, the foam, the cotton batting, or the actual construction of the mattress itself. If you can afford it, you’ll likely get more miles out of a name brand mattress.


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How to Tell When you Need a New Mattress

Contrary to popular belief, your mattress is the most important piece of furniture in your home. No, that Hi-Def TV or that Front Loading Washing Machine are not the most important. For most people, no item in your home will get more hours of use. We spend approximately one-third of our lives on them. No other piece of furniture contributes so directly to your health and well being. If your mattress is more than 10 years old, if it has formed annoying peaks, valleys or lumps, or if you wake up stiff and sore, it’s probably time for a new one.

The short of it is that your body needs a restful night’s sleep in order to be fresh for the day ahead. The effects of poor sleep can have negative effects on memory, cognitive skills, digestion and potentially many other functions. A mattress that is worn out or poorly suited to your needs can cause you to lose valuable sleep. To the contrary, sleeping on the right mattress can help you sleep better.

Obvious signs that your old mattress has seen better days:

* A valley has developed in the section of the mattress where you sleep,
* Sagging across the middle third of the mattress or along the sides makes you roll toward your partner,
* The mattress makes creaking noises,
* Soft, non-supportive edges are a sign of edge breakdown,
* You’re waking up sore or stiff in the morning,
* You’ve developed reoccurring back pain.

How tired are you?

Signs that you are not getting enough sleep:

* You are always tired in the morning,
* You are having constant difficulty getting out of bed,
* You are in need of a nap during the day,
* You are irritable,
* You are unable to concentrate,
* You sleep better in beds that are not your own,
* You are not sleeping well.

Poor sleeping habits and the effects of sleep deprivation is usually the first sign that you need a new mattress.

YOU ARE THE BEST TEST OF A MATTRESS!

Obviously a good night’s sleep is crucial. Sleep helps replenish the vital energy you expend during the day. If you’re not getting refreshing, deep sleep, it is probably time to shop for a new mattress.


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