The Tribune

By Bettyjoe Cooper

Several years ago, I suffered agonising back pain for months and endured several hospital visits. Doctors established that soft tissue between the disc and vertebrae had dislodged and was pressing against my spinal cord. The best way I could describe the pain was like extreme toothache, but in the arch of my back. Surgery was the only solution which an amazing doctor performed, here in the Bahamas. I remained hospitalised for the next eight days.

They removed a piece of tissue about the size of the last knuckle of a little finger. I recall the term they used was “impressive”.

The operation was a success. Doctors advised that my back wouldn’t be the same after such extensive surgery. The three-inch scar is still visible in the arch of my lower back and serves as a reminder to take good care of myself.

They were correct about not being the same. I’m 44 years of age and still active. But I’m not as active as I was before my injury, which was likely caused by a mishap with a pickaxe whilst gardening. Needless to say, I’m much more careful about what I do and what I lift these days.

In the months and years that followed I made a steady recovery. But I was always reminded of the surgery, as I would continue to suffer some form of back pain. If I spent too much time on housework, I’d have to wear my back brace. Per the advice of the doctors I would load up my bed with pillows so I would have a slight incline whilst sleeping.

Progress was slow and I reminded myself that the doctors told me I wouldn’t be the same after surgery. I learnt to live with it.

Revelation

Throughout this whole time my husband and I slept on the same ‘orthopaedic’ mattress that had cost us around $2,000 from a reputable local retailer. Whilst we thought it had served us well, it never occurred to the specialists and chiropractors to ask what I slept on. I noticed that my back pain was worse in the morning or after exerting myself.

I started to do some research and discovered that the term ‘orthopaedic mattress’ is a marketing spin. The mattress industry coined the term in the 1950s. There is no government regulation or standard that determines what an orthopaedic mattress should be.

I visited stores here in the Bahamas, in the US and in Europe. But during my travels I figured out that I got my best sleep in hotels using memory foam mattresses.

Some doctors promote the use of firmer mattresses for back pain. Yet a 2003 study from Spain surveying 313 adults stated:

“A mattress of medium firmness improves pain and disability among patients with chronic non-specific low-back pain. A medium-firm mattress provides good support while distributing pressure points on the body when lying in bed. However, a mattress that is too soft is just as bad for low back pain as a mattress that is too firm.”

During my research, I learned that relieving pressure points during sleep helps.

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic medicine found a “significant improvement for back pain and stiffness, comfort, and sleep quality” after the subjects slept in new medium-firm mattresses for 28 days. So, finding a mattress with proper support is key to minimising pressure points.

A 2008 study in Applied Ergonomics showed that the age and quality of bedding impacts back pain. Subjects who slept in new beds experienced less pain and more comfort than those sleeping on their older mattresses. And the average age of the mattress before replacement was 9.5 years.

The study also stated: “It was found that for the cheapest category of beds, lower back pain was significantly more prominent than for the medium and higher priced beds.”

A 2010 study also published in Applied Ergonomics found that the subjects experienced a 60 per cent improvement in back pain and stiffness after changing their regular mattresses for medium-firm layered foam mattresses. The 12-week study showed progressive improvement while sleeping on the new mattresses.

It concludes:

“Additionally, the number of days per week of experiencing poor sleep and physical discomfort decreased significantly. It was concluded that sleep surfaces are related to sleep discomfort and that is indeed possible to reduce pain and discomfort and to increase sleep quality in those with chronic back pain by replacing mattresses based on sleeping position.”

The bottom line was that for my personal back pain problem, everything pointed to a mattress that provided adequate support. A water bed was an option, but I didn’t like the feel nor the practicality of it. And replacing my old spring ‘plush-top orthopaedic’ mattress with another didn’t make sense. I was down to two options: memory foam or gel.

Life-changing

I tried a lot of mattresses. And I mean a lot. There’s much marketing speak and pseudo-science out there. But after doing my research I have a single piece of advice for mattress buyers. That is to have a lie down in any mattress you are considering. I don’t mean poke it or feel it or sit on it. I mean take your shoes off and get in the bed like you would at home. If you are a side sleeper, lie on your side. Same for back sleepers, or stomach sleepers. Lie in the bed like you would naturally. Your body will tell you if it’s getting the right support in the right places.

I did this, and either I didn’t like the mattresses or I couldn’t justify the cost of memory foam mattresses available at home. And it was expensive to import one due to the high duty rate.

I realised that if I have the problem, so do thousands of other Bahamians. At a guess, we replace about 37,000 mattresses every year in this little country of ours. I was certain that back pain or poor sleep was a driving factor for change.

So I went all in. I set up a whole new business to help people, like me, that needed a better nights’ sleep. Since I switched to a state of the art gel memory foam mattress, I no longer use a back brace. I no longer suffer the aches and pains. It’s been life-changing.

My business, Brand New Mattress Co, only specialises in memory foam and gel mattresses. There’s not a spring in sight, nor will there ever be.

It’s not only changed my life, I’m also honoured to have been able to help others. We’re the only Bahamian business that offers memory foam and gel mattresses exclusively. Customers sometimes ask for spring mattresses, likely because they are cheaper. But we are so passionate about the efficacy and affordability of our products, we’d rather turn that business away. And a side benefit is that our mattresses don’t need a box spring.

What else did I learn?

Earlier I mentioned the advice of the doctors to load up with pillows. What they didn’t tell me was that my mattress was only 75 per cent of my bed, the other 25 per cent was my pillow.

People sleep in different positions and have different pillow requirements. Having the right mattress is one thing, having the right pillow is another. But with the right mattress/pillow combination, the improvement is synergistic. Pillow and mattress technology has moved on, I encourage people to come and learn about it.

My spinal surgery took me on a journey that I never expected. I have used this experience and what I learned as a result to help others. The science is already proven, so I don’t need to worry about that. My role is to share my experience with others and to educate.

• Bettyjoe Cooper is a self-published author and the founder of Brand New Mattress Co, a retailer of bedding products located in the Hummingbird Plaza, Coral Harbour Road, Nassau, Call 698 4609 for more information.