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In market for new non toxic mattress

sventura
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In market for new non toxic mattress

Reading some of the archives here, it looks like a latex or foam mattress may not be the best.  It's really important to me to get a non toxic mattress, and the only ones I see are either foam or latex.  Any suggestions?  I have a pretty extreme sway back and have been having spasms at night and think it's time for a new mattress as part of the solution.

Founder
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I've heard good things about this company: http://mulliganmattress.com/ if you're anywhere close to Portland, Oregon.

PaulC
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I was literally confused about choosing the right memory foam mattress, so it was worthwhile to read the information published at www.FurnitureUK.co.uk, and now I am able to make the right selection.

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Hello Sventura-

I am not familiar with these brands but found some non toxic links for you to research below.  I also included Esther's thoughts.

Best to you,

Amy Smith, Gokhale Method teacher

www.tuftandneedle.com/lp/safety/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw3_HOBRDa7NbDqdudqMEBEiQAvLBbopyhDSgyeLAWDivZCC3sj2epWE2SfrK0_XWOlrqmxtUaAj5R8P8HAQ

www.thegoodtrade.com/features/natural-and-eco-friendly-mattresses

gimmethegoodstuff.org/safe-product-guides/mattresses/

www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/organic-mattress-labels-you-can-trust/

www.naturallivingideas.com/non-toxic-mattress/

www.zenhaven.com/?pt_source=googleleads&pt_medium=cpc&pt_campaign=[ADL]%20[Non-Brand]%20[US]%20Mattresses%20-%20Eco%20(Broad)&pt_adgroup=non%20toxic%20mattress&pt_keyword=%2Bnon%20%2Btoxic%20%2Bmattress&gclid=CjwKCAjw3_HOBRBaEiwAvLBbokv79k08DxePhlZUfsFP5uSSMkAKC_mTX5eXuEstQaLZ1mXNKyWbxBoCMjAQAvD_BwE

Choosing a Bed

Students often ask me if there is a particular mattress that is in line with the Gokhale Method. While I do have a few suggestions, the most important part of lying down is how you do it. Stretchlying on your back or side to put some extra length in your back is key to navigating beds with any extra firmness or softness. Elongating the spine will also help mitigate the distortions caused by twisting and moving around in your sleep. If you learn how to use your body well, you will develop the ability to sleep and be comfortable on most surfaces.

While I do not endorse any particular brand or product, there are certain things to look for when purchasing a new mattress. What you most want from a bed is support and comfort—some structural element from the mattress to help you maintain your stretch, and some degree of softness that will cushion your contours. If you have any inflammation, disc degeneration, nerve compression or back discomfort, we favor a medium firm, high spring count mattress with a small amount of topper. The research shows that this is the most satisfactory for back pain. Here is why:

Firmness

When stretchlying on the back, if a mattress is too soft there will be too much sagging where your body is heavier, namely your hips, which will cause a sway. A high spring count will provide a structured even surface for your body to retain a stretch throughout the night.


You can lay comfortably on any surface if you have good structure.

Softness

Especially in stretchlying on the side, you want enough give to accommodate the discrepancy between a narrow waist and wider hips in women, or between narrow hips and broad shoulders in men. Some beds come with a pillow top, or you can place a soft topper on your medium firm mattress. 


If your bed does not accomodate your curves well,
you can use a small pillow or flannel sheet to support your waist,
thus preventing any distortion to your spine.

High Quality

When choosing your bed, make sure the quality is there. High quality beds usually have a higher spring count and keep their original shape for many years. In less expensive, lower quality beds, the springs may start to protrude and/or the mattress may begin to sag after a few months.

A firm foam mattress works well but some foams vary in quality depending on where in the original manufacturing block (cube) they were cut from. If the foam is too soft you will get a sagging effect. Be wary of beds that are overly conforming. These types of mattresses allow your whole body to sink and curve your shoulders forward when you are lying on your back.


You can lay comfortably on any surface if you have good structure. 

Travel Beds

If you are traveling or camping, I would go for an airbed or a Thermarest® pad. Airbeds provide a bit less leverage for lengthening your back in stretchlying. But as you get more proficient at stretchlying techniques, you are less dependent on the amount of firmness in your sleep surface. Thermarest pads, with their self-inflating cells, are surprisingly comfortable considering how little space they can pack into.

The bottom line is that if you are in pain, choose a bed with more structure. Otherwise, with your stretchlying skill set, you will be perfectly comfortable sleeping through the night onmost sleeping surfaces.


Best,
Esther

skywalker
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01/28/2019 - 8:07pm

Sorry for hijacking this thread, and I completely understand that OP (almost certainly) have already found an appropriate option for him/her. Though, I was in a similar situation, and I came across this topic.
So I finally decided to sign up to say thank you, Amy, for sharing these useful articles. And add my two cents in this topic as well for future readers.

Don’t have any particular recommendations for a brand, also I’m not sure that such comments are even allowed here. But from my experience, you might need to change several mattresses before choosing one. Some people claim that organic mattresses are too firm, but as for me that’s perfect, couldn’t tell for you though (it all depends on your medical condition, posture and preferences). Also remember that all components of your mattress should be eco-friendly and certified.

Post by Esther has been already mentioned, so I can only add these for your prep reading:
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain-tips-for-buying-mattress - have great tips for choosing mattress, might be useful.
https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/lifestyle-articles/what-is-the-best-natural-organic-mattress/ - be careful with this one  – it does have a brand promotion in the end, though some information about synthetic mattresses seems to be useful.
https://draxe.com/organic-mattresses-and-how-to-pick-the-healthiest-bed/ - very detailed description for harmful components, have good proofs from med portals. 
https://www.talkaboutsleep.com/best-mattress-for-sciatica/ - have a good description of specs you need for backpain/sciatica issues, also some recommendations on brands, but most of them are non-organic.

Another option is to get a futon.  Basically, it's a slightly cushioned mat, a bit smaller than a regular mattress in terms of length & width dimensions. You fold or roll it up everyday and put it away, so it doesn't take up much floor space. Futons aren't usually pillow-like, they're pretty firm. The ones I've slept on have been, anyway, but the mattress has usually been stuffed something, and not mostly synthetic or foam.

Elizabeth C
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07/06/2020 - 3:00pm

Try Happsy mattress.  Made by Natura but lower cost.  If too firm, get the topper.

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