Does the box under the mattress affect sleep?

Sleep experts say that mattress advertisements that claim better sleep are blowing smoke up your ass.

It’s not the bed that interferes with sleep. Many other factors do.

@pdworkin: I beg to differ… being comfortable makes a huge difference for a good night’s sleep. As do the stress and health issues that can keep us tossing and turning. I have slept in some crappy beds, and now have a foam mattress that is soooo comfortable!

The box spring? If you can get a newer one for free, then definitely take it!

I think this may not help as much as getting a new mattress. i would try putting it under there and then testing.

“Foundation: The foundation, often called a box spring, is also important. The box spring absorbs stress and weight for the mattress. The correct foundation can extend the life of the mattress; therefore, try to purchase the box spring designed to go with your mattress. Using no foundation, old foundations, or mixing mattresses and box springs can negatively affect the level of support and the durability of your mattress.”

Read more Here

@pdworkin Mattress quality is vital to sleep and avoiding back pain.

Yes, the box springs make a huge difference in the comfort of the sleep. Many people overlook the “small” sagging or similar differences, but they really do count. The “Princess and the pea” is a joke, but it is based on the fact that small differences really do make a difference. Do not discount the difference in ‘smell’ as well. The older box springs are bound to have more smelly debris than the newer ones..

You can use disinfectant, lysol-type germ killer sprays and process the box springs and the mattress on a week end. I also leave mine out in the sun, for the healing effects.

How old is your mattress? If it’s older than 10 years, that could explain why your quality of sleep has declined.

@pdworkin: I’ve got to disagree with those experts. I’m a longtime insomniac but particular mattresses have lulled me into bliss. I traveled cross country last year, staying in a different hotel each night of the journey and some beds were definitely better for catching some hours of sleep than others.

The wife and I bought a new bed this weekend. I am sleeping better—due to the mattress.

Good boxsprings do make a difference. The great ones are more than just a frame. They actually have springs in them, and you can really feel the extra depth.

@pdworkin You need new experts. I’ve spent years sleeping on different mattresses and the differences have been immense. Quick knockouts to slow tossing and turning to sleep, sound sleep to random wakeups(And I am a Damn heavy sleeper) and waking well rested to my neck and back feeling like crap on a stick. Everyone in my family and anyone I’ve mentioned my sleeping problems to has agreed. If the different mattresses have not affected you, you’re lucky.

Anyway on o the question. The stronger the boxspring the more support for the mattress. I say take it, but a new mattress would probably make a bigger difference. Determine if you need one that’s firmer, or has more give.

I am not inclined to do your research for you, but if you read documents from the most respected sleep disorder clinics you will find that I have not offered incorrect information, even if this may seem counterintuitive to you. If you are certain I am wrong I would like very much to review any citations you may have.

@pdworkin: We are talking about the average person getting a good (vs. restless) night’s sleep, while it appears that you are talking about the select few with sleeping disorders. Our population sets are different.

I do not have a sleeping disorder. The times in my life when I have suffered insomnia were during stressful times, including a few episodes of acute clinical depression.

For the average person with no sleep disorders or psychological issues, being comfortable makes a huge difference. Have you ever had a sleep study? I have many patients and friends who have, and they all say how difficult it is to sleep there!

I beleive that they are valid for confirming sleep apnea to appease the insurance companies that can’t take the wife’s word for it that the husband gasps for breath at night… but what else can they really tell you if there are so many variables that are changed? (after all the ONLY contant is the patient – everything else is different) One night in a sleep center room and bed with different sounds, smells, lighting, and mattress, while wired to instrumentation can not claim to represent what a person experiences every other night in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.

@pdworkin – It’s not the most scientific of studies, but I’m betting if I were to dig deeper, I probably could find it.

National Harris Interactive Poll Confirms Effect of New Mattress: Better Sleep, Health…

”That research provided solid scientific evidence of the critical link between health and sleep benefits and mattress quality, and underscored the importance of a regular assessment of one’s mattress. Improvements from pre- to post-test in specific variables were reported by significant percentages of study participants. These included reduced back pain (62.8%), shoulder pain (62.4%), and back stiffness (58.4%) and improved sleep quality (64.4%) and sleep comfort (69.96%).: