Air Beds

[Andersson]

We are having backache problems every morning and would like to try the air beds, but don't want to invest unless we get some feeback from current owners. Please help. We want both positive and negative.

[dmsjps]

I'm only thinking of bog-standard camping airbeds, so if you've got something else in mind maybe my advice will be wrong. I've used airbeds and I find they actually give me backache if I use them more than one night in a row. They do seem very supportive and comfortable when you first get on them and you're not used to them, but afer the second night I've suffered and I don't think they actually do anything to help you. I suffered from backache in my old 'normal' bed with a 2-year old mattress, but then I found out I'd bought a mattress not suited to my bedstead because it was made to go on an ordinary platform divan. I bought a proper bedstead mattress and I've been much more comfortable: I look forward to going to bed now.

[KARL]

I can only offer my observations on backache (lower back) but not on air beds. I invariably get backache if I sleep more than a couple of nights on spring matresses due to their tendency to become "tired" and sag, like a really taut hammock. When choosing my own bed construction I go for thin but very firm (difficult to get, but not unlike what you get in car seats of the firmest type) foam on a sheet of some totally rigid material. The popular perception is that beds (and lounge furniture)must be soft to be comfortable, but I find the opposite. I also tend to get backache if circumstances have me sitting a lot because I then tend toward slouching if I am careless. The backache goes away as soon as I turn to my remedy of deliberately exaggerating the inward curve at the base of the spine just above the buttocks - by in effect "flipping" my rear end out (hope this description is understood). Having explained this to other sufferers I know it works not just for me.

[Dagman]

Sounds like your mattress is too soft allowing your back to curve when you're on your side. try putting something like a board beneath it to firm it up and see how it goes. Airbeds may seem firm at first but stretch through the night and sag, letting your back curve. I had backache for ages and was told by a physio to get a firm bed. Never had it since changing!