Comments on: 10 Reasons why you may not want to listen to a Chiropractor’s recommendation when buying a new mattress

By: Doug Belleville

Doug Belleville — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:26:09 +0000

Phoenix, I think you said it better though. Thank you for you input. Now it’s time to pick on the sales people don’t you think?

By: Phoenix

Phoenix — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:14:12 +0000

In theory a chiropractor could make a big difference in helping to choose a suitable mattress for their patients. In practice they rarely do … mostly because they usually don’t have any more knowledge in this field than an educated consumer. They also rarely know much about the qualities and “specs” of the different materials and how they each fit into the bigger picture of buying a suitable mattress. They have half the picture … sleep with your back straight … but they are missing the other half which is what specific types of materials and construction methods will provide this for an individual.

There are more “chiropractor endorsed” mattresses than almost any other (all the “pedic” brands) and yet there are more differences than similarities in their construction, zoning, and materials. These “endorsements” will usually do more harm than good as they lead to the mistaken belief that they are somehow better “as a group” when they are not. I have seen too many people buy a poorly designed (for them) chiropractor endorsed mattress and pay a serious price in both money and pain (inappropriate zoning is a common offender here).

The suitability of any mattress is very individual (as you mentioned). Learning “how to choose” is much more important than being influenced in “what to choose” and if chiropractors would learn and then help more in this area, which is after all an important adjunct to what they are trying to do, they could provide a great service to many people. I applaud those few that already do this, unfortunately they are in a small minority.

In essence, this is a rather long way of saying that in general, I agree with you.

By: Doug Belleville

Doug Belleville — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:22:02 +0000

The source you reference is Dynamic Chiropractic – A September 13, 2003 article which is over 7 years old. I commend Dr. Mark Mandell, DC, MBA for his work, which according to the article at that time he was the managing partner of Chiropractic Mattress Education a group I am admittedly unfamiliar with. His article is half full of good shopping tips which I whole heartedly agree with. Truthfully, people are not seeking him out for his shopping tips. The fact is people are looking for the right mattress and ask their doctors/chiropractors which is best for them and what to buy. What I find so interesting is that many professionals suggest specific brands, types, or models. I can’t speak for Dr. Mandell, and he did no such thing in his article and spoke in generalities. Why? Because I believe he cannot say that any one particular mattress is going to fix back pain or back problems. My guess is that he would tell you the same thing. Chiropractors’ prescribing a bedding system is a problem. These men and women I believe most of which are in the majority within the chiropractic community often know less about mattresses than I know about fixing back problems or brain surgery. I maintain my position that a proffesionals can't “properly fit” a mattress as they say or prescribe when mattresses are built generically rather than a specific body, weight, shape, and patient height. I lean towards the thought these professionals who prescribe mattresses know little to nothing about them should stick to what they know or thoroughly educate themselves about mattresses. In response to the article you speak of,. Selling mattresses and boxspring foundations together is a selling tool by the mattress salesperson to "pad" his or her commission here is why: 1 Yes sale staff is rewarded a commission for selling the boxspring. Think about that for a second. They are implying that the saleperson isn't getting paid a commision for selling a 100-400 dollar boxspring.They get paid a commission on the mattress why wouldn’t they get paid for the boxspring as well? 2 Many retailers will also not pay the salesperson their Spiff Money if not sold as a complete set. 3 I quote DC “Voiding warranty by manufacturers if it is not set up on the matching boxspring” The mattress industry is notorious for finding ways to keep themselves from having to stand behind a warranty. Voiding a warranty Pads the sale with more profit for the business and helps cover replacement costs of defective mattresses. Many boxspring today are not even flexible so it would be no different than setting the mattress on the floor or plywood. My question to you is where are the long term studies by doctors, chiropractors, and universities? I am not so sure too many exist and doctors/chiropractors would need such studies to properly diagnose and prescribe. Finally the DC article sources were all the bedding industry related. Why wouldn’t they support some finding with studies and testing by the previously mentioned? 6 of the 8 sources were mattress industry related. • International Sleep Products Association • American Innerspring Manufacturers • U.S. Mattress Industry Annual Report and Sales Statistics • Ibid To the best of my knowledge (Means the same place) • Home Furnishing News • Consumer brochure

By: jonas

jonas — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 19:29:50 +0000

Of all the articles I have read online from mattress manufacturers and chiropractors, this has been the least useful of them all.

I suggest reading the following article:
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=9400

By: deerfield beach chiropractor

deerfield beach chiropractor — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:31:40 +0000

just be sure that your chiropractors is licensed to do such thing like that and even work smoothly for your treatment process.

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:44:01 +0000

I have worked in the mattress business for 23 years. I would hope that my experiences and opinions matter to the customers that spend their hard earned money looking for a mattress especially considering how expensive they can be.

I don’t think it’s wrong to question our chiropractors and physicians just as you have questioned me. If you had read the entire article you would have seen specifically a NOTE pointing out that this blog was not intended to bash chiropractors or doctors. Salesman, and doctors will have their turn at criticism shortly. I believe if you stood in my shoes and witnessed to problems I mentioned above, you too would use a platform like this to address such important concerns.

Thank you for taking the time to read my opinion. I am sorry that we do not agree and I am glad your chiropractor is smart as most are. My question is their training and expertise in diagnosing the proper mattress for their patients and is it smart to follow their advise.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:08:55 +0000

What’s up with the Chiropractor bashing? Obviously the author of this article has a personal problem with Chiropractors. Perhaps next time you could rewrite it with facts instead of the opinion, which is extremely negative, for those of us searching for information. I don’t care about opinions- give us information to make the right decision. By the way- I love my Chiropractor and she is alot smarter than you give her credit!