People suffering from arthritis and fibromyalgia find that soft, cushioned mattresses that contain wool are very therapeutic and can lead to a more comfortable night. Plush mattresses matched with good support lift the body, taking pressure off of the joints and relieving pressure points. Taking the weight and strain off of joints can diminish arthritic pain.
Also, wool is a thermal regulator. Due to its natural breathability and moisture wicking, wool creates a pocket of body temperature air around you, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night. This causes a decrease in joint inflammation caused by heat.
Back pain is not as black and white one may as many think. The widely held theory that people experiencing back pain need a very firm mattress is not universally true. In fact, the type of mattress you need will depend greatly on the cause, location, and type of pain you are experiencing.
The first rule for back pain sufferers looking for a new bed: do not self-diagnose. Speak to your physician or meet with a chiropractor to determine the cause of your discomfort and the best solution to remedy it.
For those who do require a very firm mattress, our organic futons and organic shikibutons are very firm and supportive with very little give (our futons and shikibutons containing latex have more, but are still quite firm). Extra-firm latex mattresses like the Rowan are also great options for people who do not like futon style mattresses. Organic Latex Support without a mattress topper is also a option for people needing a very firm sleep surface.
People with sensitivities have found that chemical-free, hypoallergenic wool and organic latex can provide much-needed relief and allow for a full and restful night's sleep. Learn more about the advantages of wool and organic latex when it comes to sensitivities below.
A new mattress that properly supports the neck and spine relieves pressure points and reduces tension in the muscles and joints will greatly increase your quality of life. And a mattress that is exquisitely crafted with superior, organic materials and zero chemicals or fire retardants is even better. Our organic mattresses and futons are made from materials that offer intrinsic health benefits such as thermal regulation and dust mite resistance. At Soaring Heart Natural Bed Company, our philosophy is better health through sleep and we constantly set the bar higher on what a quality mattress can offer.
Conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and chronic pain can be positively affected by improving one's mattress setup. People suffering from allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, or other auto-immune irregularities may also find comfort in our all natural and organic products because they are synthetic and chemical free.
At Soaring Heart we provide options for you to explore while offering as much information about those options as we can. We believe very strongly that our natural approach to making organic mattresses will improve overall health for everyone.
That said, we are experts in designing and crafting organic mattresses, but we're not healthcare professionals, and we do not make any claims or guarantees to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition or physical ailment. Always consult your doctor before making any medically-related decisions.
Our sample kits contain small, individually sealed pieces of just about every material that we use to make our beds. Give our team a call at 206-282-1717 to order a sample box.
To test the materials, we recommend either sleeping with the sample material in question inside your pillowcase overnight or sealing the sample in a jar overnight and cautiously smelling the air inside the jar in the morning. See how you react to each material. If you have no reactions, congratulations! Chances are that a bed built with the sampled material will be just fine for you to sleep on.
If you already know you are allergic to any of these materials, please exercise caution when considering exposing yourself to them, and proceed in a manner in which you feel comfortable.
The Federal Government doesn't require fire retardants—especially chemical ones— it requires that a mattress pass two tests. 16 C.F.R. 1632 (C.F.R stands for “code of federal regulations”) requires mattresses made and sold in the US to pass a “cigarette test,” during which cigarettes are literally thrown on the mattress and can only smolder a one-inch radius from the origin of flame in order to pass. In 2007, the federal government made these regulations stricter, passing C.F.R. 1633. To meet the requirements of C.F.R. 1633:
• The mattress must be sent to a third-party burn facility and withstand 70 seconds of open flame emitted from a blowtorch that sits about a foot from the mattress.
• The mattress manufacturer must keep files on the premises to show said tests have been passed, as there are surprise audits to make sure you are in compliance.
• In order to sell a mattress that does NOT pass the flame test, the customer must produce a prescription from a medical professional that states the patient requires a bed free of whatever materials are used to pass the flame test.
NOWHERE does it state that chemicals must be used to pass these tests. All of our mattresses pass both of these tests using absolutely no synthetic or chemical flame retardants. Period.
The lofty softness of wool batting creates a supple cushion for heavier parts of the body such as shoulders and hips.
At the same time, wool's natural resilience fills in the curves that naturally occur in our backs and sides, gently supporting them. It is the perfect top layer of a bed or for use in a pillow.
In addition to providing you with a soft, supportive surface, wool is also a thermal regulator. It surrounds you with a layer of body temperature air, so it has the remarkable property of keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This is because wool is very breathable, allowing air to pass between the fibers while still maintaining its springy structure, which helps normalize your body temperature, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night.
Wool possesses other therapeutic properties as well. It often makes sleep possible for people with arthritis. Because it keeps joints from heating up while at the same time supporting the body, wool relieves the inflammation and stress of arthritis. People who suffer from fibromyalgia also sleep better on wool, because it reduces and relieves pain felt at pressure points, which makes deep sleep achievable. Some studies have even shown that preemie babies thrive better in incubators lined with wool. We've seen people greatly benefit from our Deluxe Organic Wool Topper, in particular.
Wool also helps to reduce dust mites. Dust mites are the biggest source of airborne allergies in the United States, and since wool disperses moisture so quickly, dust mites can't thrive in its low humidity. And because it stays so dry, wool also resists mold and mildew. So for people with allergies, wool can offer some major benefits.
Did you know that most people who think they're allergic to wool actually aren't? Most perceived wool allergies are merely contact-irritation from the texture of the wool fibers rubbing against the skin. Actual wool allergies are usually due to a chemical reaction to the lanolin in wool. All our wool products are inside cotton cases and no skin contact ever takes place.
Though our wool is impeccably clean, it is very minimally processed, so it does smell like wool. The scent is faint, it fades fairly quickly and, in fact, we find it pleasant. But for people with high sensitivity, we recommend getting a sample box first.
We make all our organic mattresses, organic futons, organic shikibutons, and bedding using only 100% organic cotton which is grown without pesticides and is completely chemical free.
Organic cotton is hypoallergenic. Because there are no chemicals used in the production or growth of the cotton, none end up on or in your body, thus helping to reduce risks of asthma, skin irritation, and allergies.
Cotton is also a very supportive material, compressing minimally under pressure. This means that an organic cotton futon or shikibuton will keep its form instead of compacting down overnight as would beds made with materials such as down or polyfiber. Minimal compression keeps the back in an elevated and straight position, reducing tension and strain on the spine and easing back pain and aching.
Like our wool, our USDA-certified organic cotton, although impeccably clean, is minimally processed. It does have a slight linseed smell, which dissipates over time. If you are sensitive to odor, we recommend getting a sample box first.
In addition to being amazingly supportive and completely botanical, organic latex is hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, mold and mildew resistant.
As a result, many of the most common allergens in the home and bedroom are reduced or eliminated when sleeping on organic latex, giving allergy sufferers a comfortable place to rest and wake up. Mold and mildew spores can also have an impact on the health of people who are not allergic, sometimes severe. Reducing your risk for mold or mildew is a very important step to a healthy home.
Organic latex contains no synthetic materials, no chemicals, and no fire retardants. Therefore, organic latex does not outgas, making it safe for children and adults alike. Unlike many foam mattresses that are made with petroleum products, latex doesn't need to be aired out and is 100% safe.
One of the most important health benefits of latex is its unparalleled support. Organic latex contours to the curvature of the body, forming to the unique shape of each individual, and providing them with a luxurious night's sleep. Latex cradles the body in a neutral position, keeping neck, shoulder, spine, and hips in proper alignment. This reduces stress and strain on joints, leading to a deep and relaxing rest and a morning free of aches and pains. Studies have shown that latex relieves 30% more pressure than memory foam.
For those suffering latex allergies; 1-6% of the general public, almost all latex allergies are caused by synthetic latex and are contact allergies. For people who are allergic even to natural latex, the organic latex used in our mattresses is made using processes that eliminates a significant portion of the protein associated with the allergy. Plus, the latex cores of our beds are inside three layers of wool and cotton, so direct skin contact never occurs.
Organic latex, like any other material, has a scent. Latex is rubber and because there are no odor-neutralizing chemicals or perfumes in it, it has a very slight rubber smell, which will dissipate over time. If you are highly sensitive, we recommend ordering a sample kit.
