Benefits of Powered and Postural Mattresses
The average person is encouraged to get 7–9 hours of sleep each night — which is equivalent to 227,760 hours, or 26 years of your life. One-third of your life is spent asleep. Given the amount of time we spend in bed, it is important to find a mattress that promotes comfort, health, and quality of life. Two mattress types worth knowing about are postural mattresses and powered air mattresses.
The importance of 24-hour positioning has become widely recognized in recent years. Maintaining good positioning throughout both day and night promotes improved skeletal development and overall body alignment — and the right mattress plays a central role in making that happen during the hours when direct caregiver intervention is not possible.
Postural Mattresses
Postural mattresses are designed to provide optimal support and alignment for the body during sleep. By supporting the natural curvature of the spine and limbs, they help alleviate back and neck issues and promote good posture through the night. This is particularly important for individuals with special needs or mobility challenges, where neglecting proper night-time positioning can take away the benefits of any postural support provided during waking hours. What happens during the day and what happens at night need to work together.
Powered Air Mattresses
Powered air mattresses use an air pump or blower system to adjust the firmness and pressure of the mattress, allowing individuals to customize their level of comfort and support based on their specific needs. There are two primary mechanisms:
Low air loss pushes air through small pinholes in the mattress surface to help keep the skin cool and dry — reducing moisture, which is one of the key contributors to skin breakdown.
Alternating pressure relieves and redistributes pressure throughout the body on a timed cycle, preventing any one area from sustaining prolonged pressure. Powered air mattresses can help prevent and treat pressure ulcers or bedsores up to Stage IV for individuals who are bedridden or have limited mobility.
| Pro Tip: Postural and powered air mattresses serve different primary purposes — positioning vs. skin protection — and some individuals benefit from both. Ask your healthcare team whether your loved one’s situation calls for one type, the other, or a combination surface that incorporates both features. |
Which Is Right for Your Situation?
Both postural mattresses and powered air mattresses offer unique benefits that promote better sleep quality and overall health and well-being. The right choice depends on the individual’s specific needs — their positioning requirements, skin integrity concerns, mobility level, and physician’s recommendations. These are not one-size-fits-all decisions, and getting guidance from someone who knows these products well can save a great deal of time and money.
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We’re Here to Help Choosing between a postural mattress and a powered air mattress — or figuring out which combination surface is right — is exactly the kind of question our team is here to help answer. We carry a range of therapy mattresses across Group 1 and Group 2 classifications, and can help you match the right surface to your loved one’s specific situation, physician orders, and budget. Call us: 877-808-4540 (Mon–Fri, 9–5 ET) Email us: contactus@adaptivespecialties.com Or contact us online › |
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Information and resources are provided as helpful educational tools and should not be considered as medical advice. Please partner with your health care professional(s) to assist you in selecting the appropriate adaptive products just for YOU.
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