A Good Bed For Back Pain

Sleeping On The Ghostbed Flex Mattress

Back sleepers should enjoy the GhostBed Flex. The individually-wrapped coils will support the sleeper while the top layers should conform to the body shape.

Side sleepers should feel good pressure relief and overall comfort. Because of the 4 of comfort material, side sleepers should sink into the mattress and feel almost no pressure on shoulders and hips.

We think that the GhostBed Flex mattress is probably too soft for stomach sleepers as they will most likely need more support.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

Brooklyn Bedding has amazing products that are sold at very affordable prices. This mattress is extremely high-quality and a great option for combination sleepers and seniors.

Seniors who experience back pain are going to need a balance of comfort and support. Their bed should have a bit of plushness, but they wont want to sink too far into it. They may find what theyre looking for in the hybrid construction of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid. The mattress provides some softness in the top comfort layers while also giving elderly sleepers a slight lift from a 6 support layer of individually wrapped ascension coils.

Medical News Todays Methodology

MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:

• Certifications:MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
• Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
• Materials and fill:MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
• Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
• Firmness: MNT selects mattresses available in a range of firmness options to suit most peoples sleeping styles.
• Sleep trials:MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
• Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
• Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products with warranties and clear returns policies.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

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Is It Better To Have A Firm Mattress For Back Pain

Very firm mattresses were often recommended for back pain in the past, but based on feedback from sleepers, a mattress that’s too firm can disrupt sleep and contribute to back pain. On the other hand, mattresses that are too soft also contribute to poor sleep quality and back pain, by throwing your spine out of alignment and putting too much pressure on your joints.

In general, the best mattress for back pain is one that’s rated medium to medium-firm, but it also depends on how you sleep. For example, side sleepers need a mattress that’s softer than back sleepers who generally need a firmer mattress, so the right mattress depends on your existing sleep habits.

When Is The Best Time To Buy A Mattress Topper

Good value mattress topper deals come up regularly throughout the year. Usually at least one of the toppers in our guide will have a discount at any given time. That said, there are some key periods that tend to offer slightly bigger discounts. November is when we normally see some of the best Black Friday mattress topper deals from the biggest names in sleep, and these usually form part of the wider Black Friday mattress sales.

In February, there are big discounts in the Presidents Day sales and in May there’s always a wide variety of toppers on sale during Memorial Day. We also tend to see decent deals during the summer sales, on Labor Day in September, and in early December with Cyber Monday.

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Sleep Number Mattress Pricing

Sleep Number mattresses fall into the luxury mattress category. Website pricing for queen mattresses is $899 to $4,299, depending on the model. These prices dont include optional upgrades, like regular or adjustable bases.

Sleep Number mattresses are generally comparable to other luxury mattresses. A queen-size Sleep Number 360 pSE Smart Bed with an adjustable base, under-bed lighting, and a foot-warming feature is $5,198 before tax and shipping. Thats about the same price as a Tempur-Pedic mattress with similar options and upgrades.

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How We Evaluated These Mattress Toppers

To create our list of the best toppers for back pain, we evaluated each topper based on factors like pain and pressure relief, support, contouring level, and ease of movement. We also took cost into account to best serve shoppers on a budget. To learn more about how a mattress topper can reduce back pain, check out our detailed buyers guide below.

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Should You Get A Mattress Topper

If youre not ready to upgrade your mattress just yet, you might consider a mattress topper. In many casesespecially for petite individualsadding a new layer of foam can be a cost-effective way to help with back issues. Read our best mattress toppers guide to see our selection for individuals with back pain.

We would rather people consider a new mattress entirely, but if you simply cannot afford it, perhaps a mattress topper can help for a little while. At the very minimum, you know that the mattress toppers added layer can help alleviate some pressure points. You probably wont want to end up with a soft mattress, but the extra layer could help.

Try A Mattress Topper That Can Provide Pressure Relief

If you sleep on your side, a memory foam mattress pad conforms to your body to allow your shoulders to sink in while keeping your spine aligned. Back sleepers can also benefit from a reasonable foam mattress pad because it conforms to your lower back.

Just be sure youre not only getting the right one, but youre also using your mattress topper properly.

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Memory Foam Mattresses For Back Pain

Memory foam mattresses range in how they feel more than just about any other mattress type. They have a great amount of give, and closely contour to the body in many spots. As long as these mattresses are not too soft, they are usually good options for those with back pain, especially lower back pain since the moldable foam can fill in the lumbar region. Take a look at our best memory foam mattresses page for more info.

Do I Need A Bigger Bed

A lot has probably changed since you first got your mattress. Maybe your body has changed, or you now sleep with a partner or pet. Your mattress should fit everyone comfortably.

These are the most common mattress sizes:

Remember to take your room size into consideration. You should still have enough space to walk around your bed.

If your lifestyle might change in the next 8 to 10 years, consider a size that will grow with you. For example, you could get a queen as a single sleeper if you think you might share your bed later on.

Mattress ThicknessMost mattresses are 8 to 12 inches tall. For many people, mattress height isnt a deal breaker. But if youre especially tall, short, or heavy, mattress height affects how easy it is to get in and out of bed.

Many higher-end mattresses will be thicker because they have more layers. Simpler and cheaper mattresses are often on the thinner side.

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Should You Sleep On A Hard Or Soft Mattress With Back Pain

If you look at all the research that has been done on mattresses and back pain, medium-firm comes out as what you should have, Gibson says. Firm, but not rock-hard. Remember, though, theres no official grading of firmness. What one manufacturer calls firm, another might call medium-firm.”

Heavier people generally need firmer support, whereas lighter people can get away with softer mattresses. Whether you sleep alone or with a partner also has a bearing on your choice of mattress. You both want to be able to turn round without disturbing each other or adopting unhealthy sleeping postures.

To find the best mattress for you, Gibson suggests first lying on one in-store. “Although you wont be able to tell if it will help with your back pain, you will be able to tell if its too firm or too soft for your liking, so that can be worth doing as a first step.

“But a better way to spot a good orthopaedic mattress is to see how long a trial the manufacturer will give you. Some do up to a years trial. If they can afford to do that, you can be fairly sure itll be a good one. Certainly get one with at least 30 days free trial, because some of the research has shown that it takes four weeks for peoples back pain to reduce when they switch to a new mattress.”

Nolah Evolution Best Luxury Mattress

This ultra-cooling hybrid mattress combines an organic cotton cooling cover, as well as Nolahs signature AirFoamICE, to ensure youre sleeping cool and comfortable all night long. The addition of coils within this hybrid mattress also helps keep your spine in a healthy, neutral alignment. This is great news for sleepers with back pain, who need to maintain proper sleep posture to stay comfortable. Overall, its five layers work together to create a cloud-like top while also reinforcing its durability.

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What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back And Neck Pain

Whether its lower, middle, or upper back pain, its not fun to deal with. Neck pain can go hand-in-hand with back pain too and that can definitely keep you tossing and turning at night.

No matter what kind of back pain you experience, sleeping on an old mattress isnt helping. If the mattress has started to sag, it could even be the main culprit behind your aches. Of course, its best to check with your doctor to identify the source of your back pain. However, upgrading to a more supportive and comfortable mattress can help.

When it comes to firmness or softness, its all about balance. A mattress doesnt have to be rock-hard to support your back. In fact, one study found that a medium-firm mattress is actually better for lower back pain than a firm one. A good quality mattress that contours your body and keeps your spine aligned can do wonders for those aches and pains.

Memory foam and latex foam mattresses are usually best for back pain. Theyre dense and soft enough to hit that sweet spot between cradling your body and adding support.

We all hit the hay in our own way, so its best to find the right mattress firmness for you. Heres an overview of the ideal firmness levels for the three sleeping positions:

With this in mind, well move on to the best mattresses that support all types of sleepers.

Is A Firm Mattress Better For Back Pain

Many people will tell you that you need a firm mattress to stop back pain, but thats not necessarily true. A mattress thats too firm can also cause spine misalignment by pushing up the shoulders and hips. Instead, look for a medium-firm mattress that offers some cushioning for these key pressure points. Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort level, so be sure to choose a mattress brand that offers a generous trial period in case you choose to exchange or return your purchase.

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How We Chose The Best Memory Foam Mattresses Of 2022

Weve done extensive research, reading through firsthand reviews from professional testers and consumers. Weve also tested many of these mattresses ourselves.

This article is routinely updated so features, prices and reviewer ratings and quotes stay up to date. We also regularly re-evaluate our mattress picks to ensure that theyre still some of the best choices in their categories. This story was last updated in August 2022.

Other Things To Consider

There is no single right mattress for everyone, but there are certain considerations when youre dealing with lower back pain:

• Mattress firmness: Soft or plush mattresses likely wont provide enough support. Research from 2003 suggests medium-firm mattresses are better for reducing low back pain than firm mattresses.
• Adjustability: Adjustable mattresses that let you choose your firmness level from one night to the next can be a good option but be prepared to pay a premium for this feature.
• Zoned support: Some mattresses are designed with zoned support, offering more firmness in the lower back region.

Make a point of checking reviews so you can see what previous purchasers have to say about any mattresses youre considering.

Comfort is highly individual, so take advantage of the free in-home trials that manufacturers offer when theyre available to find a mattress that balances enough support for your lower back with overall comfort. Check the return policy and warranty, too.

Sleeping on your back is generally considered best for the body, says McSweeney. But supporting your body in your preferred sleep position can also work. Getting sleep is the most important thing for your health and well-being.

Whatever your preferred sleeping position, here are a few tricks that can help minimize lower back pain:

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Innerspring Mattresses For Back Pain

Innerspring mattresses are often referred to as traditional mattresses. They are made up of a coil base and have a comfort top layer that is thinner than that of a hybrid mattress. These mattresses can be very supportive and provide a lot of back pain relief. See our best innerspring mattress list if youre interested.

Lifestyle Tips For Sleeping With Pain

To wrap up this guide, I want to share some tips and tricks for sleeping with chronic pain. Note that these have more to do with lifestyle adjustments than anything you add to your mattress.

I always recommend that my clients see the big picture, Dr. Poorbaugh stated. When it comes to pain, we have two options: We can seek a fix or a heal. The path to less pain is quite different depending on your choice, but each option has three pillars of management with very little overlap.

While the fix typically involves medication and surgery, the heal focuses on three main tenets: nutrition, sleep, and movement.

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How Can Sleep Help Chronic Pain

Now that weve gone over my picks, I want to take a second to talk about the purpose of this guide. While it may seem like the focus is on finding a mattress thatll make falling asleep with pain easier, its actually about finding the bed thats going to help you use sleep to actively deal with said pain.

Sleep is very important for restoring balance to the nervous system and improving coping strategies for pain, Dr. Poorbaugh told me during our chat . Normally, our central nervous system is downplaying or ignoring stimuli from multiple sources simply because the information is not important. A person with chronic pain, however, loses this important dampening ability, so many activities that were once well-tolerated now become pain-provoking.

Dr. Poorbaugh went on to cite a recent study, which showed that poor sleep patterns were directly related to higher rates of pain, poor mood, increased pain-catastrophizing, and overall reduced physical function.

So what can be done? In order to get the kind of sleep you need to help deal with your chronic pain, consider the following when choosing the right mattress to deal with pain.

How Its Used In Beds

Viscoelastic materials were designed to contour the sleepers curves and take the strain off of sore joints. It is usually a softer material that fosters quite a bit of cushioning. Some brands will cut it into an egg-crate shape to help with the airflow and cooling.

There are very few all-memory-foam-beds being sold today. Memory materials are typically used in the comfort or surface layer of a mattress. In a memory mattress, the top 1 to 3 layers will use visco-foams, either quilted into the cover or layered beneath it, while the thicker base is constructed with a high-density polyfoam to add the needed support. Memory materials can also be a supplementary material in a hybrid to provide cushioning comfort for the sleeper.

The material can be used in many ways, but it will not normally be found at the base unless it is used in a dual sided mattress. It is not a very supportive material, and that is why it is typically followed up with a much stronger and denser base layer, something like polyfoam, coils, or latex.

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Mattress Topper Materials Guide: Foam Gel Latex

There are countless number of mattress toppers available, so it can be difficult to know what to choose. Heres a quick guide to the three main materials that youll find in bed toppers and the benefits of each.

Memory foam a popular material used to make many of the best mattresses in a box, memory foam bed toppers are a cheap and easy way to change up your mattress, making it softer or firmer depending on what you need. If you get chilly, then memory foam is a cosier option as it tends to retain heat, although there are some cooling options too.

Gel if you sleep hot then bed toppers made with cooling gel-infused foam are designed to keep your body temperature at a cooler level as you sleep. These are often cool to the touch, which is total bliss for hot sleepers. Look out for gel-infused toppers that also have washable and antimicrobial covers, which is essential for keeping your bed topper hygienic if you sweat.

Latex natural latex is extremely durable, nicely springy and breathable making it ideal if youre looking for something long-lasting and hard-wearing on top of the comfort. Latex mattress toppers are often a good choice for RVs/campervans.