Is A Sleep Number Bed Good For Back Pain

If You Cant Shop In Person

Its really hard to tell whether a specific mattress is right for you without lying on it first. Firmness, pressure relief, and support are all highly subjective factors, which is why weve always advised trying out a mattress in person prior to purchasing. But we also know that can be easier said than done. So in lieu of our usual try-before-you-buy advice, we recommend that you look for a generous return policy on any mattress youre thinking of buying sight unseen.

With respect to trial periods and return policies, here are your best options of all the mattresses in this guide:

More mattress coverage

Who its for: The Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm caters to back-pain sufferers who prefer a traditional innerspring mattress with a just-cushy-enough top. Its likely to feel comfortable regardless of your preferred sleep position.

How it feels: Weve been long-term testing our Saatva Classic for more than a year, and it has softened slightly from a stiff medium-firm to a plusher medium-firm.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The 416 support coils in the bottom half of the Saatva Classic are sturdy, but they number only about half those in the pricier WinkBed , another innerspring weve liked in the past. Theyre not individually wrapped, either, which can lead to motion transfer. For that reason, we think the Saatva works best if you sleep alone or dont wake easily when your partner rolls over.

Why Is A Good Sleeping Setup Important

The average person spends about 8 hours a day and 33 years of their life in bed. Thats a lot of time to be uncomfortable. Think about what happens to your spine when you slouch while sitting in front of your computer. The strain of poor posture can lead to misalignment and back and neck pain.

Something similar happens when you sleep in a position thats not ideal for you. Certain positions put unnatural pressure on your spine, flattening natural curves and leading you to wake up in pain.

Furthermore, back and neck pain can make it difficult to get the sleep that you need. In turn, poor sleep qualitymakes back and neck pain worse in the following ways:

• It puts you at risk of depression, which is linked to increased back and neck pain.

There isnt an exact science to the perfect sleep position. Maintaining the natural curve of the spine and avoiding turning your head in a different direction than your body is important. But your specific type of pain will indicate the best sleeping position for you.

Anadjustable bed might help you find the optimal position for the best slumber. It may also encourage you to change the way that you sleep from night to night so that you dont wake up stiff and achy.

Which Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain

A key step in choosing a mattress is deciding which mattress type is most likely to work for you. Virtually all mattresses on the market today can be broken into five types based on their construction and materials.

Within each category, you can find consistent features however, we know there can be notable variation from one brand or model to the next. Some types allow for a greater diversity of designs, which leads to a wider variation in the expected feel and performance of any specific mattress.

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Why Do Some People Get Lower Back Pain

In a study by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , lower back pain is reported to be experienced by at least 80% of Americans in their lifetime. The lower back consists of a series of interwoven structures and includes five vertebrae of the lumbar spine. Its complexity means that there are a lot of reasons you might run into back pain.

For instance, sitting with poor posture at your office desk can result in chronic pain. Lower back pain can also be a result of injuries, such as muscle sprains, or a pull when lifting a heavy object.

Your pain might also be a symptom of more serious diseases, from spinal cord cancer, sciatica, arthritis, and even kidney infections, so its always worth checking with your physician to locate the source of your issue.

How Sleep Number Mattresses Compare

The low end of each price range refers to the size noted in the chart. The high end refers to a split or flextop California king bed, unless noted. Split and flextop mattresses are the same pricea split mattress works for a base that adjusts only the upper body a flextop works for one that adjusts to both upper and lower bodyand theyre around $200 to $600 more expensive than a regular mattress of the same size.

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What Is A Sleep Number Bed

A Sleep Number bed is a type of adjustable air bed that allows you to adjust the firmness and support of the bed to your individual preferences. The bed is made up of an air chamber, which is contained within a foam frame and topped with a mattress cover.

The air chamber is inflated using an air pump, which is connected to the bed via a series of hoses. The air pressure within the chamber can be adjusted using a remote control, allowing you to change the firmness of the bed to your liking.

What Sleep Experts Say

Adjustable beds are helpful in relieving back pain and helping people manage issues like sleep apnea, fibromyalgia and more. In a study on the short term effects of adjustable air beds, beds and innerspring mattresses on chronic back pain, 95% of patients showed significant back pain relief and 88% reported better sleep quality while using adjustable air bedsMonsein M, Corbin TP, Culliton PD, Merz D, Schuck EA. Short-term outcomes of chronic back pain patients on an airbed vs innerspring mattresses. MedGenMed. 2000 2:E36. .

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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.

Best Sleep Number Base Alternative

*Photo Courtesy of GhostBed

A solid and firm bed base is highly beneficial to a mattress. Uneven surfaces cause the body weight to sink into different spots on the mattress lessening its lifespan. Having said that, choosing an adjustable base that mirrors the impressive features of Sleep Number Base goes miles to unlock the potential of a mattress.

In addition to the adjustable bases highlighted above, another great Sleep Number base alternative is theGhostBed Adjustable Base. It is well-suited to those withsleep apnea,lower back pain as well as couples with diverse comfort preferences.

The base comes with different lower and upper body positions for lounging, watching TV and sleeping around. Its zero-gravity setting is impressive for lower back pain and high blood pressure.

Another impressive feature of the Ghostbed adjustable base has to do with its anti-snore preset. Just like with the other alternatives to the Sleep Number base, this model features dual USB ports and under-bed lighting. We have reviewed it extensively in ourbest adjustable bed frame guide.

An industry-leading 15 massage mode ensure luxurious relaxation. A non-skid surface coupled with a sturdy retainer bar keeps the mattress firmly in place.

The GhostBed adjustable base is available in three sizes the Split King, Queen and Twin XL.

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What Sleeping Position Is Best For Back Pain

The best sleeping positions for back pain are on your back with a pillow underneath the knees to alleviate pressure or on your side with a pillow in between the knees. If you sleep on your stomach and can’t make the switch, sleep with a pillow underneath the lumbar region .

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Causing Back Pain

Because back pain can be caused by many things, its often difficult to pinpoint whether or not your mattress is the culprit. If your back pain is worse in the morning, thats a good sign that your mattress isnt providing proper support. You may also find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night. Additionally, if your mattress is more than seven years old, thats another clue it might be time to invest in a new one.

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Tips For Reducing Hip Pain At Night

In addition to choosing the right mattress, there are other ways you can reduce hip pain to sleep better. Some strategies to consider:

• Change your sleep position. Though it may be a bit of a challenge at the beginning, try to start the night on your side or on your back instead of on your stomach. Promoting neutral spine alignment is most challenging if you sleep on your belly, so working to change it up may provide relief.
• Stretch before bed. Try to stretch out your hip before bedtime by crisscrossing your legs while you sit down and pressing gently on either side. You can also try a yoga session right before bed or stretch out throughout the day to improve flexibility and tight areas.
• Elevate your legs. Elevating your legs while you sleep may also help to relieve pressure on your hips and spine. The best way to do this is to make sure the weight of your legs is supported by pillows or a folded blanket.
• Use a pillow between your knees. Similar to alleviating pressure on your hips by elevating your legs, for side sleepers, placing a pillow between your legs can help hip and back alignment.
• Try massage or other physical therapies. You may also want to try using a TENS unit to stimulate the area, relax, increase blood flow, and relieve pain before you go to bed.

The Sleep Number Value Beds

The Value Bed line is Sleep Numbers bed in a box option. The company is planning to discontinue it in the near future, but for now, given the current coronavirus crisis, it has gained in popularity because of its contact-free delivery. The Value lines s1 and the s3 mattresses cost about the same as the beds in the Classic line, but they have a quilted cushion layer . That quilted layer is zoned to cater to various pressure points there are five different cushioned areas in the s1 and seven in the s3. The company doesnt divulge details about its foam, so were not sure how the zones differ. But we do know that this comfort portion isnt thicker than the 2 inches we found wanting in the Classic lines entry-level c2, and the air pump sits on the floor, as opposed to being integrated into the mattress itself, like with the other lines. And although the Value line comes with SleepIQ technology, the Value Beds dont have the smart feature that allows them to conform to your body as you shift positions. We havent tried this line, but given how spartan the c line felt, we cant imagine that any amount of quilting or zoning would compensate for the thin comfort layer.

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With A Towel Or Pillow Under Your Lower Back

Placing a towel or thin pillow under your lower back can help keep your spine in a neutral position by reducing the space between your back and the mattress.

How to set this up:

How To Choose The Best Mattress For Back Pain

A good mattress is the number one remedy for upper and lower back pain. However, sleeping on the wrong mattress may also trigger these pains or exacerbate existing ones. This makes sense when you consider that you spend 7-9 hours in bed. There are 4 critical components that you should be looking for when buying the best mattress for back pain: comfort, pressure point relief, spine alignment, and adequate support.

All of these aspects boil down to the firmness of the mattress. Go for a medium-firm bed Some years back, chiropractors mostly suggested firm mattresses when addressing lower back problems. However, this advice has changed in the recent past. Experts now recommend medium-firm mattresses citing their ability to accommodate and promote the natural curves of the spine. A medium-firm mattress supports the three natural curves of your spine thanks to its excellent conformability.

These mattresses have a little bit more give than firm beds. Thus, they allow the heavy sections of your body, namely the shoulders and lumbar region, to sink slightly, leading to proper spine alignment.

Does mattress type matter?

Latex latex competes favorably with memory foam in alleviating upper and lower back pains. Actually, this material outperforms memory foam by being more responsive and breathable. Be prepared to cough up more dollars, though, especially if youre eyeing a natural latex bed.

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Cushion Lab Deep Sleep Pillow Patented Ergonomic Contour Design For Side & Back Sleepers Orthopedic Cervical Shape Gently Cradles Head & Provides Neck Support & Shoulder Pain Relief

Features :

• THE MOST COMFORTABLE PILLOW: Your pillow search ends here. The Deep Sleep Pillow is the only pillow made to keep up with you even when switching sleep positions throughout the night. Enjoy always perfect support & zero interruption for the deepest sleep of your life.
• PATENTED DESIGN FOR BACK & SIDE SLEEPERS: Shaped by in-house Ergonomists, the sculpted side bolsters provide optimal side sleeping neck support, while the sweeping shoulder line and center contour let you snug closer for a seamless fit and relaxing back sleep.
• ZERO PRESSURE CLOUDSUPPORT CUSHIONING: Our special blend of dual-density memory foam features a soft, cloud-like zero pressure top layer with an adaptive support foundation It sleeps unlike anything you’ve experienced.
• ANTI-AGING FRESHFACE PILLOWCASE: Anti-wrinkle & hair frizz. The cool & ultra smooth washable cover has zero drag to prevent skin crease & helps fight aging. It’s a cinch to apply & will have you glow in the morning with great skin & hair.
• SLEEP DEEPER, WAKE UP REJUVENATED: The best sleep happens when there’s no interruption. The Deep Sleep Pillow sleeps cool & provides tension-releasing cushioning with neck relief support so you can sleep deeper and wake up rejuvenated.

What Is The Sleep Number Setting

The Sleep Number setting ranges from five to 100, and can be controlled via a remote or mobile app.

The Sleep Number setting determines the way the surface of your bed feels. It’s controlled using the Sleep Number app on a mobile phone or with the beds remote. Simply tap or selection an option, and the bed will adjust within a matter of minutes.

Generally speaking, the lower the setting, the softer the bed will feel. Conversely, the higher the setting, the firmer the bed will feel. The number manipulates air chambers within the bed, inflating or deflating them to change the surface sensation, according to a customer service rep. The number ranges from five to 100, with five being the softest and 100 being the firmest. I found it comfortable at both extremes, but ultimately its about choosing what’s best for you and what you find the most comfortable.

All Sleep Number beds come with this technology, and its considered one of the company’s signature features. Other additions such as foot warmers, underbed lighting, and adjustable sides vary based on the model.

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Sleep Number 360 M7 Smart Bed

• Type: memory foam and adjustable air
• Height: 11 inches

The m7 Smart Bed blends cooling memory foam with a 5-inch comfort layer and smart adjustability. This may be a good, albeit more expensive, option if you like the hug of traditional memory foam, and youd also like to customize firmness.

Close to 3,500 reviews give this mattress a 4.7 rating out of 5 stars, and the vast majority are 5 stars. Still, negative reviewers mention uneven support and difficulty sleeping.

Sleep Number mattresses are available for purchase at any of the Sleep Number stores in the United States. You can also buy them on the companys website.

These mattresses cant be purchased at third-party mattress or furniture stores.

Height, comfort layer thickness, and cooling features are the biggest differences among the Sleep Number models. When choosing a mattress, think about how plush you like your mattress and if youre looking for upgrades.

Sleep Number offers a sleep quiz to help you narrow your options. Nine questions cover the following:

• who is using the mattress
• your preferred mattress size
• if you experience common sleep issues, like cold feet, trouble falling asleep, and snoring
• if you read or watch television in bed

Based on your answers, the company offers several mattress recommendations that might suit your needs.

If you decide to shop on the company website, Sleep Number offers a 100-night trial so you can try your mattress at home.