Friday, March 22, 2024
HomeEditor PicksWhat Is Better For Back Pain Soft Or Firm Mattress

What Is Better For Back Pain Soft Or Firm Mattress

Plush Vs Firm Mattresses: Which One Would Work For You

Firm vs Soft Mattress – Which One Should You Get?

This research is supported by you, our readers, through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission with no extra cost to you. Learn More

While some people love sleeping on a cloud, others compare it to sleeping in a hammock and prefer stiff surfaces.

The eternal debate between soft and firm mattresses makes many shoppers doubt what bed they need exactly. And with the variety the modern market has to offer, the indecisiveness only grows further.

Dont worry though: today, we will take a close look at the plush vs firm mattress comparison and see which option would be most suited for you.

to watch out for new product reviews and guides in video format or follow us .

Would A Firm Or Soft Mattress Be Better For A Side Sleeper

A side sleeper is a very common sleep position. Most side sleepers and combination sleepers prefer to sleep on a soft mattress with a little bit of cushion. A 1214-inch mattress will provide plenty of comfortable cushioning to support the shoulders and hips while sleeping on your side. Sven & Sons Signature 14 Hybrid mattress is perfect for anyone whos looking for additional support and comfort and like plush mattresses. This mattress will feel less firm and comes with several comfort layers that help take weight off pressure points and pain in your neck, back, and hips. This mattress also is designed with individual coils that will act as additional support. These coils also reduce bed noise and make transitioning in and out of bed easier.

A Zoned Model Thats Firm In The Middle And Softer At The Edges

Parachute

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years

Made with layers of pure New Zealand wool and 100% organic cotton, the Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress is another eco-friendly mattress that can help alleviate back pain. It has two layers of pocketed steel coils, and its designed to be firm in the middle for back support and softer at the head and feet for pressure point relief and spinal alignmentgreat for combination sleepers. In between the coils is a comfort layer made from real wool, and the whole thing is wrapped in an organic cotton cover.

What the reviews say: One customer states, Sincerely the best sleep we have ever had 10/10 highly recommend! Another says, My husband tends to toss and turn a lot and this mattress must absorb a lot of the impact which helps me sleep. Its firm yet plush.

Read Also: Can Intestinal Problems Cause Back Pain

What Consumer Reviewers Are Saying

  • Kylie K. suffers from sciatica and nerve pain, but after swapping her mattress for the AS5, her pain has subsided and her sleep quality has improved.
  • After doing a lot of research online, Donna opted for the Amerisleep AS5. She loves how soft and plush the mattress is, and shes sleeping better than she has in a long time.

Pros

  • Cooling cover and layers help distribute heat while you sleep
  • Plant-based memory foam provides less off-gassing

Cons

Pros Of A Soft Mattresses

The Best Mattresses for Back Pain in 2021

Soft mattresses feel comfortable to the touch. Theyre what we think of when we imagine a cozy, restful nights sleep. Theyre also excellent for individuals experiencing back pain on firmer surfaces. Side sleepers also gravitate towards them as their sleeping position tends to require softer surfaces that allow for greater contouring at the shoulders and hips to alleviate pressure.

You May Like: Does Back Pain Relief 4 Life Really Work

How To Stop A Soft Mattress From Causing Back Pain

The most effective way to stop a mattress thats too soft from causing you back pain is to apply a firm/zoned mattress topper place the mattress on a compatible frame that has good support avoid sleeping on your front and instead sleep on your back or replace the mattress completely for a more suitable one.

More details below:

Dont Miss: Can You Use Box Springs With A Memory Foam Mattress

Best Adjustable Mattress For Back Pain: Sleep Number 360 I8

Sleep Number states that this adjustable mattress may suit back and stomach sleepers. The mattress is split down the middle. Users can adjust comfort and firmness on each side separately.

An adjustable mattress may suit people with back pain as they can adapt the firmness and position to their needs.

The mattress features responsive Air technology that automatically adjusts according to a persons movements. The contouring surface also conforms to the individual to provide more support.

Sleep Number claims that this mattress can absorb and release excess heat to keep users cool throughout the night.

The mattress has a height of 12 inches .

The price depends on the mattress size chosen, as follows:

  • Twin XL: $3,349

You May Like: Does Tens Unit Help Back Pain

Are Soft Or Firm Mattresses Better For Back Pain

According to Dr. Brager, most people will find relief with a medium to firm mattress, while a soft mattress is the least likely to alleviate back pain. However, she stresses that there is no “one size fits all solution” when it comes to selecting a suitable mattress for back pain.

“I dont want people to think that a firm mattress is the absolute all or nothing solution. A medium-firm mattress is wonderful too,” says Dr. Brager, “but everyone is different.”

Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress

Firm Vs Soft Mattress – Which Is Best?
  • Trial and warranty: 100-night trial and 10-year warranty
  • Sizes: regular sizes, twin XL, California King

The Leesa Legend uses the same key elements as other hybrids: springs and foam. The base layer of the mattress is dense foam, which the company claims provides stability and support. The next layers use coils and memory foam to lend pressure relief while still stabilizing your hips and shoulders. The structure also reduces motion transfer.

Above are two layers of foam that were designed with breathability in mind. The uppermost layer has punches that make it breathable and encourage airflow. The bed is topped with a fabric cover that incorporates Merino wool, cotton, and fiber from recycled water bottles.

According to Leesa, the cover is hypoallergenic, as Merino wool is resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Reviewers praise the mattress, saying it alleviated back pain and that its one of the most comfortable options out there. Some say its the most comfortable mattress theyve ever had.

Plus, the company rates the bed as medium firm, meaning it will appeal to a large array of people and provide good support for the back and neck.

Read Also: How To Fix Degenerative Disc In Lower Back

Support Crucial For Good Posture And Preventing Pain

The quality of support that the lower layers of your mattress are able to provide is critical in helping to prevent back pain because whilst the firmness of the mattress influences the surface tension and thus the level of pressure relief and the support to some extent its the thicker support core thats primarily responsible for holding your body weight and maintaining ideal posture.

Heres a breakdown of the different types of support cores that youll typically encounter and what they can mean for your back pain:

Spring Support

Mattresses with a spring core have excellent potential for supporting your body weight to guard against back pain especially for heavier weighted sleepers if you opt for individually wrapped pocket coils with a firmer coil gauge of less than 13 .

Foam Support

Mattresses with a foam support core are typically better suited to lighter weighted sleepers because heavier weighted sleepers may sink too far into the materials and end up with back pain although this may not be the case in firmer mattresses.

Zoned Support

Mattresses with zoned support can be very beneficial for all sleeper types with back pain because the support is more concentrated around the hip and lower back regions whilst the shoulder area has more give to reduce the pressure points.

Best Innerspring Mattress: Saatva Classic

Saatva Classic

  • Price Range: $912 to $2396
  • Mattress Type: Innerspring
  • Mattress Thickness: 11.5 or 14.5 Inches
  • Firmness: 3, 5 to 7, or 8 out of 10
  • Best for side sleepers who want a responsive mattress
  • Available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Great support for heavier sleepers
  • Three firmness levels to choose from
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty

The Saatva Classic mattress is one of the most popular innerspring mattress choices and comes in a variety of firmnesses and heights. Its likely to appeal to a wide variety of sleepers and provides great support for anyone recovering from surgery or with chronic back or neck pain.

You wont sink into the mattress like you would on a memory foam bed, so its best for those who like the feeling of lying on and not in a mattress.

Don’t Miss: Can Ms Cause Lower Back Pain

The Relevance Of Resting Well

Rest is just one of one of the most important parts of our lives. Sleep impacts us in numerous ways: it aids us think and also solve issues, control our hormones, keep high blood pressure degrees steady, and increases our body immune system. We require a specific amount of rest every night about 8 hrs for grownups for our bodies and minds to operate ideally.

If you intend to guarantee youre getting the right amount of sleep, you have to get a cushion that matches your type of body and also resting design.

We spend 1/3rd of our lives sleeping, so getting as much quality rest as possible is critical. Researches have shown that a top notch mattress can dramatically influence the quality of rest were obtaining. Therefore, it is vital to consider the products, construction, and style when buying a new cushion.

Resting inadequately can hurt your state of mind, efficiency, and mental wellness.

The even more time you invest asleep, the far better. Nevertheless, the top quality of your rest can have a significant influence on your mood and mental health.

Medical News Todays Methodology

Best Medium Firm Mattress For Back Pain

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.

Don’t Miss: Does Acupuncture Help Back Pain

What Is A Mattress Soft Vs Firm Mattress Back Pain

A mattress is a big pad or padding, generally filled with air or various other fluid, on which or upon one lies, rests, or reclines. Mattresses may additionally sustain individuals that are ill as they recover from surgical treatment.

Bed mattress can be found in various kinds and also dimensions to suit different demands. A cushion is usually gauged by its size and also width. The size of the bed structure that the cushion fits into will certainly additionally affect the measurements of the bed mattress.

Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper

There is no definitive answer to this question as everyones sleeping preferences are different. However, many people find that memory foam mattress toppers can help improve their sleep quality. When choosing a memory foam mattress topper, it is important to consider its thickness, density, and firmness. thicker and more dense toppers tend to be more supportive, while softer and less dense toppers may be more comfortable. It is also important to make sure that the topper is compatible with your mattress.

A mattress topper can make a mattress feel more soft by cushioning it. Because most toppers are between 1 and 3 inches thick, it is almost identical to filling a mattress with an extra layer of comfort. Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper is the only mattress topper in our opinion that is worth the money. The topper is encased in an organic cotton cover with moisture-wicking properties in order to keep it dry. Brooklyn Beddings pillows are 2.5 lbs. in weight. Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper is an excellent choice in terms of price and design.

If the wrong memory foam mattress topper is used, it may cause back pain. If you sink too much or feel more pain in your shoulders, lower back, or hips as a result of the toppers softness, it will be too soft. People who weigh less than 130 pounds may experience increased back pain as a result of too-firm heels.

Don’t Miss: How To Deal With Nerve Pain In Back

Are Firm Or Soft Mattresses Better For Back Pain

Both firm and soft mattresses can be good for back pain.

Because whilst a study concluded that a medium-firm mattress resulted in a reduction of back pain in the cervical, dorsal and lumbar regions in older adults with musculoskeletal pain , and the status quo is that a firm mattress is better for back pain, the truth is that soft and firm mattresses both help or even CAUSE back pain.

This apparent paradox is true due to the difference in body weights, body types, and the preferred sleeping positions between individuals.

For example, whilst a soft mattress may not provide enough support for a heavier weighted front sleeper over 230 lbs and could actually contribute to back pain, a lighter weighted side sleeper under 150 lbs may find that their back pain reduces because the lower surface tension allows the sleepers hips and shoulders to sink more deeply into the materials to facilitate better posture.

However, the same 230 lbs+ front sleeper may experience a reduction in back pain whilst sleeping on a firm mattress because the increased surface tension can help to guard against excessive material sinkage and thus maintain an ideal posture to combat back pain whilst the lighter weighted side sleeper would likely experience pain and discomfort on the same firm mattress due to the pressure points that it creates as a result of not being able to sink far enough into the mattress materials.

Who Has The Most Effective Cushions In The Marketplace

BEST Mattress for Back Pain According to Science Giveaway!

The best mattresses in the marketplace are made of all-natural products and also satisfy the form of your body. The bed needs to additionally have a suppleness level that is right for you.

An excellent cushion has a thickness of a minimum of 10 inches, as well as it is not also soft or as well difficult. A good cushion needs to likewise have an open cell building and construction to distribute weight uniformly.

Also Check: What Can I Do To Ease Lower Back Pain

What Mattress Is Best Firm Or Soft

The answer to whether a soft or firm mattress is best is entirely dependent on the individual sleeper or couple. The majority of mattresses available have a medium or medium-firm feel because its the most versatile for support and pressure relief. That being said, extremely lightweight people and side sleepers may enjoy soft beds more, and heavier sleepers and those who lie on their stomachs may feel that firm beds are the superior choice.

Cons Of A Firm Mattresses

The switch from a soft mattress to a firm one can be an initial shock for some, and a firmer mattress can aggravate pre-existing issues such as arthritis and scoliosis. Side sleepers, especially those at a lighter weight, may find that firm mattresses dont provide enough contouring, resulting in hip and shoulder pain.

Also Check: Is Back Pain Normal In Pregnancy

Best Hybrid Mattress: Vaya Hybrid

Vaya Hybrid

  • Price Range: $649 to $1199
  • Firmness: 5 to 6 out of 10
  • Best for side sleepers shopping on a budget
  • Available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Warranty: 10 Years
  • It provides the contour side sleepers need to alleviate aches and pains
  • Breathable open coil design promotes heat distribution, keeping you cooler
  • Edge support helps isolate movement, making it a good pick for couples

The Vaya Hybrid is a good option for side sleepers who may also occasionally sleep on their backs. Its also great for hot sleepers and runs cooler than most hybrid mattresses with memory foam, thanks to its cooling cover. Couples may also enjoy the Vaya Hybrid since it allows for easy movement but does not transfer motion easily to the other side of the bed.

Medium-feel mattresses like the Vaya Hybrid mattress have been proven to be a supportive mattress for those looking to reduce back pain and improve their quality of sleep while side sleeping, says Dr. Burns.

Which Type Of Mattress Is Best For Side Sleepers

Simmons Beautyrest Recharge Pacific Series Mattress to Relieve Back ...

We think the Amerisleep AS5 is the best choice for most side sleepers. Its soft enough to allow your body to sink into it while providing pressure point relief but supportive enough to prevent you from sinking too deeply. If you prefer a slightly firmer mattress or switch between side and back sleeping, you may prefer a mattress thats not quite as soft.

Read Also: What Is The Best Mattress Topper For Lower Back Pain

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular