Need More Help With Back Pain
These free resources will help you get on the right track to ridding yourself of back pain!
- Find a mattress to relieve you of back pain with Mattress Match
- Learn about all the options with our Mattress Buying Guide
- Experience the REM sleep deserve with our Better Sleep Guide
- Go from Zs to As in college with this sleep guide for students
- Want to conquer sleep deprivation? Check out our sleeping disorders guide
Is A Firm Or Soft Mattress Better For Back Pain
If you choose a soft mattress, it can cause your back to become out of alignment while sleeping. If you opt for a firmer mattress, the firmness can place joint pressure on your hips and spine. Its a never-ending cycle where pain affects sleep.
Typically, a medium firm or firm mattress will provide the best relief from back pain. In order to promote healthy spinal alignment, you need to choose a mattress that puts your shoulder and hips inline so your back can relax.
The Source Of The Problem
The problem with a lot of mattresses that cause back pain is that they fail to support your back. Just like how standing on a hard concrete floor for hours can make the arch of your foot ache, sleeping on a mattress that fails to support your back will make your backache.
When your mattress is too soft, your body will sink into the bed, causing your back to compensate for the lack of support. So while it may be satisfying to sink into a soft mattress at the end of a long day, you will find yourself tossing and turning all night.
When your mattress is too hard, your body tries to maintain its arch, engaging the muscles in your back. This causes them to become stressed and weakened when you wake up in the morning. The tension in your back also causes the disks between your vertebrae to become compressed, which is the source of the discomfort.
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Best Cooling Mattress For Back Pain: The Winkbed
Wink
For those worried about waking up not just achy, but also overheated, consider a bed specially designed to cool. The WinkBed is our top pick for people with back pain who are also hot sleepers. It provides it all-pressure point relief, cushioning, spinal alignment and cooling properties. A layer of individually wrapped pocket coils increases airflow through the bottom of the mattress while the gel-infused foam retains less heat than typical memory foam. Finally, the Tencel cover dissipates heat while you sleep.
While this mattress checks boxes for back pain and hot sleepers, it might not work for couples who shift a lot throughout the night. Motion isolation helps keep your tossing and turning to your side of the bed, and the WinkBed did not impress in this test when movement easily transferred from one side of the bed to the other.
Best Mattress For Back Pain In 2021
Waking up with back pain? These mattresses combine comfort and support for a restful night and a pain-free morning.
It’s critical to find the best mattress to help alleviate any persistent back pain you may have. All ailments are made worse when you lack a good night’s rest. No matter what the original source of your pain is, like sitting at a desk all day or an excessive workout, sleeping on the wrong mattress will almost certainly make you feel worse if your back feels even a little off.
If you have an overly firm mattress, it won’t properly shape to your body and that can mean less comfort, more tension and stress for pain sufferers, even with a foam topper or comfort layer. On the other hand, if you have a soft mattress that’s too saggy, it won’t offer the proper spinal alignment. When choosing the best mattress for back pain, the goal is to find a supportive mattress that has just the right amount of firmness, equally distributes pressure and allows your spine to maintain its natural curvature. Some people may rely on an adjustable bed for this magic combination, but achieving your desired comfort and firmness level doesn’t need to be so complicated — a new mattress can help you meet that pain relief goal and get better sleep.
· Warranty: 20-year prorated warranty
· Price : $1,499
The AS2 Hybrid comes in sizes twin to split king and prices usually range from $1,049 to $2,198.
· Warranty: Forever warranty
· Price : $1,797
· Type: Hybrid mattress
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Most Reputable Mattress In The Industry
The Cocoon mattress is similar to the Layla Hybrid in many aspects with a few differences. The Cocoon hybrid is an inner spring memory foam that is made with several proprietary layers of cooling foam. Just above the inner coil system built into the core of the mattress you will find two thick breathable layers of proprietary Responsive Comfort Foam and Perfect Fit Memory Foam. The bottom is a thicker more firm layer that gives your body the support it needs and responds to your movement, while the top layer is a softer medium feel that gives your body the pressure relief it needs on the areas you need it, particularly the ball and socket joints . Lastly, the mattress is topped with a cooling cover that keeps the mattress from getting warm. The cooling cover is infused with what Sealy calls Phase Change Materials , which absorbs the body heat, disperses it, and then releases it out of the mattress.
With Sealy being one of the most popular brands in the world it is no surprise that both Cocoon mattresses come with a combined 9000 reviews and rate at a 4.7 out of 5. These two mattresses have more positive reviews than any other mattress company Ive seen online.
Most Affordable Mattress For Back Pain
The Chill Hybrid Mattress Cocoon by Sealy is a mattress I recommend for its affordability, reputation, and its proprietary foam materials. If you are someone shopping for a mattress for your back and you are on a budget then this is the bed for you. This mattress is made by Sealy, which is the worlds largest mattress company. They have a reputation for making quality mattresses at an affordable price. Their beds are priced 20-30% lower than their competitors. They also offers steep discounts during holidays, and give away two free memory foam pillows with each purchase. Lets take a look at why this mattress is great for your back.
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Sleeping Tips For People With Back Pain
If you dont address your back pain in some way, it could continue to worsen over time with increased stress to the joints and spine. That being said, here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your sleeping situation if you deal with back pain.
A Mattress With A Blend Of Sink
Materials: Memory foam, support foam, wrapped coils
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Trial period: 365 nights
Torn between a cozy, plush feel and spine-aligning firmness? The DreamCloud Premier iswellyour dream come true. This hybrid mattress is designed with six layers of foams and coils for a harmonious blend of sink-in comfort and structured support. Beginning with its soft cashmere-blend cover, the next layer is high-loft memory foam, followed by more foams designed to contour, cradle and alleviate pressure points. The bottom of the mattress consists of individually wrapped coils to provide a solid base, promote airflow and eliminate motion transfer.
Memorial Day sale: In honor of the holiday, DreamCloud is offering $200 your mattress purchase and $499 worth of free accessories.
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What Types Of Mattresses To Avoid
All mattresses wear out over time, but their longevity depends on the method and material a company uses to create them.
People with back pain who have a mattress that is saggy and lumpy with no edge support may benefit from a new one.
That said, some materials may be better for backs than others. In an older article, the researchers reviewed the effects of foam and cotton mattresses and found that participants developed back pain after using the foam mattress. However, they experienced some relief after using a cotton mattress.
A person looking for a new mattress should ensure they choose one that is comfortable and provides spinal support. Some factors to consider include the below.
This Copper Dreams mattress is customizable, so people can choose their preferred comfort level.
It features:
- a smooth top weave for a cooling effect
- a copper-graphite infusion in the top memory foam layer that draws heat away from the body
- individually encased coils for deep compression support
- a secondary layer of memory foam that contours to the body
It also comes with a 10-year warranty, a 120-night, risk-free trial, and free shipping and returns.
Pricing starts from $411.75.
When Should I Get A New Mattress
Most mattresses will require replacing after around 7 years.
A worn mattress may not provide adequate support and may be sunken or worn. This may contribute to back pain. If a person has an old mattress, they may wish to try a new one. Sleep trials allow consumers to test a mattress for a period before committing to a purchase.
one-third of their lives either sleeping or trying to fall asleep. People with back pain may experience difficulty falling asleep because they cannot get comfortable.
Choosing a mattress to suit an individuals needs and preferences may help alleviate back pain and improve sleep quality.
An individual should consider the type of back pain they are experiencing and their preferred sleep position before choosing the mattress that will work best for them.
2 sourcescollapsed
- Caggiari, G., et al. . What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature.
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How To Pick A Mattress If You Have Back Pain
In the past, if you had back pain, many doctors and well-meaning friends probably directed you toward a firm mattress. As it turns out, that advice was wrong. What you really need, according to the most recent research, is a mattress that feels medium-firm to you.
The key word here is you. Firmness levels are highly subjective. Owner reviews reveal that the same mattress can feel too soft for some people and too hard for others. Apart from personal preference, such discrepancies exist because a persons weight and shape can influence the feel of a mattress. On a soft mattress, for example, my 128-pound body might feel like its floating. But for my 230-pound brother, that same mattress could feel overly firm, given that he would drop immediately to its bottom support layer.
Heres the rule: When back-pain sufferers lie on a mattress they determine to be medium-firm, that mattress is the best backache-relieving mattress for themregardless of how the company labels it or whether the mattress has support zones, reinforced layers, or any other bells and whistles that cater to a spine-focused buyer.
When back-pain sufferers lie on a mattress they determine to be medium-firm, that mattress is the best backache-relieving mattress for them.
More mattress coverage
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We like these six medium-firm mattresses best for stomach-sleepers because theyll support and cushion your midsection while still aligning your spine.
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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Why Adjustable Beds Are Great For Back Pain
Adjustable beds that work by tilting the incline by 30 or 40 degrees can be excellent for back pain. By creating this incline, you shift your body weight to take the pressure off your back, thus relieving pain.
But adjustable beds wont be suitable for everyone and there are some important things you should consider before you buy one .
Pros
- Excellent for supporting your back after surgery.
- Relieves joint pressure across your back by minimizing spine compression .
- Amazing for sciatica, as sleeping at an angle or with your legs slightly raised releases pressure on the sciatica nerve.
- Lower back pain problems in particular are relieved by adjustable beds.
Cons
- For post-surgery back pain, an adjustable bed might be too expensive as a temporary pain reliever.
- Its only suitable for back sleepers side and stomach sleepers with chronic back pain may find it uncomfortable.
- With very high angles you could, potentially, increase your risk of a blood clot.
For more info about buying an adjustable bed to solve your back pain, read our buyers guide below the product reviews.
What To Look For In A Mattress
It can feel overwhelming to sift through the confusing terminology that saturates the mattress industry. At the end of the day, however, buying a mattress basically boils down to a few key points. Focusing on the following factors can help you see past the marketing hype and choose the best mattress for your sciatica.
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Noa Luxe Mattress $1149*
The Noa Luxe Mattress forms the flagship model in the Noa mattress range that also includes the entry level Noa Lite and the mid range Noa Mattress. Its construction is well suited for relieving back pain, and it round out our best mattress for back pain list.
The Noa Luxe has a refined comfort layer that includes a layer of micro-coils, designed to help with body contouring. Its 5-zone pocket spring system offers excellent back support and it comes with a handy 10 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
Best Mattress Types For Back Pain
Memory foam and latex mattresses tend to rate the highest amongst customers with back pain, with innerspring beds performing poorly in reviews. In this section, we discuss memory foam, latex, hybrid, and innerspring beds, and how well they perform to reduce and prevent pains.
The ideal bed will be based on each persons sleep style and preferences. Some people have a preference for the feel of memory foam, while others prefer the feel of latex. Things like materials, layer thickness, and firmness will depend on your body weight, sleep style, and other factors.
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How To Get Relief On A Budget
When youre struggling with back pain, you may feel like youre willing to give anything to get relief, but the realities of your budget can mean that you have to think about the impact of any mattress purchase on your bottom line. The good news is that there are multiple wallet-friendly ways to improve your bed, enhance your sleep, and give your back a rest.
Do You Share Your Bed With Another Person
Sleep partners may not agree on the ideal firmness level. In these cases, a mattress that offers dual firmness different firmness levels on each side of the bed may be the best option. Alternately, a mattress with high conforming, like a memory foam bed, can adapt to keep both sleepers comfortable at night.
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