How To Pick The Best Mattress For Your Weight
When youre selecting a mattress, its very easy to get overwhelmed by all the various alternatives. Memory foam, innerspring, pillow top, coil matter, and also much more its difficult to recognize what to seek.
Yet somethings without a doubt: exactly how heavy you are will certainly have a large impact on which mattress is best for you.
Thats due to the fact that heavier people position even more weight on their mattresses than lighter people. .
There are mattresses available that are best matched to each certain weight group, so lets have a look at a few of them so you can assess what may function best for you.
Light Sleepers.Regardless of light-weight sleepers all falling in the very same weight category , there are distinctions in exactly how they sleep. As a result, I am mosting likely to provide referrals for mattresses based on their chosen resting experiences.
Soft Feel: If youre a light sleeper, you shouldnt have any difficulty touchdown on a soft mattress. You will not need to stress over sinking via the materials as long as heavier sleepers.
Medium Feel: Lighter weight sleepers might not sink as deeply right into their mattress, which makes beds with super dense or thick leading layers of foam uncomfortable for them. Because of this, I suggest buying a mattress that is.5-1 firmness factors lower than the feel youre looking for.
Average Sleepers.Well break down this weight array right into various firmness levels once more.
Pulled Back Muscle And Lower Back Strain
Lower back or lumbar pain could result from a range of different causes. However, these are causes that are associated with the lumbar disc directly or with muscle strains. This could actually result from sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, or any other twists.
In any case, the thing that you need to do here is to get a proper and professional consultation with your doctor.
This is based on the prediction that you might have fallen into a specific situation with particular medical requirements. These might determine the firmness as well as the material type of your bed. The only person who could provide you with thorough and actionable advice on the mattress that you should get is your doctor.
And, keep in mind that this should happen only after careful and thorough examination. The source of the pain needs to be isolated and targeted properly.
Our Back Pain Mattress Testing Methodology
All of the mattresses in this guide were tested by me. I put the beds through several objective tests and slept on them for at least 14 nights. Unless otherwise noted, I tried each model’s queen size.
For reference, I mostly sleep on my side, with some stomach and back time. I am 6 feet tall, 215 pounds, and tend to sleep hot. Plus, I have chronic lower back pain.
When shopping for a mattress for back pain, the most important factors to consider are comfort, motion isolation, and the home trial policy.
Test results for the main attributes we tested:
| Attribute |
| 20 years |
Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:
Comfort: Based on my years of experience testing dozens of mattresses, I subjectively assess how supportive the bed feels, how hot it sleeps, the firmness, and how my back feels in the morning.
Heat dissipation: I rely on objective laser thermometer measurements. I take readings before lying down, immediately after spending at least an hour on the bed, and two minutes after getting up.
Motion isolation: Excellent motion dampening is a must if you are a light sleeper and share the bed with someone who moves around at night. To test motion isolation, I drop a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress so it lands 12 inches from a can of soda pop. If the can falls over consistently, the mattress has poor motion isolation. If the can stays upright, the mattress passes the test and has good motion isolation.
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Best Mattress For Hot Sleepers With Back Pain
If you tend to overheat at night, consider the Bear Hybrid Mattress with its cooling Celliant cover.
- Best for: Side sleepers and hot sleepers
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Mattress type: Hybrid pocket coils and three foam layers
- Firmness : 5
- Motion isolation : 4
- Heat dissipation : 9
- Edge support : 5
- Trial period/warranty: 100 nights 20 years
- Weight/thickness: 110 pounds 14 inches
- Shipping and returns: Free shipping, free returns
- White-glove delivery and mattress removal: Yes, $100 for white-glove plus $50 for mattress removal
- Showroom availability: 8 locations
Pros: Stays cool, excellent heat dissipation, great for side sleepers, made of CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified materials, easy to move
Cons: May not suit stomach or back sleepers or heavy individuals, below-average motion isolation
Bear designs its mattresses for athletes who are looking for a bed that will help them stay cool and recover from grueling workouts. I fancy myself a hot-sleeping athlete and found the Bear Hybrid provided cooling recovery.
Bear mattresses feature Celliant covers. Celliant is supposed to help with heat dissipation, but I haven’t found any scientific studies on mattresses that support this. Yet, in my experience testing mattresses, toppers, and sheets with Celliant, the material does run cooler than non-Celliant options. My objective tests with the Bear Hybrid showed it stayed cool and quickly dissipated heat when I got up from it.
The Best Mattress For Back Pain According To Your Sleeping Position
While youre on the hunt for the right mattress, there are steps you can take right now to help you with your back pain. For example, changing how you lie in bedbe it on your back, side, stomach, or a mix of all threecan make a big difference in how much you irritate existing back pain or create new pains altogether.
As Dr. Breus explains in his article about sleep positions, there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to picking the best sleep position. Each position has its own pros and cons, which can vary greatly from person to person. That said, the side sleeping position can reduce back pain more than other positions, provided you have a supportive mattress because it doesnt put direct pressure on your spine. If youre looking to reduce back pain without completely changing your sleep preferences, there are still small tweaks you can make, and Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic both offer tips on how to improve your posture regardless of how you sleep.
However it should be noted that if you have sleep apnea, and it is not being treated you will want to stay off your back, until you can get appropriate treatment.
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How We Pick Our Top 10 Mattresses
Consumer Mattress Guide picks our winners by comparing tens of thousands of online reviews for all major mattress brands. We then determine every important factor that affects your buying decision . Finally, we organize and rank each mattress by those dimensions.
Have some questions to help you decide which mattress to buy? We’re here to help.
Is Spinal Alignment The Most Important Factor
Spinal alignment is certainly important, but its not the only factor when it comes to sleeping with back pain. Pressure relief is also important for helping you reduce pain and get to sleep. However, its important to find a material that relieves pressure while still allowing movement.
If you find youre waking up stiff and sore but feel better after you get moving, you could be dealing with swelling or inflammation in the joints or muscle tissue. While this can occur in almost any type of injury, its usually a sign that the injury isnt getting motion, especially while you sleep.
When it comes to spinal injuries or misalignments, most chiropractors and physical therapists will treat the issue by aligning the spine and increasing motion to reduce inflammation and swelling. If you can move around easily when you sleep, either to reposition or rollover, your body may be able to help aid in that process.
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Can Memory Foam Cause Back Pain
A memory foam mattress can cause back pain if you dont find the firmness level best suited for you. The ideally firm mattress for your sleep position keeps your spine in neutral alignment while relieving your pressure points.
Side sleepers will be most comfortable on a medium, medium-soft, or soft mattress. Stomach and back sleepers will sleep comfortably on a medium-firm or firm mattress.
Should I Consider A Custom Mattress To Prevent Back Pain
It’s clear that buying the best mattress for your back is not as simple as choosing between firm or soft. There are lots of factors to consider and much of these are individual and come down to personal preference. Investing in a custom mattress is a brilliant way to achieve the perfect level of support and comfort not only for your back but for your entire body.
Here at Endurance Beds we handcraft bespoke mattresses and offer a range of firmness levels to help you get the most comfortable night’s sleep possible. With a wide variety of features to choose from, including open-coils, pocket-sprung, memory foam, and natural fibres, you can create a mattress that meets all of your requirements and gives your back the support it needs to stay healthy and free from pain. You can place your customer mattress order online or contact us for more information.
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Drawbacks Of A Soft Mattress
Soft mattresses often promote sinking. However, if certain parts of the body fall too far, the spines natural curve could become exaggerated. Therefore, it is best to look for a soft bed with a response layer that gives the body a slight lift, so the spine remains neutral.
Since soft beds contour so closely to the body, they can also cause overheating. When shopping for a soft mattress, be sure to select one with cooling properties, such as breathable, plant-based foam, cooling gel microbeads, or copper infusions.
Simple Ways To Reduce Back Pain
A new mattress is a big investment, and sometimes its too expensive to fit into your budget. If you want to reduce back pain in a cost-effective way, there are a few other options you can test out.
- Pillow: A new pillow that works with your sleeping position and provides good neck support can be a great way to quickly improve your sleep posture and reduce some back pain. Our best pillows for back pain roundup includes a few options, and explains how pillows can help fight back pain in more detail.
- Mattress Topper: Adding a firm mattress topper to a sagging or unsupportive mattress can be a nice quick fix for back pain. It also gives some much-needed support and can extend the life of your mattress by a few months. Check out some of our best mattress toppers to see some options.
- Change your sleeping position: Your sleeping position could be creating some back pain. Back sleepers have the easiest time achieving a neutral spinal alignment, which can really reduce pain. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, are particularly prone to waking up with back pain. Side sleepers can also have some issues with pain if they arent careful about not twisting their back into odd positions as they sleep. If youre struggling with back pain, training yourself to sleep on your back could be a big help. Check out our How to Train to Sleep on Your Back article for some tips.
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You Wake Up With Back Pain
While it may seem obvious, morning pain is one of the first signs that you and your mattress may no longer be friends. If you feel fine when you go to bed but wake up groaning and clutching your lower back, your mattress could be a contributing factor. A problematic mattress can contribute to spine misalignment, which in turn leads to morning pain.
What Mattress Firmness Level Is Advised For Back Pain
This is a good question. Some people believe that if they have neck and back pain then they require a soft mattress for additional cushioning, while others believe they need to purchase a hard mattress for additional support.
If the mattress is too soft then it will likely not supply adequate support for the spine. If it is too hard, on the other hand, then the mattress will not be able to hold the natural curvature of the spinal column.
According to WebMD, if youre in doubt then opt for a medium-firm mattress. They reported that a research study including two groups of back pain patients were monitored over a 90 day duration. One group was offered a medium-firm mattress while the other group a firm mattress.
After the 90 days, individuals in the medium-firm group reported the least amount of discomfort.
So, if in doubt, a medium-firm mattress will likely be your best choice. All great mattress brands provide a generous sleep trial so you can have plenty of time to check out your mattress. If its wrong for you then theyll exchange it for a brand-new one.
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Support And Pressure Relief
Support If you are reading this article its likely you suffer from back pain, and this is why support is the most important criteria when searching for a mattress. Support = pushing up into you.
It means giving those areas of your body the assistance they need to relax and de-stress throughout the night.
The area of your body that needs this the most is the lumbar spine . If you are a back sleeper then a mattress that is comfy, plush or soft will cause you to sink in, and will not give your body the support it needs, leaving your muscles tired from working all night to support your mid and low back.
So, If you are a back sleeper or suffer from middle orlow back pain then a supportive mattress is what your body needs.
Pressure Relief Pressure relief is another important criteria when searching for a mattress that helps relieve your pain. Pressure relief = you pushing into the mattress. This is not to be confused with sinking in.
A quality mattress that relieves pressure points should gently but firmly support your body in a comfortable position. What parts of the body need pressure relief? Parts that stick out, particularly the shoulders and hips.
Without pressure relief, these areas are being compressed and are forced to constant stress throughout the night. So, if you are a side sleeper or suffer from hip and shoulder pain then a mattress that gives you pressure relief is whats best for your body.
What Products Are Best For Back Pain
The product and, of course, the develop quality of the mattress can typically make a big difference to neck and back pain.Naturally, you will likely want to keep a close eye on your budget when buying a new mattress. When it comes to back pain, it is advisable not to go too low-cost or the mattress might simply not be good enough for your requirements.
Having said that, its most likely not needed to buy the most expensive mattress you can find.
Pricey does not always equal much better! Whats more vital is that you discover the best mattress for your particular needs.
We have actually listed 3 alternatives for you in the budget plan area of this post if budget plan is a top priority for you.Concerning mattress materials, for general neck and back pain consisting of the lower back and hip pain, some sources mention that mattresses made from high-quality latex are the very best.
Memory foam mattresses are also often suggested for pain in the back and can provide a good level of support and comfort.
Pocket-sprung mattresses are not regarded to be as great as a latex or foam mattress for pain in the back.
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Does The Wrong Mattress Cause Back Pain
Yes, if you have the incorrect mattress for your weight and sleeping position then it can sometimes contribute or trigger to pain in the back.
This more than likely takes place if your mattress is too soft and, as an outcome, begins to droop in the middle. This can also take place in an old mattress that requires changing.
If the mattress is sagging then, it can misshape your spine and offer you pain, or make existing pain in the back much worse.
Other Bedding That Can Help Back Pain
Some mattress companies also sell pillows designed to alleviate back and neck pain. People can adjust the heights of these pillows to better support their spinal alignment.
Also, if a person wants to keep their mattress but adjust its firmness, they might try a mattress topper which may be made of memory foam, wool, or latex.
In addition, some people may benefit from adjustable beds, as a change in positioning might provide better back support.
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What Should People With Back Pain Look For In A Mattress
Recognizing the subjective comfort experience of mattresses, Huff stressed the importance of finding a mattress that comes with a long, risk-free sleep trial. She was a fan of adjustable air beds as well as Tempur-Pedic foam mattresses because of the custom feel both can provide.
In addition to warning against very soft or very hard mattresses, Jain recommended thicker mattresses and ensuring you purchase the appropriate base for your mattress. Jain also stressed the importance of reading reviews before you buy.
