What Mattress Should I Buy For Lower Back Pain

What Type Of Mattress Works Best On An Adjustable Bed Frame

Short Answer: the best type of mattress for an adjustable bed is memory foam, or a memory foam hybrid. They’re flexible enough to match the movement of the base, however, most soft-medium mattresses will work just fine too for adjustable frames.You might be wondering if using adjustable bed frames will limit your options when it comes to a specific mattress type. The answer is: not at all. While you should always double-check to make sure the mattress will be compatible with common adjustable beds and an adjustable foundation, youll be surprised how many options you still have. Here are great mattress types to consider and some tips on what to look out for.

Since starting The Sleep Shop, we’ve been able to test dozens of mattresses. According to our tests, the best mattress for an adjustable bed is the the GhostBed Luxe, and more specifically, their adjustable base combo. This bundle is the best deal we could find for a new mattress and adjustable bed base, and it comes with an industry leading warranty and custom design features.

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What Makes The Helix Midnight Luxe Stand Out

• The top memory foam layer provides good contouring, while the coils provide excellent support.
• Many side sleepers should get good pressure relief.

While medium-firm mattresses are usually best for back pain, some people just need something firmer. The DreamCloud is one of the firmest mattresses on this list and should be a great fit for those who need more support. A stretch of supportive, individually wrapped coils sits at the bottom, and theres some good contouring right on top from multiple layers of foam.

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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Why Your Sleep Position Is Important

Your sleeping position is a major consideration when choosing a mattress for back pain. Dr. Brager says it’s essential to rest in a position where you are the most comfortable although her recommendation for most individuals with back pain is side sleeping.

If you wake up with back pain, ask yourself what position you slept in and try something new the next night

Dr Allison Brager

However, if you’re prone to changing positions in your sleep , or you’re temporarily resting in a position that provides you with decent pain relief, find a mattress that supports these positions. “For instance, a very soft mattress would be uncomfortable for a stomach or back sleeping position, and would very likely cause pain and discomfort.

“Experiment with sleeping positions and be ‘body aware’, she says. “If you wake up with back pain, ask yourself what position you slept in and try something new the next night to see if the result is different.”

All of the best mattress in a box brands offer trial periods of at least 100 nights, giving you ample time to see whether or a mattress helps with your back pain.

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.

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Best For Stomach Sleepers: Lucid 10 Inch Memory Foam Mattress

Lucid Mattress

• Free returns within 30 days

• Hypoallergenic properties

• Ideal for all sleep styles

• Compatible with any base

• Non-removable cover

If you sleep on your stomach, a plush mattress will likely cause back pain as you’ll sink into it throughout the night, causing your spine to be out of alignment. However, a mattress thats too firm will be uncomfortable, putting too much pressure on your stomach and ribs.

Because of these variables, it can be tough to find a great mattress for back pain if you sleep on your stomach. One of the better choices available is the LUCID 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, which is the perfect medium-firm option to make sleeping on your front comfortable and pain-free.

Its constructed with two layersa 7.5-inch high-density foam base that provides the support you need and a 2.5-inch gel-infused memory foam surface that makes sleeping on your stomach more comfortable and regulates temperature throughout the night.

Firmness: Firm | Thickness: 10 inches | Type: Memory foam | Trial Length: None offered

What Makes The Helix Dusk Luxe Stand Out

• It has a soft, quilted pillow-top for added pressure relief, and a soft and cooling cover for initial comfort.
• Its a solid choice for hot sleepers, thanks to that cooling cover and its airflow-promoting coils.
• It ranked a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which means its just a touch firmer than medium firm.

The WinkBed is a luxury innerspring mattress available in four firmnesses: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus . We personally found the Luxury Firm model to have the best balance of comfort and support for people with lower back pain. All four versions feature two sets of coils, similar to what we saw with the Saatva. Also, they boast a pillow-top, but its plushness will depend on which firmness you select. Whether you opt for their softer or firmer models, you will still get some of that cloud-like pillow top feel. It would give you the experience you might have at a luxury hotel!

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Does Sleeping On Your Back Help With Hip Pain

Sleeping on your back may reduce pain in your spine and shoulders while you sleep. However, theres not a lot of research to demonstrate the effect of sleeping on your back on hip pain.

If you have a chronic condition that causes back pain, sleeping on your back wont necessarily treat that condition or make your pain go away.

Any sleeping position that keeps your spine in neutral alignment will be better for your hips. The best way to sleep is in any position that helps you achieve deep, restful sleep cycles.

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.

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How Old Is Your Mattress

Dr. Perry warns that mattress springs break down over time, which makes your bed softer. This can aggravate a patients back, he says.

Based on this, does it makes sense for you to get a new mattress, or can you reduce pain and stiffness with your old one? While this is likely to vary among individuals, medical research may help shed some light on the question:

A study in Applied Ergonomics measured the comfort and quality of sleep for 27 patients with low back pain and stiffness. The participants recorded their sleep comfort and quality in their own beds for 21 days and then with a prescribed bedding system, which they used for 12 weeks. The study found that the participants showed progressive improvement in back pain and stiffness on the new mattresses and their quality of sleep improved significantly.

What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Lower Back Pain

If youre dealing with lower back pain, the right mattress can make a big difference.

A mattress that doesnt hold up our body will cause pain in the lower back, explains Dr. Lynelle McSweeney, a chiropractor in Reno, Nevada. We need support to keep our joints from going into a stress point, which puts pressure on nerves and strains the muscles.

In general, hybrid or innerspring mattresses will offer more support than all-foam options, which may be too soft.

The manufacturers firmness rating can also help you zero in on a supportive option. These ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Medium-firm mattresses, which have a rating of 7 to 8, are typically recommended for lower back pain.

Keep in mind that the firmness of a mattress will depend on a few different factors, including your preferred sleeping position, your body size and weight, and whether you share your bed with a partner or pet. Personal preference plays a role too.

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

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

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.

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Best Mattresses Recommended By Chiropractors

I am frequently asked by patients what mattresses I recommend for their back pain or particular condition. Patients want to know where to find the best mattress for back pain, chronic pain, sciatica neck pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, disc issues, muscle spasms, and after spinal surgery.

Nowadays most mattresses for back pain are sold online, which makes picking a bed a difficult task. It is a costly purchase that you will spend a lot of time using, so it is important to make an educated decision.

Choosing the wrong mattress could cost you thousands of dollars and many nights of back pain and restless sleep. I have some knowledge to share with you to make sure this doesnt happen.

What Sleeping Positions Help Reduce Shoulder Pain

Reducing shoulder pain while youre asleep usually involves finding a neutral position. You can try sleeping on your back, with a small pillow or rolled-up towel beneath your knees. Sleep on a flat pillow to support your shoulder for better alignment with your body. That can help relieve pressure.

If youre only experiencing pain on one side, sleep on the opposite side with a pillow between your knees to help keep your spine aligned. It may help to place a pillow under the arm you are not sleeping on for more support, too.

Its a good idea to avoid sleeping on your stomach with your arms up. This position puts pressure on your neck, shoulders, and lower back.

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Chosen By Experts And Advocates

At Mattress Nerd, our testing process involves assessing each product in categories that determine how they perform for every type of sleeper. In the case of back pain, we look at spinal alignment, pressure relief, and mattress firmness. Loren Bullock, one of our trusty certified sleep science coaches, has tested hundreds of mattresses throughout her career. The mattresses on this list check all of her boxes for back pain relief and prevention. To learn more, check out our review process.

Best Overall: Saatva Classic Mattress

• Made with recycled steel coils

• Two height options

• Prone to sagging

• May be too firm for some

We chose the Saatvas Classic Mattress as the best overall because it offers pressure point relief no matter your go-to sleeping position. Designed to add benefits to those recovering from surgery or experiencing back or joint pain, its individually-wrapped coil construction contours to your bodys unique movements while the memory foam keeps your spine in check. And if youre prone to overheating, its dual-coil system promotes enhanced airflow while the organic pillow top promises breathability.

Depending on your body type and if you prefer a hugging or floating feel, choose from the comfort levels plush soft, luxury firm, or firm. For added weightless comfort, you can also purchase the Lineal Adjustable Base, which offers underbed illumination and head and foot support, to complement the mattress. Plus, it comes with a 365-day trial period, at a pickup cost.

Firmness: Available in plush, luxury firm, and firm | Thickness: 11.5 inches | Type: Hybrid | Trial Length: 365 nights

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Eco Terra Top Rated Eco

The Eco Terra mattress is available to wrap and support the body, relieving pressure and painful places while maintaining an equal plane.

The mattress comes in two firmness levels to fit different sleeper patterns. It also has high-quality materials that assist a long lifespan and powerful performance.

Choosing a mattress that molds tightly without buckling beneath your weight is the key to relieving pressure in the hips, shoulders, and other sensitive areas.

It is a hybrid mattress and latex mattress available in two designs. The first one is medium , and the second one is medium firm .

The designs are different due to these firmness levels. The variety of firmness levels allows you to select a design according to your type of body and sleeping position.

Our experts personally evaluated both Eco Terra models. The medium feel mattress received positive feedback from all side sleepers.

Back and stomach sleepers carrying less than 130 pounds also favored it. This type molds tightly to your body, providing deep cushioning, particularly over the shoulder and hip pain.

The mattress performed well in our ease of mobility and edge support testing thanks to responsive Talalay latex over zoned pocket coils. On the surface, we found little resistance, and most of our inspectors did not sink when positioned along the perimeter.

The Eco Terra, like other latex hybrids weve examined, performed admirably in terms of temperature management.

Highlights

Pros

Recommendations For Heavyweight Sleepers

Its always important to consider ones size and weight when searching for a mattress customers want to make sure that their new mattress will properly support heavier weights.

This is even more important when discussing mattresses for back pain, as larger people require even more support under their lumbar area so that they dont get out of alignment. Out of these 10 mattresses, three really stand out among the rest for heavier sleepers.

• Helix: Although we recommended the Helix Midnight Luxe, heavier sleepers should seek out the Helix Plus, the brands bed designed specifically with larger people in mind. It has that medium firmness that those with back pain should be searching for, but is also incredibly supportive and offers the necessary lumbar support.
• Saatva: This is also a fantastic match because it features a nice balance of comfort and support. Heavier back sleepers should receive excellent lumbar support, with the mattress conforming to the curves of their body. As for heavier side sleepers, their hips should sink in the right amount, and the memory foam should press up to fill in their gaps and keep the spine in proper neutral alignment.
• WinkBed: With its supportive coils and plush top, heavier people should also find the WinkBed to be a good fit. Specifically, they should consider the WinkBed Plus, which has high-density Body Impression-Proof foam and even more support in its coils.

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How Do You Try A Mattress For Back Pain Before You Buy It

All the companies on this list permit you to try out their mattresses without risk. Once delivered, you get a trial period of approximately 100 days to test it out.

If you are dissatisfied with the quality of your mattress within the given return time, you can contact the customer support of the brand to return it.

The brands usually send their representatives to pick them up for an exchange. You will receive your reimbursement once the company verifies the pickup.

Best Mattress For Back Pain 2022 Our Video Roundup

Disclaimer: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldnt take the place of advice or treatment from your physician or medical professional. This review is meant to be an informative guide for those looking to maintain healthy posture while they sleep. User experiences and needs will vary. If you experience lasting pain, soreness, or discomfort while sleeping, its always a good idea to seek out a healthcare professional in person.

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What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For Side

Most side-sleepers do well with a medium-soft to medium mattress, which should provide enough cushiness to relieve pressure on their hips and shoulders but enough support to keep their spinal alignment in check. People with back pain, however, ideally need a mattress that feels medium-firm, which is likelier to ease their aches and pains than a softer bed. We do suggest some slightly firmer mattresses for side-sleepers who require more support, and we think one of them will hit the sweet spot for back-pain sufferers who regularly sleep in that position.

If youre a side-sleeper with back pain, start by considering the Saatva Classic or Leesa Sapira Hybrid. These mattresses are still medium-firm, but weve found that theyre relatively plusher than the others, especially after a break-in period. If youre not sure about your firmness preferences, the flippable Zenhaven gives you two options to choose from, with one side slightly more pliable than the other. Finally, although the Tempur-Adapt Medium Hybrid feels firm, it also has a uniquely contouring memory-foam sink, and it should adequately cushion shoulders and hips for side-sleepers, too. Keep in mind that firmness level is subjective, so we strongly suggest trying the mattress before you buy, if you can, or paying close attention to the trial window so you can return the mattress if it doesnt feel right.