What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain
Back pain often occurs when your mattress doesnt provide adequate support to your body throughout the night, causing misalignment in your spine. The key to alleviating an aching back is finding a mattress that provides appropriate support.
Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned. However, hybrid and coil mattresses can provide similar benefits, as long as you choose one thats specifically designed for that purpose.
Is Memory Foam Good For Back Pain
Are memory foam mattresses good for back pain? According to Dr. Grant Radermacher , owner of Ascent Chiropractic in Brookfield, WI, they are for most people.
“Memory foam evenly distributes weight across its surface as it compresses. It can automatically adjust to your bodyâs shape, contouring itself around your shoulders, back, and hips for a more pain-free sleeping experience,” explains Dr. Radermacher.
The majority of our best mattresses for back pain picks are hybrids â a blend of foam and springs. When choosing between memory foam vs hybrid mattresses, you’ll need to take into consideration what else you’ll need in order to sleep comfortably.
Full memory foam mattresses have a ‘hugging’ feeling that’ll help alleviate any pressure, but they tend to sleep warm if they’re designed without any additional cooling tech . Hybrids sleep cooler and tend to be firmer and more supportive however, they don’t isolate motion as well as foam beds, which can be tricky if you’re a light sleeper or share a bed with a fidgety partner.
Remember that it takes more than the right mattress to unlock quality sleep. The best pillows will work in harmony with your mattress to ensure you’re properly aligned each night so you wake up pain-free and refreshed. For more advice on what to look for in the best mattress for back pain, you’ll find expert tips here.
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.
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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
A Peek At The Best Mattresses For Lower
Low-back pain is one of the main causes of poor sleep quality2. And the tricky thing is that if youre not getting proper sleep, back pain becomes a whole lot harder to recover from.
Without the healing benefits of a good nights rest, the injury may last longer, and therefore pain levels last longer too, says Jacinta Di Prinzio, D.C., of Open Space Healing in Western Australia. She adds that poor sleep is also associated with increased markers of inflammation3, which only exacerbate pain.
On the other hand, when back pain sufferers are able to rest up, its super beneficial for their recovery. Think of a good nights sleep as our bodys way to reset from the wear and tear of the day and heal, says Caitlin Redding, D.C., RYT, of Redding Chiropractic in Pennsylvania. Theres no part of the body that doesnt benefit from a solid snooze, our backs very much included.
Recommended Reading: When Should You See A Doctor For Lower Back Pain
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.
Save Up To $200 On Layla Mattresses
Layla
Youll notice that many hybrid mattresses made our list because their combination of contouring memory foam and supportive coils is ideal for folks with back troubles. Of all the hybrid beds here, we rank the Layla Hybrid at the top. Why? It has it all: spinal alignment, pressure relief and affordability.
This hybrid doesnt just combine two materialsit also offers two firmness levels. The adaptable Layla can be flipped so sleepers are able to pick the firmness level they prefer: medium-soft or firm. The only population our testers recommend against the Layla Hybrid is heavyweight side sleepers, who may not get the same pressure relief as they would with a more supportive model, like the GhostBed Flex.
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Additional Sleeping Accessories For Sleepers With Back Pain
Besides a mattress, our product research has turned up other accessories that can play a part in making your bed conducive to quality, pain-free sleep. Upgrading your pillows and your bed base can be done as a lower-cost way of improving your sleeping surface, or you can purchase these along with a new mattress as part of a complete overhaul.
Pillows
Pillows play an important role in preventing and reducing back and neck pain. Weve evaluated hundreds of pillows and found that models that provide proper support to the neck can improve spinal alignment because the spine extends into the neck . In addition to supporting the head, pillows can be strategically placed to provide cushioning and comfort to other parts of the body.
Numerous factors affect which is the best pillow to best help an individual fight neck and back pain. The amount of loft of your pillow should fit your personal preference and body shape. The right loft level is also largely determined by the firmness of your mattress and your sleeping position, as outlined in the following tables.
| Sleeping Position |
|---|
| Medium Firm Firm | High |
To reduce back pain, pillows can be used to support other parts of the body besides just the head and neck.
Bed Platforms and Bases
The base of the bed can contribute to a supportive overall sleeping surface for people with back pain.
What Is Back Pain
Most of us know when our back is giving us issues, but whats really happening here behind the scenes?
According to the National Institute of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases, back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S it can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move.
Surveys from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that about 80 percent of Americans will struggle with back pain at some point in their lifetimes. This potentially helps explain why back pain is the fifth most common reason people go to the doctor.
At the same time, many pain sufferers do not see a doctor because of pride, money issues, or other reasons. The Mayo Clinic describes back pain symptoms as:
- Pain that radiates down the leg
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing, or walking
- Pain that improves with reclining
The Mayo Clinic also defines two types of back pain: acute and chronic. Acute back pain occurs when symptoms last between a few days and a few weeks. If the symptoms last for over 12 weeks, this is considered chronic back pain.
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Otty Original Hybrid Mattress: The Best Firm Mattress For Bad Backs
Price: From £600 | Buy now from Otty
Otty’s bed-in-a-box mattress, which combines foam and pocket springs for the best of both worlds, is firm and cosy, with a warm surface that feels soft against your skin but extremely supportive from top to toe. In fact, if you suffer the pain of a curved lower back, it may be too firm for you.
Here at Expert Reviews, our impressions of the mattress warmth vary somewhat. One tester found it perfectly cool in summer, while another found its enveloping nature too warm. If youre not sure whether memory foam is right for you, the 100-night returns policy very reassuring.
Read our fullOtty Original Hybrid review for more details.
Key specs Type: Foam/pocket spring hybrid Sizes: 9, from single to emperor Trial: 100-night trial, 10-year warranty
Save £550 on a king-size OTTY Original Hybrid Mattress
Price: From £1,841 | Buy now from Mattress Online
Made entirely from latex, this medium support mattress ticks plenty of boxes its breathable, long-lasting and easy to turn over on without disturbing your partner. But it really comes into its own for people with bad backs because it provides such good postural support its softer comfort zones cushion your shoulders, hips and heels, while firmer support zones help the spine to be correctly aligned.
Key specs Type: Latex Sizes: 7, from single to super-king Warranty: 8 years Trial: None
Save a MASSIVE 30% on the Dunlopillo Millennium with this Black Friday mattress deal
Does My Pillow Matter
While a better mattress can help with back pain and proper spinal alignment, it isnt the only factor. When paired with the proper pillow, the duo could help reduce back pain and contribute to a healthier sleep experience by properly elevating the neck and shoulders for better support.
Read More:Our Best Pillows Guide
Read Also: Why Do I Have Such Bad Lower Back Pain
How Should I Sleep With Lower Back Pain
Posture is as important when youre lying down as when youre sitting and standing. The more you twist your spine, the stiffer and more painful it will feel.
If you can, sleep on your side with your knees partially bent towards you to balance your body. Pop one pillow under your neck and another between your knees for comfort.
If youre a committed back sleeper, place a pillow or two behind your knees and another beneath your lower back to ensure it gets enough support. Front sleepers should put a pillow under their hips.
What Is The Correct Mattress Size
The first thing to consider when choosing the correct size mattress is that its at minimum 10cm higher than the one who is the tallest on the mattress. In terms of the width, if you share the space of a bed, both you and your companion must be able to place your hands on top of your head and not have your elbows touch. If youre sleeping on your own then youll be able to have the right size mattress when its possible to place your hands underneath your head, but not touching the edges. Also, consider the length and if you pick an option thats more than this, then youre good to go.
The majority of mattresses we have listed as our most popular mattress reviews come available in twin full, twin XL, queen size and full Cal King sizes. Some include split options as well which allow you to pick the one that is more firm to your partner. There are mattresses that offer different levels of firmness for both sides .
The more spacious and more deep the mattress is, the more itll be. The majority of twin mattresses are just a few hundred dollars more than the dimensions of a queen. In contrast, the King as well as Cal King sizes are typically about $200 more than the queen size. Hybrid mattresses, premium and luxury models typically cost more than the regular version.
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What Makes The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Stand Out
- Its available in three firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. We tested the Medium, which scored a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
- The top comfort layer of proprietary TitanFlex foam is infused with a gel that helps the mattress stay cool.
- Theres some additional softness in the cover. Its quilted with foam and has the appearance of a classic pillow-top.
Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress reviewto learn more. If you arent interested in the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for seniorsfor more great options.
Lucid 3 Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
The gel memory foam in this mattress topper renders it a bit softer than others. While it may not be truly firm, this type of foam correctly aligns your spine and provides the pressure point support needed by those suffering hip pain and back pain, particularly pain in the lower back.
The gel also absorbs heat, keeping you cool during the night. Additionally, this memory foam has been constructed with a ventilated design that enables a free flow of air through the topper. This is a good mattress topper for back pain because of its localized support for those areas of your back that need it.
- It offers support for your lower back that helps to relieve pressure on it and hence reduces pain.
- The gel and the ventilated construction enables you to stay cool during the night.
- Provides comfort while also supporting your lower back and your pressure points.
- CertiPUR-US certified to be free of hazardous chemicals
- 30-Day trial period.
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Other Ways To Reduce Back Pain
Hascalovici said some sleeping positions are better than others for back pain, and offered a few tips to help you sleep more comfortably.
- If you can, try to sleep on your side while bending your knees a little. It may help to put a firm pillow behind your back to help hold you in place.
- A soft body pillow or feather pillow between your knees may make you feel more comfortable.
- If you naturally prefer sleeping on your back, tuck a small pillow under your knees to keep your lower back from arching and possibly hurting more.
- Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach, but if you can’t, you can at least stick a pillow under your hips at night to keep your back from arching too much.
- Consider a mattress topper to make your bed feel more supportive or more pressure relieving, depending on what you need out of your current mattress. If your bed is too soft, consider a latex topper to add firmness. If your bed is too firm, a plush memory foam topper can help soften things up.
What’s A Good Mattress For Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain typically affects the area around the shoulders and neck. Causes include excess pressure on nerves, which makes a mattress with excellent pressure relief an especially good choice if you have pain in your upper back.
For the purposes of this page, well define excellent as a pressure relief score above 8.5. Mattresses in this roundup that make the cut include:
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The Best Mattress Topper For Hip Pain
Hip pain is another issue for many people, including those with back pain. The best mattress topper for hip pain is generally regarded as being a memory foam mattress topper, specifically gel memory foam, though many have also found a latex topper to be suitable. Our #4 choice, the Pure Green latex mattress topper, is a pure latex mattress topper and the 3-inch version is a good alternative to memory foam for hip pain. You get a 30-day trial, so you can change it if it doesnt work for you.
Another popular option is gel memory foam. The gel helps keep your hips cool while offering excellent and comfortable support, and we recommend our #3 choice in the list above: the Lucid 3-inch gel memory foam mattress topper. The 3 inches of gel memory foam is medium-firm, and it provides enough support for your hips whether you sleep on your side or your back. Your mattress will provide most of the support but the topper also provides a level of comfort and support to help reduce your hip pain.
