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Is An Extra Firm Mattress Good For Your Back

Three Zones Of Foam Provide Ultimate Comfort

Best Firm Mattress For Back Pain (Our Top 6 Picks!)

Casper

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

The Casper Original Hybrid mattress has three zones of targeted support to help align your spineand hopefully ease your back pain in the process. Softer foam around your shoulders cushions your upper body, while firmer foam under your hips, waist and lower back keep your spine in the right position. The durable foam base underneath allows for added firmness and support, so the mattress doesnt sink or sag under your weight. Its available in all-foam or hybrid options, with the former being the firmer pick, the latter having a medium-firm feel. When asked, a Casper Snooze Specialist recommended the hybrid for back pain due to its combination of support and give. That said, it also comes in an all-foam version for those who prefer it.

What the reviews say: Over the past year woke up daily with hip and back pain, recounts a reviewer. Our son and his wife have a Casper. We slept on it for two nights and I woke up with no pain! immediately went home and ordered online, figuring we had 100 days to try it out. It’s been 30 days and no amount of money could make us part with this mattress!

Best For Zoned Support: Casper Original Mattress

  • Price: between $8951,695
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Casper introduced the bed in a box mattress to the market. Its Original mattress features three zoned support areas, which aim to align the spine and relieve pressure.

These zones are softer under the shoulders and legs, and firmer beneath the hips, waist, and lower back.

There is also a cooling system called AirScape, which is a foam layer that features thousands of perforations to promote airflow through the mattress. These perforations also allow body heat to escape the mattress.

The company offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Positive reviews write that this mattress helped to improve peoples sleep and it offers a good balance between comfort and support. Others write that it helped to reduce back pain.

Negative reviews mention increased neck pain and a lack of edge support. Some also wrote that they slept hot due to the foam.

Pros

Avocado writes that it also does not contain toxic fire retardants, polyester, or foams made from polyurethane.

The mattress combines a 3-inch organic latex layer with coils and an organic cotton cover. The company writes that it has up to 1,414 pocketed support coils in five zones to provide targeted body support.

It describes its Standard Vegan Mattress as medium firm or a 7 out of 10 on its firmness scale. The company recommends this mattress for back and stomach sleepers, as well as larger or tall side sleepers.

Pros

A Mattress With The Perfect Amount Of Support

Amerisleep.com

Type: Memory foam also available in hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 12 inches| Trial: 100 nights

This medium-firm mattress is made with both your comfort and the environment in mind. Its constructed of a proprietary Bio-Pur memory foam that bounces back faster than traditional memory foam, and has an open-cell design to wick away heat and moisture, keeping you cooler during the night. This mattress is ideal for those who want support, but not too muchjust the right amount to keep your body in alignment and relieve pain, but not so much that theres no give at all. Back and stomach sleepers may find this pick especially comfortable.

What the reviews say: Overall super comfortable and supportive in all the right places! says one reviewer, adding, My favorite feature is that the cover unzips. I’m a coffee fiend and spilled a bit on the mattress in the first week. Thanks to the easily removable cover it’s like the coffee stain was never there!

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Another Organic Option Thats Ideal For Back Sleepers

Avocado

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 10 years full, 25 years limited

Many of todays mattresses are made from memory foam, which typically contains synthetic chemicals. If youre looking for something a bit more eco-friendly, consider the Avocado Green Mattress. Its constructed of organic ingredients, including a layer of organic latex sitting on top of more than 1,000 pocketed support coils. The mattress has a gentle-yet-firm feel and five distinct ergonomic zones that adapt to your pressure points and provide relief where you need it. The thoughtful construction also helps reduce motion transfer and distributes weight more evenly so the mattress can contour to your bodys natural shape. Its best for back and stomach sleepers.

What the reviews say: The organic, natural materials are perhaps what separates this bed from others its the amazingly comfortable and superior support that I think tops my list, says one happy review. Over the last six months, Ive now purchased three .

Find Your Perfect Supportive Mattress With Texas Mattress Makers

Extra Firm Mattress Back Pain : Is A Firm Mattress Better For Back Pain ...

So, is a firm mattress better for your back? Not necessarily. Like weve said before, it all depends on you. Every sleeper has a unique set of needs and personal preferences that can be catered to with the right mattress. You can easily find a supportive mattress but still have it feel the way you want it if you have the right components in the support layer. We recommend that you visit our showroom so that we can test out different mattress types and comfort levels so that you leave with the most supportive mattress possible. If you cannot come to one of our five showrooms, then you can also chat with our experts on our website.

Texas Mattress Makers offers quality mattresses handmade right here in the state of Texas. Unlike other manufacturers, our passion lies in helping you find the perfect mattress that will last you a lifetime, not just a few years.

You can shop by either comfort level, mattress type, mattress size, or budget, or come and visit any of our convenient Houston locations today!

More Beducation by Texas Mattress Makers:

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Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Back Pain

Memory foam mattresses are often touted as the best option for back pain, and they certainly can be, thanks to their balance of support and cushioning. However, choosing the right firmness is essential. If you go this route, find a mattress made with high-quality, dense memory foam designed to provide ample support. Keep in mind that many inexpensive memory foam mattresses are too plush to keep the spine properly aligned, which can actually worsen your back and joint pain.

How To Choose Whats Right For You

The two main choices to consider are whether you generally suffer from back pain or not, and which sleeping position you favor. Those without back pain and who sleep on their back or stomach will likely favor a firmer mattress. Side sleepers or those with back issues may prefer something softer although it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If a mattress isnt enough to ease the pain at night, consider looking into our list of mattress toppers that help alleviate back pain.

Another thing that should be considered is weight. A heavier person may find a firm mattress deceptively soft, while a lighter person may not get a huge amount of give even from a softer mattress. Generally an average to heavy build will be better suited to a firmer mattress.

Another important element which should not be overlooked is personal preference. Regardless of which is more specialized for your spines needs, if you find it uncomfortable, youre unlikely to get a good nights sleep on it. And that is the main purpose of a mattress, after all. Thats why I recommend taking a look at our picks for the most comfortable mattress to find the best mattress that fits your needs.

Its important to remember that the choice is not exactly black and white. There is a spectrum of firmness within mattresses. Furthermore, one can compromise by having a firm mattress in terms of spring suspension, but adding a plush, soft topper.

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Try Changing Up Your Sleeping Position

Changing your sleeping position is one way to try to get back pain relief.

If you are a back or stomach sleeper with a soft mattress and you dont have the budget for a new bed, you can try switching to a side sleeping position that will receive more support from your existing mattress. In general, experts recommend that stomach sleepers try to adjust to side or back sleeping because its easier to get appropriate support in those positions.

For people with acute pain, temporary changes to your sleeping position may help to reduce stress on already sore or achy parts of your back. For example, people with lumbar pain might try a period of side sleeping to avoid the excess bending of that area that can happen on your stomach or back.

While changing sleeping positions is worth a shot, its often not a long-term solution because the change can be hard to stick with. Some people just cant get comfortable in a different position or they may quickly revert back to their old sleeping position during the night. In these cases, other approaches are more likely to be beneficial over the medium- to long-term.

The Age Of The Mattress

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You shouldnt be sleeping on a mattress thats more than seven years old, explained Dr Smycz. It simply wont provide back support when the mattress is older than that.

A 2009 study found that newer bedding systems increased sleep quality and reduced back discomfort, whereas older and cheaper mattresses caused back discomfort and poor sleep quality.

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Can I Expedite The Delivery Of My Mattress Expand/collapse

Every Saatva mattress is made to order, which means they don’t sit in storage.

Occasionally, we can shorten the delivery time when we have a change or cancellation from another order of the exact same product. This allows us to redirect that freshly made and sealed mattress to you. Wed love to help in any way if you need your mattress faster. Our friendly sleep guides are here for you 24/7 at .

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.

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What Are The Differences Between Innerspring And Foam Mattresses Expand/collapse

The main difference between an innerspring mattress and a foam mattress comes down to the materials. An innerspring has a core support system made of coiled metal springs, while a foam mattress is made up of layers of polyurethane foams. Memory foam mattresses generally offer a body-hugging feel. Innerspring mattresses generally have a bouncy, springy feel.

While both mattress types have a lot of inherent differences, the choice between the two really comes down to individual preferences. That’s why a great in-home trial period is so crucial to making the most confident choice in your next mattress.

Why You Can Trust Us

Dream Sleep Chiro Premier Gentle Firm (Beige) Twin XL Size Mattress and ...

At Sleep Foundation, weve personally tested hundreds of mattress models to bring you the top picks listed above. Our expert team includes product testers that represent a wide range of body types, sleep positions, and comfort preferences. After thorough hands-on testing, we consider these selections to be the best of the bunch.

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If You Cant Shop In Person

Its really hard to tell whether a specific mattress is right for you without lying on it first. Firmness, pressure relief, and support are all highly subjective factors, which is why weve always advised trying out a mattress in person prior to purchasing. But we also know that can be easier said than done. So in lieu of our usual try-before-you-buy advice, we recommend that you look for a generous return policy on any mattress youre thinking of buying sight unseen.

With respect to trial periods and return policies, here are your best options of all the mattresses in this guide:

More mattress coverage

Who its for: The Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm caters to back-pain sufferers who prefer a traditional innerspring mattress with a just-cushy-enough top. Its likely to feel comfortable regardless of your preferred sleep position.

How it feels: Weve been long-term testing our Saatva Classic for more than a year, and it has softened slightly from a stiff medium-firm to a plusher medium-firm.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The 416 support coils in the bottom half of the Saatva Classic are sturdy, but they number only about half those in the pricier WinkBed , another innerspring weve liked in the past. Theyre not individually wrapped, either, which can lead to motion transfer. For that reason, we think the Saatva works best if you sleep alone or dont wake easily when your partner rolls over.

Best Firm Mattress Video

Watch our video below to learn more about our labs top picks for firm mattress.

Each of these mattresses not only offers a firm sleep surface but also stands out from the competition thanks to high-quality construction and above-average performance. Details about each of our best firm mattress picks can be found below. Scroll down even further for our comprehensive buyers guide, which discusses the pros and cons of firm mattresses, the people who benefit most from these mattresses, and what you can expect in terms of cost, longevity, and performance. If youre shopping for firmer mattresses with a more responsive feel, we recommend checking out our list of the Best Latex Mattresses.

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Your Mattress Is Saggy

Unlike a sinking mattress that enfolds your whole body, a saggy mattress droops where you need support the most usually right under your lower back. Mattress sag can cause spine misalignment, which can contribute to back pain.

Select Casper mattresses include Zoned Support which is designed to ergonomically align your spine, giving extra support where you need it most.

Initial Back Pain When You Wake Up

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You know that feeling of stiffness when you first wake up? Its the result of long periods of rest or decreased blood flow from sleeping. It usually takes a few minutes of stretching and moving to get rid of that stiff feeling. But if your back is in acute pain when you first wake up and you have to actively stretch to get rid of it, that might be a sign your mattress is doing more harm than good, according to The Joint Chiropractic.

If youre waking up with back pain thats an indicator that your mattress isnt supporting you, said Dr Smycz.

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How Is Firmness Measured

It might be tempting to assume that a firmer mattress means a more supportive mattress, but that isnt really the case. Firmness doesnt refer to overall support. Rather, it refers to how the top layer of the mattress feels.

Mattress firmness is generally rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. However, not every company rates their mattresses the same way, meaning one companys level 5 may feel different from another companys.

The firmness of a mattress is ultimately measured by the amount of give it has when someone lies down on it. The firmest mattresses have the least amount of give. In contrast, the least firm mattresses feel soft and plush, and they sink when someone lies on top of them.

How We Chose The Best Firm Mattresses

Having published dozens of sleep and mattress storiesand tested many beds from top brands ourselveswe are well-researched the mattress space. To curate this list, we started with reputable brands and sought out firm and medium-firm options. To make the cut, every bed had to have a collection of hundreds of 5-star reviews and offer a generous trial period. We also chose mattresses with different features to cater to a variety of sleep styles.

This list is regularly updated to ensure accuracy and was last edited in October 2022.

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A Mix Of Foam And Bounce: Leesa Sapira Hybrid

Who its for: The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is likely to appeal to back-pain sufferers, regardless of preferred sleep position, who want a foamy feel with a pinch of springiness. The foams density suggests it will hold up well for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.

How it feels: The bounce from the coils seems to mellow out the feel, making this hybrid just a touch softer than a typical medium-firm.

Why its great: The foam-innerspring feel of the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is more balanced than that of the Tempur-Adapt, our other hybrid pick in this guide, whose memory foam takes over the entire experience of the mattress. In the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, the 4-pounds-per-cubic-foot memory-foam layer and 1,000-plus individually pocketed coils support your spine and conform to your curves. Its sturdy but not rigid, said one of our back-and-side-sleeping testers. You can sit on the edges without sliding off, too. Unlike the Saatva Classic, Leesa mattresses are available at partner retailers, so you may be able to try the Leesa Sapira Hybrid in person before you buy it. Within the 100-night trial period, you can return it for a full refund if you dont like it, though youre required to sleep on it for at least 30 days first.

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