Should You Worry About A New Mattress Causing Back Pain
Getting a new mattress is exciting. You anticipate sliding between the sheets and sleeping blissfully on your brand new bed. But then you struggle to get comfortable at night and you wake with morning pain or stiffness. What gives?
Your body needs time to adjust to a new mattress. Many of us adopt poor posture over the years, and a bad or old mattress can compound the problem. Its normal to feel some initial discomfort or soreness as your body adjusts.
Sleep on your new mattress for at least a month. If your pain doesnt improve, and especially if it worsens, your new mattress may not be the right fit for you.
Want to try out your new mattress without the hassle? Casper mattresses come with a 100-night risk-free sleep trial and an easy return process for more snoozing and less stressing.
Apollo Premium Copper Hybrid Mattress
The Apollo Premium Copper Hybrid mattress is a unique mattress unlike any of the others on our list. This mattress is packed with features, from the supportive micro-coils to the copper-infused foam layers. Though this is a hybrid mattress, it uses dual layers of coils and foam to keep you comfortable as you sleep.
If youd like the comforting pressure-relief of memory foam but often wake up sweaty or uncomfortable, this mattress may be able to help. It offers that memory foam hug with additional temperature control features to help you stay cool while you sleep.
These features include a copper-infusion foam top layer, which moves heat through copper conducting beads to channel it away from your body. Above this is a cooling yarn cover, which feels cool to the touch even on the warmest days. Its all-over cooling comfort that doesnt allow your body heat to build up.
The micro-coils are 1-inch Aeroduct coils, which contour your body but channel heat away. These coils rest atop a thick layer of durable high-density foam, which isolates motion almost completely and offers support for your entire body.
But the real comfort comes from the middle layer, a 5th Generation memory foam with edge support that cushions the coils, forms to your body, and reduces deep pressure from those harsher pressure points, like your back and hips. Together, this mattress will help keep your spine aligned, keep you cool, and offer amazing support all over your body.
Why are we impressed?
Can A Mattress Cause Back Pain 11 Warning Signs
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Can a mattress cause back pain? If you constantly wake up with a stiff, sore back, you may wonder if your mattress is the culprit.
If your mattress is old, isnt a good match for your body, or is otherwise not ideal for supporting your favorite sleep position, it could be contributing to back pain. Lets take a look at some signs that your mattress may be a factor.
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What Makes A Mattress Good For Back Pain
First, we looked at what makes a mattress ideal for back pain sufferers.
A mattress thats good for back pain should focus on support and pressure relief. Foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses are best at providing these features. The more support in the middle of the body, the better.
That said, memory foam mattresses are often praised as being the best for back pain due to the cradling effect that they have. They soften pressure points, but sleepers sink into the mattress far enough to be supported by the foam. Hybrid mattresses can act this way in certain circumstances, specifically if they are created with back pain in mind.
When looking for a mattress that will be good for back pain, consider your preferences and sleep position. Certain sleepers will require a firmer mattress to avoid back pain.
In summary, a good mattress for back pain will:
- Offer support
- Be foam mattresses or hybrid foam mattresses
- Cater to your personal preferences
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 Choose The Noa Mattress
The Noa mattress is made with REACH-certified foams. REACH certification is the European equivalent to the USs CertiPUR-US and is a mark of quality and low chemical content. Each layer is bound with a water-based adhesive, which helps with temperature control. Heat rarely travels between layers with this in place. The balanced edge support offered by a thick foam perimeter ensures youll find support no matter where you sleep on the mattress. Here, the combination of latex, memory foam, and coils gives you the best of all of them without any of the drawbacks.
- REACH certified foams
Why Choose The Casper Wave Mattress
A contoured foam layer in the center of the mattress ensures that your lumbar has the best possible support. 86 supportive gel pods rest within the foam to offer dense, additional support. Above this is a layer of zoned support foam, with firm foam at the center giving you that extra bit of support. Thousands of perforations in the first three foam layers help keep you cool, offering a way for heat to move away from you as you sleep. On the bottom of the mattress is a layer of resilient, firm coils and an edge support perimeter to keep you from sliding off the mattress.
- Contoured foam and gel pods for support
- Zoned support foam emphasizes lumbar support
- Thousands of perforations on the foam provide excellent cooling
- Resilient coils and edge support perimeter
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How To Find A Quality Mattress For Back Pain
There are a few basics to mattress shopping that all women should know about, especially if you are dealing with back pain.
Firmness. Though you’ll definitely want something that’s more firm than soft, exactly how firm should be determined by your body weight, says Carleara Weiss, PhD, RN, who is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “For example, medium firmness seems ideal for people weighing approximately 130 pounds and satisfactory for back and side sleepers under 230 pounds,” she explains. The higher your body weight, the more firm you may need your mattress to be, though it really depends on the individual, as sleep preferences differ from person to person .
Where you experience back pain also impacts what kind of firmness you should look for. “The general concept when thinking about buying a mattress is that low back pain can be alleviated with a mattress that is on the firmer end of the spectrum rather than softer or squishier,” says Leigh Hanke, MD, an assistant professor of clinical orthopedics at Yale School of Medicine. If you don’t wake up with low back pain and you like a softer experience, you can prob get away with a less firm mattress.
Stomach sleepers put pressure on their neck, in addition to the lumbar area, so they may prefer a firm mattress since it’s ideal for spine support and helps alleviate neck tension .
How Does The Recore Mattress Stack Up
- The Recore Mattress relies on graphite-infused latex foam for temperature control. Combined with the SilverCharged cover, these layers help remove thermal heat. Youll feel cool all night long.
- The latex, all-foam construction of the mattress is great for couples. It works to isolate motion so you dont feel anything happening on the other side of the mattress.
- If you dont like the sinking feeling of memory foam, youll love this mattress. It offers outstanding pressure relief without the quicksand feeling.
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What Makes The Saatva Stand Out
- At a 7/10 on the firmness scale, the Saatva mattress is very close to medium firmness, which is ideal for back sleepers.
- The coils promote airflow through the mattress so that it doesnt trap too much heat.
- Sagging shouldnt be an issue on the Saatva. Its an exceptionally durable option that should remain comfortable and supportive for years to come.
Read our full Saatva mattress review.
How We Evaluated These Mattresses
To evaluate mattresses for back pain relief, we ask our testers to lie down on each mattress. Ideally, a mattress should contour to the body while maintaining even support, so we measure how deeply the mattress sinks beneath the testers weight. We also use body-mapping sensors to pinpoint locations where painful pressure points are likely to occur. Although we relied on feedback from all of our testers, we focused on those who have a history of upper and/or lower back pain.
To learn more about our mattress evaluation process, check out our product research methodology below:
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Consider An Adjustable Base
One study found that switching from an innerspring bed to an adjustable bed resulted in a 32% pain decrease and a 73% increase in sleep quality amongst the participants who were suffering from chronic back pain .
And there are many anecdotal reports that sleeping on an adjustable bed with a suitable mattress can help to reduce lower back pain and ease the symptoms of conditions like GERD/acid reflux and sleep apnea .
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.
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Best Budget Mattress For Back Pain: Vaya Mattress
A new mattress can be quite an expensive commitment for some budget shoppers. Thatâs why we love the Vaya, a foam mattress that focuses on pure comfort and support at a price that most can easily afford. The bed is 12 inches thick and suitable for all sleeping styles, with a queen size mattress costing $599.
The Vaya Mattress has two foam layers in a soft, breathable cover:
- 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam
- 9 inches of Vaya Base Foam
Vaya Comfort Foam is a bouncy, malleable foam. It conforms to you in every position for full-body pressure relief. The comfort foamâs lightweight design also ensures it stays cool during the night, limiting the heat retention that can interrupt your rest.
Vaya Base Foam is a resilient material that resists sagging and supports you in all sleep positions. The foam evenly distributes your bodyweight, preventing the pressure build-up that can cause backaches or exacerbate existing conditions.
Vayaâs commitment to their customersâ comfort extends to their policies, as well. You have 100 nights to try out a Vaya Mattress after it arrives and can return it for a full refund if itâs not right for you. Every purchase of a Vaya Mattress is backed by a 10-year warranty that covers sagging over 0.75 inches.
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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.
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Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding has amazing products that are sold at very affordable prices. This mattress is extremely high-quality and a great option for combination sleepers and seniors.
Seniors who experience back pain are going to need a balance of comfort and support. Their bed should have a bit of plushness, but they wont want to sink too far into it. They may find what theyre looking for in the hybrid construction of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature. The mattress provides some softness in the top comfort layers while also giving elderly sleepers a slight lift from a 6 support layer of individually wrapped ascension coils.
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:
- Muscle ache
- 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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Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
The Nolah Evolution is a high-end hybrid mattress that features great support, comfort, and cooling. This makes it great for lower back pain.
If you find yourself with lower back pain, then the Nolah Evolution might help you get some relief. The mattress is firmer toward the center, and this zoning makes for great lumbar support. Because its a hybrid mattress, the Nolah Evolution has foam for pressure relief and strong coils. This construction provides the extra comfort and support that those with back pain need.
Best Luxury: The Logan & Cove Mattress
The Logan & Cove mattress is a luxury hybrid that comes at a lower price than most of the others weve seen. It still uses high-quality, luxury materials to give you the best possible sleeping experience. The separate pillow-top features a hand-tufted Tencel cover. Its sustainably produced and comfortable to sleep on. Inside the pillow-top is a layer of silk-blend fill, breathable and soft.
Beneath this are three layers of cooling gel foams and high-density support foams. Together, these foams help to keep you cool as you sleep and cushion the transition into the bottom section of the mattress. The first layer of the main mattress section is a dense transition foam that helps keep your deepest pressure points from touching the coil layer below.
The coil layer uses a layer of zoned, pocketed coils to provide excellent support. Youll find harder coils in the middle of the mattress. They wont compress as much under your hips and lumbar, providing a balanced experience. This helps keep your spine aligned so your back isnt in as much pain when you wake up.
You can choose between two firmnesses for this mattress. The Medium-Plush option is a medium-soft hotel-style mattress, while the Luxury Firm is medium-firm and follows a more European style. Most who suffer from back pain prefer the Luxury Firm option, but its up to you!
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How Back Pain Affects Sleep
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Back pain is a widespread problem that affects an estimated 80% of adults at one time or another. It can make all types of daily activities difficult including walking, working, sitting, and lifting even lightweight items. Unfortunately, we know that back pain complicates sleep as well, making it hard to find a comfortable position to fall asleep and keep sleeping soundly through the night.
Research studies have found that over half of people with lower back pain report sleeping problems. These negative impacts on sleep arise in people who have both sudden and short-term back pain and those who have long-term, persistent back pain.
People with pain tend to have fragmented sleep that occurs from waking up during the night. Upon waking up, getting back to sleep can be difficult because of ongoing aches and discomfort. Pain can also contribute to stress, depression, and anxiety, all of which can be detrimental to quality sleep.
Back pain sufferers can take a number of steps to try to feel and sleep better. Getting medical help for serious back problems may help reduce pain. Treatments depend on the cause and nature of a persons symptoms and can range from surgery to physical therapy to pain-relieving medications.
