What Is The Best Firm Mattress For A Bad Back

A Memory Foam Mattress That Adapts To Your Body Quicker Than Most

Amerisleep

• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
• Trial period: 100 nights

Thanks to its Bio-Pur memory foama proprietary foam thats more responsive and adaptive to movementthis mattress contours your back and neck, promoting proper sleep posture and relieving pressure points. When you have back pain, soft spots can be detrimental to your comfort, but this mattress bounces back in seconds, alleviating sinking and misalignment that can contribute to aches. The Amerisleep AS1 also keeps you cool throughout the night by allowing air to quickly pass through its open-cell design.

Are Memory Foam Mattresses Bad For Your Back

Memory foam mattresses are actually good for your back because they conform to your bodys natural curves. Furthermore, they are not too soft like other beds such as pillow-tops or as bouncy as innerspring mattresses. Therefore, you can keep yourself supported, regardless of your body type or sleeping position.

Best Cooling Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain

Saatva Loom & Leaf

• Type: Memory foam
• Height: 12 inches

You can choose between two firmness levels with this mattress, though side sleepers will probably prefer the relaxed firm option.

Materials in the mattress are organic, Global Organic Textile Standard certified, and CertiPUR-US certified. The gel-infused top layer is designed to help hot sleepers better regulate their body temperature overnight.

Reviews for this mattress are overwhelmingly positive. One reviewer says they can sleep on their side now without pain. Another notes that they immediately noticed a difference in pain after sleeping on the Loom & Leaf.

You May Like: Does A Casper Mattress Need A Boxspring

What To Look Forward To

The 13½-inch-thick WinkBed in Luxury Firm, a pick in our guide to the best innerspring mattresses, was recently redesigned: The company replaced the microcoils in the top layer with polyfoam and added more support coils to the lower layer. We previously recommended this medium-firm innerspring as a good option for back-pain sufferers who prefer a billowy surface. Were planning to test the redesigned WinkBed soon, and we will update this guide with our assessment of how it may now work for back-pain sufferers.

Kelli Pate contributed to this guide.

Matching Body Weight & Height To A Mattress Is Essential

What this advice also completely fails to mention is bodyweight and height which are essential to working out the support needed.

You need to choose a mattress specifically suitable for you by matching your weight, height and comfort preferences to potential mattress choices.

Each person will have a preferred tension of their mattress, some like it soft some firmer in the top upholstery layers.

Whats essential is that there is adequate support for your weight. That the pocket springs are not so firm that your bodyweight doesnt even utilise them, or that the springs are so soft that they compress too quickly. Its a fine balancing act which is where we come in to help guide you based on our mattress design experience.

If we can tell you anything it is to forget the firm/orthopaedic advice when it comes to bad backs, because this old wives tale may end up making your sleep experience worse!

A good example of this is taking the example of an 18 stone sleeper. Without their height, you look at the spring tolerances and immediately choose a firm spring unit. However, if you then find out the 18 stone sleeper is 6ft 6 this may be the wrong spring tension as their body weight is far spread out compared to someone who is 5ft 5. So they may actually require a medium spring tension. This is where expert advice can really save you some costly mistakes.

Recommended Reading: My Pillow Topper Mattress

What Type Of Mattress Is Best For People With Low Back Pain

Back pain is one of the top reasons that people begin to lose mobility in middle age. Pain can keep people from engaging in physical activity, making it more difficult for them to maintain a healthy weight and keep up their strength, stamina, and balance as they age. So treating and managing back pain that results from injuries or health problems is crucial for staying on the path of a healthy and active life.

Considering that most people spend roughly a third of their lives lying in bed, choosing the right mattress is essential for managing low back pain. It can make the difference in whether you can sleep at night and function the next day.

In the past, doctors often recommended very firm mattresses. But one survey of 268 people with low back pain found that those who slept on very hard mattresses had the poorest sleep quality. There was no difference in sleep quality between those who used medium-firm and firm mattresses.

Soft mattresses, on the other hand, can also be problematic. While a soft mattress that conforms to your body’s natural curves may help the joints align favorably, you might also sink in so deeply that your joints twist and become painful during the night.

If you want to find out whether a firmer mattress would feel better than the one you’re currently using, try putting a plywood board under your mattress to dampen the movement from the bedsprings, or try placing your mattress on the floor.

Reylon Ultimate Ortho Mattress

Reylon are a well-established brand of mattresses, popular in the United Kingdom. Being orthapedic, its another pocket sprung mattress as the two seem to go hand in hand. This is because the alternative memory foam tends to be too soft. Othopedic mattresses tend to be on the further side of the scale.

In terms of the spring count, this is about average and what can be expected of an orthopaedic mattress. The thing that sets the Reylon Ultimate Ortho mattress apart from its competitors though, is the thickness. Its 50mm thicker than similar mattresses by Rest Assured and Sleepeezee. This is sure to be a good choice for people who may have mobility issues. Or for those who just like to sleep on a higher bed.

Another great thing about this mattress is the fact that it can be flipped, which is thought to greatly increase its life. There are plenty of good reviews all over the internet about this mattress, so if you want a good mid-range orthopaedic mattress that wont break the bank but has all of the features you need, then this will be a good choice. Dont forget that a lack of sleep will affect you more than any mattress too, according to the Sleep Council.

How do you know which is the right mattress for your back pain? If you are lying on your side and are a side-sleeper, your spine should be parallel to the mattress and your spine should not sag . If it bows then the mattress might be too hard.

You May Like: Tight Top Mattress Meaning

Can Air Mattresses Help A Bad Back

Air beds aren’t just for camping! It might be tempting to assume that the more you spend on a quality mattress, the more it’ll do for your back pain but in fact, some people find an inexpensive air mattress best of all.

One of the greatest benefits of an air mattress is that by adjusting the level of inflation, you can increase or decrease the firmness and support it provides to your liking. It might not be a solution for everybody, but if you’re finding traditional mattresses aren’t doing the job, an air mattress is certainly worth a try.

Noa Luxe Mattress $1149*

The Noa Luxe Mattress forms the flagship model in the Noa mattress range that also includes the entry level Noa Lite and the mid range Noa Mattress. Its construction is well suited for relieving back pain, and it round out our best mattress for back pain list.

The Noa Luxe has a refined comfort layer that includes a layer of micro-coils, designed to help with body contouring. Its 5-zone pocket spring system offers excellent back support and it comes with a handy 10 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.

Recommended Reading: Dreamcloud Premier Rest Review

Option : Pearl Memory Foam 1200 Mattress

In a memory foam mattress, the material reacts to pressure and heat, changing shape to fit the sleepers body and remembering or holding it creating the hug effect which many customers appreciate.

Memory foam mattresses are believed to offer relief from back pain thanks to the contouring properties which allow the material to fit around your body, providing firm support to the natural curvature of your spine and easing pressure points and aching joints. We believe that the Pearl Memory Foam 1200 is the best memory foam mattress for a bad back.

Why is the Pearl Memory Foam 1200 mattress good for a bad back?

• Support keeps spine in neutral alignment
• Memory foam provides excellent lumbar support for lower back pain relief
• Relieves pressure points on back, hips and joints
• Available in different levels of firmness

Is Back Pain Caused By The Wrong Firmness Or A Bad Mattress

Before investing in a new mattress, it’s important to assess what’s wrong with your current mattress. Is it simply that it is too soft or firm and you need to find a more suitable firmness, or is the mattress actually old, worn, sagging or lumpy and these factors are the reason for your back pain?

Mattresses that start out feeling firm gradually lose their tension as time goes on. If your mattress is bellying out at the sides, is plagued with lumps and bumps from broken springs, or has a permanent dent in the area in which you sleep, it might be a case of an old, sagging mattress causing your back pain.

Think back to when the mattress was new – did you sleep comfortably on it? When did your back pain begin? Rather than going softer or firmer, would it make sense to buy a new mattress with a similar firmness to your old one?

Read Also: Do You Need A Foundation For Casper Mattress

Best Mattresses For Back Pain

There are quite a few common myths in the mattress industry. Sadly a lot of people, as I have come to realise, still believe a fair number of them.

Often this is due to clever marketing from the mattress companies themselves. But it doesnt have to be like that. I have created this article to show you that suffering from a bad back doesnt have to mean buying a specific type or brand of mattress.

Ive tried below to also decipher a lot of the mumbo-jumbo that is commonplace in the mattress industry in the UK. One thing to be aware of: I am not a chiropractor or expert on back pain but these observations that I have made are in tune with the same recommendations that the Sleep Council make. If you have any questions please let your name in the comments at the bottom, and I will try to help each and every one of you.

Best Mattress For Comfort

Haven Boutique mattress is one that offers a medium-plush comfort that will actually interest side sleepers as well as anyone searching for a slightly softer feeling.

Simply falling shy of a true medium feel, at concerning a 4.5 to 5.5, this bed will truly appeal to anyone that has located memory foam mattress models as well hard in the past.

The comfort of this bed is mosting likely to be most enticing to side sleepers. Offering a supportive feeling that is enhanced with ample layers of comfort.

The memory foam layers are contouring but additionally simply receptive sufficient to not leave you feeling stuck. Offering this slightly soft mattress model much better adaptability as well as a more balanced feel than the majority of various other memory foam beds on the market.

Mattress Kind: All Foam

Consumer Ranking: 4.9 out of 5

Firmness: Soft Best Mattress For A Side Sleeper With A Bad Back

Test Period for Returns: 18 months

To buy:

Read Also: Where To Buy A Wyoming King Bed

Types Of Beds That Can Help With Back Pain

If getting in or out of bed is particularly painful for your back an adjustable electric bed could be a big help.

Zip and link beds are beds with separate mattresses that can be linked together. These are ideal for if you sleep with your partner and have different firmness preferences, or different needs when it comes to how much support youd like your mattress to have.

Other ways to improve pain from a bad back

Alongside equipping yourself with the best mattress for your back, there are other things you can do to give your back pain the best chance of improving:

Option : Gelflex 3000 Hybrid Pocket Sprung Mattress

A hybrid mattress provides the support system of a pocket sprung mattress system with the comfort and pressure relief of a memory foam topping layer, keeping the users spine aligned, while evenly supporting the weight of the body, making it a great option for those who suffer from back pain.

• Price Range: 589 – 729

You May Like: Wyoming King Size

Why Are Orthopaedic Mattresses Unsuitable For Most People

They are unsuitable because unless youre weighing in at the 18 stone plus bracket, the springs will have zero function. They will struggle to compress or offer any give to most sleepers. Its the equivalent of sleeping on a table for most. You will effectively be making your back conform to the mattress rather than the mattress conforming to your most comfortable natural spine position.

Unless you really like an extra firm sleeping surface with no give then we advise avoiding Orthopaedic mattresses if you have a bad back.

Saatva Classic Mattress Review

The Saatva Classic Luxury Firm Mattress is a luxury firm mattress with a soft cover and two coils.

Its got three levels of firmness and two heights to choose from, so its a great option for sleepers of all types.

You can determine the proper height and firmness level, regardless of whether youre short or tall and average-weight, lightweight or heavyweight.

It is possible for the Classic to feel similar to the spring mattress. According to experts, itll give you solid foundation that will allow for a restful sleep.

In terms of cooling hot sleepers the Classic does a pretty good job. It comes with a euro-top that is made of polyfoam and fiber, which is more comfortable than memory foam that is traditional. Theres also a cotton cover that promotes air circulation.

A high-end memory foam mattress is an excellent option if you share a bed with someone else.

Memory foam is akin to body heat and molds to your individual shape.

This makes it a good option for people suffering from sleep issues such as sleep apnea.

It also minimizes motion transfer, which is why its perfect if you share a bed with a friend. Both of you will have an uninterrupted sleep with minimal disruption.

If you have back pain, the 2nd layer of the Flex Foam is a fantastic solution to ease pressure and give you the perfect Lower Back Support.

As opposed to other firm mattresses available The Saatva Classic doesnt come in the form of a box.

Read Also: Texas King Bed Vs California King

Nectar Mattress: The Mattress With A Year

Price: From £469 | Buy now from Nectar

Whether you have a bad back or not, its difficult to know whether a mattress is the right one for you until youve had a good chance to test it out. Thankfully, you can do that with the Nectar mattress for up to 365 nights and still receive a full refund if theres anything you dont like. In other words, it comes with a year-long risk-free trial.

So, how is it to sleep on? We found it very supportive without ever feeling too hard, as can be the case with some orthopaedic mattresses. Its definitely firmer than all-foam rival Casper , despite softening a little as it warms up, which isnt unusual for memory-foam models. As you might expect, theres a bit of a premium for choosing a mattress with such an impressive returns policy, but if you get your timing right, its possible to save as much as £250 on the asking price and get a couple of free pillows thrown in.

Key specs Type: Three-layer Sizes: Single to super-king Trial: 365-night money-back guarantee

Nectar: Save 40% and get two free pillows

Price: From £599 | Buy now from Brook and Wilde

Most bed-in-a-box mattresses are one-size-fits-all in the sense that you cant choose the level of firmness. Not so with Brook and Wilde. Its Lux mattress comes in soft, medium and firm varieties, which is ideal if you know which level of support you need for your bad back.

Key specs Type: Five layer Sizes: Single to super-king Trial: 100-night money-back guarantee

What Are The Best Mattress Types

There are a few different types of mattress, each of which offers a different amount of support, contouring, and pressure relief.

Innerspring

Traditional innerspring mattresses are bouncier than memory foam or latex mattresses, but they are also not as comfortable. Their innerspring core does promote airflow which makes them sleep cooler than most foam mattresses. The support offered by innerspring mattresses makes them a good choice for those with back pain, especially since many innerspring mattresses tend to be firmer than other beds.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are known for their sinkability and contouring comfort. Many also provide good spinal alignment and pressure point relief, which is essential for side sleepers who deal with joint pain. These beds come in a variety of firmness levels suitable for all sleeping positions, but memory foam can sleep hot if theyre not made with cooling technology.

Latex

Latex mattresses are buoyant, bouncy and breathable, so they tend to sleep cooler than memory foam mattresses. They also provide good pressure relief and are naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to bed bugs. Latex beds offer the bounce and support that innerspring mattresses provide while also having a bit more give than innerspring beds. They tend to be more expensive than mattresses made with other materials.

Hybrid

Also Check: How To Wash My Pillow Mattress Topper