What Is The Best Firm Mattress For Back Pain

Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid Mattress

Type: Organic hybrid mattressMaterials: Dunlop latex, foam, innersprings, natural wool, natural cottonHeight: 13 inchesTrial/Warranty: 365 nights/lifetime

Awara makes one of the most affordable organic mattresses on the market. As we mention in our Awara Mattress review, sleepers in any position will find their spine properly aligned and supported thanks to a top layer of adaptive Dunlop latex. The cotton/wool blend cover makes for a cool night’s sleep too, and exceptional edge support will allow most individuals to sit comfortably at the edge of the bed without compressing their back.

As with the DreamCloud above, the Awara is a firmer mattress that lighter bodies may need some time to adjust to. A one-year trial is provided to allow for that, with a limited-lifetime warranty protecting your purchase. The latest Awara drops prices to $699 for a twin, with up to $499 of free bedding bundled in.

Height: 11.5 or 14.5 inchesTrial/Warranty: 365 nights/15 yearsThe Saatva Classic has earned the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations Seal of Approval for back pain relief. It’s highly customizable when it comes to firmness and height, so you can better tailor it to your back needs. We tested an 11.5-inch medium-firm version in our Saatva Classic Mattress review and experienced a decrease in back pain, as well as cooler sleep.

Pulled Back Muscle And Lower Back Strain

Lower back or lumbar pain could result from a range of different causes. However, these are causes that are associated with the lumbar disc directly or with muscle strains. This could actually result from sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, or any other twists.

In any case, the thing that you need to do here is to get a proper and professional consultation with your doctor.

This is based on the prediction that you might have fallen into a specific situation with particular medical requirements. These might determine the firmness as well as the material type of your bed. The only person who could provide you with thorough and actionable advice on the mattress that you should get is your doctor.

And, keep in mind that this should happen only after careful and thorough examination. The source of the pain needs to be isolated and targeted properly.

Mattresses And Neck & Back Pain

If you’re looking to relieve pain in your neck and back, getting a good night’s sleep is key. “Deep, restful sleep is one of the most important modifiers in joint pain, as well as health as a whole,” says Cameron Yuen, DPT, CSCS, and director of rehab and training at Bespoke Treatments Physical Therapy in New York City.

Unfortunately, you might notice your back or neck pain is worse when you get out of bed in the morningstarting a never-ending cycle of trying to chase higher-quality sleep.

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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.

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.

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How Back Pain Affects Sleep

Related Reading

• Best Mattress for Lightweight People

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.

People with back pain can take a number of steps to try to feel and sleep better. Getting medical help for serious back problems can help reduce pain. Treatments depend on the cause and nature of your symptoms, and can range from surgery to physical therapy to pain-relieving medications.

Can Your Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain

The position you sleep in also plays an integral role in either mitigating or worsening back pain. Authorities like Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic emphasize the correlation between sleep position and back pain and offer tips on how to reduce pain in each position. On a scale of 1 to 10 , hereâs what to look for in a mattress depending on your regular sleeping position.

• The best mattress for side sleepers with back pain is a slightly softer bed that cushions the pressure points and has a firmness between 5.5 to 6.5.
• Back sleepers need a solid medium-firm mattress that maintains spine alignment while softly supporting the hips and should aim for a 6 to 7 on the firmness scale.
• Stomach sleepers need a slightly firmer mattress in the 6.5 to 7.5 range that keeps their hips elevated for a neutral spine posture.

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What Increases Your Risk Of Experiencing Back Pain

There are also a plethora of factors that could make it more likely for someone to develop back pain.

• Age: As we grow older, we have a significantly higher chance of dealing with back pain aging can cause degeneration of spinal discs so they arent as effective at absorbing shock. Its also possible to develop Spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra moves into another vertebra.
• Lack of exercise: If we dont exercise, our bodies can become susceptible to back pain. Also, if our back muscles are weak, the back pain can potentially become more severe. Many studies have shown that exercise can help alleviate back pain. In fact, one 2012 study from Informed Health Online found that exercise can prevent a recurrence of acute back pain in 1 out of 3 people.
• High body weight: For those that are overweight, back pain becomes more likely. One 2016 study, which was published in the journal Medicine, found that higher BMI and waist-hip ratio were associated with high-intensity low back pain and/or high disability.
• Depression and/or anxiety: According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, people with these disorders are more likely to struggle with back pain than people who dont experience anxiety and/or depression.
• Smoking: The Mayo Clinic states that smoking cigarettes cuts down on blood flow to the lower back area and reduces the nutrients that are delivered to the spine. For those with acute back pain, nicotine can slow the healing process.

Effects Of Sleeping On A Hard Bed

Pressure points. Contrary to popular belief, there are actually no known benefits of sleeping on a firm mattress if it is too firm for your body height and weight. A mattress that is too firm for your body type will only block your spine from contouring naturally into your mattress – leading to pressure points and aches.

Spinal misalignment.A mattress which is too firm will not support your spine in its normal alignment. This often causes long term problems from the lack of proper support for the spine. For someone with back pain, a firm mattress can cause all sorts of problems as the body tries unsuccessfully to compensate for the lack of lower back spinal support.

Lack of conformability. A firm mattress will not conform properly to your body, leaving gaps between your body and the bed. This means some areas of your body will simply not be supported by an overly firm mattress, and this will lead to additional pain if you have a bad back. Ideally, a mattress should give you good supportiveness but still conform to your body’s contours.

Beware of Orthopaedic labelled products

Its understandable to assume that the best mattress for back pain is the one with a generic orthopaedic stamp attached to it. However, this is a substantial myth. The truth is that there exists no industry standard requirement, regulation, or any specific test for a mattress to pass in order to be labelled as orthopaedic.

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Using A Firm Mattress

A firm mattress is good for your back. If your current mattress is rather soft, you may want to try a firmer mattress instead. Perhaps its too soft or sagging, thus creating an uneven surface whilst lying down.

If youre concerned about the firmness of the mattress, its possible to find one that has medium-firm or even firm support. But dont worry too much about finding something super hard as it is usually not preferred by most people anyway.

Proper Spinal Alignment

If you have lower back issues, the correct support is essential. The right mattress should provide good spinal support and keep your spine in natural alignment, no matter the sleep position.

Firm mattresses provide more support to your spine, especially when you sleep on your side or back. They can relieve pain in both your hips and shoulders because they keep the spine aligned properly. When you sleep on your side, a firm mattress will not bend or collapse under your weight. This helps reduce the pressure points around the hips and shoulders which may otherwise leave you with numbness in your hands or feet.

If you have pain around the shoulders that doesnt seem to be going away, perhaps try one of these top-rated mattresses for shoulder pain based on our expert recommendations.

Better Sleep Quality

Sleeping Positions

Mattress Type

The Sleep Company Patented Smartgrid

SmartGRID OR SMART The mattress adapts to any body type by giving your spine the maximum support possible. It is hypoallergenic and non-toxic. SmartGRID is constructed of food-grade materials, making it fully safe for you and your family to use. The SmartGRID’s walls isolate motion, ensuring you have the most pleasant night’s sleep ever. The Smart Ortho mattress is made of 550 GSM cotton knitted fabric, which is soft and breathable. With 2500 air channels, SmartGRID uses temperature neutral technology to keep you cool and comfortable. The superior cotton Viscose cover adds to the softness and coolness of the pillow. So you sleep soundly all night long!

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What Mattress Firmness Is Best For Back And Neck Pain

Research from 2015 suggests that a medium-firm, self-adjusted mattress is best for back pain. However, firmness is subjective. What feels firm to you might feel soft to someone else. Its best to try out a mattress in a store before buying it, or to choose a mattress that comes with an in-home trial period.

What Makes The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid 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.

If you deal with back pain and prefer a mattress thats a bit more traditional, the Saatva could be right for you. Its an innerspring mattress that features two sets of coils and a comfortable pillow-top. You have multiple firmness options to choose from, but the Luxury Firm model should be the best for back pain. It boasts an excellent balance of comfort and support that should help to keep your spine in proper neutral alignment.

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The Best Mattresses For Back Pain

• Nectar Editors Pick
• Helix Dusk Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain
• DreamCloud Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Pain
• WinkBed Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain
• Nolah Evolution Best Luxury Mattress for Back Pain
• Saatva Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
• Leesa Legend Best Mattress for Shoulder and Back Pain
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Best Cheap Mattress for Back Pain
• Layla Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain
• Bear Best Mattress for Athletes with Back Pain

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.

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Finding The Best Mattress For You

Defining the ideal mattress is extremely subjective. Every person has their own opinion of the right firmness. Optimal support and bounce can depend on a persons sleeping position and body weight. The right mattress can also differ based on whether a person has a bed with others, if they have hot sleep, and of course the cost.

With all the factors mentioned Its difficult to say that theres one single top mattress. Weve broken our top picks into distinct categories, so you can choose the most effective options for you based on specific types of mattresses and features of performance.

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.

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.

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The Saatva Mattress Supports Natural Spine Alignment To Relieve Back Pain

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Verywell Health / Sabrina Jiang

Anyone who lives with back pain understands what a major difference a restful nights sleep can makeand, on the flip side, how disruptive it is when you wake up already experiencing discomfort. There are many causes of back pain, including sleeping on a bad mattress, so you’ll want to make sure that the mattress you sleep on every night is meeting your needs.