Which Kind Of Mattress Is Best For Your Back

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:

What To Look For When Shopping For The Best Mattress For Back And Neck Pain

Keep the considerations outlined below in mind as you shop for the best mattresses for lower back pain, upper back pain, or neck pain. Using these to guide your search can help ensure that youll be happy with the mattress you select and that it will actually deliver the pain relief youre seeking.

Mattress Type

There are many different types of mattresses on the market. These options include memory foam, latex, hybrid, innerspring, and air mattresses. Hybrid mattresses are often seen as an optimal pick for individuals with back pain. They deliver the contouring properties of memory foam and latex mattresses to provide pressure point relief, along with the support of an innerspring mattress to help keep the spine in alignment.

Individuals with back pain who sleep on their side may find that a memory foam mattress is a good pick for them. These mattresses can provide excellent contouring and pressure relief to keep the shoulders and hips comfortable and the spine in alignment for side sleepers.

Sleeping Position and Firmness Level

As we shared above, your sleep position plays an important role when determining your ideal firmness level. Generally speaking, side sleepers will be most comfortable on a medium to medium firm mattress back sleepers will find optimal support from a medium-firm to firm mattress and stomach sleepers will be most comfortable on a firmer mattress.

Budget

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Which Mattress Firmness Is Best For Side Sleepers

Mattress firmness is a subjective measure of comfort, so whether you choose a soft or firm mattress for sleeping on your side will depend on several factors. Mattresses are usually rated on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, or extremely soft to extremely firm. Medium soft to medium firm mattresses are most common.

For side sleepers, mattress firmness determines how cushioned the pressure points are. It affects how much the shoulders and hips sink into the mattress, which helps keep the spine aligned. A comfortable mattress will alleviate aches and pains.

There are a few factors to consider when deciding on mattress firmness, including personal preferences, body weight, and mattress type. Heavier people press deeper into the mattress, so the same mattress may feel different to people depending on their weight and body type. The comfort layers affect the firmness and feel of the mattress. Memory foam conforms closely to the shape of the body, while latex offers gentle contouring with more bounce. Innerspring coils can add firmness to a mattress. Of the several types of mattresses available, each has benefits and drawbacks for side sleepers.

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The Best Mattress Materials

As you review each mattresss products, recognize that the majority of bed-in-a-box ranges are memory-foam mattress models.

Some variants are hybrid versions, which might have memory foam, innersprings or latex.

Other mattresses are made with innersprings or coils, while some mattress models are made with latex for somebody that looks for an all-natural product choice.

Each material has its benefits and drawbacks.

Memory foam is an excellent option for any individual that suches as to really feel hugged by their mattress.

It utilizes your temperature to mold to your shape, offering tailored support at pressure points and all-over cushioning.

Typically its not been the best choice for any person who has a tendency to get too hot in the evening, yet memory foam has actually come a long way in the last few years, and also the best memory foam mattress models tend ahead stuffed with special cooling products.

Spring mattress models have even more bounce than memory foam, and can be less costly. Which Kind Of Mattress Is Best For Your Back

Commonly they were a good option for anybody who sleeps warm, due to the increased airflow throughout the mattress model, but advancements in products across the board means thats not necessarily the case now.

Hybrids can bring you the most effective of both globes: the tailored support of foam, with the subtle bounce and also boosted air flow of springs.

When To See A Doctor About Lower Back Pain

If lower back pain is interfering with your ability to get a good nights sleep, and the problem is persisting, its time to see a doctor. The same is true if your lower back pain is making daily activities difficult, or if youd characterize it as severe.

Some types of back pain are associated with other symptoms, like pain that extends into other body parts, tingling or numbness, or a fever. These can be signs of nerve irritation or infection, and its important to see a doctor for more information.

If you suspect that your mattress is to blame, your doctor may be able to offer recommendations for better sleep positions to help.

If you arent able to buy a brand-new mattress, there are other things you can try to help alleviate lower back pain.

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Consider Buying A Mattress Online

A great way to score a deal on a new mattress is to buy online. While it might seem like a strange concept if youre used to going to a brick-and-mortar store, weve found that buying online offers some huge advantages.

Most online mattresses are sold directly by the manufacturer. Eliminating the middle-man and the need for showroom space means lower prices, and the growing competition between retail and online storefronts has only generated more deals for shoppers.

But the benefits go beyond just price. Shopping online is convenient, allowing you to browse options from the comfort of your own home and without any salespeople eagerly pushing a sale to earn a commission. Having the time to research each mattress and compare it to others is a major contrast to the brick-and-mortar experience where youre limited to just whats available in that store.

When buying online you dont have the ability to feel out a mattress before purchasing, but almost every mattress we test offers a sleep trial with no-hassle returns, including a full refund if you try out the mattress and dont like it. This gives you a no-risk opportunity to try out a mattress for weeks or months in your own bedroom as opposed to for just a few minutes in a store. Over the longer-term, virtually all online mattresses come with a warranty of at least 10 years to protect against future problems, which are rare in mattresses sold both online and in-store.

Emma Premium Hybrid Mattress

Best overall for back pain

Key features

• Trial: 200 nights

An award-winning foam and pocket-spring hybrid mattress thats worth considering if you suffer from back pain. It uses the brands specially designed HRX Supreme Foam, which stands for high resiliency extra foam, and isnt just jargon its extra durable and designed with different zones of density to align and support your spine . As per Gibsons advice, this mattress is described as medium firm, but the brand will provide extra layers of memory foam topping to soften it or firm it up should you require.

Five layers of alternating high-tech memory foam and pocket springs combine for a springy yet supremely supportive feel, so it’s no wonder Emma won a wide array of consumer awards for comfort. Emma offers a lengthy 200 night trial and a ten year guarantee.

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Foams Used In Mattress:

Orthopaedic mattress is supposed to be a hard mattress. So among all other foams, bonded foam is a mostly a part of orthopaedic mattress. We often get asked foam mattress good for back pain and the answer is yes!!! Bonded foam is a foam that is made by compressing bits of foam together with latex and it makes the mattress hard for back support.

There are many companies that make cheap bonded foam mattresses so I did a little bit of digging and found that these companies crush the foam extracted from used mattresses and make bonded foam. Sometimes unwanted things like slippers, plastic wrappers,etc. find their way into these mattresses which is bad for health. Godrej ® however uses virgin foam to make bonded foam as health comes first for them.

Best Hybrid Mattress For Lower Back Pain

Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid Mattress

• Height: 12 inches

Amerisleeps AS2 Hybrid mattress combines the pressure-relieving benefits of memory foam with the support of pocketed coils. The result is a medium-firm mattress that contours to your body and relieves pain-causing pressure points.

The company says its proprietary memory foam is more responsive than traditional foam, so you dont get that stuck sensation if you tend to roll around while you sleep.

The mattress comes with a 100-night trial period and free shipping and returns. It also has a 20-year warranty.

Buy the Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid Mattress online.

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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, with a fantastic balance of comfort and support.
• 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.

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Our Back Pain Mattress Testing Methodology

I tested all of the mattresses in this guide. I put the beds through several objective tests and slept on them for at least 14 nights. Unless otherwise noted, I tried each model’s queen size.

I mostly sleep on my side, with some stomach and back time. I am 6 feet tall, 205 pounds, and sleep hot. Plus, I have chronic lower back pain.

When shopping for a mattress for back pain, the most important factors to consider are comfort, motion isolation, and the home trial policy. To get additional information on what to look for in a mattress, I spoke with three experts:

• Hooman Melamed, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of The Spine Pro
• Tamara Huff, MD, a Georgia-based, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and health disparities advocate
• Amit Jain, MD, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and chief of minimally invasive spinal surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital

Test results for the main attributes we tested:

Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:

Comfort: Based on my years of experience testing dozens of mattresses, I subjectively assess how supportive the bed feels, how hot it sleeps, the firmness, and how my back feels in the morning.

Heat dissipation: I rely on objective laser thermometer measurements. I take readings before lying down, immediately after spending at least an hour on the bed, and two minutes after getting up.

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A Flippable Model With Two Levels Of Firmness

Layla Sleep

Type: Foam| Firmness: Soft on one side, medium-firm on the other | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime

Laylas mattress has a four layer construction, including a 4.5-inch layer of support foam thats specifically aimed at keeping your back aligned. This layer also combats the sinking feeling that you get with other memory foam mattresses, so you dont feel like youre dropping too far into the mattress when you sleep. The mattress is flippable, with both a soft and firm side . That said, back pain sufferers will likely feel the most comfortable on the firm side.

What the reviews say: Best mattress Ive ever had, begins one satisfied customer. three years old now and its been three years since I had any major back pain. And the price is one-third the price of a conventional mattress. Another adds, Great balance of comfort and support. Just firm enough, but also has a soft element.

What To Look For In A Mattress When You Suffer Back Pain

Most sleepers find a medium to medium-firm mattress is a great place to start for relief from back pain. However, despite what some mattress companies may tell you, there is not one mattress that works for everyone, and a medium or firm density will feel softer or firmer to some. It is important that you look for good support and overall comfort for your needs.

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Which Mattress Firmness Is Best For Back Sleepers

A mattresss firmness can affect how comfortable the mattress feels to an individual, how much contouring it provides, and how supportive it is. A 10-point firmness scale is commonly used to rate mattress firmness. In this scale, 1 is the softest mattress and 10 is the firmest. Mattresses on either end of the spectrum are uncommon, with most models falling between 3 and 8. When youre shopping for a mattress, paying attention to its firmness rating can give you a better idea of how it will feel to you.

Most individuals between 130 and 230 pounds prefer a medium or medium-firm mattress. Average-weight back sleepers usually gravitate towards the firmer end of this range since they do not require as much conforming as side sleepers.

Sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds do not apply as much force on a mattress, so any mattress is likely to feel firmer to them. Because of this, back sleepers in this range often prefer a medium-soft model.

Individuals who weigh over 230 pounds need more support than other weight groups. Too soft of a mattress may cause their hips to sink in excessively, misaligning the spine. These sleepers frequently favor a medium-firm or firm mattress to give them extra support.

What Sleeping Position Is Best For Upper Back Pain

Sleeping on your stomach is particularly strenuous for your upper back, according to the Keck School of Medicine. This is because the position forces you to turn your head to one side overnight.

Aside from avoiding stomach sleeping, people with upper back pain can make sure they have a supportive pillow if they like to sleep on their side.

According to Keck, sleeping on your back is likely the best position to avoid upper back pain. However, its not a good sleeping position for pregnant people. And for some people, it can be difficult to sleep deeply in this position, too.

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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.

Is A Latex Mattress Good For Back Pain

A latex mattress is often considered great for back pain because of its effective springy action that can provide relief throughout the night and into the morning. They rate well among people with back problems, and as you can see from the comparison table above, we also included a latex mattress.

At least 33% of owners claim that their all-latex option provides some type of relief in various parts of the body including the neck, shoulders, and hips.

The premium, spongy material gently pushes into the body, which instantly maximizes natural body contouring and ensures full body contact. This, in turn, provides great pressure point relief and spinal alignment.

Overall, this is a highly recommended type of mattress for those with symptoms of back pain in the morning or who generally require an orthopedic mattress.

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An Old Mattress Can Trigger A Bad Back

The first thing to consider is the age of the mattress itself. Typically, a good mattress ought to last at least 7-10 years. If your bed is significantly older, it may no longer provide adequate support to keep you comfortable. Check for any visible signs that it needs replacing, such as a deteriorated shape or discoloured materials.

How Your Mattress Can Impact Your Sleep

Generally speaking, if a bed is too firm it may lack the conformance needed to adequately support your spine. On the other hand, if it is too soft, you may also end up in a position that causes pain.

Side sleepers often need a softer surface to relieve pressure from the pressure points. In regard to front and back sleepers, they often enjoy a firmer surface because their body weight is more dispersed. We understand that everyone is unique and your needs may differ, which is why we recommend trying our online Mattress Selector.

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