The Cons Of An Innerspring Mattress
If manufactured improperly or cheaply made, coil systems can do more harm than good when it comes to back support. Innersprings can end up creating pressure spots if support isn’t distributed evenly within the mattress. Pay close attention to user reviews if you decide to go down the innerspring mattress route.
Another downside of innerspring mattresses is the lack of motion isolation. Whereas all-foam mattresses really limit movement between sleepers, innerspring mattresses can amplify it. For light sleepers who have a restless partner, or even a big dog who sleeps in the bed, this can prevent you from getting a solid eight hours of sleep.
What Women With Back Pain Should Consider When Looking For A Mattress:
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, and 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.” The higher your body weight, the more firm you may need your mattress to be, thought it really depends on the individual, as sleep preferences differ from person to person .
Where you experience back pain also impacts what kinds 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,” Dr. Hanke explains. 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 .
For side sleepers, Weiss also recommends a medium-firm mattress. “Shoulders and hips are pressure points for side sleepers. A medium-firm mattress would be ideal for this sleep position while still flexible to the body curvature.”
Warranty: Forever
Price: $1,199 for a queen
Casper Original Foam Mattress
The Casper Original Mattress is quality built with meticulous attention to detail to ensure you get the best night of sleep possible, every night. It is especially suited to anyone who tends to sleep hot or live in hot climates. Because of the gel foam layer, this mattress has a cooling effect, whisking away heat and keeping your body cool through the night.
The foam also perfectly contours to your body so that you can sleep comfortably on your back or side while still providing the support you need. It will perfectly cradle your hips and shoulders while providing full support to the spin. This is one of the best choices for those who deal with chronic back pain.
If all that is not enough, the mattress arrives in a box just like all the other mattresses on this list, making it easier to unpack and set up than unboxed mattresses. Just make sure to give it enough time to return to its shape after being compressed into a box.
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Can You Sleep With A Cervical Collar
If youre having an especially hard time falling asleep because of pain in your neck, you may want to ask your doctor about a cervical collar, also called a neck collar. It looks like a soft, foam neck brace, and its comfortable enough to wear in bed.
Use caution when wearing one of these, however. Just like wearing a back brace for lifting, it can provide protection and support, but extended wear will weaken the muscles, making your neck pain problem even worse.
What Can I Do For Back Pain
Buying a new mattress is a starting point in curing a mattress induced back pain. However, you can also schedule daily stretching routines. You could stretch a few time after waking up and before you go to bed to make your spine more flexible.
You should also learn how to sleep in the correct posture. It is recommended that you sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs. The pillow will help support your hips and lower back.
While shopping for a new mattress, make sure to spend time testing it. No matter how silly this may feel, keep in mind that its a necessary step to help you choose the right mattress.
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Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Back Pain
Yes, memory foam mattresses are the best for relieving back pain. They conform to your body providing pressure-point relief, reducing aches. Memory foams body-conforming feature is the best in all mattress types. This viscoelastic foam forms to the natural curvature of your spine, promoting lumbar support. Better lumbar support relieves lower back pain, the most common type of back pain.
Is My Mattress To Blame For My Back Pain
If youve had a bad morning where youve woken up with back pain, you wont be surprised to hear that a bad mattress and poor sleep habits can cause or worsen chronic back pain. A night spent tossing and turning on an uncomfortable bed can aggravate any existing injuries or aches.
Aside from waking up with pain, you can tell your mattress is due for a replacement if:
- Its sagging or has developed lumps
- Youre waking up tired even after a full night of sleep
- Your allergy symptoms worsen in the morning
You may also wake up in pain if your mattress does not match your sleep style. Side sleepers need a softer mattress than back sleepers, and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress than back sleepers. We go into more detail about the various sleep styles further down.
Back pain can become a vicious cycle, as sleeping poorly can mean waking up in pain, while being in pain can keep you from falling asleep and remaining undisturbed. But you can take charge of it by changing how you sleep and your overall sleep habits, for better overall health.
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Firmness For Back Pain Sufferers
You dont want to sleep on a foam mattress topper thats too firm or too soft for you and agitates your pressure points. Products that are too soft can mess up your back even more, while you may not be able to sleep on something thats too firm for your weight or your spine. You can help choose your toppers firmness based on your existing mattress. If you have a softer mattress, a layer of support thats a little firmer might be your best option.
When looking for a memory foam mattress topper for back pain, you should take into consideration the firmness of your mattress too, to help get the best overall feel for your body. A firm mattress for someone who likes a soft mattress won’t feel comfortable, just like a soft mattress won’t feel as comfortable if you like a firm mattress.
Does My Pillow Matter
While a better mattress certainly can help with back pain and proper spinal alignment, it isnt the only factor. When paired with the proper pillow, the duo could help reduce back pain and contribute to a healthier sleep experience by properly elevating the neck and shoulders for better support.
Read More:Our Best Pillows Guide
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How Does Back Pain Affect Sleep
Back pain affects your sleep quality due to various reasons. Here are some factors preventing quality sleep in those with a bad back:
- The sensation of pain is more at night because your brain is not preoccupied with other things during sleep
- Its difficult to find a comfortable sleep position, delaying the onset of sleep
- Pain sensation often wakes you up from sleep
- Prolonged use of pain medications may impair sleep quality
- Back pain limits physical activities, and lack of physical activities during the day leads to insufficient sleep at night
Foam Vs Hybrid Mattress
The mattresses on the list above fall into two categories: hybrid and all foam. Both types have their own benefits.
Foam mattresses are made entirely of layers of foam, including memory foam mattress options, latex foam or gel foam. Typically each foam layer is a different density, with high-density foam on the bottom for support and a top layer of softer foam for comfort.
Hybrid mattresses use both foam and metal coils to provide support. They are closer in design to the innerspring mattress most of us grew up sleeping on, but with added foam for comfort and additional support.
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Sleeping Tips For People With Back Pain
If you dont address your back pain in some way, it could continue to worsen over time with increase stress to the joints and spine. That being said, here are a couple actionable steps you can take to improve your sleeping situation if you deal with back pain.
Of The Best Mattresses For Back Pain
Going to bed at the end of a long day is supposed to leave you feeling refreshed and well-rested in the morning. But if youre sleeping on the wrong mattress, you might end up with aches and pains that wont seem to quit no matter what you do. If this sounds familiar, its probably time to invest in a new mattress. The best mattresses for back pain offer ample support to keep your spine aligned as you snooze, but also take the pressure off your joints and let your body fully relax.
Thanks to pressure-relieving memory foam that bounces back quicker than other models, the Amerisleep AS1 is one of the best mattresses for back pain.
Amerisleep
While there are personal preferences to consider, a medium-firm mattress is typically the best option for people with back pain. You should look for a mattress that supports the natural curve of your spine when you are lying flat and on your side, says Neel Anand, M.D., a professor of orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles. Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the top choice for this purpose, but you can also find innerspring and hybrid mattresses that fit the bill if you prefer these materials.
If youre ready to upgrade to a new mattress and hopefully banish your aching back, these are some of the best mattresses for back pain based on reviews from people who have seen real results.
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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.
In general, 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.
Which Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain
A key step in choosing a mattress is deciding which mattress type is most likely to work for you. Virtually all mattresses on the market today can be broken into five types based on their construction and materials.
Within each category, you can find consistent features however, there can be notable variation from one brand or model to the next. Some types allow for a greater diversity of designs, which leads to a wider variation in the expected feel and performance of any specific mattress.
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Q: Is A Soft Or A Firm Mattress Better For Lower Back Pain
A: The answer might surprise you: Neither! The right firmness level allows the spine to rest in its natural “S” curve. While a too-soft mattress may not offer enough support, an overly hard mattress may also shift the spine out of alignment. Too-firm mattresses can press the pelvis too far forward while back sleeping, and place too much stress on the hips and shoulders while side sleeping. Studies show that the wisest choice is a medium-firm to firm level that balances support and comfort. Very firm or very soft mattresses can reduce your sleep quality and create more lower back pain.
More Bed Accessories For Back Pain
An excellent memory foam mattress isnt the only tool in the bedroom to relieve back pain. You may also want to consider a wedge pillow, mattress topper, or an adjustable bed frame.
One of the best pillows for back pain is a wedge pillowalthough not for under your head. By keeping a wedge pillow under your knees with your legs hanging off the pillows short side, you reduce pressure on your lower back.
If your current mattress is in decent condition, just too soft or firm for your back, you can try supplementing it with a mattress topper. Toppers add an extra few inches of firm or soft foam to change a beds feel.
A topper can also smooth out a sagging mattress which can cause or contribute to back pain. However, a topper is not as effective at alleviating back pain as a new bedconsider it a temporary measure while you save up for your perfect mattress.
Adjustable bases let you sleep in a reclined position with your feet raised, which can alleviate pressure on your lower back. Some adjustable bed frames include massage features, which can offer short-term relief for lower back pain. The drawback of an adjustable base is its pricemany cost more than $1000.
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How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Causing Back Pain
Because back pain can be caused by many things, its often difficult to pinpoint whether or not your mattress is the culprit. If your back pain is worse in the morning, thats a good sign that your mattress isnt providing proper support. You may also find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night. Additionally, if your mattress is more than seven years old, thats another clue it might be time to invest in a new one.
Best Overall Mattress For Back Pain: Amerisleep As2
Best for: Back and Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
Our Amerisleep AS2 is 12 inches tall, medium-firm mattress with targeted support to your back. The medium-firm AS2 conforms to the natural curvature of your spine, boosting lumbar support better lumbar support relieves back pain.
The AS2 contains three sleep-enhancing foam layers: Bio-Pur®, Affinity with HIVE®, and Bio-Core®. Each of them serves a specific purpose, balancing cushion and support as you sleep. All our mattresses come with a cover made of a soft, breathable fabric. This fabric wicks away moisture and keeps you cool through the night.
The top comfort layer includes 2 inches of plant-based Bio-Pur® material. Bio-Pur® foam conforms to your body, providing pressure relief. This plant-based foam is cooler than traditional memory foam, making it an excellent option for hot sleepers. Traditional memory foam uses petroleum-based products. But in Bio-Pur® foam, we substitute a portion of the petroleum with castor oils. Plant oils have a cooling effect. They also make our mattresses eco-friendly.
Our Certi-PUR-US® certified plant-based foams are also free of chemicals like CFCs, formaldehyde, phthalates, PBDEs and are low in volatile organic compound emissions. This minimizes off-gassing odors in our mattresses.
The AS2 is available in all standard sizes, including the split king size.
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What Mattress Types Are Most Comfortable
Comfort is really a subjective thing. What feels like a dream to you may not be the most comfortable mattress for someone else, but there are some general guidelines you can follow when trying to narrow it down. Memory foam conforms to your body and keeps your spine and neck aligned. A memory foam bed is a great option if you have back pain or like to feel like you’re “sinking” into your mattress. Memory foam tends to trap heat though, so it’s not always the best for hot sleepers.
Traditional spring mattresses don’t alleviate pressure as well as memory foam mattresses, but they’re supportive and breathable. Spring mattresses also tend to be more budget-friendly, so they’re great for hot sleepers that are looking to save some cash.
Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds — memory foam and springs. The foam provides pressure relief and a contouring effect, while the springs add some extra bounce and increase air flow. The springs in hybrid mattresses are usually smaller than the springs in the traditional spring mattresses, so they don’t transfer as much motion. Hybrid mattresses are a great option for any type of sleeper.
