What Is An Orthopaedic Mattress
Orthopaedics is a field of medicine that deals with studying and treating the spine, joints and muscles. An orthopaedic mattress supports your musculoskeletal system that consists of the above three. But how does it do that? And how can it help people with back pain? Well, the answer lies in its medically-inspired design. This type of mattress provides support and cushioning around joints and back. It distributes body weight evenly, easing crucial pressure points in the body. In general, ordinary ones are not tailored to relieve back pain.
When To Contact 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.
Sunday Ortho Memory Mattress
It is a superb combination of budget price & best orthopaedic support. It is a hybrid model with memory foam for the best comfort and HR foam for support.
Specification
- The base layer has 5 inches of HR foam of 32 density.
- The top comfort is 1 inch of memory foam .
- The top cover is 100% organic cotton for superior comfort during summer.
- Firmness rating of 7 out of 10. Great for back pain and neck pain relief.
- The mattress offers zero partner disturbance.
- The mattress comes with a removable & machine washable zipper cover.
- Compressed Mattress? Not compressed, hence longer life.
Prices & Policies
Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Sunday Mattress is ten years, which can increase with proper care and periodic rotation of the mattress.
Weight Supported
Sunday Ortho Memory Mattress is ideally suited to normal and slightly overweight people. The firmness level and the comfort and support of the memory foam ensure it.
Certification
- GOTS – The top mattress cover is 100% GOTS-approved organic cotton.
- OEKO-TEX 100 – The mattress’s top cover and side fabrics are certified by Oeko-Tex 100. The standard tests every material component and certifies it harmless for human health.
What We Like
- Back support is extraordinary and the best in class.
- Sunday mattresses use organic cotton fabric This helps keep the bed cool.
- Uncompressed mattress, so much longer life.
- Offers 100 nights trial.
What We Didn’t Like
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Best Gel Foam Mattress: Sweetnight 12 Inch Queen Size Mattress Medium Firm
Amazon
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Free returns within 100 days
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Non-removable cover
There are many quality foam mattresses that can help reduce your back pain. And one of the best, most affordable options is the Sweetnight 12 inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress.
While it costs hundreds less than comparable products, this 12-inch memory foam mattress will give you a great night’s sleep, helping to reduce body aches all the while.
This mattress has three thick layers of foam for optimal comfort. The top layer is made of a gel memory foam that regulates temperature, keeping you cool throughout the night while cradling the contours of your bodyno matter what position you sleep in. Plus, the mattress is hypoallergenic and resistant to allergens, making it a great option for those who are sensitive to pollen and dust.
Price at time of publication: $375
Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 12 inches | Type: Gel-infused memory foam | Trial Length: 100 nights
The Best Mattress For Back Pain Recommended By An Osteopath
Our expert says the best mattress for back pain depends on your posture, weight and sleeping style: so which is right for you?
Back pain is the leading cause of disability in the UK and affects approximately one in six adults. It’s aggravated by our sedentary lifestyles and bad posture, both at our desks and while we sleep. While no mattress will be a magic fix, an unsupportive one can compound the problem.
“Typically inflammatory pain is worse in the morning because as we lie, our heart rate slows down, circulation slows and any inflammation stays pooled in the area. Sleep position is key,” says Dave Gibson, osteopath, sleep coach and founder of The Sleep Site.
To avoid back pain you should ideally sleep with your spine in alignment. For back sleepers and front sleepers the main danger is that the spine settles into a U-shape while sleeping. For side sleepers it depends on the pressure points at shoulder, hip and head.
“Lie on your side in bed and get your partner to take a photograph so you can see how your spine lines up,” Gibson recommends. “Your pillow needs to be the right height and the mattress needs to be supportive enough so that when you lie down, your spine is in alignment. It can help to put a pillow between your knees. It also helps if the mattress is firm.”
Read Also: Which Mattress Is Good For Side Sleepers
The Importance Of The Right Mattress
Back pain is often managed by health professionals. Treatment options include chiropractic, physiotherapy, and pain medication. Some people also help to manage their back pain through stretching and strengthening exercises. Research has shown that getting a new mattress can also help with back pain.
When it comes to the best mattress for bad backs, it is important that your new mattress is correctly balanced with comfort with back support. A good mattress should absorb the weight of your body comfortably, whilst also maintaining your spine in a healthy position.
Another Organic Option Thats Ideal For Back Sleepers
Avocado
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 10 years full, 25 years limited
Many of todays mattresses are made from memory foam, which typically contains synthetic chemicals. If youre looking for something a bit more eco-friendly, consider the Avocado Green Mattress. Its constructed of organic ingredients, including a layer of organic latex sitting on top of more than 1,000 pocketed support coils. The mattress has a gentle-yet-firm feel and five distinct ergonomic zones that adapt to your pressure points and provide relief where you need it. The thoughtful construction also helps reduce motion transfer and distributes weight more evenly so the mattress can contour to your bodys natural shape. Its best for back and stomach sleepers.
What the reviews say: The organic, natural materials are perhaps what separates this bed from others its the amazingly comfortable and superior support that I think tops my list, says one happy review. Over the last six months, Ive now purchased three .
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What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For Side
Most side-sleepers do well with a medium-soft to medium mattress, which should provide enough cushiness to relieve pressure on their hips and shoulders but enough support to keep their spinal alignment in check. People with back pain, however, ideally need a mattress that feels medium-firm, which is likelier to ease their aches and pains than a softer bed. We do suggest some slightly firmer mattresses for side-sleepers who require more support, and we think one of them will hit the sweet spot for back-pain sufferers who regularly sleep in that position.
If youre a side-sleeper with back pain, start by considering the Saatva Classic or Leesa Sapira Hybrid. These mattresses are still medium-firm, but weve found that theyre relatively plusher than the others, especially after a break-in period. If youre not sure about your firmness preferences, the flippable Zenhaven gives you two options to choose from, with one side slightly more pliable than the other. Finally, although the Tempur-Adapt Medium Hybrid feels firm, it also has a uniquely contouring memory-foam sink, and it should adequately cushion shoulders and hips for side-sleepers, too. Keep in mind that firmness level is subjective, so we strongly suggest trying the mattress before you buy, if you can, or paying close attention to the trial window so you can return the mattress if it doesnt feel right.
Best Mattresses For Back Pain By Sleeper Type
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If youre a side sleeper, you need to pay attention to all the normal mattress shopping topics like price and materials, but you also need to balance back support with pressure relief. Thats not easily done and its not always perfectly apparent to you when youre first testing a bed.
When you try out a bed, be mindful of how your spinespecifically your lower backfeels. And make sure to keep an eye on it throughout your trial period with the bed. If you feel like the mattress is pushing or pulling you out of alignment, you should probably continue your mattress search.
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Best mattress for you: Purple Hybrid
Also Check: Best Firm Side Sleeper Pillow
Loom & Leafs Best Features
- Given this is a thick, all-foam bed, Loom & Leaf is a nice option for heavier folks who dont like the bounce most hybrid and innerspring beds provide .
- Loom & Leaf is also available in a Relaxed Firm and Firm model, so you can choose whichever seems to best suit your sleeping preferences. Remember that support is key here for back pain.
- Its one of the thicker all-foam mattresses weve tested, measuring out to 12 thick. This makes it more supportive and durable than competing foam mattresses.
- But wait, theres more! Under the center, third of the bed is a gel cooling panel made from a material used in hospital burn units. This wont make you feel cold necessarily, but it will help regulate your overall temperature
Which Type Of Mattress Topper Is Best For Back Pain
Any type of mattress topper may have potential pros and cons. Depending on their personal preferences, back pain sufferers may enjoy different toppers.
Memory foam: As memory foam toppers conform closely to the body, many people who experience back pain find they give a good balance of pressure relief and support. These toppers also usually isolate motion well, so you might not notice when their partner changes their position. One potential drawback is that memory foam tends to retain heat, but some models are made with special features for added breathability and cooling. Memory foam is also usually slow to respond to changes in pressure, which can make it harder for you to move around and change your sleep position.
Polyfoam: Polyfoam toppers conform to your body without the close hug of memory foam. Additionally, this material tends to be more breathable and regain its shape more quickly than memory foam. Polyfoam toppers are also frequently budget-friendly options. While many sleepers find polyfoam mattress toppers comfortable, theyre often less durable than other types of toppers on the market. This is particularly true of toppers that make use of low-density polyfoam.
Feathers:Feather mattress toppers typically provide a plush sleep surface. However, since they do not usually provide much in the way of support or pressure relief, they may not be ideal for sleepers who experience back pain.
Also Check: How To Find The Best Mattress For Back Pain
How Can Sleep Help Chronic Pain
Now that weve gone over my picks, I want to take a second to talk about the purpose of this guide. While it may seem like the focus is on finding a mattress thatll make falling asleep with pain easier, its actually about finding the bed thats going to help you use sleep to actively deal with said pain.
Sleep is very important for restoring balance to the nervous system and improving coping strategies for pain, Dr. Poorbaugh told me during our chat . Normally, our central nervous system is downplaying or ignoring stimuli from multiple sources simply because the information is not important. A person with chronic pain, however, loses this important dampening ability, so many activities that were once well-tolerated now become pain-provoking.
Dr. Poorbaugh went on to cite a recent study, which showed that poor sleep patterns were directly related to higher rates of pain, poor mood, increased pain-catastrophizing, and overall reduced physical function.
So what can be done? In order to get the kind of sleep you need to help deal with your chronic pain, consider the following when choosing the right mattress to deal with pain.
How To Choose The Best Mattress For Back Pain
A good mattress is the number one remedy for upper and lower back pain. However, sleeping on the wrong mattress may also trigger these pains or exacerbate existing ones. This makes sense when you consider that you spend 7-9 hours in bed. There are 4 critical components that you should be looking for when buying the best mattress for back pain: comfort, pressure point relief, spine alignment, and adequate support.
All of these aspects boil down to the firmness of the mattress. Go for a medium-firm bed Some years back, chiropractors mostly suggested firm mattresses when addressing lower back problems. However, this advice has changed in the recent past. Experts now recommend medium-firm mattresses citing their ability to accommodate and promote the natural curves of the spine. A medium-firm mattress supports the three natural curves of your spine thanks to its excellent conformability.
These mattresses have a little bit more give than firm beds. Thus, they allow the heavy sections of your body, namely the shoulders and lumbar region, to sink slightly, leading to proper spine alignment.
Does mattress type matter?
Latex– latex competes favorably with memory foam in alleviating upper and lower back pains. Actually, this material outperforms memory foam by being more responsive and breathable. Be prepared to cough up more dollars, though, especially if youre eyeing a natural latex bed.
Read Also: What Is The Best Mattress Topper For Comfort
What Makes The Helix Midnight Luxe Stand Out
- The top memory foam layer provides good contouring, while the coils provide excellent support.
- Many side sleepers should get good pressure relief.
- The mattress boasts excellent cooling features.
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress reviewto learn more. If you arent interested in the Helix Midnight mattress, check out our list of the best medium firm mattresses for more great options.
Closing Thoughts For Back Pain Sufferers
Back pain is debilitating. Its even worse when your back hurts just after you wake up and you have to deal with it for the rest of the day. Relieve your back pain with a good mattress topper then, which will support your body completely and help you sleep well. You just have to make sure that you dont lose any sleep picking one out! Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each topper, and consider things like the material it’s made out of and the thickness.
Gabe is the newest member of The Sleep Shop team. If you like the design of The Sleep Shop, give Gabe a thumbs up. Hes a digital marketing and design guru and the brains behind the design and SEO of The Sleep Shop. He also wont say no to testing a ton of mattresses either, and helps on almost every mattress review.
Also Check: How Expensive Are Purple Mattresses
How To Choose The Right Floor Mattress
When choosing a floor mattress, it is important to consider your body type. If you are taller, you will want a mattress that is thicker and more supportive. For those who are shorter, a thinner mattress may be more comfortable. You will also want to consider the firmness of the mattress. A firmer mattress may be better for those who sleep on their stomach or back, while a softer mattress may be better for side sleepers. Ultimately, it is important to choose a mattress that provides you with the right level of support and comfort.
The 7 Best Mattresses For Back Pain Of 2022
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.
Recommended Reading: Where To Find Puffy Mattress
What Is Back Pain A Note From Sleepopolis Expert Dr Poorbaugh
Before we wrap up, I wanted to include some basic information on back pain that I learned from Dr. Poorbaugh.
According to Dr. Poorbaugh, most medical research is focused on Chronic Lower Back Pain . Traditionally, to be defined as chronic someones lower back pain needed to continue for more than three months. But recently, doctors have started using functional brain imaging to illustrate that chronic is not necessarily a time dependent label.
Dr Poorbaugh says that the main determinant of chronic back pain today is central sensitization. According to Dr. Poorbaugh, central sensitization occurs when the central nervous system has lost its ability to dampen or control peripheral stimuli i.e. information from muscles, joints, and nerves.
When your nervous system cant control those stimuli, your peripheral nerves get irritated. This eventually affects your entire nervous system and makes normal activity feel painful .
