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The average adult needs at least 7 hours of sleep to function healthily. Sleep is critical to our well-being and humans in general. However, so many people are plagued with some form of insomnia
Much of this is attributed to back pain or back-related issues. Back pain is one of the most common problems faced by adults. Most adults will at some point in their lifetime either deal with acute or chronic back pain.
People suffering from back pain may find it hard to get deep sleep. Thus, insufficient sleep can hamper life. While there are many different treatments for back pain approved by medical practitioners.
One often overlooked component is the mattress which easily prevents your visit to a doctor.
A bad mattress can cause you to wake up every morning with back pain. Or even worse you may stay up the whole night looking for a comfortable position.
A good mattress can support your back, improve your spinal alignment, and ameliorate your aches. It can feel like a stress-relieving hug that tucks you into deep restorative sleep. Your mattress selection is a pivotal factor in your back health and sleep cycle.
Quick List
Best Value for the Money
Best Pocket-Friendly Mattress
Best Luxurious and Technologically Friendly Mattress
Best Mattress for Back Pain
Best Mattress that provides Localized Support
Best Sustainable Mattress in its Category
Reviews of Mattresses for Back Pain
Amerisleep AS2
Amerisleep AS2 is one of the best mattresses for back pain. Made of Bio-Pur instead of traditional foam, all types of sleepers can use this. However, it is specifically for back sleepers.
The Bio-Pur will allow you to sleep cool at night because of its open cell structure which wicks away heat. This material is also responsible for allowing it to retain its original shape.
It is constructed using HIVE technology which provides zoned comfort to its sleepers. The base of the Amerisleep AS2 is durable, and also prevents sagging.
Why it is Good
This scores well on pressure relief. Bio-Pur, an eco-friendly alternative to memory foam comprises the AS2 model of AMERISLEEP.
The comfort layer made of this material succeeds in removing pain from the sleeper's pressure points.
It has a zoned design that prevents sinkage of the body and reduction of discomfort.
The sleeper spends their night perfectly aligned, with the pain from their pressure points being drawn away. Hence they wake up with a significantly reduced backache.
Layla Hybrid
Layla Hybrid is a flippable mattress infused with copper and individually wrapped coils as the base. It has six layers and together they make the Layla Hybrid one of the best cooling mattresses available on the market.
The two sides provide the sleeper with a dual firmness option. One side is medium-firm and the other is soft.
It is antimicrobial and responds to excessive pressure and weight with firmness.
The copper layer regulates the sleeping climate by reducing body heat transfer. It also allows for rapid cooling.
Why it is Good
Layla has superior pressure-relieving capabilities. The copper-infused memory foam layer cradles the sleepers’ pressure points and the coil base provides supports.
The firm side is the best for those with back pain. Research supports the fact that lower back pain reduces by using a firm or a medium-firm mattress. With dual firmness, it suits all sleeper types including side sleepers.
SpineAlign® Luxury Hybrid™ Mattress
- Designed, approved, and tested by a doctor (Dr.Jason Loth).
- Excellent pressure point relief for the back.
- Two firmness options.
- Sleeps cool.
- 10-year warranty.
- 120-night trial.
SpinAlign is one of our top recommendations for people suffering from back pain. Proper spinal alignment and support are what you need for a good night's sleep when you have back-related issues.
It is a plush hybrid mattress with 13.5-inch in thickness. The top layer is 1.5-inch copper foam followed by 2-inch ArcticPhase™ gel-based cooling foam that makes you sleep cool. The base is 8-inch pocketed coils with 1-inch memory foam as a transition layer and 1-inch HD base foam.
Why it is Good
The mattress is CertiPUR-US certified and is an apt choice for hot sleepers with back pain. The premium coils provide support and pressure relief. It has good edge support and above-average motion isolation.
Casper Wave Hybrid
- Price Range: $1,355 – $2,800
- Mattress Type: Hybrid
- Thickness: 13-inch
- Firmness: Medium-Firm (5)
- Trial Period: 100-Night Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
The Wave is eco-friendly with a zoned construction. In a world of climate change, the fact that 121 recycled plastic bottles are used in each one is poignant.
The Casper Wave is a hybrid mattress, which means both memory foam and innerspring are used in its construction.
It also has a cooling layer that makes it breathable and allows the customer to sleep without sweating.
Most importantly, the Wave is ergonomic in design and extremely efficient in reducing backache.
Why it is Good
Its gel pods make it good for back pain due to its targeted support.
These targeted gel-filled pods are effectively placed under pressure points like the waist and the lower back.
These gel pods shape the pressure points of the sleeper and also helps to keep your spine aligned. This zoned construction makes it ideal for side sleepers or someone facing lower back pain issues.
The springs also give an added lift to the sleeper. It is medium-firm and is best for reducing lower back pain.
DreamCloud Hybrid
DreamCloud's Hybrid combines gel-infused memory foam with individually wrapped coils.
These coils increase airflow and the gel disperses the body heat of the sleeper.
It is medium-firm and has five layers. These layers are constructed to give the sleeper support and align their spine.
The DreamCloud can fit on every base– from an adjustable bed frame to a box spring. Moreover, it also provides excellent motion isolation.
Why it is Good
The layers of DreamCloud present an answer to the question posed above.
Individually wrapped coils make up the support layer which consequently helps the mattress adapt to the sleeper’s body. Thus, the sleeper gets adequate support and comfort.
Secondly, it also has a layer that ‘sinks in just right‘ that’s essential for spine health.
Nest Bedding Alexander Signature Hybrid
The NestBedding Hybrid has many unique advantages. The designers had sustainability in their minds whilst constructing the mattress.
That was made clear by the presence of a zipper which allows the sleepers to change their feel layer every six months.
Moreover, it (only in King and California King size) is internally divided. Hence, the firmness level provided on each side is different.
One side can be plush (soft) and the other can be firm/ medium-firm. The Hybrid's construction also allows for a cool sleep wherein the sleeper feels comfortable and supported.
Why it is Good
It has as its material the Energex™ Temperature Responsive Foam. This foam provides support to the consumer as he/she sleeps at night.
The Lux Firm is recommended for those who have backaches because it is appropriately firm and it also assists with spinal alignment.
GhostBed Luxe
The GhostBed is sturdy and designed for back pain relief. Gel memory foam provides pressure relief from the pressure points and reduces back pain. The GhostBed Luxe offers incredible coolness and contouring comfort.
The 7.5-inch core increases durability and ensures that your back is well supported. It helps in maintaining the alignment of your spine by not allowing you to sink into the bed, thereby helping back pain sufferers.
Why it is Good
The GhostBed is sturdy and designed to relieve back pain. Gel foam relieves pressure points and alleviates back pain.
The GhostBed Luxe offers incredible coolness and contouring comfort, the ideal option for hot sleepers and those looking for targeted pressure-point support.
The 7.5-inch core increases durability and ensures that your back is well supported. This feature maintains the alignment of your spine by not allowing you to sink into the bed.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
The Brooklyn Signature incorporates several premium features. From the premium quilted top to the base foam it has some of the best characteristics.
The quilted top helps resist body impressions. The Ascension coils succeed in delivering deep compression support while increasing motion isolation.
Together it ensures that the middle of the night disturbances is minimal.
Why it is Good
The high-density foam base adds durability and support. It also enhances the support to your lower back. It is available in 3 different levels of firmness so you can pick the level of support your back needs.
The top layer of TitanFlex™ foam includes all the contouring characteristics of memory foam and responsiveness of the latex material. This provides relief for the various pressure points on your back and hence reduces back pain.
TEMPUR Adapt
Tempur Adapt is the mattress of the future. It is built to be customizable for each user. It is adaptable in its functionality and the sleep it can grant to a user.
The foam used was originally designed by NASA to absorb the G forces that astronauts face during a shuttle launch. Tempur changes this into the perfect mattress for sleep.
The Tempur Adapt when combined with TEMPUR-Ergo® Smart Bases, connects with your phone to give you personalized feedback and sleeping tips. The bed can work with google voice commands to adjust sleep positions in sync with daily sleep reports.
Why it is Good
The foam used in it is especially good for back support. The support layer contours the body and relieves the pressure points. It is medium-firm and hence maintains the alignment of your spine.
The spring coils add to the support provided to your lower back. This further reduces the chances of having your morning ruined by back pain.
It also has a 10-year long warranty period and a 90-night trial period. The trial period gives sufficient time for the customers to understand whether it meets their specific needs or not.
PlushBeds – The Botanical Bliss Organic Mattress
Botanical Bliss is one of the best organic options available in the market. Organic cotton, latex, and wool ensure a feeling of luxury and maximizes comfort.
It is anti-bacterial, dust mite-proof, and cool to the touch. Many of the harmful chemicals used in bed production are not present here. The organic option can truly make you sleep and feel better.
Why it is Good
Many chiropractors and orthopedics recommend this organic mattress.
This is because it has two vital layers.
The layer made of New Zealand wool provides top-tier comfort and support to sleepers. It cradles the pressure points of the sleeper and draws pain away from them.
Additionally, the latex layer provides the firmness level required to reduce pain in the back whilst also helping the spine to be aligned.
Nectar Mattress
The five-layer Nectar Memory foam mattress contours the body of the sleeper perfectly. All variations of body weight/size and sleeping type can use it comfortably
Nectar is medium-firm and effectively minimizes motion transfer and also efficiently supports the back, hips, legs, and shoulders.
It also has a cooling cover that promotes temperature regulation. It also allows the sleeper to sleep without sweating. However, its cooling abilities may be slightly limited.
Why it is Good
Nectar is known for its pressure relief and contouring. It shapes the pressure points of the sleeper and supports the back and the hips sufficiently.
It allows the sleeper to sink in without putting any stress on the spine or shoulder area. Thus the reduction in pain can be attributed to the fact that the sleeper can rest without needless sinkage and pain.
Budget Options for Back Pain Sufferers
Are you suffering from a bad back but do not want to break the bank to make a purchase that will suit all your needs?
In many cases, the budget options become a necessity as foam mattresses that relieve pressure from pressure points are costly.
Because of this, we thought it will be in our reader's interest to provide them with budget options.
There are mainly three pocket-friendly options for those with a bad back.
Firstly, we recommend that you purchase a mattress topper for the back pain:
A mattress topper is a 1-3 inch layer that you can put on your original mattress.
These toppers are comparatively cheaper and succeed in alleviating the sleeper's night experience. They add to the comfort and also provide increased support to the customer.
Mattress toppers are an addition to your original bed. They are very popular among people as at times they may not want to spend money on a brand new mattress.
However, one must remember that a topper is not a substitute for a brand-new mattress. Hence, if you can afford it we recommend that you buy a new one.
Secondly, we recommend shopping online:
If you are used to shopping online you already know the benefits of it as compared to shopping in a brick-and-mortar store.
Shopping online eliminates the overhead costs of a middleman and the showroom which makes them cheaper automatically.
Additionally, online stores always have more options than physical stores. Hence, you can take your time and do your research and buy the size which suits you.
Moreover, online shopping presents better discounts and offers to customers than physical stores. Many people avoid purchasing online as they cannot get the feel while buying it.
However, all mattresses have long sleep trials. Thus you can buy it but return it during the trial period if you do not like its ‘feel'.
Lastly, you can always try changing your sleeping position if your mattress is aggravating your backache.
Try sleeping on your side if you suffer from lumbar pain. Take your time and try different sleep positions. However, this is not a long-term solution.
Moreover, It is extremely tough to change your sleep position in the long term. Many people slip back to their original sleeping style.
Additionally, some accessories can also alleviate back pain. Pillows and bed frames are two important accessories that can reduce pain.
Pillows need to be strategically positioned and when they are, they work wonders. Usually sleeping on a pillow reduces backache by keeping the spine aligned.
If you are a back sleeper, placing a pillow below your knees will help you keep your back and consequently your spine aligned. For a stomach sleeper, placing a pillow below your pelvis will prevent sinkage and assist in body alignment.
Moreover, we also recommend an adjustable base if you suffer from pain in your lower or upper back. Adjustable beds can alleviate the pressure from different parts of the back by lifting different portions of the body of the sleeper.
For example, if you suffer from pain in your lower back then an adjustable base would help you by lifting your torso and legs slightly.
Here you must be careful to purchase an adjustable bed frame that is compatible with the mattress you have.
Spine Alignment and Back Pain
Chronic back pain affects millions of people. Most adults usually experience back pain at some point during their life. Back pain can negatively impact your sleep and your well-being.
Your spine is critical to the health of your back and the possible pain that you may have.
Role of Spine Alignment in Back Pain
A healthy spine has three critical roles to play. It protects the spinal cord which is the communication highway of your body. It provides structural support to your body so that it can stay upright and provides tactile movement.
An unhealthy spine can't fulfill these goals.
Lack of proper spine alignment can be the central cause of back pain. Back pain comes in various types and forms. It varies from mild pain for a few hours to debilitating pain that can be a daily occurrence leading to chronic pain.
Acute vs Chronic Back Pain
Back pain is divided into two broad categories.
Acute back pain:
Acute pain is characterized by short-term pain that lasts up to 12 weeks and is caused by sudden strain, such as through an accident or injury. Strained ligaments are the most common cause of acute back pain.
The source of this could be heavy lifting, an awkward sleeping position, or even a small fall. Acute back pain subsides as the underlying causes heal.
Chronic back pain:
Chronic back pain lasts for at least three months. It can be caused by a major accident or injury. However, it is closely associated with physiological problems like scoliosis.
What differentiates chronic from acute back pain is that even if the underlying causes are solved aches continue.
Common causes of Chronic Back Pain
There are multiple causes of chronic back pain. These include but aren't limited to bulging or ruptured discs, Arthritis ( all of its variants), skeletal irregularities like scoliosis, and some other health aspects such as obesity and age.
The discs within your spinal column are susceptible to injury. The fatty jelly-like tissue act like shock absorbers. When they get ruptured they come in contact with nerve clusters causing painful sensations.
Arthritis and its variants like Osteoarthritis or Gout can cause lumbar pain. As the cartilage within the spinal cord deteriorates it causes painful sensations across the back
Skeletal irregularities like scoliosis and lordosis can cause unnatural or abnormal curvature in the spine. The abnormal curvature applies unnecessary stress on certain portions of the back.
This can be very painful as stress and pressure make certain body movements or sleeping positions impossible.
Various other health and lifestyle effects like obesity, age, smoking, and exercise routine can contribute to the health of your spine and the corresponding back pain.
How to help Spine Alignment?
Some of the best ways to help your spine alignment are to pick a good mattress that is appropriate for you and to ensure you are sleeping in the right position.
Picking one that provides lumbar support and contours your pressure points is essential. Alongside that, you want bedding that relaxes your back and helps with swelling.
For upper back pain, you want to sleep on your side with a foam pillow. For lower back pain you want to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
Sleeping positions and Back Pain
Each position puts pressure on a different part of the body. It is important to know which part feels the tension to know what kind of mattress to purchase.
Below is a quick overview of the sleeping positions and how they interact with a backache.
Side Sleepers
The two areas which are subject to pressure for a side sleeper are the wider areas of the body- the hips and the shoulder.
These areas are prone to feeling pressure and pain, hence a medium-firm mattress is needed to alleviate the pain from these pressure points.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers feel a lot of tension in their lumbar region. For them, we recommend one that is medium-firm to firm.
This is because a soft mattress may mess up the alignment of your spine and the natural curvature of your body as you sleep.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers face maximum pressure in their neck and lumbar region. For them, the correct height and placement of the pillow become essential in determining the pain they feel.
A pillow that is too tall can put undue pressure on the neck and upper back. A mattress that is too soft can lead to the pelvis sinking in more than the level which is preferred.
Hence if you are a stomach sleeper, we recommend firm mattresses with a thin pillow.
Mattress Type for Back Pain Issues
The mattress you choose can contribute to your pain if you are not careful.
Different materials make up each mattress. However, each of them impacts back pain differently.
The guide below will give a detailed account of how each type of mattress works on your body shape and helps in reducing backache.
Latex Foam
How does it support your back?
The design of latex mattresses is not tailored specifically for those with a bad back. However, we still recommend it to those who suffer due to it.
This is because it has the firmness of memory foam.
However, unlike them, latex ones are cooler.
These provide ample back support to the sleeper and help you wake up fresh free from any back issues.
One can purchase softer latex mattresses if one wants to, but we would suggest that you do not if you suffer from back pain.
Innerspring Or Coils
How does it support your back?
Hybrid or innerspring mattresses provide the support necessary for those with a bad back. The steel coils do make an adequately firmer mattress for hip and shoulder pain.
However, the Innerspring mattress does not do a superb job relieving pressure from the customer's pressure points.
The reason for this is that it has an interconnected system rather than individually wrapped coils.
Hence, though the support provided is superb, it lacks the other features needed to make this material one which is the best for reducing back pain.
Despite that, if you are a larger individual and you want a durable mattress that will also alleviate backache– we recommend that you go ahead with this purchase as other materials may not suit you or cost you substantially more.
Pocketed Coils
How does it support your back?
Mattresses with pocketed coils do a great job of providing more localized support. These are upgraded versions of traditional innerspring mattresses. Each coil is pocketed and individually wrapped to minimize motion transfer and provide better lumbar support.
Hence back pain sufferers – we recommend that you go ahead and buy a mattress of this kind.
Memory Foam
How does it support your back?
We recommend these to those who have backache and especially those who also have muscle pain and arthritis.
People who suffer from a bad back often have an immense amount of pain buildup in their pressure points. Memory foam is a material known for pressure relief.
This material has the unique feature of being deeply contouring. That is it contours the pressure points of the sleeper’s body and draws the pain away from them.
Moreover, it is slow in responding and is relatively firm. This implies that those with a bad back get sufficient support whilst asleep.
Mattresses made of this material also do an excellent job of supporting your spine by not letting the body of the sleeper sink too much in any one area.
How to tell if your Mattress is causing Back Pain?
Back pain is a widespread problem. It is so common that almost 80% of adults will have either chronic or acute back in the course of their lives. It is essential to know if your mattress is causing you back pain.
A soft mattress will cause the alignment of your spine to shift. This will lead to pain and stiffness in the upper back.
If your sleeping pad is too hard, pressure in your hips builds up and results in pain in the lower back.
If pain or discomfort is the first feeling you experience when you get up, it may be because of your mattress.
Tossing and turning throughout the night can be because of a bad mattress. An uncomfortable bed will cause severe back problems. If your spine is not aligned it will cause back pain.
An old mattress and back pain go hand in hand. If you have not changed your mattress for more than eight years it will have lost its shape moreover its springs would have worn out.
The back support may have diminished significantly. Hence, if your mattress is old and dated, it might be time to change it.
If you find yourself waking up at the crack of dawn for no significant reason, it can be because of your mattress. One should not be waking up in the middle of the night if one is devoid of any psychological or physiological sleeping problems.
Pain, discomfort, and tenseness can keep you awake. If this is happening to you regularly then it may be because of your bedding.
Another thing to remember is that your mattress should suit your body type. If you feel swallowed up by your mattress it's because it is too soft.
Overly soft bedding is a chief contributor to back pain. A softer mattress may not adequately support your back.
If you are sinking into your bed as if you are in a swimming pool then your mattress may be too soft.
On the other hand, bedding that is too hard can also contribute to back pain. The human body is not flat, it has contours.
If you are sleeping on a mattress that cannot adjust to the shape of your body you may have back pain.
Related FAQs
Conclusion
You deserve a night’s sleep that is free of pain and ache in the morning. Your mattress choice is critical in ensuring a good night's sleep. With hundreds of products on the market, selecting a mattress to best suit your back is easier said than done.
This guide hopefully has provided you with a useful outline that highlights not just the importance of a good mattress but what you should look out for to find one.
