Did you know back pain can be alleviated -- sometimes even remedied completely -- by sleeping on the right kind of mattress? That's why we're here to talk about the best mattresses for back pain. While studies have shown that a bad mattress can aggravate or even be the primary cause of back pain in the first place, certain kinds of mattresses are known for providing the perfect blend of cushioning and support to keep the joints aligned while allowing comfortable sleep. But with so many mattress brands claiming that they’re the best for back pain, it can be pretty challenging to find the right one. To avoid making mistakes that are both a waste of time and money, here are several questions consumers should be asking before making a purchase:
The first thing any person with back pain should evaluate in this situation is whether or not they actual need a new mattress (which in most cases, the answer will be a resounding 'yes'). Ideally, what you want is a memory foam mattress that provides even support down the length of your body. Any mattress that sags in the middle, has bumpy areas, squeaks during movement or just looks and feels worn out is most likely contributing to the sleeper's back pain and should be replaced.
The actual kind of mattress comes down to the preferences of the sleeper, but studies have shown that as far as firmness goes, most people with back pain find the most relief with medium-firm mattresses. Some of the best medium-firm mattress brands are Saatva, Purple and Sleep Number. Mattresses with more support are generally better for human backs than ones that are overly soft. That said, the mattress should not be overly firm and should contour to the body, making mattresses that are right in the middle the winners.
Let's face it-- traditional mattresses are very outdated. Though they can be comfortable at first, the spring / coil design wears out with repeated use, and the layers of padding are usually too thin to provide any kind of long-term comfort. Basically, traditional mattress designs are not made to ease back pain and can actually make it far worse in the long run. The best new mattresses offer support and durability to keep you sleeping peacefully and pain-free for years to come.
Again, the type of mattress chosen will be up to the individual. That said, it doesn't hurt to understand what each has to offer. A Tempur-Pedic (or other mattresses made from memory foam) is a great choice for people who like soft mattresses but have back pain. Although certainly soft, this dense foam is sturdy and supportive enough and contours around the body to keep the spine properly aligned. Learn more about Tempurpedic mattress deals that can help with costs.
Not quite. Gel-infused memory foam, or rather, memory foam infused with gel beads, can be another wonderful option for people with back pain, especially those who also have heat issues. The gel helps keep the mattress as cool as possible while still supporting the back and contouring around the body. One of the best choices here is the Dreamfoam's Ultimate Dreams Supreme simply because it is such a great value.
Mattresses that are made from a combination of memory foam and other materials are often great choices for back pain sufferers. Though they come in many different designs, the standard one is a layer of memory foam (often under fabric) over a traditional coil mattress layer. These mattresses can be cheaper than their all-memory foam counterparts while still providing plenty of comfort and support. They also can be a bit easier to move around. Two of the best hybrid mattresses for back pain are the Saatva mattress and the Serta iComfort Hybrid (both with individually wrapped innersprings and memory foam top layers).
Sleep number beds are not for everyone, but they can work wonders for a lot of back pain sufferers. These beds contour to the body similarly to memory foam mattresses, but have the added benefit of being adjustable in firmness (and in the case of some models, in shape / elevation) for the individual user. As an added benefit for couples, Sleep Number mattresses can be purchased as two different halves, so each person can still tailor their side of the bed to suit them.
At this point in history, no consumer should ever be purchasing a mattress without a long-term warranty. That said, certain kinds of mattresses are bound to wear out faster than others. High-density memory foam tends to last the longest, hitting between 8 and 10 years before starting to lessen in support. Gel foam has slightly less longevity, going about 7 to 9 years, while hybrids usually hit 6 years before starting to slowly deteriorate. Sleep Number beds, meanwhile, come with 25-year maximum warranties, but this is largely because they have parts that can be easily replaced.