Unfortunately, anyone working in a mattress store who tells you that sleeping on a firm bed will fix your sore back is guessing. Show
You see, the first thing that you need to figure out is the cause of your sore back. Unless the mattress sales person is also your doctor, chiropractor or physiotherapist and also happens to sleep in the same bed as you, then it is unlikely that they will be able to accurately diagnose your back pain and prescribe the mattress to fix it. Back pain can be caused by many things. But if you’re going to bed feeling fine but feeling stiff and sore when you wake, there’s a possibility that the support in the mattress is not right for your body. Or, it could be the opposite of that. Dr Susan Alamann, a leading American Chiropractor tells us that if your posture is extremely poor during the day, you may experience pain through the night when sleeping on a good mattress, as your spine spends those 8 hours trying to correct itself. Soreness can also be caused by a poor sleeping position. Dr Alamann recommends that whatever your preferred sleeping position is, you try to keep your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles aligned. In other words, if you’re a back or stomach sleeper – try and sleep in a straight line. If you’re a side sleeper, try and keep your knees together and hips aligned on top of each other. Sleeping in an unnatural pose, such as with one leg bent out or one arm above your head can place strain on the nerves and tendons around those joints and cause soreness in the morning. If your back pain is caused by an injury, you may find that the pain is alleviated far more by sleeping a softer bed, exactly the opposite of a firm mattress. You will have a greater need for more softness and comfort in the mattress to cushion the injured areas of your body. Older bodies, especially those who have had hip replacements or the like, usually benefit from a very plush mattress. But, when incorrect support in a mattress seems to be causing the problem, it is often that the mattress spring is too soft and causing the heaviest part of your body (around your lower back, hips and backside) to sink too low into the mattress. Ideally, the support unit will keep your body in good alignment so that your spine and joints are in their “neutral” and least-stressed position, You may want to try a firmer, sturdier spring unit that will lift the heaviest part of your body and hold you in a different posture. That doesn’t mean that you want to sleep on a brick or the floor. We still need a certain amount of comfort in the upholstery layers on top of the springs to avoid pressure build up whilst we sleep. According to the US National Sleep Foundation, a mattress with more ‘give’ or more comfort may lead to better sleep in people with back pain, despite the fact that most consumers believe that a firmer mattress is better for alleviating back pain. You’ll find our 'Just Perfect' mattress is the perfect combination of the right amount of support in the spring unit but still with a good amount of cushioning in the comfort layers. For any of us with back problems, the best way to discover if you need a firmer or softer mattress is with a 100-night trial of a new mattress. Most mattresses will feel comfortable when you try them out in a bedding store, but only once you’ve spent many hours sleeping on a mattress will you know for sure if it’s the real cure for your sore back. Any advice given in our articles is for information purposes only and not intended to replace advice given to your by your doctor or health care professional.
Back pain is a nuisance, especially when it impacts your ability to get a full night of quality sleep. Unfortunately, sleeping on the wrong type of mattress can worsen an existing back injury or even create new aches and pains. If you can't find relief from your back pain when lying in bed, it may be time to consider investing in a new bed. So what is the best mattress for back pain? Firm mattresses are often touted as the catch-all solution for sleepers seeking solace from aching backs, but the real answer is more nuanced. Depending on what your exact issues are, a few of the models in our best mattress ranking might do the trick for you. And if you're in the US and buying a mattress for medical reasons, Medicare may cover some of the costs; see our guide - What types of mattresses are covered by Medicare? - for all the details. We recently spoke to Dr. Allison Brager, neuroscientist and sleep specialist for Molecule (opens in new tab), to get her expert insight into how to pick a mattress that can reduce back pain and help you sleep more comfortably once more. Are soft or firm mattresses better for back pain?According to Dr. Brager, most people will find relief with a medium to firm mattress, while a soft mattress is the least likely to alleviate back pain. However, she stresses that there is no "one size fits all solution" when it comes to selecting a suitable mattress for back pain. "I don’t want people to think that a firm mattress is the absolute all or nothing solution. A medium-firm mattress is wonderful too," says Dr. Brager, "but everyone is different." Why your sleep position is importantYour sleeping position (the one you drop off in) is a major consideration when choosing a mattress for back pain. Dr. Brager says it's essential to rest in a position where you are the most comfortable — although her recommendation for most individuals with back pain is side sleeping.
However, if you're prone to changing positions in your sleep (making you a combi sleeper), or you're temporarily resting in a position that provides you with decent pain relief, find a mattress that supports these positions. "For instance, a very soft mattress would be uncomfortable for a stomach or back sleeping position, and would very likely cause pain and discomfort. "Experiment with sleeping positions and be 'body aware',” she says. "If you wake up with back pain, ask yourself what position you slept in and try something new the next night to see if the result is different." All of the best mattress in a box brands offer trial periods of at least 100 nights, giving you ample time to see whether or a mattress helps with your back pain. Is your mattress contributing to back pain?Is your mattress making your existing injury worse, or is it the cause of your back pain woes in the first place? This is a very 'chicken-and-egg' question, but if you're keen to find out if your bed is the culprit behind your aches and pains Dr. Brager shares some telltale signs that it might be time to replace your mattress... "Beyond just the origin of the pain, your entire posterior chain will feel stiff and your back muscles will feel as if they’ve been working out while sleeping," she says. "You can have soreness and stiffness down the spine as well as the hips and just above the hips near your tailbone. Usually, the latter two are a telltale sign it’s time for a new mattress."
A more obvious indicator that your mattress is creating or contributing to back pain is wear-and-tear, particularly sagging. Knowing how often you should replace your mattress will give you an idea of when it's time to shop for something new. Other ways to alleviate back pain during sleepIn addition to finding a mattress that's the ideal firmness for your body type, and pinpointing a sleeping position that offers the most comfort, Dr. Brager says a cool bedroom will go a long way in providing relief from back pain. "Sleeping in a cool environment will reduce the amount of nighttime disturbances and tossing and turning, which torques the back as a result. The important thing is to have a mattress built for restorative sleep - one that provides comfort and coolness." The best cooling mattresses offer a balance of both qualities. Beyond finding a mattress that offers adequate support and cooling comfort, also consider the type of pillow you're sleeping on. The best pillows for sleeping are designed to work in harmony with mattresses, providing full-body alignment and all-around comfort so you wake up feeling less stiff and sore. Three mattresses for easing back pain at night1. DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid MattressType: Luxury hybrid For our DreamCloud Mattress review, those on our testing panel with back and hip pain sang the praises of this hybrid memory foam mattress. Our side sleepers found ample pressure relief along their shoulders, hips and legs, while our back sleeper experienced contouring along their lower lumbar. A layer of gel-infused comfort foam coupled with a breathable cashmere-blend top cover lulled even our hottest sleeper to slumberland. Sleepers with a petite-to-average build may need time to adjust to the DreamCloud as it is quite firm for those body types at first. Fortunately, the brand offers a full year to try it risk-free, with a lifetime warranty to back you up if you opt to keep it. The current DreamCloud mattress sale knocks the starting price of its entry-level bed to $600, with up to $499 of bedding included for free. 2. Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid MattressType: Organic hybrid mattress Awara makes one of the most affordable organic mattresses on the market. As we mention in our Awara Mattress review, sleepers in any position will find their spine properly aligned and supported thanks to a top layer of adaptive Dunlop latex. The cotton/wool blend cover makes for a cool night's sleep too, and exceptional edge support will allow most individuals to sit comfortably at the edge of the bed without compressing their back. As with the DreamCloud above, the Awara is a firmer mattress that lighter bodies may need some time to adjust to. A one-year trial is provided to allow for that, with a limited-lifetime warranty protecting your purchase. The latest Awara drops prices to $699 for a twin, with up to $499 of free bedding bundled in. 3. Saatva Classic MattressType: Traditional mattress The Saatva Classic has earned the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations Seal of Approval for back pain relief. It's highly customizable when it comes to firmness and height, so you can better tailor it to your back needs. We tested an 11.5-inch medium-firm version in our Saatva Classic Mattress review and experienced a decrease in back pain, as well as cooler sleep. You'll get 365 nights to test out the Saatva, although you'll be on the hook for a $99 fee if you decide to exchange or return it. On the flip side, you'll get free white glove delivery (a rarity among mattress brands), where the mattress will be set up for you in your bedroom - ideal if you have back pain and can't move heavy furniture - plus Saatva will remove your old mattress. The new Saatva mattress sale reduces the starting price to $687 for a twin. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Freelance writer and editor Alison is an expert mattress tester for Tom's Guide, and hails from Philadelphia, USA. Alison has reviewed a wide range of mattresses, pillows and other sleep accessories for Tom's Guide, putting the latest hybrid, memory foam and cooling mattresses from Casper, Nectar, Awara, Brooklinen and other leading brands through their paces. Alison has been sharing buying advice and retail news for over a decade. When she isn't reviewing mattresses, other home products or hunting for great deals to save you money, Alison can be found teaching/training in martial arts, fawning over skincare, and indulging in her quarantine-borne hobby: cooking. Is it better to sleep on a soft or firm mattress for back pain?A softer mattress is usually recommended for those who are experiencing back pain on a standard mattress, or those who have pre-existing back problems. They're also recommended for lighter individuals as a harder mattress can end up not compressing for them at all.
Should you have firm mattress for lower back pain?Other things to consider
Mattress firmness: Soft or plush mattresses likely won't provide enough support. Research from 2003 suggests medium-firm mattresses are better for reducing low back pain than firm mattresses.
What type of mattress is best for back pain firm?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.
What type of mattress is best for lower back and hip pain?If you sleep on your side or on your back, a medium-firm memory foam mattress may provide enough support to keep your spine straight through the night and help relieve hip pain. But if you sleep on your stomach, a pillow top mattress or hybrid with an innerspring might fit your needs better.
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Is a firmer mattress better for lower back pain
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