Best Mattresses for Back Pain - Buyers Guide

While you should seek out medical attention if your back pain is chronic or debilitating you from living life to the fullest, there are also other steps you can take to mitigate this all-too-common problem. A great step to take is to analyze your current mattress. There’s a good chance it’s failing to offer you the components you need for your upper or lower back pain. Finding a product that will properly align your spine and provide adequate support and comfort for you can make a significant difference.

We have tried and tested out some of the best rated mattresses for back pain, so let’s explore some viable options that could help you alleviate some of these symptoms and live a more comfortable life.

Best Mattresses for Back Pain – Buyers Guide

What Causes Back Pain?

Before we take a look at the best mattresses for back pain sufferers, first let’s take a moment to understand some of the common factors that cause it to begin with. There are numerous factors that contribute to back pain, and any or all of them could very well be contributing to the symptoms you’re suffering with.

A Widespread Problem

First and foremost, understand that you aren’t alone. In fact, it’s estimated that 80 percent of Americans will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. Furthermore, approximate costs associated with this problem are around $100 billion every year. This includes lost wages and productivity. Not only can it cause a decrease in your overall quality of life, but it can also debilitate you from functioning on the job if you have to do heavy lifting or stand on your feet for long periods of time. Let’s take a look at some common contributing factors that may apply to you.

Temporary Pain From Sprains and Strains

The majority of back pain sufferers have experienced a sprain or strain that causes their symptoms. In this situation, symptoms typically last around one to two months. However, depending on the severity of the contributing accident, you could experience periodic flare-ups for many years to come. One of the primary catalysts for these random occurrences is sleeping on the wrong mattress.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease can develop as a natural part of the aging process or, less commonly, from trauma. When the discs located between the spinal column lose their elasticity, it causes a loss in their ability to provide proper cushioning. As a result, you will notice symptoms such as stiffness and lower back pain. While it typically does not get worse over time, it’s still painful, and you can typically expect flare ups throughout your life.

Surgery is not a typical solution for DDD. However, there are many solutions commonly utilized including:

• Over-the-counter drugs
• Short-term prescriptions
• Muscle relaxers
• Massage therapy
• Epidural steroid injections
• A new mattress offering better support

Disc Ruptures

Between the vertebrae of the spine are discs that act to relieve pressure on your spinal nerves. When they become compressed and rupture, back pain results as the increased pressure is not natural. Numbness in the legs and general weakness are also common.

While surgery can help in this situation, there are many other solutions that are typically applied first such as pain medication and physical therapy. Finding the right mattress can also eliminate the increased pressure and help you get the proper sleep to help the body rejuvenate.

Spinal Compression Fractures

Spinal compression fractures account for around five percent of lower back pain occurrences, and the most common type of fracture stems from osteoporosis. While serious cases often do require surgery, more conservative measures are typically successful in providing the relief sufferers are looking for. One such measure is to find a mattress that will offer proper support for the fractured area.

Spinal Stenosis

Patients who experience a narrowing of the spinal column suffer from what’s known as spinal stenosis. Much like spinal compression fractures, this causes increased pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Aside from back pain, those who suffer with this problem often experience numbness and weakness in the lower extremities. Most patients are able to alleviate the pain using over-the-counter drugs and muscle relaxers, and finding a more supportive mattress can also help. Only in the most serious cases is surgical intervention necessary to lead a normal life.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, and it runs from the buttocks down the back of the legs. When the root of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine is irritated, sciatica results, and it can occur due to injury or even while sitting for long periods of time. Sciatica carries with it a number of symptoms including:

• Numbness
• Weakness in either leg
• Pain in buttocks, hip, and/or lower extremities
• Pins and needles feeling in the legs

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is yet another cause of back pain, and it results when a vertebra slips out of place and causes the spinal nerves to become compressed. While it typically develops as we age, it can also be caused due to an accident. An increase in exercise and activity can help alleviate symptoms over time along with the use of over-the-counter drugs. Seeking out the best mattress for back pain for the patient can also offer much-needed relief.

Scoliosis

When the spine begins to curve to either side, it’s crucial the patient maintains proper posture to stop the progression of this unnatural curvature. Scoliosis commonly impacts children between the ages of 10 to 16, and girls are more likely to be impacted than boys.

While braces can be effective in helping keep the spine properly aligned, it’s important to ensure that proper alignment is also maintained during sleeping hours. Since we spend around one third of our lives sleeping, it only makes sense that the right mattress can help reduce the progression of scoliosis.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when the arteries harden due to plaque buildup. When not properly addressed, this can lead to an aneurysm. When the aneurysm occurs in the area of the aorta in the abdomen, it is known to cause back pain. Those at the highest risk are men over age 60 who smoke and/or have high blood pressure.

While surgical intervention is often necessary, there are other things you can do to reduce the symptoms, and finding the best bed for back pain can offer the relief you need as you try to get a good night’s rest.

Kidney Stones

It’s estimated that around 13 percent of men and 7 percent of women will develop kidney stones in their lifetime, and they develop when substances including calcium, oxalate and uric acid stick together in the urinary tract. The passage of kidney stones is highly painful, and many people have to patiently wait until this naturally occurs. However, surgical intervention is also a possibility. In the meantime, however, the best mattresses for back pain could provide the relief you need to get proper sleep while suffering from this problem.

Shingles

If you’ve ever had chicken pox, then the shingles virus is already in you, and you could develop this condition at any time. While the chances of this happening are low, those who are affected often suffer with back pain as a result. The condition is very painful and notable for the development of a skin rash. You should definitely consult your doctor to ensure you follow the best medical protocol for your situation. However, the proper mattress can help alleviate associated back pain if this is a problem from which you suffer.

Back Pain While Sleeping

It’s possible you don’t suffer from any of the above conditions yet still deal with back pain while you sleep. If this is the case, there’s a good chance your mattress isn’t offering the right combination of comfort and support for your unique needs. While back pain and sleep problems are linked, the connection isn’t well understood in the scientific community. However, according to the November 2016 issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, there is a noted relationship between a good night’s rest and your mood, overall functioning ability, and back pain severity.

While it’s true that we don’t yet know all the ins and outs of the connection between back pain and sleep, there are a few things that have been discovered that can help you get the most restorative rest while suffering with back pain.

The Sleeping Position to Avoid

There are various areas of the body that can develop pressure, and the best orthopedic mattress for back pain will take measures to ensure these areas are properly supported to reduce back pain. Just some of these areas include:

• Neck
• Shoulders
• Hips
• Lower back
• Knees

In order to best ensure you don’t develop too much pressure in these areas, the primary sleeping position you want to avoid is stomach sleeping. This is because the natural curve of the spine is flattened in this position, and this only adds strain on the muscles in your back. Furthermore, stomach sleeping requires you to rotate your neck, and this very often can result in upper back and neck pain.

You may want to read: Best Orthopedic Pillows for Back Pain

Positions That Can Alleviate Back Pain

So we’ve established that sleeping on your stomach isn’t the best idea if you suffer with back pain. There are other positions you should consider that can help you not only find the comfort you need to fall asleep but also much needed relief. It depends on your preferred sleeping position.

If you like to sleep on your back:

Consider placing a pillow under your knees. This will help promote natural spine curvature.

If you’re a side sleeper:

Try placing a pillow between your knees and draw them up toward your chest.

If you have a strong preference for sleeping on your stomach, there is a technique you can consider that will help alleviate your pain. Place a pillow near your lower abdomen as this can ease the strain on your back.

These are all great ways to help reduce back pain and get a more restful night’s sleep. Try each out even if you don’t normally prefer certain sleeping positions. You may be surprised at what a slight tweak could offer in the achievement of the support that works for you.

Back Pain in Specific Areas

There are hundreds of mattresses on the market, and each company has taken measures to address certain aspects of sleep. From temperature regulation to motion transfer, pressure relief and more, you should try to find one that addresses the specific problems you may suffer with. If you suffer with back pain, it’s likely most noted in either the upper or lower portion of your back, so let’s take a moment to discuss what the best mattress for back pain is in your specific situation.

Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is often a symptom that develops when you tend to assume a hunched position whether you are standing or lying down. In this situation, you may want to seek out a mattress in the medium firmness range to help promote better alignment and support and prevent the exertion of additional back pressure that firm products can cause. Since upper back pain often involves the neck, you should also consider your pillow. Ideally, you want one that aligns the neck and spine over the shoulders. A roll-shaped pillow placed under the neck can be the perfect supplement.

Lower Back Pain

As with upper back pain, medium-firm products can also offer the alleviation necessary for good sleep with lower back pain as they are known to reduce pressure points. You should also consider finding a product that incorporates zoning. This provides different levels of support where you need it and helps promote proper spinal curvature to reduce aches and pains common in the back and other areas of the body.

What to Look for in a Mattress for Back Pain

Many people mistakenly think that all it takes to eliminate back pain and stiffness is a nice firm mattress. While firmer sleeping surfaces might work for some people, this is far from being the universal factor for comfort and pain relief. There are many different aspects to consider in order to get a mattress that will work for you. There are designs optimized to offer relief and support to people suffering from acute or chronic back pain as well as those that can be used by anyone- as they provide the right kind of support and ensure proper spinal alignment, both of which work to prevent back pain in the first place. Depending on your individual needs and preferences, your choice of mattress will vary- but if you want a mattress that’s great for people experiencing back pain, there are the main features to look for.

Materials

There are many different designs when it comes to mattresses, but some of them are more suited for back pain sufferers than others- these are the most popular choices.

• Memory foam and latex

The unique combination of optimal support and pressure-relieving, body-contouring effect makes memory foam mattresses a fantastic choice for people with back pain. Memory foam will promote proper spinal alignment through sturdy support and the cradling feel of the foam will not only make you feel comfy while you sleep but also support pressure points for instant pain and tension relief. The same beneficial features apply to latex, a natural (and pricier) alternative to memory foam. Of course, not all memory foam mattresses live up to the expectations- make sure to go for high-quality options made by trusted brands.

• Innerspring hybrid mattresses

When you think of traditional mattresses, you think innerspring design- the combination of a sturdy base constructed from steel coils with an upper padded layer, made from wool or other insulating materials. This design is mostly considered outdated and there are many design flaws that make it unsuitable for persons suffering from chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain. However, there are the updated versions of innerspring mattresses with the highest quality foam and individually pocketed springs for better support and optimal comfort that might be a better choice for some. These are so-called hybrid mattresses, known for their combination of the best features of both memory foam mattresses and traditional innerspring mattresses: sturdy coils and contouring effect.

Support

Contrary to popular belief, the support that a mattress offers isn’t directly related to its firmness level. A good mattress will make sure that your spine is properly aligned when you sleep and that the pressure is relieved from the key stress points in your body (and it will slightly vary depending on the position you sleep in). As a result, there are two main types of support a mattress can offer: full body support and zoned support. A full-body support mattress relies on memory foam or latex to offer a good overall experience, so this is a good choice for both people that suffer from back pain already and those looking to prevent it. Alternatively, with zoned support- which offers varying levels of firmness, density, etc throughout different zones in the mattress- you could tailor the support levels to your liking (good if you have specifically lower back pain or upper body stiffness, for example).

Firmness

When it comes to misconceptions people have about mattresses for back pain, firmness is one of the most common. Despite what you might be led to believe, the idea that firm mattresses are the only choice for people with back pain has been debunked- and the choice is largely influenced by individual preference. However, a good rule of thumb is to go for middle ground if you’re unsure what will work best for your needs. Medium firmness is most recommended for people with back pain as it delivers a good balance between much-needed spinal support and the contouring, body-cradling effect to help relieve pressure and pain.

Conclusion

While those with back pain severe enough opt to seek medical attention when they don’t know where else to turn, a good first line of defense to have in your arsenal is the right mattress. As you can see, there are many great products on the market with a variety of mechanisms to help the sleeper enjoy a higher degree of back support and comfort. From zoning and firmness options to memory foam contour and more, there are a variety of combinations out there to make it easier than ever to find the product best suited for your specific needs.

With the ability to shop online, it’s also a breeze to pinpoint a new sleep product best suited for you. No more pushy salesmen and running around from town to town for the best mattress for back pain. The mattress industry isn’t one known for the provision of a one-size-fits-all product. It’s up to you to know what features are most compatible with your body. By better understanding your options, you are one step closer to discovering that there is a better night’s rest possible for those with back pain.

Recent Updates

November 3, 2021: The Zinus 12 Inch Support Plus Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress has been added to our list of product recommendations due to consumer popularity.