How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Back And Neck Pain
We explored top-rated mattresses on the market, paying careful attention to features important for pain relief. To create our list, we considered:
- Customer reviews. Many brands say their mattresses can relieve pressure and pain, but reviews from other shoppers often present a more accurate picture. We read what customers had to say to see how these picks actually helped improve their pain and sleep quality.
- Company reputation and transparency. We focused on brands known for good business practices, quality mattress construction, and a reputation for providing good customer service.
- Company policies. Most brands understand the leap of faith required to buy a mattress online, and many offer a trial period so you can return the mattress if it doesnt work out. Reputable mattress brands generally offer a lengthy warranty to cover product defects and excessive sagging.
- Expert insights. We consulted peer-reviewed studies for more information on the connection between sleep and pain and the qualities that make a mattress good for pain relief. We also reached out to Krystle Howald, PT, DPT, owner of Expecting and Empowered and Empower Movement Physical Therapy, for her tips on getting pain-free sleep.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Mattress For Back Pain
There are several factors you should consider when looking for a mattress to help with back pain. Your sleeping position, your comfort preferences, and even how much you can spend on a mattress are all important. As you read over the different factors, we also recommend you go and try out different mattresses. You’ll never know for sure if a mattress helps your back pain if you don’t try it first.
Classic Brands Cool Gel Ultimate Memory Foam
Pressure-removing memory foam is exactly what side sleepers need right now. But its hot, right? Not with the Classic Brands Cool Gel technology. Its high-density foam will conform well to your body to ease the pressure points while keeping your body cool through its aerated cool gel memory.
It bears a medium-feel with maximum support and adjustable base. This comes with a memory pillow which is a complete package for easing shoulder pain.
The good thing about this mattress is its made of pure foam. NO springs or coiled stuffing. It has four layers of foam for maximum comfort and restful sleep. It also has a stretch-knit cover that matches the mattress perfectly the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder pain.
This comes with a 10-year warranty, so if it doesnt work as promised, you can send it back. Take note that this is a bed-in-box type so everything will be delivered on your doorstep.
For this Classic Brand mattress, youll have to wait for a few weeks until the foam stabilizes. Its too soft for a few nights then it will become firmer. Then very firm. But after a week or two, it will achieve its perfection. Somehow, it will reduce the sweating if youre a constant hot sleeper.
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Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 11 inches
Caspers Original Hybrid Mattress is medium firm, with three zones of targeted support to keep your spine aligned. Softer CertiPUR-US certified foam around the shoulders cradles the upper body, while firmer foam supports the hips, waist, and lower back. A layer of springs adds support.
The mattress comes with a 100-night trial, free shipping and returns, and a 10-year limited warranty.
Is Memory Foam Better For Side Sleepers
Most of the best mattresses for side sleepers have at least one memory foam layer. Memory foam is responsive to your body shape, so it contours your body, cushioning pressure points and keeping your spine aligned. It also helps evenly distribute weight when youre sleeping on your side, supporting the natural curvature of your spine and reducing back pain and other aches that can come with firmer mattresses.
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Is A Firm Mattress Better For Back Pain
Many people will tell you that you need a firm mattress to stop back pain, but thats not necessarily true. A mattress thats too firm can also cause spine misalignment by pushing up the shoulders and hips. Instead, look for a medium-firm mattress that offers some cushioning for these key pressure points.
Support And Pressure Relief
Support If you are reading this article its likely you suffer from back pain, and this is why support is the most important criteria when searching for a mattress. Support = pushing up into you.
It means giving those areas of your body the assistance they need to relax and de-stress throughout the night.
The area of your body that needs this the most is the lumbar spine . If you are a back sleeper then a mattress that is comfy, plush or soft will cause you to sink in, and will not give your body the support it needs, leaving your muscles tired from working all night to support your mid and low back.
So, If you are a back sleeper or suffer from middle orlow back pain then a supportive mattress is what your body needs.
Pressure Relief Pressure relief is another important criteria when searching for a mattress that helps relieve your pain. Pressure relief = you pushing into the mattress. This is not to be confused with sinking in.
A quality mattress that relieves pressure points should gently but firmly support your body in a comfortable position. What parts of the body need pressure relief? Parts that stick out, particularly the shoulders and hips.
Without pressure relief, these areas are being compressed and are forced to constant stress throughout the night. So, if you are a side sleeper or suffer from hip and shoulder pain then a mattress that gives you pressure relief is whats best for your body.
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Best From A Box: Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress
Casper invented the mattress-in-a-box game, then turned it on its head over and over again with further innovation.
Take its Wave Hybrid Mattress, for example. Created with strategically placed gel pods that focus on lower back pain, it promises better alignment and a more peaceful night’s sleep.
Buy it:Casper.com Price:$1,355.75$2,800.75
What Is The Best Mattress Firmness For Side Sleepers
In terms of firmness, side sleepers will want to look for something soft to moderate on the firmness scale. While many folks assume firmer mattresses are the most supportive , a special exception needs to be made for those who spend most of their slumber time on their sides. Per Poorbaugh:
A firm mattress gives better support for pushing yourself up to a seated position. However, if you need pressure relief , a plush mattress will have more cushion for those sensitive areas.
So what exactly constitutes a plush mattress? In my opinion, a plush mattress:
- Comes in at a 4.5-6 out of 10 on the firmness scale .
- Provides ample pressure relief and support to the neck, hips, and shoulders.
- Allows for deep sinkage to buffer against the formation of pressure points along the spine.
Firmness is perhaps the most important attribute for side sleepers due to the very nature of the position. In order to provide proper support, the mattress must be able to contour to the curves of the body so the sleepers not digging into the structure.
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What To Look For In A Mattress For Side Sleepers
After reading through our picks, you might be wondering: How in the world did Sleepopolis land on these mattresses as the best of the best for side sleepers? Its a great question and one Im happy to answer!
First, Ill start with a few features side sleepers should make sure they look for in a mattress. Next, Ill share which firmness is best, what mattress types are ideal for side sleepers, and some mattress accessories side sleepers might want to add to their beds.
What Makes The Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Mattress Good For Side Sleepers
- It has four comfort layers, and it creates excellent pressure relief.
- The mattress has a classic medium firm feel.
- The Brooklyn Bedding Sedona is a durable mattress thats a great value.
Back pain can really put a damper on your life, and sometimes, a new mattress is just the fix you need. If you frequently suffer from aches and pains, check out the Cocoon Chill Hybrid. This mattress comes from one of the most famous mattress brands, Sealy, and it boasts some impressive features.
This medium firm mattress creates a great balance of comfort and support, and thats thanks to its Perfect Fit memory foam and Active Fit coils. If youre a back or side sleeper, this mattress should help you maintain the correct spinal alignment which can ease your back pain!
If you overheat at night, youll also be happy to know that the Cocoon Chill Hybrid contains Phase Change Material. This fabric helps pull heat away from the body, and it feels cool to the touch.
Recommended Reading: Safe Place To Sleep.org
The Best Mattress For Side Sleepers In 2022
ByDiana Kelly Leveypublished 6 January 22
The best mattresses for side sleepers and at a range of budgets, with top picks from Nectar, GhostBed and Nolah
Around 74% of people are said to be side sleepers, and there are some big benefits to this common sleep position, including improved digestion. So if youre a side sleeper, the best mattress for you is a medium-firm bed with plenty of cushioning at the hips, knees and shoulders . Whether you sleep on your left or right is irrelevant, as a great mattress for side sleepers will cushion and cradle you on either side.
Memory foam is one of the most popular materials within the best mattresses for side sleepers because it contours to the shape of your body and delivers high levels of pressure relief. This reduces shoulder and knee pain as you press down into the mattress when sleeping on your side. These comfy beds also relieve lower back pain, which side sleepers can suffer from if they arent snoozing on a properly supportive mattress.
We think the best mattress for side sleepers is the Nectar Mattress its unbeatable value for money and all of our testers found it to be comfy, contouring and supportive. The Nectar also sleeps a little cooler than other all-foam side sleeper mattresses, adding to its overall sleep comfort. Other top-rated names to look out for include Avocado Green, Nolah, GhostBed and Helix, many of which feature in our memory foam mattress guide too.
Best Mattress For Back Pain In 2021
Waking up with back pain? These mattresses combine comfort and support for a restful night and a pain-free morning.
It’s critical to find the best mattress to help alleviate any persistent back pain you may have. All ailments are made worse when you lack a good night’s rest. No matter what the original source of your pain is, like sitting at a desk all day or an excessive workout, sleeping on the wrong mattress will almost certainly make you feel worse if your back feels even a little off.
If you have an overly firm mattress, it won’t properly shape to your body and that can mean less comfort, more tension and stress for pain sufferers, even with a foam topper or comfort layer. On the other hand, if you have a soft mattress that’s too saggy, it won’t offer the proper spinal alignment. When choosing the best mattress for back pain, the goal is to find a supportive mattress that has just the right amount of firmness, equally distributes pressure and allows your spine to maintain its natural curvature. Some people may rely on an adjustable bed for this magic combination, but achieving your desired comfort and firmness level doesn’t need to be so complicated — a new mattress can help you meet that pain relief goal and get better sleep.
· Warranty: 20-year prorated warranty
· Price : $1,499
The AS2 Hybrid comes in sizes twin to split king and prices usually range from $1,049 to $2,198.
· Warranty: Forever warranty
· Price : $1,797
· Type: Hybrid mattress
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Best Mattress For Back Sleepers With Back Pain
Our Purple Hybrid mattress is a great choice for back sleepers. This mattress is our most firm mattress. With two inches of our GelFlex Grid as well as a dual comfort foam layer to provide you with superb back support and comfort all night long. Purple’s unique design also keeps you cool while you sleep, so you never wake up hot.
Why Casper Wins As The Best Mattress For Upper Back Issues
Casper Wave is our top pick for the best foam mattress for upper back pain, though, we should clarify that its available in an all-foam version and a hybrid version. What makes this mattress interesting, though, is that it has what Casper mattress calls its Hyper-Targeted Support System.
This means that the bed offers more back support in the center third and more pressure relief in the top third . Its a novel concept that makes the Wave stand out from the rest of the other hybrid beds out there, and we think its incredibly accommodating.
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Best For Back Sleepers: Saatva Classic Mattress
Back sleepers have a leg up on the rest of us for already sleeping in the ideal position, according to the experts. But you can still experience back pain even if you sleep the “right” way.
The Saatva mattress combines support and comfort, and it comes in a range of options, from plushy soft to more firm the ideal feel for back sleepers.
Buy it:Saatva.com Price: $887$2,196
Which Mattress Firmness Is Best For Side Sleepers
Mattress firmness is a subjective measure of comfort, so whether you choose a soft or firm mattress for sleeping on your side will depend on several factors. Mattresses are usually rated on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, or extremely soft to extremely firm. Medium soft to medium firm mattresses are most common.
For side sleepers, mattress firmness determines how cushioned the pressure points are. It affects how much the shoulders and hips sink into the mattress, which helps keep the spine aligned. A comfortable mattress will alleviate aches and pains.
There are a few factors to consider when deciding on mattress firmness, including personal preferences, body weight, and mattress type. Heavier people press deeper into the mattress, so the same mattress may feel different to people depending on their weight and body type. The comfort layers affect the firmness and feel of the mattress. Memory foam conforms closely to the shape of the body, while latex offers gentle contouring with more bounce. Innerspring coils can add firmness to a mattress. Of the several types of mattresses available, each has benefits and drawbacks for side sleepers.
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A Memory Foam Mattress That Adapts To Your Body Quicker Than Most
Amerisleep
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Trial period: 100 nights
Thanks to its Bio-Pur memory foama proprietary foam thats more responsive and adaptive to movementthis mattress contours your back and neck, promoting proper sleep posture and relieving pressure points. When you have back pain, soft spots can be detrimental to your comfort, but this mattress bounces back in seconds, alleviating sinking and misalignment that can contribute to aches. The Amerisleep AS1 also keeps you cool throughout the night by allowing air to quickly pass through its open-cell design.
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Back Pain
Memory foam mattresses are often touted as the best option for back pain, and they can certainly be beneficial, thanks to their balance of support and cushioning. However, its key to purchase a mattress made with high-quality, dense memory foam, which will provide the support you need. Many inexpensive memory foam mattresses are too plush and dont provide adequate support, which may end up worsening your pain.
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Why We Picked This Bed
The bottom line with Saatva is that you have two firm mattresses from which to choose and extra supportive mattress constructionand we consider both of them to be great picks for people in the market for the best beds for back pain. We also love its premium materials, including the eco-friendly organic cotton cover!
A Plush Option That Wont Buckle Or Sag
Amerisleep.com
- Firmness level: Soft
- Trial period: 100 nights
Heads up: This model is on sale for Presidents Day. Get 30% off all Amerisleep mattresses with code AS300.
The AS5 is Amerisleeps plushest mattress. Its made of several layers of ultra-soft, pressure-relieving memory foam that provide enough give for your shoulders and hipsareas that can go numb when youre sleeping on your side on a mattress thats too firm. Underneath the memory foam lies a support layer called Active Flex that reinforces the foam and prevents it from sagging, including under heavier weights. This ensures that your spine stays aligned, regardless of your size.
The memory foam also has an open cell design, so its more breathable than traditional foam to keep you cooler during the night. With the addition of its heat-wicking Refresh Cover, this mattress can feel a full 7 degrees cooler than other mattresses on the market.
What the Reviews Say: One buyer raves, My aching lower back and arthritic left hip pain immediately diminished to almost nil the first night I slept on this mattress, plus my shoulder joint pain is completely gone. The mattress supports my heavy weight and lumbar region without putting my joints into agony like traditional mattresses. I’ve tried memory foam toppers, and mattresses with memory foam tops already built in, but they are nothing like this mattress.
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