The 7 best mattresses for back pain, according to chiropractors
Finding the right mattress could be the key to reducing chronic back pain and getting a good night of sleep.
Saatva Rx Mattress
$2,801.00
$3,295.00
There are several aspects to consider when shopping for a mattress that’ll help relieve any muscle or bone strain. Our experts recommended keeping the following in mind when shopping for a new mattress:
All of the mattresses below are either direct recommendations from our experts, mattresses NBC Select staffers have slept on themselves or have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon.
This mattress comes recommended by Conrad, who says it’s ideal for people with degenerative or chronic conditions related to back pain like sciatica and herniated or bulging discs. While it’s great for all types of sleeping position, it’s best for side sleepers, as its firmness helps maintain proper alignment of the spine, according to the brand. The core is made from multiple two-inch, heat-regulating foam modules held together by supportive coils and the top layers are made of gel-infused memory foam, which provides lumbar support and body contouring pressure relief, according to the brand.
Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Firm | Sizes available: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, split king and California king | Warranty: Lifetime | Best for: Side sleepers with chronic back pain
This gel memory foam mattress, which has 4.3-star average rating from 7,117 ratings on Amazon, molds to the shape of your body as you sleep while also keeping you cool, according to the brand. It has five layers: a quilted cover that promotes airflow and wicks sweat, gel memory foam, a transition layer which provides support to spine, stability base layer and a shift-resistant lower layer. It arrives in a box — all you have to do is unroll it and let it fully expand for one to three days.
Mattress type: Gel memory foam | Feel: Medium firmness | Sizes available: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king and California king | Warranty: Lifetime | Best for: All sleepers
This memory foam mattress comes recommended by Conrad, who says he recommends this brand to patients. “It’s super soft for those who like a plush type mattress feel,” he says. “It’s also firm enough for those side sleepers who need additional lumbar support.” It has pressure points, which helps provide support to the body and keep the spine aligned properly, according to Conrad. The inside has steel coils on the bottom and a layer of contouring foam that molds to the body. Plus, you can get a version of the mattress with a cooling layer on the top if you’re a particularly hot sleeper.
Mattress type: Memory foam | Feel: Soft | Sizes available: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king and California king | Warranty: 10 years | Best for: Side sleepers
This mattress comes recommended by NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who used to experience back pain related to running. “My previous mattress was super uncomfortable and didn’t help my back and hip pain,” she says. “This mattress reduced some of my pain and I don’t wake up feeling weak anymore.” It has over 1,000 coils built into the base, which provide support to the body and contour to the body, according to the brand. The top layers have pressure point relief and have sweat-wicking properties, so you can stay both cool and pain-free while you sleep.
Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Soft, medium and firm | Sizes available: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king and California king | Warranty: 10 years | Best for: All sleepers
Cavanaugh says the Tempur-Pedic ProBreeze mattress is good for both pressure relief and staying cool when sleeping. It has a breathable cover made from cooling fibers that helps get rid of body heat. It also has a machine-washable cover and pressure-relieving middle layer made of over 1,000 small coils that also promotes airflow, according to the brand. Plus, you can pair the mattress with an adjustable bed frame, so you can position the bed at different angles to help with conditions such as snoring, according to the brand.
Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Medium softness | Sizes available: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king and split king, California king and split California king | Warranty: 10 years | Best for: Side sleepers with chronic back pain
This mattress comes recommended by Cavanaugh, who says it’s great for getting continuous uninterrupted sleep. It has a firm and resilient feel with a great amount of “bounce back,” so it’s ideal for those who prefer a firm mattress, according to the brand. The base also has multiple coils that help regulate temperature and provides pressure point relief, according to the brand.
Mattress type: Hybrid | Feel: Soft or firm | Sizes available: Twin xl, full, queen, king and split king, California king and split California king | Warranty: 10 years | Best for: Side and combination sleepers
The Amerisleep mattress was also recommended by Cavanaugh, who says it’s a good choice for those who like a mattress with medium firmness. It’s comfortable and soft feel makes it easy to relax, but it’s not so soft that getting out of bed feels strenuous, according to the brand. Plus, the foam layer has just enough firmness that it helps with pressure relief for back pain. In addition to the back, the mattress provides support to the shoulder and hips.
Mattress type: Memory foam | Feel: Medium firmness | Sizes available: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, split king and California king |Warranty: 20 years | Best for: All sleepers
Since you spend many hours on your mattress, it’s important to make sure it’s best suited for your body, especially if you have back pain. Here’s what our experts recommend keeping in mind before buying:
The joints in your spine, hips and lower back often experience pressure when they’re not consistently supported, according to Conrad. Over time this can lead to back pain in the form of herniated discs. This is why he recommends looking for particularly firm mattresses with product descriptions that mention pressure relief. Don’t automatically assume that a softer mattress will be more comfortable on your back. This is especially true if you’ve experienced an accident of any kind and are looking for a new mattress, Conrad says. “If you have sprained your back or had a whiplash accident, your body loses the ability to hold the spine in the proper place,” he says. “This leads to additional spasm on the spinal nerves, and in turn causes low back pain.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he writes about cooking, cleaning, wellness and other lifestyle topics. He spoke with two chiropractors for this story.
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