5 Of The Best Mattresses For Back Pain Revealed

Do you wake up during the night with aches and pains in your back? Does it make you feel unrested and tired in the morning due to a lack of high-quality sleep? If this sounds like you and you’re suffering from back pain, you should reconsider the mattress you sleep on. Whilst it’s hard to prove whether a mattress is the primary cause of your back pain, the wrong type of mattress certainly won’t help.Sleeping on the best mattress is imperative for a refreshing night’s sleep. Keep reading to discover what the best mattresses for bad backs are. 

Can a mattress cause bad back pain?

The mattress you choose to sleep on greatly enhances your sleep quality and controls how you feel each morning. Although there are many causes of back pain, such as various health conditions and bad posture, sleeping on the wrong mattress could worsen things. Sleeping on the wrong mattress causes the spine to lose its natural alignment, straining the muscles and leading to back pain. If your mattress is old and has started to sag, you’ll be sleeping with uneven spinal support, which causes unwanted pressure on your back and neck. What’s more, sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t suit your sleeping position will also cause problems. Not all mattresses will cause a bad back, but one that doesn’t support you correctly might.

Signs your mattress is causing your back pain

When trying to decide if your mattress is causing your back pain, there are a few things you should look out for:

1. You wake up with back pain that you can stretch out within 15-30 minutes
2. The pain you wake up with fades as the day goes on
3. You don’t feel well-rested when you wake up
4. You wake up tossing and turning during the night
5. It feels like you could roll out of bed
6. Your mattress folds in on you when you lie on it
7. Your mattress is sagging
8. There is no give in your mattress
9. Your mattress has lumps in it
10. Your mattress is old

How can a bad back affect sleep?

Reports show there is a huge correlation between back pain and sleep problems. Back pain interferes with how much sleep you get at night, and the lack of this high-quality sleep increases your pain. Back pain means it can often be difficult to find a comfortable position, which makes it harder to fall asleep. When you suffer from a bad back, it also increases your chances of having frequently disturbed sleep. Constantly interrupted sleep prevents the nighttime release of growth hormones, which help relieve pain and heal the body while you sleep. 

What type of mattress is best for a bad back?

At British Beds Direct, our team of sleep experts want to provide the nation with a great night’s sleep every night of the week. How you sleep and the mattress you lie on affects your spine’s alignment at night, so it’s crucial to find the perfect pairing. As individuals, our comfort levels and sleep needs are unique, so you may find a mattress difficult to sleep on whilst someone else finds it dreamy and sumptuous. What’s more, we also must consider how our body changes over the years. What suited you 10 years ago may no longer be the best mattress for your back pain today. The best mattresses for bad backs provide correct spinal alignment whilst offering pressure relief on touch points such as your hips, shoulders and neck. Side sleepers may choose a memory foam mattress that helps hug and support the joints, whilst back sleepers opt for something firmer to prevent them from sinking into the mattress too much. The key to choosing a mattress to alleviate back pain at night is choosing one that supports the natural curve of your spine when lying flat on your back or side. In most cases, the best mattress comfort level for back pain sufferers is medium-firm, as it will provide the right balance of softness and support.

5 of the best mattress types for back pain

Although most people find a medium-firm mattress supports their bad back, it is a personal choice. If your mattress feels too soft or firm, try something different.

Orthopaedic mattresses

Orthopaedic mattresses are designed to support your back and joints as you sleep, helping to ease discomfort during the night. Due to the high level of support, orthopaedic mattresses allow you to adopt a healthy posture while you sleep.

Memory foam mattresses

Memory foam mattresses distribute your weight evenly and provide a high level of support while you sleep. The foam moulds to your body’s natural contours, absorbing pressure and keeping your spine aligned.

Pocket spring mattresses

Pocket spring mattresses react and contour your body, reducing the risk of pressure building up in your back or joints. As the pocket springs work independently, the mattress will completely support you throughout the night.

Open coil mattresses

Open coil mattresses provide great pressure relief for your back and neck because the springs move together to spread your body weight evenly, relieving pressure from your joints. The breathable fabric and traditional springs help support your posture.

Reflex foam mattresses

Reflex foam mattresses are made to make you feel comfortable and supported throughout the night. The soft reflex foam offers excellent back support, allowing you to enjoy a painless night’s sleep.

Can a new mattress help my bad back?

Buying a brand-new mattress can help reduce back pain at night, providing you choose the right one for you and how you sleep. Though there are no guaranteed results, and you may still suffer the odd night, theories suggest that a new mattress can drastically reduce your back pain. It’s also important to remember that a new mattress may not be an instant fix to your aches and pains, as it can take time for your body to adjust. If your back pain is caused by something other than just sleeping on the wrong mattress, buying a new one may not solve the problem completely.

How should I sleep to relieve back pain?

We know that back pain affects your quality of sleep and daily life. The ideal sleeping position is to lie on your back. Lying in a flat and straight position prevents unnecessary pressure on your body, keeping your spine aligned in its natural position. However, the pain in your back may mean you find this uncomfortable. Here are some of the best sleeping positions to relieve your back pain.

Best sleeping positions for lower, upper and middle back pain

Whether you wake in the morning with lower, upper or middle back pain, you should try several sleeping positions to help find one that works for you.

1. Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees
2. Sleep on your side in the fetal position
3. Sleep on your stomach with a pillow under your abdomen
4. Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees
5. Sleep on your back in a reclined position

No matter what position you choose, proper spinal alignment is key. It would help if you focused on keeping your ears, shoulders and hips aligned, as this will allow your spine to rest along its natural curvature at night. Gaps between your body and the mattress strain your muscles and spine. Ensure you reduce this as much as possible by placing pillows where needed.

Related Articles

Mattress comfort guide

The best mattress to buy based on your sleeping position

How to take care of your mattress

​Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please seek professional medical advice if you're suffering from a bad back.