A mattress can\u2019t eradicate back pain, but the best memory foam mattresses can make living with back pain easier. In this article, we discuss how to find a high-quality mattress for back pain<\/a>, why we recommend memory foam, and the best and worst sleeping positions for back pain. We also offer other tips for easing back pain and answer a few frequently asked questions.<\/p>\n The first layer is 2 inches of gel memory foam with Triangulex\u2122 technology for added breathability. Contouring triangular cutouts under the shoulders and legs are softer, while the mattress\u2019s sturdy midsection lifts your back.<\/p>\n The second layer is 2 inches of Reactiv\u2122. Reactiv\u2122 is a responsive poly-foam that transitions between the top and bottom layers to prevent sinkage.<\/p>\n The third layer is 7 inches of durable Support+ foam. It supports the other two layers to deter sagging.<\/p>\n A breathable elastane-polyester cover encases the mattress.<\/p>\n A\u00a0queen size Zoma Mattress<\/a>\u00a0includes a 100-night risk-free trial and a 10-year warranty. If you discover our mattress isn\u2019t for you after a month, we will issue you a full refund.<\/p>\n Back pain is a common affliction\u2014about 80 percent of adults experience it<\/a>\u00a0at some point, with men and women equally likely to develop it.<\/p>\n Back pain can occur suddenly, be the result of improper lifting or an accident, or it can develop slowly because of an inactive lifestyle, poor posture, and age-related conditions such as arthritis.<\/p>\n The majority of back pain is short-term, lasting only a few days to a few weeks and fixing itself with minimal treatment. Chronic back pain is back pain that lasts more than 12 weeks, and sometimes the pain continues despite treatment.<\/p>\n If your back pain is accompanied by bowel problems, a fever, weight loss, pain in your legs, or weakness, speak with a doctor as soon as possible.<\/p>\n We recommend memory foam mattresses<\/a>\u00a0to soothe bad backs because the material offers everything that back pain sufferers need from a mattress: good support, pressure relief, and responsiveness without sinking.<\/p>\n As memory foam mattresses mold to your body, no part of you is left unsupported. When the material molds to your body it offers excellent pressure relief. What\u2019s more, memory foam is available in all firmnesses\u2014you\u2019ll find soft mattresses<\/a> you can sink into and firmer mattresses that still offer a conforming feel.<\/p>\n What many owners find appealing about memory foam is its pressure-relieving ability. It leaves little to no space between the body and the mattress, and the material contours rather than presses against your body. This is how memory foam limits pressure build-up. The responsive material also compresses well, making it a common option when it comes to mail order mattresses<\/a>.<\/p>\n Memory foam also prevents motion transfer, which prevents a partner\u2019s movements from jostling you and worsening your pain as you sleep. The material absorbs movement better than other types of mattresses<\/a>.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, memory foam mattresses are one of the more affordable types of mattresses<\/a>. Only a traditional innerspring mattress is comparable, as hybrid and latex mattresses have higher production costs.<\/p>\n You can find a quality\u00a0memory foam mattress for under $1000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Traditional memory foam\u2019s most well-known flaw is that it retains body heat, potentially disturbing sleep. Many manufacturers address this by adding cooling agents such as gels or copper, or by creating more breathable, plant-based foam.<\/p>\n Lower quality memory foams can lack the responsiveness needed to adapt to your movements, leaving you feeling \u201cstuck\u201d in the mattress. Higher quality foams regain their shape quicker, preventing this issue.<\/p>\n Most memory foam mattresses lack edge support, which can make it more difficult to move in and out of bed if you have chronic back pain. The\u00a0firmer\u00a0sides\u00a0make it easier to shift to a sitting position before standing. Some memory foam mattresses do have edge support, however, and you can also make getting out of bed even easier by using your memory foam mattress with an adjustable base.<\/p>\n The position you sleep in can alleviate your pain or make it worse. Every sleep position has a different firmness best suited to it, as your preferred position affects the support your spine needs.<\/p>\n Curling up on your side on a plush mattress alleviates herniated discs<\/a>, because curving your torso increases the space between your vertebrae. If you sleep on your side, you might want to tuck a pillow between your knees to maintain good hip and spine posture. Resting your back against a firm body pillow can also reduce pain.<\/p>\n A memory foam mattress for side sleeping<\/a>\u00a0should have a soft to medium feel to let the hips and shoulders sink in\u2014if they remain lifted on top of the mattress, your hips and shoulders can curve your spine out of alignment.<\/p>\n You also risk waking up with hip or shoulder pain as pressure points build up on your side. Hence, it’s important to also consider a mattress for shoulder pain<\/a> or a mattress for hip pain<\/a>.<\/p>\n Back sleeping is one of the best positions to relieve back pain, as it brings your back in direct contact with the mattress. If you snore or have acid reflux, however, you might want to elevate your head with a wedge pillow or adjustable base.<\/p>\n Back sleepers can get a good night\u2019s sleep on a medium-firm to firm mattress. To further ease low back pain, prop your knees up with a pillow to reduce pressure.<\/p>\n If you have back pain, we strongly recommend against sleeping on your stomach. Stomach sleeping can cause or amplify back pain, as the position overextends your spine when gravity pushes down on your stomach.<\/p>\n Stomach sleepers who can\u2019t sleep in another position should look for a firm mattress to prevent sinkage. Keeping a pillow under your stomach while using a thin pillow under your head can further maintain spinal alignment.<\/p>\n A memory foam mattress is our recommendation for back pain sufferers, but it might not be the best mattress for you. Your perfect mattress might be one of the other three main types: latex, innerspring, and hybrid.<\/p>\n Latex has a similar feel to memory foam, though it\u2019s inherently firmer and more springy. Latex mattresses come in two types, natural and synthetic. Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap, while synthetic latex is made from organic chemical compounds.<\/p>\n Manufacturers process this rubber tree sap according to the Dunlop or Talalay method. The Talalay method requires extra steps and chemical additives, so it\u2019s the more expensive option. Dunlop latex is firmer and the only 100 percent natural option.<\/p>\n We recommend natural latex over synthetic latex for its durability and feel, although a natural latex bed can be one of the more expensive types of mattresses. Some find the price fair, however, as a natural latex mattress can last up to 20 years.<\/p>\n An innerspring mattress has a support layer of coils sandwiched between foam and fabric cushioning. Innersprings are well known for their bounce and breathability since air can flow freely through and around the coils.<\/p>\n If you experience frequent back pain, we strongly advise against an innerspring mattress. An innerspring mattress cannot contour to meet your body\u2019s curves, which leaves parts of your back unsupported. Innerspring coils also press up against your body, building up pressure points rather than relieving them. This lack of support and pressure relief can worsen pre existing\u00a0back pain.<\/p>\n Innersprings are also the mattress type quickest to sag when their coils give out, which minimizes support and causes or exacerbates back problems.<\/p>\n Manufacturers designed hybrid mattresses<\/a> to lessen the drawbacks of an innerspring and foam mattress. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing tactic\u2014to qualify as a hybrid, the mattress must have a coil support setup and 2 to 3 inches of foam.<\/p>\n Hybrids offer a mix of pressure relief and bouncy support, letting it contour while remaining adaptable to your movements. The foam comfort layer molds to your body better than an innerspring, while the inner coils create a cooling mattress<\/a>\u00a0for hot sleepers.<\/p>\n Hybrid mattresses have the same problem with sagging as innersprings\u2014 the coils wear out in as little as 5 or 6 years.<\/p>\n A 2015 review<\/a>\u00a0found that a medium-firm mattress might be the best firmness option for alleviating and preventing back pain\u2014however, that might not be the best option for you, as your ideal firmness depends on your body weight and sleeping position.<\/p>\n Your body affects how much you push down on a mattress, so your mattress\u2019s firmness needs to be firm or soft enough to match\u00a0the pressure. Petite sleepers under 130 pounds place less pressure on a mattress, so they need a soft mattress to mold to their body. A mattress for a heavy person<\/a>\u00a0over 230 pounds \u00a0should have a firmer feel to withstand the extra pressure.<\/p>\n Companies determine a mattress\u2019s firmness level with a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the softest mattress and 10 being the firmest. Most mattresses fall within the 3 to 8 range.Our Recommendation: Zoma Mattress<\/a><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>We designed the Zoma Mattress to provide better sleep, deeper recovery, and alleviate pain and pressure.\u00a0The 11-inch mattress has three foam layers.<\/p>\nAbout Back Pain<\/h2>\n
Why Memory Foam?<\/h2>\n
Pros of Memory Foam<\/h3>\n
Cons of Memory Foam<\/h3>\n
Best and Worst Sleeping Positions for Back Pain<\/h2>\n
Side Sleeping<\/h3>\n
Back Sleeping<\/h3>\n
Stomach Sleeping<\/h3>\n
Other Mattress Types<\/h2>\n
Latex<\/h3>\n
Innerspring<\/h3>\n
Hybrid<\/h3>\n
Mattress Firmness<\/h2>\n
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