what is the best mattress for a bad back?
Back pain is one of the most common causes of disruption to sleep, whether it’s caused by the position you sleep in or an ongoing health issue, and the effect it has on your sleeping pattern can lead to other problems such as fatigue and low mood. So, we’ve put together this helpful guide for choosing the best mattress for back pain, focusing on features that offer support and comfort. We’ve also outlined what positions can aid the relief of your back pain, so you can focus on getting good quality sleep.
the sleep summary: which mattress is best for back pain?
The best mattress for back pain is one that keeps your spine aligned and muscles relaxed while you sleep. This includes firmer mattresses which will offer ample support alongside a comfortable top layer to disperse pressure, such as the Silentnight Memory 2000 Pocket Pillowtop Mattress.
Medium-firm mattresses are often seen as the best mattresses for sleepers with a bad back or back pain as they prevent your body from sinking, while maintaining your natural posture and preventing unnecessary muscle strain.
If you have lower back pain, a medium-firm mattress with zonal support and motion isolation is ideal to keep your body aligned. For sleepers suffering from upper back pain, a softer, memory foam or hybrid mattress is the best choice as these offer targeted pressure relief whilst reducing the strain on your shoulders and neck.
how does sleeping position impact back pain at night?
Your sleeping position is just as important as finding the right mattress for reducing any back pain. Whether you’re a back, side or front sleeper, there are adjustments you can make to your sleeping position to help alleviate back pain.
Back sleepers should focus on keeping your neck, upper and lower back aligned, maintaining your spine’s natural curve. Sleeping on your back is often the sleeping position which places the least pressure on your back.
Top tip: Placing a pillow under your knees can relieve pressure and help keep your spine aligned if you move at night.
Side sleepers may find that their preferred position provides enhanced lumbar support and reduces strain, but only if they get it right. Allowing your spine to curve too much can actually make your back pain worse so maintaining a natural posture, and keeping your legs as straight as possible is key.
Top tip: Place a pillow between your knees and stretch your legs out straight as this’ll keep your spine in its natural alignment.
Front sleepers may suffer the most from back pain as lying on your stomach forces your neck to remain unaligned as you sleep while flattening the natural curve of your spine, causing strain.
Top tip: If you can’t get comfy in any other position, placing a firm pillow beneath your stomach may help to keep your spine more supported as you sleep.
how do I know if my mattress is causing my back pain?
If you’ve had your mattress for a while and are starting to experience back pain, it might be to blame. As your mattress starts to age and wear, it can become saggy, too soft or too firm. You’ll often feel the effects of this, and this may even worsen over time, causing chronic aches and pain. Not sure if it’s time to swap out your mattress? Check out our guide explaining how often you should change your mattress.
If your mattress is fairly new and you’re still experiencing back pain, it’s probably not the right mattress for you. This is why it’s vital that you make sure your new mattress comes with a sleep guarantee to make sure your new mattress is actually your perfect mattress. Find out more information on ours at the end of this article.
what should I consider when looking for the best mattress for back pain?
There are three key elements you need to consider when choosing your next mattress for back pain: the firmness (support system), support layer and comfort layer.
1) firmness
Choosing the correct firmness can help prevent your back pain and speed up your recovery time. A mattress that is too soft to support your weight will often sag in the middle, distorting your spine and preventing complete recovery. Unsupportive mattresses also make you work harder to get comfortable, often leaving you feeling fatigued the next day after tossing and turning during the night.
On the other hand, a firm mattress for back pain will not have enough ‘give’ to support your spine’s natural curve. The zoning will be ineffective, and the pressure will stay uneven, therefore possibly contributing to your pain.
is a firm mattress best for back pain?
A mattress’ support system is rated by its firmness, but we must move past the outdated idea that extra-firm mattresses are best for solving a bad back. When deciding what type of mattress is best for back pain, you should choose the right firmness for your own body type. Softer mattresses are more suitable for smaller, lighter people, while people with a larger body type will feel more supported with a firmer mattress or one that’s memory foam.
2) support layer
The thickest layer that sits above the firm base of your mattress, the right support layer is crucial for ensuring your new mattress is the best possible option for alleviating your back pain. The support layer ensures your hips and spine stay level and in a neutral position.
3) comfort layer
Above the support layer is the comfort layer; the finishing touch to a comfortable, restful night. Each comfort layer offers a different experience; for instance, some comfort layers add a sink-in pillowtop feeling such as memory foam mattresses, whereas gel and synthetic fibres boast cooling capabilities and enhanced breathability.
upper vs lower back pain: the best mattress
Depending on where your back pain is located, the best mattress for you may vary as different levels of firmness, support and comfort layers will provide more targeted support to different parts of the body.
Lower back pain is better relieved by a medium-firm mattress, which creates a supportive base without feeling rigid. For further lumbar support, choose a hybrid mattress with a soft pillowtop such as the Silentnight UltraGel or Memory pillowtop mattresses.
Upper back pain is usually focused around the shoulders and neck. This means that a softer, medium-soft mattress such as the Silentnight Memory range is perfect for evenly distributing your body weight to alleviate pressure from your upper back.
let’s compare: what type of mattress is best for back pain?
Rather than describing each mattress based on their layers, it’s often easier to categorise different mattresses based on their features and who they’re best suited to. Usually, this is done based on their comfort layers. We’ve selected some of our most-beloved mattress types to find the best mattress for back pain.
Mattress Type | Support Layer | Comfort Layer | Pressure Relief | Back Support |
Hybrid support from 1400-2000 Mirapocket® springs and 1000 mini springs. | British wool made from soft natural fibres. | Firm base offers strong pressure relief. | Open coil support system supports key pressure points. | |
1000 to 3000 Mirapocket® springs. | Cool-to-touch gel layer for spinal alignment. | Easy movement responds to movement to relieve pressure. | Medium/soft base. May lack support on lower spring count mattresses. | |
1000 to 3000 Mirapocket® springs. | Sink-in memory layer contours to your body for extra support. | Offers soothing pressure relief to reduce aches and pains. | Firm base offers strong support when paired with memory foam layer. | |
1000 to 2000 Mirapocket® springs. | Breathable comfort fibres. | Firmer comfort layer eases pressure on hips and shoulders. | Lower spring counts may not offer expansive zonal support for back. |
Looking to learn even more about each of our mattress ranges? Check out our mattress range explainer and find out which is perfect for you.
the verdict: what is the best mattress for back pain?
The most important features when assessing the best mattress for back pain are support and pressure relief, while zonal support and motion isolation are also key for helping you sleep better. Our choice for the best mattress for back pain is one which offers a medium to medium-firm supportive base layer with a comfort layer that provides pressure relief whilst creating a comfortable sleep surface.
Our choice for the best mattress for back pain is the Memory 2000 Pocket Pillowtop Mattress which has a supportive, medium-firm base from its Mirapocket® springs that offer zoned support beneath a memory foam layer designed for pressure relief and personalised spinal alignment.
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what is the best mattress topper for back pain?
Alleviating back pain doesn’t end with your new mattress as you can enhance your sleep experience and support with the perfect mattress topper too. The best mattress topper for back pain should provide an added layer of comfort whilst keeping your back level and aligned.
Our choice for our favourite mattress topper for back pain is the Silentnight Impress 5cm Memory Foam Mattress Topper which is designed to mould to your body for pressure relief whilst offering zonal support to enhance your mattress.
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Silentnight’s 60-night comfort guarantee
To find out which is the best mattress for your back pain, the ultimate test is to sleep on it. We understand it can take a little time to settle in with a new mattress, which is why we offer a comfort exchange that gives you 60 nights to get comfortable before deciding on whether it’s your perfect mattress or not.
If you're still not loving your new mattress within 60 nights from delivery, you can exchange it for another mattress. It’s as simple as that. Learn more about our comfort guarantee today.
