We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Forbes Vetted The Best Mattresses For Back Pain To Reclaim Your Bedtime Comfort Korin Miller Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Alison Barretta Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. May 27, 2023, 11:40am EDT | Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin Many of top-rated mattresses below are discounted for Memorial Day weekend. Check out our growing list of the best Memorial Day sales for more savings opportunities. The best mattresses for back pain will yield quality, restorative sleep that’ll leave you feeling more energized (and less achy) during your waking hours. The secret to finding the best mattress for you is to pinpoint a model designed for your sleep needs—in this case, one that prioritizes pressure relief and spinal alignment. So, we tapped a professional mattress tester who has also recovered from a lower back injury to help highlight some top contenders. Not only does she know firsthand what to look for when it comes to support and comfort, she—along with other Vetted staffers—has tried many of the picks you’ll find below. The Avocado Green is one of the best mattresses for back pain, particularly for sleepers who prefer ... [+] an eco-friendly bed. Illustration: Forbes/Photo: Retailer Saatva is an across-the-board favorite with the Saatva Classic Mattress taking the spot as our top pick overall plus two of the brand’s other models making appearances on this list. Other tried-and-true options include the Helix Twilight , a solid choice for side sleepers and the Nectar Premier Copper made with melt-in memory foam. All in all, we have choices for all kinds of sleepers (and budgets) to help ease back pain, so read on to find the mattress of your dreams. Best Mattress For Back Pain Overall: Saatva Classic ($1,695, Was $1,995) Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain: Helix Twilight ($999, Was $1,332) Best Memory Foam Mattress For Back Pain: Nectar Premier Copper ($1,299, Was $1,949) Best Cooling Mattress For Back Pain: Casper Wave Hybrid
SNOW ($2,546, Was $3,395) Best Luxury Mattress For Back Pain: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-ProAdapt ($3,199, Was $3,399) Best Eco-Friendly Mattress For Back Pain: Avocado Green ($1,999) Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers With Back Pain: Saatva Loom & Leaf ($2,070, Was $2,395) Best Plush Mattress For Back Pain : Purple Hybrid Premier 4 ($3,195, Was $3,495) Best Affordable Mattress For Back Pain: Amerisleep AS2 ($1,099, Was $1,549) Best Firm Mattress For Back Pain: The DreamCloud ($799, Was $1,332) Best Mattress For Heavy People With Back Pain: Saatva HD ($2,745, Was $3,195) (PAID PLACEMENT) You May Also Like: Nolah Natural ($1,364, Was $2,099) Best Mattress For Back Pain Overall A Luxe Firm Mattress With Free White Glove Delivery Editor’s Pick Saatva Saatva Classic Mattress (Queen) Buy From Saatva Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Luxury firm and firm recommended for back pain; plush soft also available | Delivery: Free white glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights (one year) | Warranty: Lifetime Saatva offers three levels of firmness: plush soft, firm and luxury firm (a blend of cushiony softness and firm support). The latter two are recommended for people with back pain, with the luxury firm being the company’s most popular option. The mattress is built with double-layer coils for added support, along with layers of memory foam and polyfoam to keep you comfortable and stable while you sleep. It also has a wire “Lumbar Zone” in the center of the mattress to add additional support and pressure relief where it counts most. What our writers say: “This mattress is bouncy, plush and offers plenty of support, including ample edge support—a feature I didn’t fully understand until I had a mattress with it,” says Jordan Thomas, our deals writer. “The company will also take your old mattress away free of charge, a major boon for anyone who’s ever dealt with their own mattress disposal before.” Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain Layers Of Memory Foam Provide Cushioning And Pressure Relief MOST POPULAR Helix Sleep Helix Twilight Mattress (Queen) Buy From Helix Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Very firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years The Helix Twilight is a an excellent mattress for back pain sufferers if you’re primarily a side sleeper. It offers a firm feel with no sink or give (for context, the company rates its firmness between 8 and 9 on a 10-point scale), but it’s not so hard that you feel like you’re sleeping on a rock. That’s because the Twilight has a specialized foam layer to help cushion pressure points in your shoulders and hips, along with a polyfoam transition layer for added support. Upgrade to the Twilight Luxe for zoned lumbar support, added cooling features (ideal for hot sleepers) and a longer 15-year warranty; with either model, you also have the option to add on a GlacioTex Cooling Cover for $199. What our editors say: Although our updates editor sleeps on a different Helix model (the Dusk Luxe ), she says she strongly recommends this brand. “The quality is great, the prices are affordable and there’s a model for everyone,” she says, adding, “There’s a reason that Helix is recommended in most of our mattress stories.” Best Memory Foam Mattress For Back Pain A Temperature-Regulating Model That’s Comfy For Side Sleeping Nectar Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress (Queen) Buy From Nectar Materials: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box| Trial: 365 nights (one year) | Warranty: Lifetime The hug of a foam mattress can benefit sleepers with back pain, but it can also stifle hot sleepers, since foam tends to trap heat. However, side sleepers who run warm enjoy the comfort and cooling abilities of the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress. This medium-firm model has five layers, including four inches of gel-infused memory foam that adapts to your body’s shape and temperature plus a copper-woven cover designed to wick away heat and moisture. Motion isolation is also very good here, but the cooling, contouring effect of the Nectar Premier Copper will limit how much you or your partner toss in bed, saving your backs from further strain. What our writers say: “I was skeptical that the Nectar Premier Copper would prevent my night sweats, especially during another hot summer,” says our contributor. “However, this mattress remained cool to the touch and I woke up dry every morning.” She adds it’s most comfortable for side sleeping: “It skews plush, so it may not offer enough support for back or front sleepers.” Best Cooling Mattress For Back Pain Top-Tier Cooling Tech With Ample Support For Back Sleepers Casper Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Mattress (Queen) Buy From Casper Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow combines superb temperature regulation with ample support for back sleepers with aches and pains. As a hybrid, it already has an advantage over most foam beds when it comes to heat dissipation, but Casper’s advanced cooling technology takes to another level. The bed includes a phase-change cover, HeatDelete Bands that actively remove heat for up to 12 hours and three layers of perforated foam for optimal airflow. The ergonomic design of the Wave Hybrid Snow leaves it softer around the shoulders and knees while remaining firmer along the hips and lumbar. This luxury cooling mattress is expensive, but a worthwhile investment for chronically hot sleepers. What our writers say: Our mattress expert contributor says, “I found the Casper Wave Hybrid most comfortable when sleeping on my back or stomach, as its reinforced middle ensures your hips and lower back won’t sink too low. The temperature regulation is top-notch, too; when testing, the cooling sensation of the cover never faded, and I didn’t wake up sweaty once.” You May Also Like A Buoyant Design That Contours And Cools PAID PLACEMENT Nolah Sleep Nolah Natural 11-Inch (Queen) Buy From Nolah Sleep Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Luxury firm (medium-firm) | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime The Nolah Natural 11-Inch Mattress is a layered hybrid mattress that utilizes Talalay latex—one of the most premium mattress materials you can find—to provide targeted pressure relief. There’s a 2-inch latex comfort layer that conforms to your joints and pressure points, plus another inch of higher density latex that supports your body weight so you don’t sink into the mattress, which can cause back pain. The latex is reinforced by a zoned coil base that allows some give where you need it, but extra support where you don’t. These layers are sandwiched between organic wool and cotton, which offer breathability and natural temperature regulation—a bonus for hot sleepers (or anyone, really). Best Luxury Mattress For Back Pain A High-End Option With Four Levels Of Firmness Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Pedic Tempur-ProAdapt Mattress (Queen) Buy From Tempur-Pedic Type: Proprietary Tempur foam | Firmness: Medium, medium hybrid or firm recommended for back pain; soft is also available | Delivery: Free white glove delivery on select purchases | Trial: 90 nights | Warranty: 10 years The Tempur-ProAdapt luxury mattress provides advanced pressure relief that’s ideal for sleepers with back pain. It’s constructed of NASA-developed Tempur material, which conforms to your shape even if you shift positions at night. It also absorbs motion better than standard memory foam, so if you share a bed with a restless partner (hopefully a non-issue in this bed), you won’t get jostled awake. Four firmness levels are available, though the overall consensus is that back sleepers should opt for a firmer feel while side sleepers will want a medium to soft feel. Yes, it’s an expensive mattress that seldom sees significant markdowns, but the thousands of 5-star reviews suggest the Tempur-ProAdapt is worth the money. What the reviews say: Says a 29-year-old reviewer with chronic back pain about the medium ProAdapt mattress: “I know I sound like an infomercial but within a week of using this bed, my back pain went from a standing 5/10 to only sometimes 1/10. It at first feels very firm but my body melts right into it.” Best Eco-Friendly Mattress For Back Pain Another Organic Option That’s Ideal For Back Sleepers Avocado Avocado Green Mattress (Queen) Buy From Avocado Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 365 nights (one year) | Warranty: 10 years full, 25 years limited Many of today’s mattresses are made from memory foam, which typically contains synthetic chemicals. If you’re looking for something a bit more eco-friendly, consider the Avocado Green. It’s constructed of organic materials, including a layer of natural latex sitting on top of more than 1,000 pocketed support coils. The mattress has a gentle-yet-firm feel plus five distinct ergonomic zones that adapt to your pressure points and provide relief where you need it. The thoughtful construction also helps reduce motion transfer and distributes weight more evenly so the mattress can contour to your body’s natural shape. It’s best for back and stomach sleepers. What our editors say: Our home and kitchen editor has had her Avocado Green mattress for over two years. “It's still just as durable and supportive as the day we got it,” she says. “After having a baby, my body has taken a real hit and I appreciate the natural cushioning and medium support it offers.” Further, her husband suffers from allergies, so he enjoys the Avocado Green’s all-natural, non-toxic materials. Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers With Back Pain A Handcrafted Foam Mattress That's Comfortable In Any Position Saatva Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress (Queen) Buy From Saatva Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Relaxed firm or firm | Delivery: Free white glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights (one year) | Warranty: Lifetime The Saatva Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress is available in two comfort levels: relaxed firm and firm. Combination sleepers should go for the subtle sink-in sensation of the relaxed firm model, as it provides perfectly contoured support for any position. It features a 5-pound core of body-hugging memory foam and multiple comfort foam layers for full-body relief. A gel-infused lumbar "crown" in the middle alleviates back pain by keeping everything aligned and increasing circulation. The Loom & Leaf offers excellent motion isolation, too, so you and your partner can change positions throughout the night without disturbing each other. What our writers say: Our contributor slept on a relaxed firm Loom & Leaf and says, “After three weeks of sleeping on this mattress, I noticed a marked improvement in my back pain. I tend to fall asleep on my side and wake up on my stomach, and either way, I felt comfortable.” However, she notes that the Loom & Leaf sleeps warm, a potential deterrent for hot sleepers. Best Plush Mattress For Back Pain Its Unique Grid Structure Offers A Bouncy, Responsive Feel Editor’s Pick Purple Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Mattress (Queen) Buy From Purple Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Plush to medium | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years The Purple Hybrid Premier 4 is the brand's softest mattress, offering a bouncy and responsive feel versus the sinking sensation of memory foam. That’s due to the 4-inch layer of Purple’s proprietary GelFlex Grid, which flexes and compresses under key pressure points while still supporting the rest of your body. Plus, the GelFlex Grid’s open air channels allow air to freely flow through, making it much cooler than foam-only mattresses. This 13-inch hybrid supports up to 600 pounds, so it’s a great choice for heavier sleepers with back pain who prefer a plusher mattress. What our editors say: As our executive strategy editor mentions in her Purple Hybrid Premier 4 review : “The [GelFlex Grid] compresses under your weight and contours your body, but it doesn’t sink or sag so you still feel like your body is properly aligned. This is true no matter which sleeping position you prefer.” Best Affordable Mattress For Back Pain A Pressure-Relieving Pick That Won't Break The Bank Amerisleep Amerisleep AS2 (Queen) Buy From Amerisleep Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 20 years The Amerisleep AS2 is the company’s least expensive model. Thanks to frequent sales, you can bring home a
Queen for under $1,100—and that includes a 100-night trial and a 20-year warranty. The AS2 is on the firmer side of medium and caters to back and stomach sleepers who grapple with aches and pains. It features a layer of Bio-Pur memory foam, which is a proprietary plant-based material that’s cooler and more responsive than traditional foam. A transitional HIVE layer—comprising of hexagonal cutouts—provides targeted support for your head, back and legs, along with extra pressure point relief for your shoulders and hips. What the reviews say: The AS2 has plenty of repeat customers who typically buy multiples for guest rooms or other family members. “I have multiple back issues and the AS2 is perfect for me,” says one buyer. “I bought it for our guest room and tried it for a couple weeks, then bought a second one for my bedroom.” Best Firm Mattress For Back Pain A Supportive Hybrid With Excellent Pressure Relief DreamCloud The DreamCloud (Queen) Buy From DreamCloud Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Bed in a box | Trial: 365 nights (one year) | Warranty: Lifetime The 14-inch DreamCloud is a medium-firm mattress that’s particularly suitable for back sleepers and heavier individuals who struggle with pain. It offers a delicate blend of support and pressure relief along your hips and shoulders through its multiple foam support layers and individually-wrapped coils. On top is a cashmere-blend cover with 1.5 inches of contouring foam stitched into it for a cozy touch. The DreamCloud is one of the best values out there thanks to regular sales that take hundreds of dollars off and include generous freebies. (A 1-year trial and lifetime warranty are nice, too.) What our writers say: “I didn’t feel that dreaded dip in my midsection when sleeping on the DreamCloud,” says our contributor. A friend of hers also tested it out and was quite impressed. “My friend is prone to ‘dead hip’ when lying in bed but the softer top layers of the DreamCloud prevented that from happening,” she reports. Best Mattress For Heavy People With Back Pain A Sturdy Hybrid That Supports Up To 1,000 Pounds Saatva Saatva HD Mattress Buy From Saatva Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm| Delivery: Free white glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights (one year) | Warranty: Lifetime Most mattresses can support up to 500 pounds, but the Saatva HD can withstand up to 1,000 pounds, one of the highest capacities on the market. This sturdy hybrid features tempered 12.5-gauge steel coils that are 25% stronger than the industry average, along with 6-inch high-density foam rails to prevent sagging. For comfort, there's a five-zone Talalay latex layer with varying levels of density for optimal pressure relief and targeted lumbar support, as well as a 5-pound memory foam core for a body-contouring sensation. As with all Saatva mattresses, white glove delivery is included. (Given that the Saatva HD weighs between 80 to 169 pounds, you’ll be glad for that.) What the reviews say: “I am a side sleeper and find the mattress very supportive of my large midsection,” shares one reviewer. “My back aligns nicely and it relieves pressure from my shoulders and hips.” Adds another happy shopper, “I now go to sleep for 7 to 8 hours and don't wake up in the middle of the night [from being] uncomfortable and having to change positions.” MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers With Ample Support And Cushioning By Korin Miller Contributor The Best TVs To Transform Your Home Into A Movie Theater By Jon Martindale Contributor The Best Memorial Day Mattress Sales If you’ve been in the market for a new mattress for a while now, we’ve got good news: This weekend is one of the best times of the year to purchase your new bed. Ahead, we’re sharing a curated list of the best deals we’ve seen so far, many of which we’ve even tested firsthand. Save Big On A Medium-Firm Option From Sealy Mattress Firm Sleepy's By Sealy 10.5" Medium Euro-Top Mattress Buy From Mattress Firm Back and side sleepers will appreciate the supportive-yet-plush feel of this mattress and the pressure relief offered by its zoned coil system. Save nearly 40% on the model right now in honor of Memorial Day weekend. Take 40% Off One Of Our Top Tested Firm Mattress Picks DreamCloud Sleep DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress (Queen) Buy From DreamCloud One of our mattress testers made quite the claim about this mattress: that it was the “most supportive bed” she’s slept on. With seven layers of support, it’s easy to understand why it earned such high praise. Right now, take 40% off the model at DreamCloud. Take $300 Off This Medium-Firm Option From Leesa Leesa Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress (Queen) Buy From Leesa If “medium-firm” is what you’re after, look no further than this bestseller from Leesa (it just so happens to be our pick for the best hybrid mattress in 2023). This weekend, it’s available for $300 less than its usual asking price. Save Over $300 On A Popular Nest Mattress Nest Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid Buy From Nest Our mattress and sleep editor swears by the Nest Sparrow as one of the best options on the market for stomach sleepers in 2023. Right now, get the popular model for $320 less in honor of Memorial Day weekend. Score $375 Off A Great Option For Plus-Size Sleepers Helix Helix Plus (Queen) Buy From Helix As our top pick for heavier people (and particularly those with joint pain), this breathable mattress is guaranteed to combat sleepless nights once and for all. Get it for 25% less this weekend with code MEMORIALDAY25 . Take 25% Off This Hybrid Mattress From Casper Casper Casper Original Hybrid Mattress Buy From Casper This Casper mattress offers several nifty features to keep your temperature in check on even the hottest nights of the year, including “AirScape” technology. It also offers ergonomic zoning support to keep your spine in alignment. Right now, it’s 25% off in honor of Casper’s Memorial Day savings event. Save Big On An Incredibly Supportive Nolah Mattress Nolah Sleep Nolah Signature 12” Mattress Buy From Nolah Sleep Goodbye, hip and spine pain. This perfectly cushioned mattress from Nolah is incrediblyl soft, but still deeply supportive. It’s also on sale for 35% less than its usual asking price right now. Save 35% On This Popular Plush Model Cocoon By Sealy Cocoon By Sealy "The Chill" Mattress Buy From Cocoon By Sealy Inch after inch of memory foam and a contoured feel make this an excellent choice for anyone interested in a more plush mattress experience (there’s also a cooling cover included). Save a whopping $380 on the model this weekend. Save 25% On One Of The Best Side Sleeper Mattresses Helix Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen) Buy From Helix Offering excellent pressure point relief and contouring in all the right places, this Helix bestseller is one of the most premium options on the market for side sleepers. This weekend, you can nab it for 25% less with code MEMORIALDAY25 . For even more savings opportunities, head over to our Memorial Day coupon page to check out the deals from some of our favorite brands . Why Trust Forbes Vetted We take sleep seriously at Forbes Vetted and our dozens of meticulously-researched sleep and mattress stories can attest to this. However, our expertise isn’t limited to outside knowledge. We’ve personally tried some of the best mattresses on the market and can speak firsthand to their performance. (Note the quotes from Forbes Vetted staffers and contributors on select picks throughout this article.) Moreover, two Vetted editors (including our sleep and mattress editor Lindsey Vickers) have professional mattress-testing experience. Meanwhile, Alison Barretta, the co-author of this story, has been testing and reviewing mattresses for over two years and have personally slept on memory foam, hybrid and organic beds from Saatva, Nectar and many others. For good measure, we also tapped Neel Anand , M.D., a professor of orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in
Los Angeles. Another reason to trust Forbes Vetted: we stay up-to-date on the goings-on of the sleep market, including any discounts and new product releases. To keep this story current and accurate, it’s updated regularly. (This was last edited in March 2023.) How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Back Pain Our list of the best mattresses for back pain contains picks from mattress brands with an excellent reputation among consumers. Many of our picks are personally backed by Vetted staffers and customer reviews had to be stellar, too. Each mattress on this list has an average rating of over 4 or more stars out of 5. We also have a broad base of knowledge from writing and researching dozens of mattress and sleep stories. That gives us a keen eye for knowing which features sleepers with back pain will benefit from most. We took into consideration other sleep issues and preferences as well, which is why you’ll find picks for side sleepers, hot sleepers, couples and more. However, we understand that every sleeper is unique and it’s not enough to simply read about the features and feel of a mattress. Thus, every entry in this article comes with a trial period of at least 90 days so you can sufficiently test it (or your money back). Note that some mattress brands charge a fee for returns so read the terms and conditions carefully. What To Consider When Buying A Mattress For Back Pain When buying a mattress to relieve back pain, materials, construction and firmness are all key factors to consider. Below is a breakdown to help you make your decision. Type There are three main types of mattresses based on materials and design, and each have pros and cons. Here’s a brief breakdown: Innerspring: These are the traditional style of mattresses in which springs are the main support system, and in general, they offer the most structured support compared to other mattress types. However, innerspring mattresses can sink over time and create pressure points, so if you go this route, be sure to pick a high-quality brand that’s built to last. Foam: All-foam beds usually consist of memory foam, latex foam or separate layers of each. Often, there are also proprietary foams infused with cooling gels or antimicrobial materials for added comfort. The foam bed’s main claim to fame is its responsive feel that contours to curves and cradles joints. That said, some people find that they tend to trap heat (although many top brands have invented technologies to keep them cooler) and some sleepers don’t like the feeling of being “swallowed” by their mattress. Hybrid: Known for offering “the best of both worlds,” hybrid mattresses are popular because they feature both supportive coils and foam layers for plush, pressure-relieving comfort. They tend to be inherently cooler than all-foam mattresses because the coils allow for airflow and sleepers don’t have the same “sinking in” feeling as they might with a foam mattress. Because of the coils, hybrids may be bouncier than foam mattresses, but the foam they do contain often does a decent
Job at eliminating motion transfer. Firmness As mentioned, the firmness you settle on is ultimately a matter of preference, but generally, firmer mattresses are ideal for stomach sleepers while softer mattresses have more give for side sleepers’ joints. The best mattresses for back pain are somewhere in the middle, with medium-firm beds offering the supportive-yet-cushy sweet spot. Delivery Method Especially for back pain sufferers, delivery and setup options are important to consider before making your purchase. Many popular retailers offer bed in a box options in which the mattresses are compact—they’re vacuum-sealed and shipped in a reasonably sized box. This also means you don’t have to be home for your mattress delivery. Although the package will be heavy and a bit awkward (enlisting help to haul it inside is strongly encouraged), the box is easier to maneuver than a full-size mattress; just unbox, unwrap and set it on the frame. Note that it will take a few hours—sometimes 24 hours or more—to fully expand. Setting up a mattress in a box requires some effort (and muscle), and if that doesn’t appeal to you, check out mattress brands that do the work for you. Saatva offers white glove delivery service free with purchase, as does Tempur-Pedic on select mattresses, foundations and adjustable bases. Avocado Green Mattress will also provide an optional In-Home Delivery Service for an additional fee. These services all include setting up your new bed and removing your old mattress. Trial Period And Warranty When shopping for any bed, especially online, it’s important to find out the trial period before pressing “purchase.” Luckily, most online mattress retailers offer generous risk-free trial periods in which you can try your bed at home for up to a full year. If you don’t like it, you can send it back for a refund or exchange. You’ll also want to check out your mattress’ warranty. Things like manufacturing defects and premature wear should be covered for at least five or so years, but preferably 10, as that’s the lifespan of many mattresses. What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain? Back pain often occurs when your mattress doesn’t provide adequate support to your body throughout the night, causing misalignment in your spine. The key to alleviating an aching back is finding a mattress that provides appropriate support. “Look for a mattress that supports the natural curve of your spine when you are lying flat and on your side,” says Neel Anand , M.D., a professor of orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles. Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned. However, hybrid and coil mattresses can provide similar benefits, as long as you choose one that’s specifically designed for support, alignment and pressure relief. Is A Firm Mattress Better For Back Pain? Many people will tell you that a firm mattress is best for relieving back pain, but that’s not necessarily true; the key is finding a mattress that offers the right amount of support. A bed that’s too firm can also cause spine misalignment by pushing up the shoulders and hips. Instead, opt for a medium-firm mattress that offers some cushioning for these key pressure points. Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort level, so be sure to choose a mattress brand that offers a generous trial period in case you choose to keep, exchange or return your purchase. Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Back Pain? Memory foam mattresses are often touted as the best option for back pain, and they certainly can be, thanks to their balance of support and cushioning. However—no matter what kind of bed you choose—picking the right firmness is essential. If you go this route, find a mattress made with high-quality, dense memory foam designed to provide ample support. Keep in mind that many inexpensive memory foam mattresses are too plush to keep the spine properly aligned, which can actually worsen your back and joint pain. More Mattress Stories To Shop Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers Best Mattresses For Stomach Sleepers Best Hybrid Mattresses Best Memory Foam Mattresses Best Innerspring Mattresses Best Cooling Mattresses Best Mattresses For Couples Best Mattresses For Heavy People forbes.com Zinus Discount Codes | 20% Off In May 2023 | Forbes Korin Miller Alison Barretta Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions