When in Doubt, Go 'Medium-Firm' Research is limited, but in one study, researchers assigned new mattresses to more than 300 people with low back pain. They used either "medium-firm" or "firm" mattresses for 90 days. Those in the medium group reported the least amount of discomfort.
The Best Mattress Comfort Levels for Back Pain
A medium-firm comfort level is considered by most sleepers to be the most generally suitable option, as this in-between comfort level's surface doesn't sink too deeply compared to a plush model, thereby curbing bodily discomfort.
A softer mattress is usually recommended for those who are experiencing back pain on a standard mattress, or those who have pre-existing back problems. They're also recommended for lighter individuals as a harder mattress can end up not compressing for them at all.
Results showed that, even though improvement was observed using both mattresses, patients with medium-firm mattress reported a higher level of improvement both in terms of pain and disability. Thus medium-firm mattresses are recommended to patients suffering from non-specific chronic low back pain.
Studies of adults with lower back pain have found that among various mattress types, medium firm mattresses provided more relief over a 90-day period — both during the day and while lying in bed — than firm mattresses did.
A mattress that's too firm will put too much pressure on your joints, especially if you sleep on your side or your back. That's why if you want to reduce your back pain in bed, you need a mattress that offers support but that also contours to your body to provide pressure relief and relieve pain.
It is possible that sleeping on the floor may improve posture. Indeed, the spine is more prone to curving on a soft surface, so sleeping on a firmer surface may help align and straighten the neck and spine. One aspect that people can be confident of is that sleeping on the floor is often cooler.
If you carry weight, sleep on your back, or sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress may help alleviate lower back pain by distributing your body weight more evenly across the mattress. This way, your back isn't curving as much while you sleep.
Contrary to popular belief, your aching back doesn't need a firm-as-a-plank mattress. In fact, there is no specific mattress that's best for back pain. Instead, people with back pain should look for mattresses that feel medium-firm to you. Those beds have the best chance of reducing both soreness and stiffness.
A firm or extra firm mattress is beneficial to the health of your back by providing a level surface to the whole of your body while you sleep. This extra support helps your body maintain good posture and prevents your back from curving, which can happen on softer mattresses.
Is a soft mattress bad for your back? It is if it's so soft that it doesn't support your spine. If you sink into the mattress so that your hips are lower than your shoulders, your mattress may be too soft and could be contributing to back pain. Keep in mind that weight is a factor when it comes to mattress firmness.
You Wake Up With Back, Hip, Shoulder, And/Or Neck Pain
If you feel pain or discomfort at these pressure points, it's likely that your mattress is too firm for you. Stiffness in your joints – especially your knees and shoulders – is a good sign you're in dire need of a softer bed.
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.
Laying on your back creates the least amount of pressure. Just by standing straight you put 4 times the amount of pressure on your lower back as compared to laying on your back. And bending forward while standing will increase the pressure on your lower back by another 50% as compared to standing straight.
According to the manufacturer's website, foam mattresses are suitable for side sleepers as they support the pressure points while contouring to the body. Additionally, a 2021 literature review states that medium-firm mattresses are best for those with back pain.
Therefore, the best mattresses for side sleepers are often plush to minimizes discomfort around the shoulders and hips while promoting proper spinal alignment. If you change positions throughout the night, a plush mattress can work in your favor.
The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. View Source . Keeping the knees bent helps balance the body and reduces pressure on the lumbar spine. Many people find it helpful to put a small pillow between their knees to make this position more comfortable.
Are memory foam mattresses good for back pain? Yes, memory foam mattresses are the best for relieving back pain. They conform to your body providing pressure-point relief, reducing aches. Memory foam's body-conforming feature is the best in all mattress types.
In both cases, avoid mattresses that are too firm, since they create pressure points on the body's heaviest areas, which are often the lower back and hips. At the same time, mattresses that are too plush and tend to sink at the hip and back, leading to discomfort.
Laying on a hard mattress can allow the body to lay in the proper alignment. This, in turn, can decrease many types of pains in the body and can ultimately help with posture! Reduces pressure on your circulatory system, allowing for more oxygen intake while sleeping.
Those with sciatica may benefit from using a medium-firm mattress. A 2021 review notes that a medium-firm mattress may promote better spinal alignment, sleep quality, and comfort in people living with or without back pain.
By sleeping with the mat on the floor – rather than on a bed frame, as in Western culture – the Japanese believe it helps to relax the muscles, while enabling the hips, shoulders and spine to maintain a natural alignment during rest.
It can be caused by several things such as a change of spine position, inappropriate sleeping position, change of mattress or pillow, or it can be symptoms of some serious conditions like Arthritis or Degenerative Disc Disease.
Sleeping without a pillow can help some people who sleep on their stomach, but it is not a good idea for everyone. People who sleep on their side or back will usually find that sleeping without a pillow puts pressure on their neck. By doing this, it can ruin a person's quality of sleep and lead to neck and back pain.