3 Tips to Help You Select the Best Mattress for Your Low Back Pain

Selecting the proper mattress for your low back can be the difference between you waking up with a stiff back versus waking up with a pain-free back.

But very few people no which mattress to select for their low back.

Questions that run through peoples minds may involve:

Is a soft mattress bad?

Should I get a stiff mattress?

Maybe I should try memory foam out?

Plenty of questions. And there isn’t a universal answer to selecting the right mattress for your low back.

Figuring out what mattress is best for your spine can be confusing. But I’m hoping with today’s post; I can help guide you through the process of selecting a mattress.

Here are 3 tips to consider.

1. Everyone’s Body Type is Different

It’s true.

Everyone’s spine shape is different, and everyone’s body weight is different.

Some people have a lordotic spine. Some people have a flat spine.

And.

Some people are slim. Some people carry a few extra pounds.

All of the above factors affect the type of mattress that may be best for you.

An illustration of the types of spines you see in a standing posture. Image licensed from “handmadee3d/shutterstock.com”

But thanks to research, we have an idea of what spine shapes may do best with specific mattresses.

People with a flatter spine and less lordosis seem to prefer sleeping on a futon (^1,2,3).

The futon is a popular sleeping choice among Asian cultures (^1,2.3). You’ll get good sleep, plus a full day of sun tanning at the beach 😉 Image licensed from “flashfilm/canva.com”

However, people with more lordosis have found sleeping on a futon uncomfortable (^1,2,3).

Also, a heavier person tends to do better with a firm mattress (^2,3). A soft mattress may cause a heavier person to sink into the mattress, which could trigger symptoms.

A pleasant and firm mattress. Perfect for sweet dreams or nightmares 😉 Image licensed from “John_Kasawa/canva.com”

Your body type is going to determine what mattress is going to feel most comfortable for you.

Your spine shape and bodyweight are two critical factors to consider.

2. The Mattress Needs to Be Specific to Your Low Back Pain

Some people have a pars fracture (typical extension injury) causing low back pain; others have a disc bulge (typical flexion injury) causing low back pain.

The specifics of your back pain (e.g., extension-based back pain vs. flexion based back pain) are going to determine what mattress may be most comfortable for you.

I can say from having flexion based back pain, a soft mattress did not feel good. A soft mattress would cause my spine to fall into lumbar flexion and trigger symptoms. And I would say the majority of people with flexion based back pain would not feel good with a soft mattress.

However, people with extension-based back pain may do better with a soft mattress. A soft mattress may cause an extension based back pain spine to adapt to a spine-friendly flexion position when sleeping.

Your low back pain is going to affect which mattress is going to be most suitable for you.

3. Check the Condition of Your Mattress

Do you find yourself sinking into the bed more than usual?

Has your mattress become too soft?

Do you wake up with low back pain in the morning?

If this is the case — your mattress may be worn out or needs to be rotated.

If you have already been rotating your mattress to balance out sleeping on each side, then don’t be afraid to invest in a new mattress.

It’s worth it.

A new mattress specific to your low back pain and body type may be the answer you need for a night of pain-free sleep.

If your mattress is 10 years old, it’s probably time for a NEW mattress. Image licensed from “Povozniuk/canva.com”

Final Thoughts

There isn’t a universal mattress recommendation for people with low back pain.

The best mattress is the one that allows you to sleep pain-free and is most comfortable.

Everyone’s best mattress is going to be different. But from this post, there is research and personal experience that can point you in the right direction for purchasing a mattress.

If you’re unsure about purchasing a mattress, I’d suggest you visit your local bedroom store and try a few out for yourself and determine what feels best for you.

Cheers,

Remi

References

1. Haex, B. (2004) Back and Bed: ergonomic aspects of sleeping. CRC press.

2. McGill, S. M. (2015). Low back Disorders (3rd ed). Human Kinetics.

3. McGill, S. M. (2015). Back Mechanic: The step by step McGill Method to fix back pain. Backfitpro Inc.

Thumbnail Image licensed from “LightFieldStudios/canva.com”

19 Comments

- BY Gaydos
- December 4, 2020
Great post full of useful tips! My site is fairly new and I am also having a hard time getting my readers to leave comments. Analytics shows they are coming to the site but I have a feeling “nobody wants to be first”.
- BY clic aqui
- February 16, 2021
Esto proporciona soporte uniforme a lo largo de la parte inferior del colchón y permite que circule aire, que ayuda a prevenir el crecimiento de moho. Si tienes que usar un segundo colchón debajo de él, coloca un ventilador y un deshumidificador en la habitación para reducir los niveles de humedad.
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- BY rashmi hp
- May 14, 2021
great share
the tips are very useful
thank you for sharing these tips. i also think orthopedic mattress helps a lot to reduce the back pain.
- BY Tez
- June 30, 2021
I appreciate what you said about using a mattress that fits your spine. I need to get a mattress for my mom. Her back has been hurting with the current bed she has.
- BY Radubalan
- July 12, 2021
I love your post because it’s so true. Everybody needs to pick his own mattress, it’s a subjective mattress. You can’t talk about the "best mattress" becasue one may be good for someone and bad for someone else. Keep up the good work!