Back pain & your mattress: what to look for.

While back pain is sometimes unavoidable, there are certain steps you can take to make sure you’re benefitting your body best. One of the easiest ways to steer clear of back pain caused by a mattress with sub par support is by making sure your bed is offering the correct support while you sleep.

So, what should you be looking for when it comes to finding a back pain-alleviating mattress? Here are a few tips:

Find a mattress that feels comfortable to you.

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all mattress for back pain. That means that the firmness or type of mattress that alleviates back pain for someone you know, might not be the right one for you. That’s why it’s vital to find a bed that caters to your specific needs.

You also have to factor in sleep quality. If a firm mattress makes your back pain feel marginally better, but you’re barely able to fall asleep, you might need something medium-firm.

While shopping in-store or online for a mattress that could change your life might seem daunting, just know that our iComfort mattresses come standard with a 120-Day In-Home Trial to help you find the perfect one.

Specify the support.

This probably seems like a no-brainer, but seeking out a mattress that’s specifically designed for back support could be part of the key to alleviating your back pain. While a quick search of the phrase “the best mattress firmness for back pain” will mostly give you recommendations for a medium-firm feel, you should also consider what the mattress is made of. You should also consider what the mattress is made of. Foam, springs, and coils all create a different kind of support that can fall under the “medium-firm” category.

If you’re convinced your mattress is too soft, Harvard research suggests placing a piece of plywood under your mattress to increase the firmness. This is probably the easiest way to test a firmer mattress without actually buying one first.

Foam, coils, and springs—oh my!

As mentioned earlier, there are several different types of materials that go into making most mattresses, with foam, coils, springs, or a combination of the three being the most common. Each material has its own pros and cons, so while the best mattress for your back pain comes back to the lack of a one-size-fits-all solution, there are certain things you can keep in mind while shopping.

Foam tends to lean to a more plush feel, so while it goes against the medium-firm suggestion, it can also custom-form to your body in a way that coils and springs can’t. Back pain sufferers could benefit from this by having a mattress that caters to specific pressure points.

Beds with coils or springs tend to lean towards the firmer side, simply due to the fact that the materials themselves are more rigid. While you won’t find the custom contouring that a foam mattress provides, simply having a more firm mattress could help to keep your spine more constantly aligned, which could in turn help to reduce back pain.

In summary, a mattress can help to reduce back pain, and Serta has several options to suit your needs. While some shopping and research are necessary, better sleep and less back pain are only a few clicks away.