An extremely soft or firm mattress or one that is worn out can affect sleep quality and make one feel tired the next day. Further, if used for a long period, it can lead to issues with spine alignment and even strain the back muscles. If suffering from back pain, it is important to pick a mattress that helps relieve the ache and provides adequate support to the spine. So here are the best options:

Latex
Latex is a natural rubber that can be combined with other natural and even synthetic products to create a comfortable and durable mattress. Latex is naturally elastic and buoyant, and in mattresses, it can help support the sleeper’s lower back, weight, shape, and different sleeping positions. It facilitates adequate spine alignment and helps take the pressure off the heavier parts of the body. Latex mattresses bounce back to their original shape pretty quickly, and this factor ensures good support for all sleeping positions, making it ideal for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. What makes this one of the top mattresses for back pain is that its springy nature enables smoother movement, and sleepers can change their positions without difficulty. The mattress can retain its shape for many years. It is also designed to reduce surface pressure, making it less likely for people to toss and turn from discomfort. This facilitates a good night’s sleep and reduces back pain in the long run.

Memory foam
Memory foam or visco-elastic foam is made from polyurethane, which was originally designed for airplane seats to cushion astronauts from extreme pressure when entering or exiting the earth’s atmosphere. It is now used to make mattresses, mattress toppers, and pillows. Along with memory foam, such a mattress may also use support foam and springs to give it shape and structure. Memory foam uses heat from the body to soften the foam and allow it to contour to the body shape. Since it molds to the body, it offers better spine alignment, reducing back pain. The mattress evenly distributes the body weight and provides relief to pressure points. It promotes better blood circulation, alleviating aches and pains as one sleeps. On waking up, the mattress does not sag but bounces back to its original shape. It conforms to the curves and body shape, allowing the spine to relax. For back sleepers especially, memory foam offers excellent lumbar support, making it one of the top mattresses for back pain. Side sleepers can choose this mattress as it distributes body weight away from the shoulders and hips and supports the waist. Memory foam can also support the natural curvature of the spine and reduces pressure on the lower back, making it ideal for stomach sleepers.

Hybrid
These are made using a combination of different materials and construction techniques to provide maximum comfort. Hybrid mattresses typically contain at least a single layer of foam and a coil-based foundation (or springs). Memory foam usually does not last long and begins to sag over time, so integrating coils into the bed’s core extends the life of a foam mattress and provides additional support for the neck and spine. This makes it one of the top mattresses for back pain. Besides memory foam, hybrid mattresses can also have a layer of polyfoams and latex. The combination of layers of foam, coils, and spring provides adequate contouring to the body in different sleeping positions and offers pressure point relief for the hips, back, neck and shoulders, alleviating back pain.

Firmness and back pain
Some people prefer a firm mattress to help with back pain as it holds the spine in a neutral position. However, it can worsen back pain and induce muscle soreness. On the other hand, a soft mattress may be cozy and offer comfort from joint pain, but it does not take the pressure off the back. So, a medium-firm mattress can be considered the top mattress for back pain.

How to pick the right one?
Most orthopedists suggest a medium-firm mattress to relieve back pain. However, the ideal kind of comfort may vary from one person to another. One can get acquainted with the components of the mattresses, the number of layers, and the coil and spring arrangements. Mattress stores offer options that specifically advertise back pain relief. If feasible, consider lying in bed for 10–15 minutes in the normal sleeping position to see how the mattress aligns with the spine. People also ask the salesperson to assist them by sitting on the opposite side of the bed or moving to see if it disturbs the sleeper. Check for replacement warranty and free trial options before buying, as most brands offer one or both options. One can try sleeping on the mattress for a few nights, as some materials take longer to get used to, and can return the mattress if it does not meet the requirements.

Top mattresses for back pain
Based on the factors mentioned above, some of the best mattresses to relieve back pain are DreamCloud Mattress, Nectar Mattress, Saatva Classic, WinkBed, Helix Midnight Luxe, Plank Luxe Hybrid, Nolah Evolution 15, Bear Elite Hybrid, GhostBed Classic, and Level Sleep Mattress.