News Beat
The best mattress for back pain, recommended by an osteopath
Back pain is an all-too-common affliction. Its causes are various, from lifting heavy boxes to sports injuries, with sedentary lifestyle and bad posture often making it worse. Even the best mattress won’t fix a medical problem and the wrong one could exacerbate the issue.
“Typically, inflammatory pain is worse in the morning,” says Dave Gibson, osteopath, sleep coach and founder of The Sleep Site. “As we lie, our heart rate slows down, circulation slows and any inflammation stays pooled in that area. Sleep position is key. To avoid back pain, you should sleep with your spine in alignment.”
Here we share the mattresses designed to provide spinal support and pressure relief, while our best mattress guide covers a wider selection.
The best mattress for back pain: At a glance
How to choose the best mattress for back pain
According to Gibson, some mattresses are better for managing back pain than others. “The main thing is to get roughly medium-firm support, which is best for lower back pain sufferers because it keeps the back in neutral alignment,” he says. “Keeping the spine, neck and mid-back aligned theoretically means your muscles are going to relax.”
Soft mattresses, he warns, may worsen the pain by allowing the spine to dip out of alignment. At the right firmness, both pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses can be effective. “What you really need is good support from springs or foam, and which type you choose is a personal preference,” says Gibson.
Cushioning at pressure points such as the shoulder and hips are also important, especially for those with discomfort in these areas. Finally, Gibson advises against sleeping on your front as it often makes lower back pain worse.
Consult our guide on how to choose a mattress for more tips.
How we test mattresses for back pain
To find the best mattresses for back pain, we combined research, expert advice and in some instances, our personal experiences with back complaints.
Some of the mattresses are recommended by sleep experts, and others were tested at home by our experienced mattress reviewers. We have clearly labelled who reviewed each below.
When slept on at home, our testers gave special consideration to each model’s support. And, of course, all the usual criteria that define a good mattress still apply too.
We assess each mattress for comfort, motion isolation (whether you can feel your partner moving on the other side of the bed, and to what extent) and convenience, which covers everything from the quality of the delivery service to the length of any sleep trials and warranties.
Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended
Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best sleep product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don’t accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles.
All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more.
