What kind of mattress helps with back pain?
For most back pain sufferers, a medium firm mattress is the right starting point. It's firm enough to keep your spine aligned but soft enough to cushion the hips and shoulders, which are the natural pressure points. Too firm and your spine has nothing to sink into; too soft and your hips drop, pulling your lower back out of alignment.
Orthopaedic and pocket sprung options
An orthopaedic mattress is designed specifically for firm, even support and is one of the most common recommendations for back pain. A pocket sprung mattress with a medium firm tension is another strong option, offering zoned support where each spring responds to the part of the body above it. Many of our top-rated back pain mattresses combine both: pocket springs underneath, a supportive comfort layer (often memory foam or latex) on top.
What about the sleeping position?
The best mattress for back pain depends on how you sleep. Side sleepers benefit from a slightly softer mattress that cushions the shoulders and hips; back sleepers need a firmer mattress to keep the lower back from arching; stomach sleepers need firmer still, because the hips need to be held up rather than allowed to sink.
Pressure relief and back pain
If your back pain is associated with stiffness, muscle tension, or sciatica, a pressure relief mattress with a memory foam or latex top layer often helps. The comfort layer eases the points where your body presses hardest into the mattress, which lets the muscles relax instead of bracing against the firmness of the support core.
Try it for 60 nights
Back pain is rarely solved overnight, and a mattress that helps usually takes a few weeks of adjustment. Every mattress on our site qualifies for a 60-night sleep trial when purchased with a mattress protector, so you have time to see whether it's the right fit before committing.
Free delivery and recycling
Free next-working-day delivery on in-stock orders before 4pm. Add our recycling service to have your old mattress taken away. Sleep advice on 0333 577 5773 or live chat.
