I’ve been having severe back pain when waking up on my old mattress. I realized the pain might be caused by sleeping on a mattress that was too soft and purchased a much firmer mattress. Since then I have no more back pain, so is it bullshit that a firmer mattress is better for your back?

I got a new mattress from Comfort Option (C-18-35 model) a month ago and the mattress is really good quality, but the one I got has been giving me bad low back/hip pain every night. My shoulders are also feeling kind of stiff some days when I wake up. (I’m 130 pounds, female, fall asleep on side, wake up on back).

How can I know if it’s because the mattress is too soft or too firm? At first I thought it was too firm because I felt like my back was arching too much on my back and on my side, my hip was pushing up on my side. But most people say that low back is caused by a too soft mattress and as it’s broken in, it’s felt softer but the pain hasn’t gone away.

Comfort Option will help adjust the mattress by sending new layers to make it better for me but I’m not sure if I should tell them it’s too firm or too soft.

For background, I used to sleep on a Loom and Leaf relaxed form with no pain issues until it started caving in the middle so I needed a new mattress. This is my third new mattress this year after doing two trials and I went with Comfort Option for their high quality and adjustability.

I’ve been trying to upgrade my mattress to help with back pain, but honestly, it’s been tough to figure out which one is actually worth it.

Have any of you found a mattress that actually helped with back pain? I’m looking for something that offers good support, keeps my spine aligned, and doesn’t cost a fortune.

I’ve seen brands like:

• Tempur-Pedic

• Saatva

• Casper

• Purple

Please help me choose the better one.

I have back pain caused by spine issues including scoliosis and I need something mega supportive. But it's awkward because I'm also a side sleeper so I can't just use like a japanese futon because it puts too much pressure on my hip and shoulder. Memory foam seems to break in too much and get too soft. I was looking into latex mattresses but I've seen too many posts of people with back pain saying it doesn't help or even makes their pain worse. Anyone in a similar situation??

Ok, I realize the title makes no sense. Bottom line: I'm relatively healthy with no back issues. I sleep on my side. Wondering how to resolve back pain issues.

Detail: I started feeling upper and middle back pain (hit my 40s, it's reasonable to have this start, I guess), realized my old mattress was no good (firm but old and not great), and have recently tried two different 'medium firm' 'good for side sleeper' beds (one from Leesa, one from Costco). These were my first tries with foam or part foam mattresses. Both felt a little better at first, then my back got worse. In the mean time, I went to physical therapy, therapist found nothing wrong, started me on some exercises and foam rolling for my back. Feels good, but I still wake up with back pain every night.

Also I had a work trip, slept 4 days on a firm mattress at Embassy Suites, and my back was great the whole time. I realize 4 days may not be a long enough time, but it sure felt good. I can't seem to tell when I lie down if a bed will be good, it's only after sleeping for a few hours my back hurts or doesn't.

So I took that last bit of info, and went to a local mattress store. I found a Beautyrest firm mattress I'm thinking of trying. But then I discovered this subreddit and thought I'd ask for some wisdom. Does what I'm doing seem reasonable? What worries me is that everything I read about side sleepers suggests a firm bed might give me MORE problems, but that's not (yet) my experience. I know I maybe just have to try it, but looking for some wisdom, I really hate doing the return thing and don't want to have to again.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi all,

Looking for mattress recommendations for my boyfriend who is 6 ft and around 135 pounds. He prefers firm-extra firm mattresses to help with lumbar support. I have a BB Signature Hybrid in soft and he ends up having lower back pain sleeping on it. It's also too "bouncy" and doesn't provide enough support during sex.
We recently tried a few mattresses at Mattress Firm and the ones he liked were the Serta Perfect Sleeper Appling Extra Firm and Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid. However, I have read too many negative reviews about the S-brands for us to go ahead with them. While I see a lot of brands to avoid on this forum, I'm hard pressed to find recommended brands, especially for non-memory foam mattresses. Our budget is preferably within $1500.
Any suggestions will be very helpful! Thank you!

Just curious if anyone with lower back pain actually prefer a NEW plush mattress vs a firm mattress? At the store, the firm hurt my back but the plush was much more comfortable. I’m just worried that it’s a big mistake that is both costly and potentially could cause more pain. I’ve read that firm was once recommended for those with back pain but now medium-firm is advised. This mattress I’m considering is Plush. Thanks!

I’m torn here :((( I’m stuck between being a minimalist and having OCD. So I’ve been sleeping on this spring mattress for like 6 years and now my back's screaming murder every damn morning.

I’m after something firm, but not like sleeping on a brick. This Plank Firm Luxe gets me curious since it looks clean and sturdy… but yeah, I overthink a lot. What if it’s way too stiff? What if I end up hating it? Returns freak me out big time.

Anyone out there found a firm mattress that actually eased their back pain? Just wanna crash without waking up in agony. Send help!!!

What's a mattress for back pain that'll actually last?

It seems like most start sagging or develop other issues after the first year or so.

Anyone have a favorite mattress they'd recommend?

I recently bought a mattress and it has made my pain worse 😞

Looking for recommendations. I am mostly a side sleeper

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who chimed in for advice. I ended up going with a Boring Hybrid. I will update once I get some nights in, but it seems like I will really like it!

I’m a 32 year old side sleeper dealing with lower back pain for the past year and a half and i’ve tried everything to figure out why. Turns out, it’s my 8 year old memory foam mattress.

Although I don’t use reddit as much, my friends always say that to get the best most honest truth about anything, reddit is the way to go. So here I am.

I’ve tried SEVEN mattresses over the last year, none of them work. if it wasn’t for the trial periods I think I’d have to get a second mortgage loan out or something.

It feels like I’ve tested all brands out there and now i found myself checking out Boring Mattress. I saw a few reddit posts from other communities that had the same problem I have and how the hybrid one fixed their back pain.

I just need something that will give me real pressure relief and solid support. They say it’s medium-firm, ships in a box, work with platform beds and very bare bones with their layers. I’m tempted but wanted to check with y’all first. Has anyone actually tried the boring brand?

Please sure any experience you have, i’m open to anything at this point.

I've been suffering from lower back pain for years. I had an old mattress that was sagging and figured I'd try replacing my mattress to see if that would help. My first time buying a mattress online. I first tried a full latex. My back pain seemed to improve on this, but I found the bed way too squishy, not very supportive, and uncomfortable to sleep in so I returned it. Then I tried a latex hybrid, thinking it may provide a more traditional mattress feel but with the pressure relief of latex. That turned out to be even more uncomfortable and didn't provide any pain relief, just felt like a really soft and unsupportive spring mattress. Then I thought I'd try a highly rated plush mattress with a gel foam top that was recommended for back pain. This one was by far the worst and has made my back pain even worse than before and I'm going to have to return this one too. I need a mattress that is supportive for my weight (210) but also reduces pressure points and has a plush feel without sagging. Any recommendations?

I wish more mattress companies would tell you this.. but I bought a Dreamcloud 14” hybrid mattress and it has given me the worst back pain. When you read the disclaimers on their website (which I did after the fact), it says 130 pounds and up is recommended. I am hovering around that weight and have a herniated disc that occasionally flares up as well. I never knew weight was equated to firmness until recently. Luckily, they reimbursed me for the mattress, so I have just been living with the “Free” back muscle pain. Anyone have any suggestions for a “not too firm” mattress brand from Amazon or elsewhere under $1k (king around $500-$800?). I refuse to spend that kind of $ on a mattress..Seems like a lot of marketing honestly, and I’m tired of going down the rabbit hole.

Hi ladies 👋

About 7 years ago we splurged on a boxspring bed, and pretty soon I realized that this (very expensive!) bed wasn’t doing my back any favors. Back then I was still flexible, and didn’t really feel it. But now, 35+ and two kids later, I wake up every morning with back pain, stiff muscles, and all sorts of aches. From the moment I lie down, I can’t seem to find a comfortable position, and my lower back always hurts until I’ve been up for a while. ( I have gone to an osteopath, take vitamin d supplements, stretch etc. But I really think it's the bed).

So now I’m wondering… what mattresses or beds are we buying that actually help with back pain?

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Hi,

I've been sleeping on a VERY soft memory foam mattress for the past couple of years. Recently, I've started getting lower back pain midway through the work day.

Changing to a Herman Miller chair did help, but I still have some pain, so decided to do some research into changing my mattress.

From what I have found, it seems like a medium to firm mattress is recommended for back sleepers (the opposite of my soft memory foam that I currently have).

However, that seems counter-intuitive? Surely the softest mattress (like the one I have) allows the shoulders and buttocks to sink into the mattress. The mattress then curves to ones back and gives full pressure support for the best support throughout the night?

Or am I misunderstanding how the body is meant to be supported during sleep?

Could a pillow also make a difference and what would and how should a back sleeper's neck be supported optimally throughout the night?

Hi, mates,

Need your advice, as the title says, which type of mattress would you suggest for men with lower back pain (hernias L4-L5) ?

I went through 5 doctors, read hundreds of articles saying controversial info and am still confused..

Last year I bought the most expensive mattress in my life for 1000$,

It is not soft, not hard, it’s promoted as balanced, but after 10 months on it my back has become significantly worse…

Doctors also say controversial info - go for soft options, go for hard mattresses,

Of course, I do PT, massages and other useful stuff,

Now I want to hear redditors practical opinions, for those who suffered from lower back pain:

Where do you feel more relief - sleeping on a soft or hard type of mattress ?

Looking to get a new mattress after my move to Utah and would love suggestions!