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Best Mattress For Back Pain In The UK

Back pain? Sleep on the best!
Best Mattress For Back Pain In The UK
Tom Greenspan
Updated 
February 7, 2024

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There are thousands of people across the globe who suffer from lower back pain because of sleeping on the wrong mattress. 

Yes, mattresses can make or break your game! If you use a poor-quality mattress that disrupts your sleeping posture and leaves the spine unaligned, the chances of experiencing back aches will invariably increase. However, choosing the right one will help you deal effectively with the problem. 

And the only way to choose the perfect mattress is to check which one takes away your discomfort. So, to help you, we have compiled a list of the top products that you can try. Also, we have added a section on “frequently asked questions” to clarify all your doubts. 

Without further ado, dive in!

Some of the Best Mattress For Back Pain in The UK are:

  1. Nectar Hybrid Mattress - Top Pick
  2. Ergoflex 5G Mattress
  3. Emma Original Mattress
  4. The Elite Mattress
  5. DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

1. Nectar Hybrid Mattress

If you are on the lookout for high-quality memory foam mattresses, you cannot miss out on the Nectar memory foam mattress. Because of the micro springs present in it, you will notice that it is super breathable. Along with the exceptional foam, additional supportive coils result in a comfortable but firm mattress. 

Additionally, the excellent construction of this hybrid construction allows you to move freely without experiencing any back pain. This mattress will be the perfect pick for if you enjoy sleeping on your back. You can rest assured that this medium-firm mattress will help you enjoy a great night's sleep. 

Drawback

This is a great option for a firm mattress, but it may not be suitable for people who like bounce.

Verdict

Without any doubt, it is one of the best mattresses for back pain which is suitable for both back and hot sleepers. Whatever your sleeping style is, it  will provide the ultimate comfort and back support throughout the night. 

2. Ergoflex 5G Mattress

What makes the Ergoflex 5G Mattress stand out is the premium quality materials that go into its making. First and foremost, the Tencel outer cover makes the outer layer feel luxurious and breathable at all times. And it is the micro-fine inner cover of this mattress that will protect the mattress core and keep all your pressure points relaxed. 

Not to mention, this orthopaedic mattress comes with a cool-sleep airflow layer that will keep you cool at all times. It does not matter if you are a side sleeper or a back sleeper; the mattress will prevent warmth from building up and will keep your body cool. This comfortable mattress will regulate body temperature, and at all points, you will feel the utmost comfort. 

Drawback

If you are on the lookout for a proper memory foam firmness, this option might not be the one.

Verdict

Even though this one isn't a pocket-sprung mattress, it does a great job at keeping your spine aligned. You will be able to enjoy maximum pain relief, which is why we feel it's a great pick for back pain sufferers. 

3. Emma Original Mattress

The Emma original mattress is your best bet if you are on the lookout for an affordable yet effective option. It provides great pressure relief and will enable you to enjoy a good night's sleep. From the reviews, we found out that 90% of the users agreed that it is a good mattress to sleep on. Additionally, the company offers a 365-day trial within which you can decide if you want to keep it. 

Whether you are looking for a hard or soft mattress, you will surely like this one as it is medium- firm. This Emma mattress is cosy but would not dip when you lie down on it. Even without pocket springs, it offers a depth of 25 cm. And 60% of the users noted that they experienced reduced back pain irrespective of their sleeping positions. 

Drawback

The only struggle is that, like a new mattress, you will have to flip this one from time to time. 

Verdict

This is the right mattress for you if you prefer a 4-layer mattress construction along with a memory foam outer layer. It is slightly firm and provides great support to side sleepers. 

4. The Elite Mattress

Combining innovation, luxury, and design, the Elite Mattress is a must-try. It comes with 1000 pocket springs that enable you to toss and turn on your bed to relieve any pressure points. Also, there’s additional foam support that not only adds depth to the mattress but also helps to keep your spine aligned properly. And the best part is that it is available in multiple sizes. 

Furthermore, this is one of those softer mattresses that come with a solid base and foundation. It is designed in a way that the solidity and structure of the mattress remain intact for a long time. Apart from that, the top layer of this unit requires special mention. It is made of high-density foam that provides excellent support to your lower back and reduces the chance of backaches.

Drawback

If you are looking for a mattress that offers a longer trial period, then avoid this option.

Verdict

To provide excellent neck and back support, this mattress comes with a “wave” technology that ensures you sleep peacefully every night. This is the best mattress to go for if you are looking for an option with medium firmness. 

5. DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

Before wrapping up, we have the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress. It combines high-quality pocket springs and memory foam that gives it an edge over its competitors. Whether you choose the super king or single variant, you will be able to enjoy the utmost comfort. Moreover, you will have a great sleep on this mattress, irrespective of your sleeping position. 

If you want a mattress that provides light pressure relief and comes with firm, supportive foam, this one should be your pick. There’s an additional pocketed coil section that provides extra support and makes the mattress more durable. Also, what requires a special mention is that this mattress is well-suited for senior sleepers too. 

Drawback

We were impressed with its performance, but it isn’t a good alternative to memory foam. 

Verdict

We have rated this mattress a seven out of ten on the firmness scale. As such, it’s a worthy choice for back sleepers who like to be lifted up by their bed when lying down. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to choose the correct mattress component for back pain?

When you are looking for orthopaedic mattresses to reduce back pain and improve overall sleep quality, you will have to pick the components with caution. If firm mattresses float your boat, you should go for that. There are some people who opt for a latex mattress for proper spinal alignment. 

In case you are suffering from chronic backaches, you will have to choose the mattress brands after conducting proper research. If you opt for an elite mattress that comes with orthopaedic features, it will have a range of components that will help relieve your back pain in no time. The Nectar Hybrid mattress, for example, is an excellent choice when it comes to dealing with painful back aches. 

A good orthopaedic mattress is built with the idea of providing the user with a supportive night’s sleep. 

2. When should a mattress be replaced?

Even pocket spring firmness can deteriorate over time and lead to neck and back pain. We suggest that you replace your mattress at least every five years to enjoy maximum comfort. To know when to replace a mattress, the best way is to check how well you are sleeping on it. 

The main thing to keep in mind when choosing a new mattress is to ensure that your spine is properly aligned, and so is your neck. There are many who do not know this and keep using a deflated mattress, which results in different types of pain. And when replacing it, you can go for a softer mattress if you feel the need. 

Also, if the pressure relief layers are not working correctly, it is time to get your hands on a new one. Otherwise, you will keep tossing and turning all night, and that will leave you exhausted and burnt out in the morning. 

3. Are firm mattresses better at relieving back pain?

You might have heard that firm mattresses do a great job at relieving back pain. However, let us tell you that it is a myth, and things are not always like that. Actually, if you sleep on a mattress that is too hard, you might experience back pain with time. This happens because the firmness may cause your lower back to arch in an uncomfortable position. 

Hence, it is best that you look for the support a mattress provides instead of considering just the firmness. That’s a better way to understand if you will be comfortable sleeping on it. 

In case you end up choosing a mattress that is firm but does not provide good support, there’s a chance that you will toss and turn all night. And in the worst-case scenario, you might wake up with a nasty shoulder or neck ache. 

But there are people who prefer firm mattresses. If you are one of them, it is best to go for latex mattresses. These mattresses provide a great combination of support and firmness and do not take your body shape as memory foam mattresses do. 

4. Are latex mattresses the same as memory foam mattresses?

Before we answer this question, it is important to first tell you about what these two variants are made of. Memory foam is a synthetic material that is constructed out of plastic. On the other hand, latex is a completely natural material. So, that’s where the first difference lies. 

Also, because latex is a natural material, it is more breathable and less dense. So, when you sleep on a latex mattress, you are unlikely to feel hot or sweaty. Memory foam, on the other hand, is relatively denser and might make you feel warm at night.

Apart from that, memory foam takes the shape of your body, and the mattress will sink once you lie down on it. This happens because the compression level of memory foam is quite high. But latex mattresses will not produce similar results, as the material is uplifting and will not take your body shape. While memory foam is a fast-response material, latex is a slow-response one. 

5. Is foam mattresses different from traditional innerspring mattresses?

If you have used traditional innerspring mattresses, you would know that they come with multiple steel coils to provide a high level of comfort. These mattresses come with additional foam pillow support and other accessories that help maximise comfort. 

On the other hand, foam mattresses are created with the idea of helping people get rid of back aches. Most of the foam variants provide great support to back and side sleepers and reduce body aches by targeting the pressure points. 

When sleeping on your side , your back is not flat on the bed, and that makes the spine naturally contoured. And that is when foam mattresses can come to your rescue. They respond to the way your natural body contours when sleeping and ensure that your spine is always properly aligned.

Long story short, when sleeping on a foam mattress, your shoulder, neck and hip pain will be alleviated. 

6. What are some things to keep in mind while purchasing a mattress for back pain?

A. Look For The Right Support

When purchasing a mattress for back pain, you must be careful to get your hands on one that provides the right amount of support. A mattress should be such that it should not make your spine arch unnaturally. Ideally, your head, toes and hips should be in one line when you lie down on it. 

Moreover, your entire back and body should be rested properly on the mattress, and there should be no gap in between. 

B. Don’t Rush

Mattresses are costly and are long time investments. And when buying one to tackle pain, you must spend some good time looking for the perfect one to suit your needs. Make sure to take your time to go through the options, and do not forget to clear all your doubts and questions. 

Firstly, you should determine your comfort preferences by performing a much-needed comfort test. So, start with trying out the best soft and firm mattress and see which one floats your boat. We suggest that you lie down on each variant for at least five minutes to understand the level of comfort it provides. 

Once you are done with this, we suggest that you try out other options like latex and memory foam mattresses too. Take your own sweet time and then decide which one would be the perfect bet for you. 

C. Prioritise Comfort

When you are looking for a good mattress to alleviate back pain, it goes without saying that comfort should be of utmost importance to you. So, always look for an option that provides proper pressure relief. And there’s one way to check it- lie down on one side, and if you don’t feel any pressure on the hip or shoulder, you are good to go!

Also, to check how comfortable a mattress is, it is best to take your partner along. You should ask your partner to lie down on the mattress and toss and turn. In case you notice that the mattress is jiggling a lot, there’s a good chance that you will experience fragmented sleep. So, you may want to avoid such options. 

7. Is it necessary to get a mattress with an adjustable base?

Now, this depends completely on your preference. We believe that the best base is one that adapts to your body shape and needs. An adjustable mattress base will adapt to your body, unlike traditional mattresses. 

When there’s an adjustable base, you can elevate your feet or head as required to sit up on the bed. You will be able to enjoy maximum comfort even in a zero gravity position. If you go for an adjustable base, the foundation will adapt to the body shape, and you are less likely to experience health problems. 

Many users have noted that health issues like body aches, heartburn, sleep apnea, and acid reflux reduced significantly after they stopped using traditional, non-adjustable mattresses. Not only that, but adjustable bases may also promote better blood circulation in your body. 

Besides, if you are a hot sleeper, you will be able to better regulate the body temperature and prevent sweating. As a result, you can experience a night of sound sleep. 

You would be surprised to know that some models of adjustable base mattresses even come with a rolling wave technology. To put it simply, you can enjoy a head and foot massage when you lie down on them. 

Apart from that, if you have a stiff neck problem or an injured lower back, getting a mattress with an adjustable base is an absolute must. 

8. How long is a mattress going to last?

There is no single answer to this question, as the longevity of a mattress is primarily dependent on the kind of material that it is made of. Generally, traditional innerspring mattresses do not last for more than 5 to 7 years. However, things are a bit different when it comes to memory foam mattresses. 

They can easily last between 10 and 20 years, depending on how well they are constructed. In most cases, warranties on foam breakage will cover the first ten years. If any damages happen after that, you will have to pay and get the issues fixed. 

9. How to choose the right mattress height for back pain?

Mattresses come with a standard thickness that ranges between 5 and 12 inches. And we have seen a lot of people overlook the importance of selecting the right mattress height or thickness. But if you are not careful, it might worsen your back pain. 

In case you are suffering from back aches, we suggest that you choose a mattress height between 6 and 8 inches. However, this might not be suitable for everyone. We suggest that you check mattresses of different heights before finalising on one. And while you are at it, take your bed height and sleeping positions into consideration. 

10. What generally causes back pain?

One of the main reasons behind chronic back pain is an unhealthy lifestyle. Poor lifestyle choices can cause unwanted aches in your lower back and neck. Apart from that, what generally adds to back pain is bad postures, smoking and the wrong mattress choice. 

A poor choice of mattress can lead to an unnatural alignment of your spine, and you may find yourself getting up every morning with a backache. Bad postures during sleep can lead to muscle straining, and that might lead to a stiff back. 

To avoid this problem, find a reliable mattress that will ensure your spine is aligned in the right way throughout the night. Correct sleeping posture, along with the right mattress, can help you bid goodbye to backaches!

Verdict

With that, we have reached the end of this informative guide. 

Choosing the right mattress for back pain can be a tremendously challenging task. So, we suggest that you ask yourself two important questions before deciding on one. Firstly, does the mattress come with all the necessary features that will alleviate back pain and provide body support? 

Also, will the mattress minimise giggling when you toss and turn? To be honest, there is no ideal mattress that will take away all your body aches. However, with the right mattress and accessories, your pain will be reduced considerably. And you will be able to wake up refreshed. 

Until next time, take care!