When sleeping is consistently interrupted by aches in the lumbar spine and hips, a bedtime routine can start to feel like a living nightmare. Having two parts of the body experience discomfort can make it tricky to find a solution for both areas from a single mattress. A plush mattress might be good for supporting the hips and back, but back sleepers are prone to aches in the lower spine when sleeping on a mattress without more stability.
To help you discover the best mattress for back and hip pain, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide that answers common questions about sleep discomfort, how to solve each problem, and which mattresses to shop for. Read more to see which brands we recommend, along with a look at bedMATCH, our exclusive sleep assessment only found at a Bob Mills Furniture near you.
At a Glance:
A Note on Comfort Level vs. Support
Recommended Mattresses for Back and Hip Pain
Can a Pillow Relieve Back and Hip Pain?
Recommended Mattress Brands for Back and Hip Pain
How bedMATCH Can Solve Your Sleep Pain
Understanding Support & Comfort Level
Mattress comfort and support level — understand these two basic mattress principles and you’ll be able to select a sleep solution tailored to your needs every time. In the case of choosing the best mattress for lower back and hip pain, there are two key takeaways to consider: plush versus firm, and how much support you need.
But first, a note on comfort level versus support level.
Comfort level: A mattress’ comfort level indicates how it feels to the body. For instance, a mattress with a plush comfort level will feel cloud-like, soft, and with a lot of give on the surface. These mattresses are ideal for those sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds and side sleepers, but not so much for sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds or stomach sleepers.
Support level: Think of mattress support level as a correlation to how it responds to your body, whether it’s the position you sleep in or how much weight is being supported. A mattress with a low support level will sink more than one with a higher support level.
Overall:
- Sleepers who weigh 130 pounds and under will do fine on a plush mattress with a low to medium support level.
- Individuals weighing over 130 pounds who experience back and hip pain will benefit from sleeping on a mattress with a medium-firm comfort level with a medium support level.
In both cases, avoid mattresses that are too firm, since they create pressure points on the body’s heaviest areas, which are often the lower back and hips. At the same time, mattresses that are too plush and tend to sink at the hip and back, leading to discomfort.
Best Mattresses for Back Pain & Hip Pain
Lumbar and hip pain are often treated as separate sleep ailments, but in many cases, the two are often directly related. It all has to do with bodily alignment on the mattress.
Excessive sinking on the surface of a mattress can lead to the lower back sagging out of place with the rest of the body, which results in uneven weight distribution. Since the lower back is designed to sustain a high weight threshold, any shift in weight distribution will naturally be placed on the lumbar zone, leading to pressure points and discomfort.
Inadequate mattress support can also push the hips out of alignment, creating pressure points along the legs and lower back, as well as circulation problems, and muscle discomfort. While hip pain is more common for side sleepers, back sleepers are also vulnerable to hip aches if a mattress is too soft, causing the lower back to sink below the hips.
Plush of Firm?
So, which is the best mattress for hip pain, and which is the best mattress for back pain?
If you want to relieve hip pain…
Sleepers who suffer from hip pain are encouraged to explore plush mattresses, especially if you’re wondering which is the best mattress for side sleepers with hip pain. Popular mattress types include memory foam and hybrid models, which offer plush comfort available in support levels from low to high. To eliminate pressure points, consider a plush mattress with low to medium support.
If you want to relieve back pain…
To determine what type of mattress is best for back pain, start with understanding your sleep position. Chances are, back sleepers who experience pain in the lumbar are sleeping on a mattress that is too soft. A bed that swallows you as you lie down can cause the hips to sink, an indication that you need to upgrade to more support for your hips and back to remain parallel with a sleep surface.
On the other hand, a mattress that is too stiff can place excessive pressure on the lumbar region. While innerspring and pocketed coil mattresses tend to be sturdier than memory foam and hybrid mattresses, comfort level and support are what truly determine how a mattress responds to each sleeper’s unique body. If you absolutely need extra support during sleep, the best firm mattress for back pain will feature a boost of comfort along with medium support. This will keep the surface from being too rigid and creating painful pressure points.
Can a Pillow Help with Hip & Back Pain?
In a pinch, sleeping with a pillow between the thighs can help keep the spine and hips in proper alignment. A pillow can also be tucked underneath the back of the knees to create an even posture from the neck down to the legs and to reduce sinkage on a mattress that is too soft.
Our Picks: The Best Mattress Brands for Back & Hip Pain
Here are a few mattress brands we recommend for sleepers to relieve hip and back pain during sleep.
Aireloom Mattresses
Experience California dreaming in a whole new way with the luxury craftsmanship of an Aireloom mattress inspired by the Golden State. Expertly handcrafted for high-end comfort and durability, these premium mattresses are recognized as one of the best luxury sleep solutions made in the U.S.A.
With exclusives like Aireloom Lift for superior mattress breathability and a medical-grade Micro-Touch Coil system that absorbs motion transfer, Aireloom beds are a unique experience found in no other mattress brand.
Sleepers who like the bounce and support of innerspring, the fusion of foam and coils from hybrid mattresses, or the extra oomph of support from latex can explore Aireloom mattresses for hip and back pain from a catalog in comfort levels from ultra-plush to extra-firm.
MLILY Mattresses
A new generation of mattresses shoppers is turning to MLILY for hip and back pain relief from the brand with a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. MLILY specializes in memory foam and hybrid mattresses, and they even manufacture a line specifically for kids — because even children suffer from growing pains like hip and back discomfort.
The domestic mattress brand has received praise for innovative tech like the PowerCool Sleep System for comfortable sleep temperatures no matter the season, patented memory foam, and exclusive coils. The brand also offers medium-plush and medium-firm models, providing sleepers with back and hip pain even more options to explore.
Somniva Mattresses
At the core of every Somniva mattress is a perfect blend of 100 percent natural Talalay latex, organic wool and cotton, and natural fibers for a dreamy sleep experience reminiscent of five-star hotels. If you’re looking to splurge on back and hip relief, Somniva is one of the premier brands to explore, complete with a plethora of features and innovative support that contour the body in healthy alignment.
bedMATCH™ — The Simple Solution for Proven Quality Sleep
We’re firm believers that sleep should never be complicated, but the reality is, enjoying quality rest is a science. So, we took it upon ourselves to do the calculations for you with a Sleep Spa experience and bedMATCH technology.
Whether you’re experiencing back pain, hip discomfort, neck and shoulder aches, or any other sleep disorder, our special system can find a sleep solution for you with a revolutionary series of tests that determine the type of mattress recommended for you, the right comfort level, and how much support you need.
The process takes just minutes and is endorsed by certified chiropractors who specialize in sleep health. Once you lie down, bedMATCH undergoes 18 measurements to determine core sleep factors, including your degree of lumbar curve, distribution of weight, and calculations where the body commonly experiences pain, such as the hips, neck, and shoulders.
After five minutes, you receive a perfectly tailored list of recommended mattresses for your sleep needs. No more guessing — just a scientifically proven solution for a better night’s rest.
FAQs
Healthy sleep is essential for living a healthy life, which is why asking the right questions is an important part of enjoying better sleep ASAP. Take a moment to review some of the common questions we get from shoppers like you regarding back and hip pain.
Can a mattress cause back and hip pain?
A mattress that is either too soft or too firm can be why you experience back and hip discomfort while sleeping. A mattress that is too plush will sink the most where the body is the heaviest — the lumbar region and hips. Without enough support, an uneven mattress surface will cause the spine and hip joints to fall out of alignment, resulting in pain.
On the other hand, a mattress that is too hard will trigger pressure points for sleepers who are too light for the level of support their mattress provides. This can lead to a blockage of circulation and sensitivity where weight is supported most on a mattress (which is often the hips and back).
Is a soft mattress good for hip pain?
For side sleepers who are smaller in frame, a plush mattress can be a great solution to back and hip pain relief. The soft support of a plush mattress, such as those found on memory foam, hybrid, pillow top, and Euro top mattresses, provides contouring comfort that cradles the body in a healthy alignment, from the neck down to the hips.
Can a mattress topper cause hip pain?
A mattress topper can be an affordable solution to alleviating hip pain, but only when it’s on the right comfort level and support for your body. If you are a sleeper who weighs over 130 pounds, the best mattress topper for back pain is one with a medium to medium-firm comfort level. Both side sleepers and persons who are 130 pounds and under will enjoy the soft support of a plush mattress topper, which can help reduce pressure points while keeping the body in a healthy position.
Keep in mind, mattress toppers are only temporary solutions, and they seldom last the lifespan of a mattress. If you’re experiencing pain during sleep, the best solution is upgrading to a new mattress that suits you.
What type of mattress is best for pressure relief?
Hard surfaces can trigger pressure points on the body for some sleepers, such as individuals who are petite or sleep in the fetal position. A happy balance of support and comfort can often be found on medium/medium-firm memory foam or hybrid mattresses. The best hybrid mattress for back and hip pain offers a plush landing zone that nestles around each sleeper’s unique shape on the surface, plus supplemental layers of foam or special materials beneath the top layer that tend to be easier on the body than coils.
Why Trust Us?
At Bob Mills Furniture, we believe that everyone is family. Since 1971, we have delivered beautiful furniture for 50 years (and counting), with ten sprawling locations in the U.S. — from our flagship store in Oklahoma City to San Antonio in Texas to Wichita in Kansas. Our friendly staff aims to offer the greatest comfort and value, with elegant styles to match your taste, décor, and design. In addition to coziness and style, we also stock furniture and mattress brands with strong reputations and track records of durability so that you can enjoy your investment for years to come.
Shop Mattresses at Bob Mills Furniture
Start reveling in endless comfort and shop mattresses online for unbeatable prices at Bob Mills. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the best mattress for hip and back pain — whether you call the Bob Mills Furniture store nearest you or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our showrooms throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas to discover why we are everyone’s favorite local furniture store. Visit us today!
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