What bed or mattress should I get for lower back pain?
I sleep on my back and side every night and every morning I wake up with lower back pain. When I get a new bed should I get a Sleep Number bed or a Tempur-Pedic bed?
This is super subjective, so I would try out everything you can. I have two tempurpedics, and I absolutely, cannot fucking stand them. They are the most god-awful uncomfortable beds I've ever had the horror to sleep on. That said, a lot of people love them, so to each his own.
I've had a variety of high end mattresses from the standard manufacturers, and once you get used to them, which takes about 2-3 nights, I have found them to be about equally comfortable. I'm now using the Signature Series Sealy Posturepedic, which I love.
Good mattresses are expensive. Be prepared to spend $1k-2k. A good mattress will easily last you 10 years, and depending on how fat you are, maybe closer to 20. Try a bunch of them out, pick what you like, and don't cheap out.
11 Answers
I like my Sleep Number, but my sleep number is 100. I don't even like the Sleep Number beds with extra padding on top. At lower numbers, Sleep Number beds tend to sag a bit, so you're probably better off with a Tempur-Pedic, or getting a Sleep Number with a cushier top so you can get extra softness without lowering the air pressure in the bed too much.
Also, don't underestimate the utility of being able to adjust a Sleep Number for guests.
i ruptured a disk in my lower back so i was once on the hunt for a good mattress as well.
I've used a sleep number for 3 years or so now and love it. Before this, i had a nice stiff mattress (no pillow top) because everybody said that's what is needed for back pain, but i would often wake up stiff and with back pain (hence the reason i went shopping for a new one).
At first, i had a tendency to set it too soft for my body (55 setting)and woke up with pain. It took me a little while to really figure out what number works best for me, but once i did (i use 85 setting), i sleep great now and never wake up with back pain.
I'm sure there are other good options, but this has worked for me.
I have chronic back pain along with herniated discs and agree 100% with EBone. Buy the firmest/hardest mattress you can find (remember it will get "softer" as time goes on) and then top it off with a memory foam pillow top like the kind you can find at Costco. This will also save you a lot of money because the hard, non-pillow top mattress will be a lot cheaper than most anything else in the store.
I've slept like this for the past 5-6 years and even my wife thinks our bed is the most comfortable out there.
I agree with a bit of each response but the most important thing to remember is that comfort is subjective and we are all built differently. There are plenty of shady mattress places out there so be sure to purchase from a reputable company that offers a trial period. Many companies will call it a “comfort trial”. Some are as short at 30 days and some several years. Having customer friendly policies (comfort trials, warranty) are a must for you as a consumer while you determine what you want. I would suggest trying Tempurpedic as they usually run a risk free trial period and the absence of pressure points (coils) tends to alleviate minor back pain. If you sleep warm maybe try a natural latex mattress as they tend to sleep cooler than Tempurpedics and they also do not have coils which can aggravate back pain. Select Comfort who makes Sleep Number is close to bankruptcy according to Furniture Today magazine so I really don’t know what that means for the warranty. Best of luck.
I agree with EBone. You need to stretch out your back muscles to reduce or eliminate the pain. I have had lower back pain for many years. I have managed the pain by doing back stretches and a firm mattress. I also have learned to put a large pillow (I use a back rest) under my knees when I sleep. It took me a while to get used to it but it really works. When I am in a hotel, I use two pillows.
This is super subjective, so I would try out everything you can. I have two tempurpedics, and I absolutely, cannot fucking stand them. They are the most god-awful uncomfortable beds I've ever had the horror to sleep on. That said, a lot of people love them, so to each his own.
I've had a variety of high end mattresses from the standard manufacturers, and once you get used to them, which takes about 2-3 nights, I have found them to be about equally comfortable. I'm now using the Signature Series Sealy Posturepedic, which I love.
Good mattresses are expensive. Be prepared to spend $1k-2k. A good mattress will easily last you 10 years, and depending on how fat you are, maybe closer to 20. Try a bunch of them out, pick what you like, and don't cheap out.
With lower back problems, you need a firm mattress, preferably with a good 2-inch memory foam pillow top. You'll get the firm, non-sagging support you lower back needs, but it will still be comfortable because of the pillow top.
I "slept" on a Sleep Number bed on two separate trips at Radisson hotels. They are by far the worst bed I have ever tried to sleep on. They are nothing more than glorified air mattresses. I would avoid them at all costs.
Temperpedic beds are good, but if you have lower back pain, they will most likely be too soft for you and make your back issues worse.
In addition to a good mattress, you should be doing some lower back/hamstring stretches before going to bed at night and when you wake up in the morning. Talk to a physical therapist about some exercises you can do.