Accepted wisdom in the past has always been that a hard mattress is best for back pain. But is a hard mattress actually the best choice? As with all things sleep, the answer depends on a number of factors, including your body type, primary sleep position and the type of back ailment you're suffering from. With so many choices out there, finding the best mattress for your sleeping style and particular needs can feel tricky; particularly when you need to factor in keeping yourself pain-free.
To help establish whether a hard (firm) mattress is best for you, we have drawn on advice from leading chiropractors who specialize in spine health. The answer here isn’t entirely straightforward, with there being certain factors that will influence what type of mattress is best for your specific back pain. Here's what they had to say, plus advice on how to choose the best mattress for your own back ailment.
Hard and firm mattresses are two terms that are used interchangeably but mean the same thing - it's a firm mattress that provides a firmer surface to sleep on. On the firmness scale, a hard mattress rates between 8 -10 out of 10. The best firm mattresses offer even weight distribution, increased airflow around the body and holds the spine in correct alignment with the rest of the body.
A hard mattress shouldn’t feel like lying on a rock and you should still expect a little contouring, along with more of a floating feeling. However, a firm mattress offers very little sink-in support .
