Back pain is prevalent among US adults, with eight in every ten experiencing it once or more often annually and approximately 8% reporting debilitating pain that profoundly affects activities. The ailment can happen to anyone but is more common among biological females and overweight individuals.
Other risk factors include working at a desk—four out of ten office workers report back pain. Driving long distances and jobs involving toil and heavy lifting also take their toll. For example, just over half (53%) of nursing assistants report a back injury, and 46% of warehouse workers and stockers require back injury-related medical leave.
It’s a concern with numerous causes. Additionally, pain can interfere with our work, hobbies, and relationships because our spine and back engage in many essential daily movements. Concurrently, getting a good night’s rest can be challenging for those with back pain. Statistics suggest that 37% have trouble sleeping and enjoying, on average, 42 minutes less rest than those without back pain.
- More About Back Pain and Why it Can Disrupt Sleep
- The Benefits of Orthopedic Mattresses for Back Pain
- The Best Mattress for Back Pain
- Revolutionary Purple Comfort: The PurpleFlex Newday Mattress
- Extra Purple Comfort: The Purple GelFlex Mattress
- Extra Purple Comfort PLUS: The Purple Plus GelFlex Mattress
- Customized Purple Comfort: The Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress
- What Makes a Mattress Good for Back Pain?
- Try a Purple Mattress or a Similar Brand for Back Pain
More About Back Pain and Why it Can Disrupt Sleep
Most of us have woken up with a sore back or experienced stiffness after an active day. Usually, this discomfort dissipates within hours. However, with prolonged or intense pain, acute or chronic back pain may be diagnosed. It can manifest as aches, burning, stabbing, and shooting sensations radiating to the legs. Movements that can exacerbate pain include standing, walking, twisting, bending, and lifting.
Causes include muscle or ligament strain, slipped or bulging discs, osteoporosis, or ankylosing spondylitis. The likelihood of back pain increases with age, lack of exercise, chronic stress, poor lifting and sitting positions, and obesity. It is also associated with psychological ailments such as anxiety and depression and diseases such as arthritis and cancer.
Other unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, are also associated with an increased risk. The habit can decrease blood flow to the spine and increase the risk of osteoporosis, with coughing contributing to herniated discs.
When back pain is consistent, individuals often battle to find a comfortable sleeping position. An ongoing lack of sleep leads to lowered resistance to injury and illness. It contributes to a lower quality of life. Besides, using a mattress with inadequate spinal support does little to ease this discomfort or can even worsen pain at night. Instead, investing in an intelligently designed orthopedic mattress may help relieve pressure on the spine and hips and help reduce or prevent back pain.
The Benefits of Orthopedic Mattresses for Back Pain
The advantages of a supportive mattress include increased comfort, ergonomic spine support, strategic pressure point relief, reduced back pain, and enhanced sleep quantity and quality. Professionally designed, hypoallergenic mattresses may also encourage better posture, boost blood circulation, reduce allergies, and comprise higher quality materials that last longer than standard mattress options.
Experienced physiotherapists and chiropractors typically design these mattresses. They understand where and how to support the spine and body with diverse brands and variants available. So, how do you choose the best mattress for back pain? Here is a list of our favorite picks, including the groundbreaking Purple mattress for back pain.
The Best Mattress for Back Pain
The right mattress requires understanding mattress features, research, and test runs to confirm what suits you. Why Purple? What makes the mattress brand one of the best for back pain?
Purple’s “Rocket Science” Technology
Entrepreneurial brothers Tony and Terry Pearce (one an aerospace engineer) created their Purple GelFlex Grid mattress technology – a robust hyper-elastic polymer – to combine localized pressure relief and softness.
They hold over 30 cushioning technology patents. Purple mattresses layer base support and comfort foam with the “waffle”-like GelFlex grid and a Softflex cover, with added edge support foam.
Revolutionary Purple Comfort: The PurpleFlex Newday Mattress
- CUSHIONS & SUPPORTS – The PurpleFlex Mattress features 2'' of Purple’s GelFlex Grid technology to give you the best cushioning and support. The Grid cradles pressure points like hips and shoulders while keeping the rest of your body fully aligned.
- OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE - The air channels in the GelFlex Grid draw heat away from your body so you'll stay comfortable all night.
- INSTANT RESPONSE - The GelFlex Grid immediately flexes to support your position and springs back into place as you readjust and move overnight.
Designed to “change the world,” this cutting-edge mattress product from Purple offers a GelFlex Grid—superior to regular memory foam and latex.
Its eight-inch height with two comfort layers offers firm support. It is breathable and responsive – flexing to support your position as it changes – and temperature neutral with more than 1,400 air channels. The unique mattress is also made in the USA using proudly American-made machines and materials.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Scores 4.1 out of 5 stars for comfort and sleep enhancement Moves as you move Value for money Hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking CertiPUR-US and Clean Air GOLD certified User rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars | Different from what was expected – disappointed Essential layers only |
Extra Purple Comfort: The Purple GelFlex Mattress
- CUSHIONS & SUPPORTS – The Purple Mattress features 2'' of Purple’s GelFlex Grid technology to give you the best cushioning and support. The Grid cradles pressure points like hips and shoulders while keeping the rest of your body fully aligned.
- OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE - With over 1,400+ air channels built into the temperature-neutral Grid and breathable foams used in the base, you'll stay comfortable all night.
- INSTANT RESPONSE - The GelFlex Grid immediately flexes to support your position and springs back into place as you readjust and move overnight.
This Purple mattress offers one more – three – comfort layers for medium firm support, gently cradling the shoulders and hips while keeping the body in alignment.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Comfortable and sleep-enhancing Value for money Antimicrobial Hypoallergenic CertiPUR-US and Clean Air GOLD certified User rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars | May lose integrity after a few months Reports of difficulties trying to return the mattress It may be uncomfortable for some No difference noticed in temperature or pain relief Body weight sank through the grid to the base Reports of “caving” at the edges |
Extra Purple Comfort PLUS: The Purple Plus GelFlex Mattress
- CUSHIONS & SUPPORTS – The Purple Plus Mattress features 2'' of Purple’s GelFlex Grid technology plus and extra layer of premium foam to give you even better cushioning and support. The Grid cradles pressure points like hips and shoulders while keeping the rest of your body fully aligned.
- OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE - With over 1,400+ air channels built into the temperature-neutral Grid and breathable foams used in the base, you'll stay comfortable all night.
- INSTANT RESPONSE - The GelFlex Grid immediately flexes to support your position and springs back into place as you readjust and move overnight.
Beyond the benefits of Purple’s state-of-the-art technology, the Purple Plus mattress offers an additional layer of Ultra Comfort foam for medium firmness, boosted sleep quality, and pain relief. Like all Purple mattresses, it comprises non-toxic materials and a non-slip bottom.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Comfortable Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars for sleep quality and pain relief Value for money Overall user rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars | Reports of poor customer service Reports of “slumping” Doubts about durability Started “indenting” |
Customized Purple Comfort: The Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress
- GelFlex Grid immediately flexes to support your position and instantly springs back into place as you readjust and move overnight.
- GelFlex Grid draws excess heat away and a coil core allows for optimal sleeping temperature, so you won't sleep hot.
- GelFlex Grid combined with adaptive comfort foam layers and responsive coil core for outstanding pressure relief.
This edge-to-edge coil, memory foam, and GelFlex support mattress offers the perfect combination for those with back pain. Enjoy the extra benefits of a Purple technology cushioning layer customized to your needs for a firmer or softer mattress.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Amazingly comfortable Excellent quality Excellent value for money User rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars | May not match size expectations Comfort levels depend on the sleeper’s weight It may feel “weirdly” unusual in the beginning It was awkward to move as the handles were not well-placed |
What Makes a Mattress Good for Back Pain?
We’ve highlighted a brand and range of mattresses offering advanced support for those with back pain. At the same time, not all bodies and back pain are the same. Ensure you review all the features to match your preferences and personal requirements, balancing support and comfort. For example, consider the following:
- Mattress material: Products can comprise memory foam, latex, inner springs, or coils, or can be a combination of materials – a hybrid. For solid support, choose coils; for contouring, opt for foam; and for responsiveness (bounce), select a latex option. Hybrids often offer the best of all worlds, with strategically placed springs for support and foams or latex for comfort and softness in sensitive areas.
- Firmness: Most brands label their mattresses with a firmness level, so assess your body size, shape, and weight to decide on firmness. While most equate firmness with support, a harder mattress isn’t always ideal when part of your body needs cradling. There is also a difference between firm support and firm feel. So, look for a medium firm or zoned support, and evaluate each option to understand what suits you best.
- Do your research: Always read customer reviews, ask for recommendations on your social media platforms, and check with your medical professional for their advice before committing.
Also, look for brands offering obligation-free trial periods, warranties, and return policies for peace of mind.
Try a Purple Mattress or a Similar Brand for Back Pain
Your new mattress should help prevent and ease your back pain. It may also help you sleep, significantly improving your lifestyle. Additionally, manage your symptoms with rest, self-care, and over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories, exercise regularly, lose weight, and quit smoking.
Contact your doctor if the pain doesn’t improve with rest, extends below the knee, lasts longer than a few weeks, or is accompanied by weight loss, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Your pain may be an emergency if caused by a blow or fall, you also have a fever, or you’ve developed bladder or bowel problems.
Disclaimer: Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
This content is provided solely for educational reasons and should not be seen as medical guidance. It’s important to consult with a healthcare expert prior to making any changes to your health regimen, including dietary adjustments or the use of supplements.
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