Bad back - hard or soft mattress?

Question

We stayed in a hotel over the weekend and our mattress was really really soft and bouncy, and for the first time in about 20 years, I woke without back pain.

However, I always thought a hard mattress was best for back pain.

So which is best? hard or soft?

Can any fellow back sufferers tell me what they use?

If im supposed to have a soft one, im off out this week to sort it out!

It was so nice to wake without having to hobble around in pain for an hour, but I dont want to go and get a soft one if its actually going to do more damage.

Answer 1

I was advised to get a mattress that has pocket springs and it had to have as many pockets as I could afford - the more pockets the better support.
I kept looking at specialist bed and mattress shops and tried out lots of them - get on the bed and have a really good lie down, try all your sleeping positions and stay there for at least 10 mins to get a good 'feel' of the mattress.
When you have made your choice keep looking out for sales, especially around holidays or end of financial year - I saved 25% on mine.
My matress feels 'soft' but it has amazing support, it has a 'pillow type' topper but that just settles you onto a bed that seems to mould to your own body.
My daughter has arthritis in her spine and she has the same type and she sleeps really well too.
You really have to find one that suits you, I tried the Tempur memory mattress and even though it felt quite comfortable I found it very hot to lie on and my husband is always hot in bed so it would have sent him crazy!
You could also call the hotel and tell them what room you were in and ask them what brand of mattress/bed they have and try it out yourself.
Mattresses/beds last a long time so take your time and choose wisely - quite a lot of good quality shops even have a 7 day try and return policy - you have to eventually get a mattress from them but you are allowed to swap for another one if you really are unhappy with your first choice - worth asking about.
Good luck and sweet dreams!

Answer 2

I have a transitional vertabra in my lower back which causes a lot of problems with my back and hips so i know where you are coming from!
I think it depends on where the pain is. I find a firm mattress is better for me than a soft one but then thats just me. a softer mattress should relieve pressure points better though. Have you been to see a chiropractor? if not go and see them, get checked out to see if they can help at all and ask about which mattress is best for you. apparently those foam mattresses are meant to be wonderful but they are very expensive. make sure that which ever mattress you get, it is well supported and you and your partner wont roll together etc
If the mattress in the hotel seemed to work then i would get a soft one, or get a big matress topper for yours to see how it goes.
good luck with the hunt!

Answer 3

I have a medium spring mattress, as I share the bed, and I still wake up with a very painful back. I think it depends on what's wrong with your back, if you can get hold of a cheap soft mattress, and try it out for a few weeks, and if it helps then great, however, don't throw the old one away until you're sure just in case the soft mattress doesn't work for you. Good luck..

Answer 4

Everybody is different and there's no ideal for everyone. Some people suit soft mattresses, some hard.

We spend around a third of our lives in bed but we hardly ever 'test drive' a mattress for more than about 30 seconds in the shop, even though some cost about the same as a small car!

It sounds like your body's telling you something. You might even want to call the hotel and ask them about their mattresses, but it's a falacy that firm beds are good for your back.

Also, there's no reason to suffer back pain for 20 years without getting it checked out. Go and see an osteopath and find out what's wrong with your back, not your bed!

I can't figure out why us British put up with aches and pains.

Answer 5

There isno wrong or right, it's just what suits your back and posture during sleep. If you sleep on a hard matress your body will be forced to lie as the matress forces it, if you go for the soft option you may be to floppy and have little or no support. I would recommend an ortapedic matress or matress topper, you can get them from argos. I would also have a look at Mens Health for back exercises, they have some great tips for strengthening the muscles and lets face it, you need your back every day,s o if it's causing pain, id take a look and see if you can improve the stregth of you back to prevent further pain and problems in later life.

Answer 6

I use a hard mattress, but the best thing I've done for my back was Cod Liver Oil, prior to that my back would go at any time, used to walk into supermarket as normal, my back would go and I'd stumble out bent over like like Max Wall!

Answer 7

Beds For Bad Backs

Answer 8

A firmer mattress is good on my bad back. I used a waterbed for years and woke up feeling like I slept on rocks. Then I got a regular mattress, not hard but alot harder than water, and it worked great. What I really want in the Tempurpedic, I sent for the free sample and ooo I love it!

Answer 9

yes you are right a hard mattress is best i was told if i hurt my back to lie on the floor as it was a hard surface hope you feel better soon
but if a sort mattress is what helps you go for it

Answer 10

I have an orthapedic mattress, but my back problems are minor. It is quite firm but supportive.
To be honest, I think you should consult with a qualified medical practitioner, and not rely on what you will be told here as it may well be a specific problem