Back pain is one of the leading causes of sleep deprivation, but investing in a mattress that best suits your body, your sleep needs, and your type of back pain will provide a perfect blend of pressure distribution and lumbar spine support In short, you can reclaim restorative (and pain-free) sleep

By contrast, the worst mattress type for back pain is a bed that provides the wrong level of support

Here are the exact types of mattresses to avoid when buying a mattress to relieve back pain, and the best mattresses for back pain according to your specific needs Whether your back pain is just starting or gradually worsening, the right mattress can help you get back to restful sleep [But there is one universal truth about the best mattresses for back pain

Mattresses that may feel comfortable at first, but lack an adequate layer of support, are the worst mattresses you can buy for back pain Such mattresses are often all-foam beds that are too soft Without adequate lumbar support, the spine may become out of alignment, aggravating existing back pain or causing back pain when none existed before

What to buy instead: choose a mattress that balances spine support and pressure relief, not one with inadequate lumbar support An all-foam mattress that is too soft will not provide adequate support, but a memory foam mattress like the Saatva Loom & Leaf will provide excellent support for back pain sufferers You can read why we think so highly of this mattress in our Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress review

But with a depth of 15 inches and seven layers of support, the Saatva RX tops our mattress guide for back pain, and in our review of the Saatva RX mattress, our mattress tester was impressed with the improvement in her own back discomfort However, it is expensive, starting at an MSRP of $1,995, and worth the investment if you are currently suffering from back pain

A common misconception is that the firmer the mattress, the better for back pain However, just as an unsupportive mattress can cause your spine to become out of alignment, a mattress that is too firm, no matter how many layers of support it has, will cause your spine to ride up on the mattress, putting painful pressure around the mattress' touch points

"Some people assume that buying a firmer mattress will solve their pain problems, but in reality, you need to replace your old mattress with a new one that matches your body type and sleep preferences," Dr Chris Tomshak, CEO of HealthSource Chiropractic, Inc told us late last year when we discussed why a firmer mattress is not necessarily the best choice for back pain

What to buy instead: Instead of waiting until your mattress is quite old and your back pain is worse, replace it as soon as you see signs that it needs to be replaced Medium-firm mattresses that use a material that flexes with the body are suitable for those who prefer different firmness levels throughout the body

Even if your mattress provides the right level of support and pressure relief, if your new mattress does not provide adequate temperature regulation, you are simply swapping one sleep problem for another A mattress that is not breathable will keep too much heat in and wake you up frequently during the night Additionally, when you move your body to relieve the heat, your already sore back may shake and ache

What to buy instead: a medium-firm, breathable mattress with gentle contours and a firm support layer is recommended As a general rule, hybrid mattresses sleep cooler than all-foam mattresses

For the ultimate in temperature control, look for a mattress with a breathable cover and heat-releasing gel; Brooklyn Bedding's Aurora Luxe, with its combination of comfortable lumbar support and heat-releasing GlacioTex cover, is the best cooling for back pain mattress topped the list For a more detailed test analysis, see our Brooklyn Aurora Luxe mattress review

The worst mattresses for back pain either provide inadequate lumbar support, causing the spine to shift painfully, or are too firm and not meant to relieve pressure This is the case with all-foam mattresses that are too soft or hybrid mattresses that are too firm In addition, poor temperature regulation can further exacerbate sleep problems and risk aggravating back ailments as the body moves in search of comfort

Medium-firm mattresses with firm support layers, breathable covers, and heat-dissipating gel are best for back pain Mattresses with contoured, body-flexing materials, such as the Purple Gelflex Grid-Tech, or those that provide a higher level of support in the lumbar region and are softer in other areas, such as the Sertova Classic and Sertova RX, are a are a sound investment for people with back pain