A Practical Guide to Sleeping Better & Easing Back Pain

You may be at a disadvantage before the day even starts if you wake up with back pain. Perhaps you spend the night shifting positions and never quite settle in, or your lower back or feeling board is stiff every morning. Sleep disturbances and chronic back pain can gradually sap your vitality, concentration, and general quality of life.

Approximately 80% of adults will experience back discomfort at some point in their lives, according to Harvard Medical School. Your mattress has a significant influence on how effectively your body relaxes and heals because you spend almost one-third of your life sleeping.

If your mattress doesn’t support you properly, it won’t just fail to help — it can actually make things worse. The wrong mattress can cause more pain, more stiffness, and poor sleep that affects your entire day and then you do not do work properly.

This advice is especially for you if you're looking to buy a new mattress to relieve back pain. In 2026, we'll go over how various mattress kinds support your body, what firmness levels are appropriate for your body type and sleeping position, and how to pick a mattress that meets your own needs. You'll discover how to choose the best fit for long-lasting relief and improved sleep, avoiding all the discomfort and weakness, regardless of whether you sleep on your stomach, side, or back.

Do you already have a mattress but aren't sure if it needs to be replaced? Check out our guide, "Is It Time to Replace Your Mattress?" It clarifies the obvious wear indicators and assists you in determining whether to replace your mattress. 

How Your Mattress Can Affect Back Pain 

Your spine is not designed to stay completely straight It has natural curves that need consistent support throughout the night. The right mattress helps maintain those curves while allowing your muscles to relax. When that balance is off, your body works harder than it should to feel relaxed while you sleep.

If Mattess too soft, your body sinks in and your spine becomes misaligned. If it is too firm, it puts pressure on your joints and lower back. An old or worn-out mattress can also lose its shape, leading to poor support and pain over time

Think of it like sitting in an uncomfortable chair for hours or for your office. Your back tightens, your shoulders tense, and relief only comes when you stand up and move. Now imagine that happening for five to eight hours while you are asleep and unable to consciously adjust. Over time, that nightly strain adds up.

How Mattress Support Works

When a mattress is new, it is designed to strike a careful balance between two essential elements: support and pressure relief. Support keeps your spine aligned, while pressure relief allows heavier areas like your hips and shoulders to sink just enough to reduce strain. Together, these elements help maintain a neutral sleeping posture that allows your back to relax and recover overnight.

One common misconception is that the spine is naturally flat and that a very firm  or very soft mattress is the key to better sleep. In reality, the spine has gentle, natural curves that need consistent support throughout the night. The right mattress works with those curves, not against them. If a mattress is too soft, your hips and shoulders can sink too deeply, pulling your spine out of alignment. If it is too firm, it can leave gaps between your body and the mattress, especially at the lower back, leaving those areas unsupported. In both cases, your muscles stay engaged instead of resting, which is why you may wake up feeling sore or stiff.

Over time, even the best mattress materials begin to change. Foams gradually soften, coils lose their resilience, and comfort layers compress with repeated use. What once supported your body evenly can start to feel uneven or less responsive, particularly in the areas where you sleep most often.

This kind of breakdown is not always obvious at first. A mattress can look perfectly fine on the surface while losing its ability to support you properly underneath. That is why back pain is often one of the earliest signs that something has changed. Your body feels the loss of support long before you can see it.

Best Mattress Choices Based on Sleeping Position

The way you sleep has a huge impact on what kind of mattress will work best for your back pain. Your sleep position determines where your body needs the most support and where you need the most cushioning. What works perfectly for a side sleeper might cause terrible back pain for a stomach sleeper, and vice versa.

Back Sleepers – Detailed Guide

When you sleep on your back, your body weight is distributed evenly across your back, but your spine still has natural curves, especially in the lower back (lumbar region). A mattress that is too soft can let your hips and lower back sink too much, causing your spine to bend unnaturally. This can lead to back pain and stiffness in the morning.

A medium-firm to firm mattress gives the perfect balance:

• Support: Keeps your spine in a neutral position, maintaining its natural curve.
  
  

• Pressure relief: 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Soft enough to cushion your shoulders and lower back, but firm enough to prevent sagging.
  
  

Why certain materials work well:

• Memory foam: Contours to your body shape, supporting your spine while relieving pressure.
  
  

• Latex: Provides firm but slightly bouncy support, keeping your spine aligned.
  
  

• Hybrid Mattress: Combines contouring with strong support from coils, offering the best of both worlds.
  
  

Extra tips:

• Avoid mattresses that are too soft or very plush — your back may arch too much.
  
  

• If your mattress has different firmness zones (zoned support), the lumbar area should be slightly firmer than your shoulders for optimal alignment.

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers carry most of their body weight on their shoulders and hips. Because these areas press more into the mattress, a surface that is too firm can create high-pressure points, leading to pain in the shoulders, hips, and lower back. On the other hand, a mattress that is too soft may not provide enough support, causing your spine to bend unnaturally.

The ideal mattress:

• Softer to medium firmness is best for side sleepers.
  
  

• This allows your shoulders and hips to sink slightly into the mattress, creating a natural curve along your spine.
  
  

• By distributing your weight evenly, it reduces pressure on joints and prevents soreness.
  
  

Why certain materials work well:

• Plush memory foam: Conforms to your body shape, relieving pressure on the shoulders and hips.
  
  

• Pillow-top mattresses: Provide a soft, cushioned layer on top of a supportive base, giving comfort and support simultaneously.
  
  

• Soft hybrid mattresses: Combine foam layers with supportive coils, offering both contouring and proper spinal alignment.
  
  

Extra tips:

• Look for zoned support mattresses, where the shoulder and hip areas are softer, and the midsection is firmer to maintain proper spine alignment.
  
  

• A mattress that balances pressure relief and support will help you wake up pain-free and maintain a healthy sleeping posture.

Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers carry most of their body weight on the front of their body, especially the chest, stomach, and hips. This position can put extra pressure on the lower back and spine if the mattress is too soft. When your hips sink too deeply, it causes your lower back to arch unnaturally, leading to discomfort or pain over time.its very dinger for healts.

The ideal mattress:

• Medium-firm to firm mattresses are usually best for stomach sleepers.
  
  

• This firmness keeps your hips and abdomen from sinking too low, which helps maintain a neutral spine alignment.
  
  

• A mattress that is too soft will let your hips drop, straining your lower back. A mattress that is too hard may create pressure points under your chest and pelvis.
  
  

Why certain materials work well:

• Firm memory foam: Provides contouring support without letting the hips sink too much.
  
  

• Hybrid mattresses with strong support layers: Combine foam comfort with coil support, keeping the body properly aligned and reducing pressure on the lower back.
  
  

Extra tips:

• Try to avoid very soft mattresses if you sleep on your stomach.
  
  

• Some stomach sleepers benefit from placing a thin pillow under their pelvis to reduce strain on the lower back.
  
  

• Look for mattresses that provide consistent support across the body to prevent sagging and discomfort.
  
  

Combination Sleepers – Detailed Guide

Combination sleepers are people who change positions throughout the night — switching between their back, side, and sometimes stomach. Because your body moves into different positions, you need a mattress that adapts to multiple sleeping styles while still keeping your spine properly aligned.

The ideal mattress:

• Medium to medium-firm mattresses are usually the best choice.
  
  

• They provide a balance of support and comfort, allowing your body to adjust as you shift positions.
  
  

• Too soft a mattress may feel comfortable on your side but fail to support your back or stomach properly. Too firm a mattress may be supportive for back or stomach sleeping but uncomfortable for side sleeping.
  
  

Why certain materials work well:

• Responsive memory foam: Contours to your body while quickly adjusting as you move during the night.
  
  

• Hybrid mattresses: Combine supportive coils with soft foam layers, offering both pressure relief and spinal support for multiple positions.
  
  

Extra tips:

• Look for a mattress with zoned support or layered construction that adapts to different areas of your body.
  
  

• Combination sleepers should also consider the edge support, which helps maintain comfort and support when rolling or changing positions.
  
  

• The right mattress helps maintain a neutral spine and keeps your body supported no matter how you sleep, reducing the chances of waking up sore or stiff.

Best Mattress Firmness Level to Relieve Back Pain

One of the most crucial measures in minimizing back pain while you sleep is selecting the appropriate firmness. In order for your body to rest and heal, the proper amount of firmness keeps your pressure points relaxed and your spine in alignment.

There is a lot of conflicting information regarding firmness when you are looking for a mattress to relieve back pain. Depending on your circumstances, some sources advise medium-firm mattresses, some say you need a hard mattress, and some prefer soft choices.

The majority of mattress manufacturers employ a firmness scale with 1 denoting extreme softness and 10 denoting extreme firmness. People with back problems responded best to medium-firm mattresses (about a 5 to 7 on the firmness scale), according to research comparing various firmness levels. These mattresses cushion your pressure spots while providing adequate support to maintain the alignment of your spine.

But "medium-firm" isn't a universally applicable solution. Your body weight, preferred level of comfort, and sleeping position all influence the firmness that is best for you. Someone with a different body type or sleeping pattern may find a mattress that one person characterizes as precisely medium-firm to be either too soft or too hard.

How to Choose A Mattress Based On Body Type & Weight

The feel and functionality of a mattress are greatly influenced by your body weight. Depending on their weight, two people can lie on the same mattress and have quite different experiences. Knowing this makes it easier for you to select a mattress that will appropriately support your body.

Mattress recommendations by body type

Depending on your weight, choose the appropriate mattress type and firmness.

People with lighter bodies

Lighter individuals

Less than 130 pounds

Soft to medium (3-5) is the ideal firmness.

Since you don't sink as deeply into mattresses, softer models offer superior pressure relief and contouring. Firmer mattresses may feel uncomfortable and cause gaps under your lower back.

Top mattress varieties:

Mattresses with memory foam, softer hybrids, or latex that provide sufficient contouring

Average weight

You have the most flexibility in firmness choice. Medium-firm mattresses typically provide the best balance of support and comfort for your weight range. Most mattress ratings are designed with this weight range in mind.

Best mattress types:

Most mattress types work well; choose based on sleep position and personal preference

Heavier individuals

You sink more deeply into mattresses, so firmer options prevent excessive sinkage that can misalign your spine. Softer mattresses often don’t provide enough support and may wear out faster. Look for mattresses specifically designed for heavier weights.

Best mattress types:

Firm hybrids with reinforced coils, firm latex, or high-density memory foam with strong support cores

Choose the Correct Mattress at Hudson's

Back pain need not be a typical aspect of waking up. Knowing how various mattress types function, how your body type and sleeping position impact your needs, and how much support your back needs will help you make the best choice.

It's not necessary to get the firmest or softest mattress on the market if you have back discomfort. Finding the ideal ratio of pressure relief to support for your body and adjusting to your natural curvy shape are key.

We at Hudson's Furniture + Mattress are aware that selecting the ideal mattress involves more than simply features and technical details. It all comes down to figuring out what suits your particular body shape, age, mobility, preferred comfort level, and sleeping posture. Our sleep experts take the time to learn about your unique back pain issues and then recommend mattresses that meet your needs without giving you too many choices. We only carry reputable brands that are well-known for their sturdy construction and appropriate support, and we will never suggest a mattress that isn't appropriate for your needs.

To begin your mattress search from home, browse our whole mattress assortment online or stop by one of our showroom locations throughout Florida to try mattresses out in person.

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FAQs

What firmness level is best for back pain?

For the majority of people with back discomfort, medium-to-medium-firm mattresses (5 to 7 on a 10-point scale) are ideal because they strike a balance between pressure alleviation and spinal support. Your body weight and sleeping position, however, will determine the perfect hardness for you. While bigger people usually require firmer beds, lighter people often require softer ones. Generally speaking, side sleepers require softer surfaces than back or stomach sleepers.

Which mattress type is best for side sleepers with back pain?

Because memory foam and softer hybrid mattresses conform to the contours of your body and ease pressure around your shoulders and hips, they usually perform best for side sleepers. To maintain the right alignment of your spine, you require cushioning at these pressure sites. Depending on your body weight, aim for medium to medium-soft firmness (4 to 6 on the scale).

Do heavier people need firmer mattresses?

Yes, firmer mattresses (7 to 9 on the scale) are usually necessary for those above 230 pounds in order to avoid excessive sinking that could cause a misaligned spine. Firmer mattresses offer the support required to preserve ideal spinal alignment since heavier people sink deeper into them. Seek out mattresses with stronger support systems that are especially made to accommodate heavier weights.

How long does it take to adjust to a new mattress?

It usually takes your body three to four weeks to become used to a new mattress. You may feel short-term discomfort during this transitional phase as your spine and muscles adjust to the new support. To give you enough time to see if the mattress truly relieves your back discomfort, the majority of reputable mattress retailers provide trial periods of at least ninety days.

Should older adults choose softer or firmer mattresses?

Older adults (50+) often benefit from medium to medium-firm mattresses that balance support and pressure relief. 

Are expensive mattresses always better for back pain?

Not always. The priciest mattress isn't always the best option for your back, even when high-quality materials and craftsmanship cost more. According to research, mid-range mattresses frequently relieve back discomfort just as well as high-end products. Instead of believing that a larger price equates to better outcomes, concentrate on selecting the ideal mattress type, firmness, and support for your unique needs.