Anyone who has experienced back pain knows how painful it can be.  Unfortunately, back pain is also really common.  Here are some not so fun facts from Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute:

• Back pain is one of the most frequent complaints to doctors
• Nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain
• 8% (16 million) of all adults experience persistent or chronic back pain
• Back pain is the 6th most costly condition in the US

Chances are if you are reading this, you are part of the stats.  So how can the pain be alleviated? Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes.  The good news however is that there are steps you can take to feel better.

The #1 most important thing to do is to make an appointment with your doctor!  There are so many different kinds and causes of back problems out there. It’s best to know exactly what you are dealing with before figuring out a treatment plan.  Your doctor may prescribe you medication, or physical therapy, and probably some sort of lifestyle change.  It could be as simple as learning to sit without slouching, or maybe a daily exercise regimen.  Whatever you decide together, it’s really important to stick to your plan!

Your doctor may also ask you what kind of mattress you sleep on.  The reason is that different style mattresses cater to different types of needs for your back.  There are many variables in a mattress- firmness, material, cooling features, etc.  Although it can be an expensive purchase, it’s also an important investment as we spend around one-third of our lives sleeping or trying to sleep.

Recommended Mattress Brands

These are some of the most recommended mattress brands that we’ve reviewed:

• Nectar Mattress
• Cocoon by Sealy Mattress
• Siena

One mattress does not fit all. If you find you wake up not feeling refreshed each morning, you might not be sleeping on a comfortable, supportive mattress. If your mattress is too old or doesn’t match your sleep needs, it’s time for a new one.

Sleep Positions

Did you know that there are different mattress firmness recommendations depending on your sleeping position?

Side Sleepers

Soft to medium-firm is the way to go for side sleepers.  You’ll want a good balance of cushion and support.  We recommend the Nectar memory foam mattress.  This medium firmness mattress is made up of five layers that add support for your spine and back.  It also has 3 inches of cushy high-density, pressure-relieving gel memory foam that feels like a gentle hug to all your aching joints. To top it off, the upper layer has a quilted cool cover featuring heat-wicking, cooling technology.

Nectar’s mattress is considered medium-firm, but the memory foam does a good job of contouring your body shape so it’s good for side sleepers. If you want a soft mattress though, check out the Saatva Classic mattress and choose “Plush Soft” as the firmness level when adding it to your cart. You’ll feel as if the mattress is hugging your body.

Back Sleepers

A medium-firm to firm mattress will be your best option.  We recommend the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress.  This medium-firm mattress is also composed of five layers.  One main difference is that just like its name, it is a hybrid.  This means that it has both spring coils and Talalay latex.

There are five zones of density that provide enhanced support in the lumbar region (lower back) and maximum pressure point relief.  Talalay latex is a natural material that offers consistent, resilient, and durable support.  That along with the spring coil middle and organic wool which is used to regulate body temperature and a natural flame retardant make this mattress top-notch!

If you want an even firmer mattress, choose the Saatva Classic and select “firm” when adding it to your cart. On a firmness scale of 1-10, the Saatva Classic ranks an 8, so you won’t feel like you’re sinking into the mattress at all.

Stomach Sleepers

If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll want a mattress that provides some firmness but not too much. When you stand up straight, you’ll notice that your back has a natural curve to it. If you sleep stomach-down on a firm mattress, it will prevent your body from sinking into it at your mid-section so you won’t have that natural alignment. At the same time, you don’t want the mattress to be so soft that you sink in too much. Thus, a medium to medium-firm mattress is best for stomach sleepers.

The DreamCloud mattress could be a good choice for you. It’s considered medium-firm so you are supported yet sink in a bit — though not enough to feel swallowed!

Choose the Right Bed Frame

Something else to consider when shopping for that perfect mattress is what you’re putting it on!  The mattress frame you choose can also have added benefits if you shop wisely, let alone the fact that it can be a great aesthetic addition to any bedroom.

Why You Should Shop Online

A mattress is a large purchase. You don’t want to be stuck with one that you don’t like because you tried it out once for two minutes in a store and now you can’t return it.  Especially when online shopping, there is always that fear that “it won’t fit.” Luckily there are online mattress stores that offer long home trials where you literally get to try out your new bed, see how your back feels, and if it’s not right- send it back!

Nectar –  offers a 365-night home trial! You read that right, a whole year! Nectar also offers a Forever Warranty (meaning as long as the mattress is in your ownership) and free shipping and returns!

Saatva – offers a 180-night home trial.  Besides that, they also have a quiz to help you decide which mattress will meet your comfort needs best. If you’re worried about throwing out your back when moving and setting up a new mattress, Saatva’s got your back — no pun intended! In addition to free delivery, they’ll set up your mattress for you in the room of your choosing, plus remove your old mattress for free.

What’s the take-away?

If you have back pain- go to the doctor! Get a diagnosis and a treatment plan from a professional.  Then do some major self-care and get yourself a comfortable and supportive mattress.  Things to remember:

• Sleep positions make a difference — shop accordingly
• Side sleepers need softer mattresses and back sleepers need firm mattresses
• Look into mattress frames/bases that add back support and even massage features
• Make sure you can try out your mattress for a while to see if there is an improvement in how you feel

Most importantly, feel good!  Please feel free to check out our detailed mattress reviews for more information.