If you wake up feeling like you’ve gone a few rounds with a wrestling mat instead of your mattress, you’re not alone. Back pain is incredibly common, especially as we get older. And while there’s no magic fix, a properly supportive mattress can make a huge difference in your comfort, mobility, and overall sleep quality.
Finding the best mattress for back pain doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The right setup should support your spine, reduce pressure points, and adapt to your body, not the other way around.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common causes of back pain, how to choose the right firmness, what features really matter in a mattress, and how adjustability can change the game for your sleep and spine.
Understanding the Causes of Back Pain in Older Adults
Back pain isn’t just annoying, it can seriously mess with sleep, movement, and quality of life. Knowing what causes it helps you pick a mattress that actually supports your body.
The Usual Suspects
As we get older, some common issues cause back pain:
- Degenerative disc disease: Discs thin and lose cushioning, causing stiffness.
- Osteoarthritis: Joint inflammation, often painful in the lower back.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowed spinal spaces can pinch nerves, especially when lying flat.
- Muscle weakness or imbalances: Poor posture or inactivity leads to muscles that don’t support your spine well.
Why the Right Mattress Matters
A bad mattress can make back pain worse by throwing your spine out of alignment. Too soft or too firm mattresses cause pressure on muscles and joints, leading to sore mornings.
The right mattress supports your spine neutrally and eases pressure, helping your body truly relax.
Mattress Firmness: What’s Best for Back Pain?
Finding the right firmness is key—too soft and your spine sags, too firm and pressure builds up.
Firmness is how hard or soft a mattress feels, but it’s personal and depends on your body, sleep position, and pressure sensitivity.
Here are the common firmness levels
- Soft (1–4/10): Best for side sleepers needing pressure relief; usually not supportive enough for back pain.
- Medium Firm (5–7/10): Ideal for most sleepers, especially back and side sleepers; supports spinal alignment.
- Firm (8–10/10): Best for stomach sleepers or heavier folks needing extra support; can be too hard for side sleepers.
Match Firmness to Your Sleep Style
- Back sleepers: Medium-firm keeps the spine neutral without hips sinking too much.
- Side sleepers: Medium to medium-soft cushions for the shoulders and hips to prevent soreness.
- Stomach sleepers: Firmer mattresses prevent spine overextension, though this position isn’t recommended for back pain.
If you’re unsure, medium-firm is the safest bet for easing back pain, offering the best mix of comfort and support.
Why Adjustable Bases Can Help with Back Pain
Even with the best mattress, pillow top and ideal firmness, sometimes a flat bed just isn’t enough to fully relieve back pain. That’s where adjustable bases come in. They let you customise your sleeping position to better support your spine and reduce pressure on sensitive areas, giving your back the relief it needs throughout the night.
Here’s why adjustable bases make a real difference:
Improved Spinal Alignment
Raising your head or legs slightly can take pressure off the lower back, hips, and shoulders, common spots for pain.
For example, elevating your legs helps reduce strain on the lumbar spine, which can ease discomfort from sciatica or herniated discs.
Reduced Pressure on Problem Areas
Sleeping flat isn’t always the best option. Adjustable bases help distribute your body weight more evenly, lowering pressure on your lower back and improving circulation, especially beneficial if you have arthritis or joint pain.
More Comfortable Sleep Positions
Everyone’s sleep needs are different. Adjustable bases let you switch positions easily:
- Zero Gravity: Elevates legs and head to take stress off the spine.
- Head Elevation: Helps with acid reflux, snoring, and upper back tension.
- Knee Support: Slight leg raise eases lower back stiffness.
Flexibility for Changing Needs
Back pain isn’t always consistent. Being able to adjust your position at the touch of a button lets you find the perfect angle when pain flares up or you just need a different kind of support.
Pairing Mattresses with Adjustable Bases
Not all mattresses are built to work with adjustable bases. Since the base moves to different positions, your mattress needs to be flexible enough to bend without losing support or durability.
The best matches include:
- Memory Foam Mattress: Soft, contouring, and naturally flexible, which is great for adjustability.
- Latex Mattress: Responsive and durable, with enough bounce to handle movement.
- Hybrid Mattress: Mattresses with flexible coil systems combined with foam layers provide good support and adaptability.
On the other hand, traditional innerspring mattresses with rigid, non-flexible cores tend to be poor matches. They don’t bend well and can wear out quickly when paired with an adjustable base.
When shopping, look for mattresses with flexible, durable support layers. It’s always a good idea to test how a mattress moves on an adjustable base or check the manufacturer’s compatibility recommendations.
If this sounds a bit overwhelming, companies like Letto make it easier by offering pre-matched mattresses and adjustable base packages. This way, you can be confident your mattress will work perfectly with your adjustable base with no guesswork involved.
Letto’s Adjustable Bed and Best Mattress for Back Pain
We know what it takes to ease lower back pain while you sleep. Letto’s adjustable beds offer customisable positions, massage options, and features like zero gravity and anti-snoring modes that help your body find real relief.
Paired with a cooling gel memory foam mattress in the perfect firmness for side or back sleepers, it’s designed to support your spine night after night.
The Split Queen size lets couples enjoy their own comfort settings without losing the closeness of sharing a bed.
Ready to Sleep Better? Let Letto Help
Finding the best mattress for back pain doesn’t have to be complicated. Letto offers expertly matched mattress and adjustable base packages designed to provide the support and comfort your back needs.
Not sure which combination is right for you? Reach out to our team for personalised advice tailored to your sleep style and pain relief needs.
Contact us today to find your perfect mattress for back pain—or explore our adjustable base packages online now.