Back pain affects millions of people around the world, and it often makes their daily life an ordeal.
Finding a mattress that supports your spine and alleviates discomfort is important for keeping your back healthy and getting that all-important good night’s sleep.
In recent years, hybrid mattresses have become popular as a solution for people who suffer from back pain.
But are hybrid mattresses really good for back pain? We’ll examine how their unique construction can help reduce back pain and what to consider when choosing a new mattress.
What is a Hybrid Mattress?
Hybrid mattresses combine the best features of different mattress types, usually blending the support of innerspring coils with the comfort of memory foam or latex.
The springs are usually inside individual pockets, which provides the firmness and responsiveness traditional sprung mattresses are known for, while the foam layers add cushioning and contouring for pressure relief.
Hybrid mattresses feature a multi-layered design, usually with a base layer of pocketed coil springs for support, middle layers of polyfoam, and topped by a thick layer of memory foam or cooling gel-infused memory foam to provide softness and comfort.
This combination makes hybrid mattresses versatile, offering a balance of comfort and support for a wide range of sleepers - particularly those dealing with back pain.
Our eze™ Hybrid Mattress comprises five layers for optimal comfort, including multiple layers of memory foam and our unique pocket spring system - all designed for a healthier, more comfortable night’s sleep.
How Can Hybrid Mattresses Help With Back Pain?
Hybrid mattresses are a great option for managing back pain, mostly because they give you targeted support where your body needs it most.
The innerspring core helps keep your spine properly aligned by preventing too much sinkage into the mattress, especially in the lower back area. This can be especially beneficial for back sleepers needing a firmer surface to maintain spinal alignment at night.
In addition to the spring support, the memory foam or latex layers in hybrid mattresses contour to your body, cradling key pressure points such as hips and shoulders. This reduces discomfort, especially for side sleepers.
Combining firmer support and softer cushioning makes hybrid mattresses a great choice for dealing with various types and severity of back pain.
If you’re looking for a hybrid mattress with advanced features, check out the eze™ Hybrid Ultra mattress. This Which? Best Buy Award 2024 mattress is built with 800 individual pocket springs which adjust to your body's contours, keeping your spine in a neutral position.
Hybrid or Memory Foam Mattress for Back Pain?
One common question is whether you should choose a hybrid mattress or a traditional memory foam one for back pain relief.
Although both types have advantages, hybrid mattresses offer more robust support due to the pocket springs. This makes them a winner for those who need firmer support, especially for the lower back.
Traditional memory foam mattresses excel at contouring to an individual’s body shape, providing pressure relief and no motion transfer. While this makes them a top choice for side sleepers and restless sleepers, some users find that memory foam mattresses lack the support needed to prevent back pain.
Hybrid mattresses provide the best of both worlds, combining the superior support of pocket springs with the comfort of foam, making them a better long-term solution for many sleepers.
Memory foam also gets a bad rap for retaining body heat and being uncomfortably warm. If you’re a hot sleeper with back problems, traditional memory foam could make you restless due to the retained heat, and the extra tossing and turning in search of a cool spot can worsen your back problems.
The Cooleze™ Hybrid Deluxe mattress offers an excellent balance of support, contouring, and cooling gel-infused memory foam, giving you a cooler night’s sleep while alleviating pressure and maintaining proper spinal alignment.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Mattress for Back Pain?
This is a key question that could make all the difference between finding the right mattress for you and buying one that doesn’t help with your back pain.
Firmness Level
The right firmness level is crucial for proper spinal support. A mattress that’s too soft can cause your body to sink, which throws your spine out of alignment. On the other hand, a mattress that’s too firm might not give enough cushioning for your hips and shoulders.
If you sleep on your back, a medium-firm mattress is usually a good choice, while side sleepers may prefer something softer to reduce pressure on the joints.
Our eze™ mattress comparison page makes it simple to find out how soft or firm a mattress is.
Sleep Position
Your preferred sleep position is one of the major factors in what type of mattress you should choose:
- Back Sleepers: If your preference is to sleep on your back, you’ll usually need a firmer surface to support the natural curve of your spine.
- Side Sleepers: Softer cushioning to support the shoulders and hips is usually good for those who like to sleep on their sides.
- Front Sleepers: A firm mattress is best for front sleepers. This prevents the middle of the body from sinking too deeply into the mattress, which can strain the lower back.
Pillows
Choosing the right pillow is also a big factor in overcoming back pain. Pillows should not be too thick or too thin, as this can put your neck in the wrong position and worsen back pain. Medium-thick pillows are usually the way to go here.
If you can’t find the right pillows, you can often go to a store and get customised pillows instead. Many shops offer customisation options that enable you to choose how thick you want the pillow, how firm it should be, and even what the filling should be made of.
Mattress Topper
Adding a mattress topper can fine-tune the comfort level of your mattress. But if you have a cooling gel-infused memory foam layer underneath the topper, it won’t work as effectively to keep you cool (unless you buy a topper with cooling properties).
A topper can add extra softness or firmness as needed, and can be removed altogether. For those with back pain, a medium-firm topper can add just the right amount of support to relieve pressure points.
Body Weight
When choosing a hybrid mattress, your body weight plays a crucial role in deciding the ideal level of firmness and support.
Those weighing 130 pounds or less will benefit from a softer mattress. This gives better contouring and pressure relief at key areas like the hips and shoulders, ensuring a comfortable sleep.
A medium-firm mattress is usually the best fit for those weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. It provides a good balance of comfort and support, maintaining spinal alignment without excessive sinkage.
Individuals over 230 pounds should look for a firm hybrid mattress. Firmer options offer better support for the spine and prevent too much sinkage, which could lead to discomfort over time. Mattresses with strong coil systems are especially beneficial, ensuring long-lasting durability and proper weight distribution.
Best Hybrid Mattresses for Back Pain
When shopping for a hybrid mattress to reduce back pain, consider your personal preferences for firmness, sleep position, and cooling features. A carefully chosen hybrid mattress can provide the support and pressure relief needed to improve sleep quality and alleviate back pain.
eze™ offers a wide selection of hybrid mattresses designed to cater to different sleep preferences. From the Cooleze™ Hybrid Original Mattress to the Which? Best Buy Mattress 2023 award-winning eze™ Hybrid Max Mattress, there’s a solution for everyone.
In summary, hybrid mattresses are a great option for those suffering from back pain because they offer the strength of support from the pocket spring coils and comfort from the memory foam layers.
