Are you looking for the best mattress for a herniated disc? Worry not! We’ll help you find the right one.
The best mattresses for herniated discs are memory foam and latex. While also providing adequate support, they have exceptional pressure-relieving properties. It’s just a matter of finding the right firmness level to align your hips and spine.
Additionally, we’ll discuss some essential points, such as:
- What kind of mattress is best for herniated discs?
- With a herniated disc, should you stay in bed?
- What makes herniated discs worse at night?
And many more!
Top Pick
Best Overall: Nectar Mattress
Nectar’s award-winning mattress is our top recommended product as it offers exceptional support and comfort. This medium-firm mattress comes with a firmness level of 6.5 and is 25cm thick.
Nectar mattress is also 100% carbon neutral, which means there are no harmful chemicals and technically is safe for everyone. In addition, its foams are CertiPUR certified.
Nectar’s memory foam mattress has five layers. A top quilted cover designed to draw away body heat. A breathable comfort layer of memory foam for regulating body temperature with enhanced airflow.
Then comes a transitional layer of pressure-relieving memory foam which helps relieve pressure points while keeping the spine aligned. And beneath the comfort layers is the support base with high-density polyfoam that supports the bed.
Nectar’s adaptive memory foam is designed to support pressure points appropriately on your shoulder, hips, and legs, which helps keep your spine aligned.
This mattress works well on all body types and reduces motion transfer allowing you to sleep comfortably without disturbances. Plus, its foams allow maximum airflow that helps you stay cool.
Its top cover is washable at 60 degrees and is non-allergenic. Nectar’s mattress comes with a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty which is a pretty good deal at a reasonable rate.
You can also check our detailed review on the Nectar mattress.
Types of mattresses best for herniated discs
The best mattress depends on your body type, weight, and sleeping position. For a comfortable night’s sleep, choose a mattress that keeps the spine aligned.
Opt for features like cooling gel foams as they can help lessen inflammation on painful areas.
A memory foam mattress is highly recommended for herniated discs as it’s well-known for conforming to the body’s natural curve, which effectively helps reduce pain by relieving pressure points.
A mattress with good support is essential because, without proper spine alignment, the pain will worsen.
Another option is latex with similar features to memory foam contouring to the body’s curve, but it has more bounce and is firmer. However, the result comes down to comfort regardless of which type is best.
Some sleepers might prefer an innerspring, while some might be more comfortable with latex or memory foam. So, the best kind of mattress is one that gives you the best comfort with uninterrupted sleep.
Is a firm mattress the best for a herniated disc?
When it comes to mattress firmness for herniated discs, a medium to medium-firm level is an ideal choice.
A mattress that’s too soft or too firm will not provide proper support around your body or keep your spine aligned, which can aggravate your pain.
But the thing is, one firmness level doesn’t work the same for all because your weight also plays a crucial role. In that case, if you’re on the heavier side, you might require a firm mattress.
The bottom line is, the right mattress will give you proper comfort, relieve pressure, and reduce your pain.
Can a bad mattress cause a herniated disc?
A bad mattress might not necessarily be the cause but can aggravate the pain and cause discomfort.
If you’re sleeping on a substandard bed with a herniated disc, you won’t be getting quality sleep because it won’t provide any support you need. Or, if your mattress is old and has lost its shape, it’s time for a replacement.
Good back support is essential; hence, go for a mattress that keeps your spine in position and one that levels with your sleeping position.
Is sleeping on the floor good for a herniated disc?
It’s not a good idea to sleep on the floor with a herniated disc. Although some might claim that sleeping on a firm surface like a floor can help, that’s not the case. All you need is a medium-firm or firm mattress depending on your comfort to get a comfortable rest.
Sleeping on the floor will instead aggravate the pain because you’ll be putting more pressure on your lower back without any support, and sleeping on the side would freeze your shoulder.
Plus, it can be uncomfortable and result in poor sleep with more pain.
Should you stay in bed with a herniated disc?
Instead of staying in bed, being active is more helpful. Studies have said that doing physical exercise helps retain mobility. It further states that lying for a prolonged period can weaken your bones and muscles and lead to other problems.
Engage yourself with minor physical activities to improve your flexibility, gain muscle strength, and make your bones stronger.
You can go for short walks or do simple exercises. Or, if your pain is severe, it’s advisable to consult a doctor or a therapist for a better alternative.
What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc?
Herniated discs are very common among people aged 30 to 60. It has been found that between 33% and 57% of MRI’s of people between 30-60 show at least one bulging disc.
A herniated disc can cause sharp radiating pain with a loss of sensation and sometimes be very painful. With treatment and physical therapy, most find relief in a few weeks or months. However, if the pain is severe, it’s best to seek professional help. Below are some ways to relieve herniated disc pain.
- Use the hot and cold therapy method: Applying a heated pad or ice pack on your lower back is an excellent way to relieve inflammation. Although the relief is temporary, it’s helpful.
- Stay active: Try doing moderate physical activities to strengthen your muscles and lessen the pain.
- Different sleeping positions: Try sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees. Or sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Avoid sitting or standing for a prolonged period: and often try to keep your back straight. Always try to maintain a good posture.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach: It will aggravate the pain.
Why is herniated disc worse at night?
During the day, you keep yourself busy by moving around with continuous body movement, so there’s less nerve compression, and it helps relieve inflammation.
But during the night, there’s less body movement with constant pressure in one position while laying down, which worsens the inflammation.
Also, if you’re a stomach sleeper, the arch in your lower back puts more strain on your muscles, increasing pain.
Generally, sleeping on your stomach is considered the worst position for herniated discs and your spine.
Reviews
Best value: Noa
If you’re looking for a mattress with exceptional value that’s equally comfortable and supportive, Noa mattress is an ideal option. It’s hypoallergenic, suitable for all and is made in the UK. The Noa mattress is 28cm thick and comes in four sizes.
The top cover is a hand-tufted, Tencel poly-knit, which is soft, highly breathable with hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties that wick away moisture.
Then comes a comfort layer of natural latex known for its cooling properties that conform to your body, keeping you cool while supporting your body. The second comfort layer is a gel-infused memory foam backing your pressure points with deep pressure relief.
Beneath these comfort layers is a transitional foam, which effectively minimizes motion transfer.
The support layer consists of premium pocket springs that allow exceptional airflow, which is highly supportive and responsive. Then comes a 9cm of high-density foam around the edges that keeps the mattress from sagging with superior edge support.
Noa mattress measures 7 on the firmness scale, and all foams are REACH certified. This mattress comes with a 15-year warranty and a 100-night trial.
Plus, it’s recommended to rotate the mattress every 3-6 months. You can also find detailed Noa review.
Best Luxury: DreamCloud
DreamCloud mattress makes a suitable choice for individuals looking for luxurious comfort and support for pressure relief. This DreamCloud hybrid mattress has premium layers measuring 6.5 on the firmness scale and is 28cm thick available in four sizes.
Its top cover is a breathable luxury quilted material that makes the surface soft and comfortable. The next layer is a breathable “Dream Plush” memory foam that conforms to your body shape, relieving pressure.
Then comes a supportive layer of memory foam that fully supports your body which helps keep the spine in its neutral position. Beneath these layers is a premium pocket springs with ActiveEdge support that supports the layers and helps minimize motion transfer.
The last layer is a supportive foam base with added support absorbing motion transfer.
This mattress is designed to relieve pressure points and help keep your spine aligned for a restful sleep. It’s also highly breathable with continuous airflow that keeps you cool.
Lastly, this mattress offers a generous trial period of 365-night, which is one whole year to decide if it’s the right mattress for you and comes with a forever warranty. Here’s our in-depth review on DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress.
Best Latex: Marcapiuma Latex Mattress
If you’re looking for the best latex mattress for your herniated disc, then this 100% latex Macapiuma mattress makes a suitable choice with high-density support which evenly distributes weight.
It’s free from toxic chemicals, non-allergenic, and antibacterial free from pesky dust mites. This medium-firm mattress measures 6 on the firmness scale and is Oeko-Tex certified suitable for all (infants too).
This single mattress is 20cm deep with 7 different comfort zones designed to match your body’s needs. Its 7 zones work on every part of your body that enables you to have a comfortable rest.
This mattress provides exceptional pressure relief supporting your spine, and the breathable holes are an added benefit that allows heat and moisture to dissipate.
Since latex is a naturally breathable material, it helps you stay cool. It has a removable SILVER cover (100% cotton) that is machine washable up to 60 degrees Celsius.
Marcapiuma mattress is 100% made in Italy. It comes with free delivery all over the UK with a warranty of 10 years.
If you need more options, you can also read our best latex mattresses in the UK.
Emma Original Mattress
Emma is a well-known brand and one of the UK’s most awarded mattresses. Emma mattress is made with high-quality materials and is UKFR certified.
This medium-firm mattress is 25 cm thick and comes in 5 sizes suitable for all sleepers.
This mattress is all-foam, comprising three layers.
- 3cm breathable AirgoCell foam
- 2cm visco-elastic foam
- 19cm HRX cold foam
It has a top durable cover that regulates temperature and is moisture resistant. The comfort layer consists of a breathable Airgocell memory foam with enhanced airflow that absorbs moisture keeping you cool.
The second comfort layer is an adaptive visco-elastic foam, and these two layers work together to relieve pressure, which also helps minimize motion transfer.
The last layer is a durable HRX foam with sufficient pressure relief that keeps your spine aligned and works well with all sleeping positions.
Like most mattresses today, this Emma mattress also has a removable and washable cover made of polyester and elastane. Additionally, this mattress is neither flippable nor can be turned.
It comes with a 200-night free risk trial with a 10-year guarantee. For more information, you can also read our Emma mattress review.