We’re all supposed to get about 8 hours of sleep per night, right? If you’re dealing with a chronic illness, you may require more sleep to feel functional and rested the next morning.
When we sleep, our body has a chance to repair itself, creating muscle tissue and releasing important hormones.
But whether you describe your chronic pain as stabbing, jabbing, aching, throbbing, burning, or something else entirely, sometimes it seems impossible to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Tossing and turning each night instead of getting restorative sleep can leave you uncomfortable, wide-eyed, frustrated — and in even more pain the next day.
Ultimately, a vicious cycle is born. A lack of sleep increases chronic pain, and chronic pain reduces your ability to obtain necessary sleep. Some doctors even think that fibromyalgia might be linked to sleep disorders.
In chronic illness communities, we categorize the chronic-pain-poor-sleep pattern as “painsomnia,” or the inability to get quality sleep due to the presence of pain. But there are some things those with chronic pain can do to break the cycle of uncomfortable, sleepless nights.
A mattress can make or break a good night’s sleep. Start by focusing on buying the right one for you and your body.
A quick look at the 6 best mattresses for chronic pain
- Best for comfort: Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
- Best cooling mattress: The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Best for side sleepers: Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
- Best for combination sleepers: Purple Mattress
- Best flippable mattress: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
- Best for back sleepers: Zinus Pressure Relief Euro Top iCoil Hybrid Mattress
How we chose
To make our selection of the best mattresses for chronic pain, we used the following criteria:
- Brand reputation: We chose brands that provide excellent customer service and transparency regarding the materials and manufacturing process.
- Company policies: The companies on this list offer free shipping, free returns, and at least a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
- Customer reviews: We read reviews to see what customers said about the comfort of the mattresses and how they influenced their pain levels and sleep quality.
- Different options: This list includes different mattress types at several firmness levels that suit different sleep positions. They’re available at a range of prices.
Pricing guide
We used queen-size model prices to create this pricing guide:
- $ = under $1,200
- $$ = $1,200–$1,600
- $$$ = over $1,600
Our picks of the best mattresses for chronic pain
- Casper Hybrid: Casper is known for having three zones of support for proper spinal alignment. A hybrid also adds wrapped coils for additional support.
- The Nectar: This mattress is a great value and has two layers of memory foam to conform to your shape and distribute weight evenly to prevent aches.
- Tuft & Needle Mint: The proprietary T&N Adaptive foam gives extra support to hips and shoulders where pressure can be high. It’s also Greenguard Gold and Certi-PUR certified for lower off-gassing.
- The Purple: Purple has an innovative polymer cushion that allows for comfort, airflow, and great motion isolation. The feel is different and may not be for everyone, but some find it ideal for their chronic pain needs.
- Layla Memory Foam: Layla mattresses can be flipped from a more firm side to a softer side to adapt to your specific needs. If you’re a side sleeper who needs more cushion on pressure points, just flip it to that side.
- Zinus Euro-Top: This hybrid combines memory foam with inner springs and a microfiber top that caters especially well to back sleepers.
Best for comfort
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
- Price: $$$
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium
- Weight: 91 pounds (lbs.) or 41 kilograms (kg)
- Warranty: 10 years
Designed for comfort, the Casper Original Hybrid Mattress contours to the shape of your body. It has three support zones to alleviate pressure and encourage proper spinal alignment. The foam is softer near your head and firmer under your lower back.
The mattress has wrapped coils for additional support and extra lift to promote airflow. The medium support is ideal for back, stomach, and side sleepers.
Casper provides a 100-night trial and free returns and no-contact delivery.
Pros
- easy setup and delivery
- excellent support and motion isolation
- made in the United States
Cons
- customers report sinkage
- some customers say it retains heat
- strong, long lasting chemical odor
Best cooling mattress
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Price: $$
- Type: memory foam
- Firmness: medium
- Weight: 66 lbs. (30 kg)
- Warranty: lifetime
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress has five layers, including a quilted cooling cover that wicks away heat and encourages airflow. It’s ideal for warm climates and people who sleep hot.
The memory foam layers conform to your shape and distribute weight evenly to promote muscle relaxation and spinal alignment, preventing pressure point aches and pains. The mattress also offers firm edge support to prevent sinking and motion transfer.
Nectar offers a 365-night trial and free shipping and returns.
Pros
- cooling, comfortable, and supportive
- limits motion transfer
- reduces pressure points
Cons
- too firm for some
- may not be ideal for people over 250 lbs. (113 kg)
Best for side sleepers
Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
- Price: $$$
- Type: foam
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Weight: 80 lbs. (36 kg)
- Warranty: 10 years
The Tuft & Needle Mint mattress offers the right amount of comfort and support, which is great for side sleepers. The proprietary T&N Adaptive foam alleviates painful pressure points and gives extra support to hips and shoulders where pressure can be high. It’s also Greenguard Gold and Certi-PUR certified for lower off-gassing.
The Mint Mattress has a removable, washable cover so you can keep it clean. It’s designed for two people, providing motion isolation so you don’t feel your sleeping partner move. The reinforced edge support makes it easy to sit at the edge of your bed and get in and out of it.
Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night trial and free shipping and returns.
Pros
- removable, washable cover
- comfortable and supportive
- graphite-infused top layer wicks away heat
Cons
- may sink or dip in the middle
- strong, long lasting chemical smell
Best for combination sleepers
Purple Mattress
- Price: $$
- Type: GelFlex Grid
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Weight: 110 lbs. (50 kg)
- Warranty: 10 years
The Purple Mattress has an innovative polymer cushion that allows for comfort, airflow, and motion isolation. The grid draws heat away from your body, so you sleep cooler. The feel is different and may not be for everyone, but some find it ideal for their chronic pain needs.
The mattress adjusts to your movements, providing support and cradling pressure points so you can relax and sleep deeply. Its responsiveness makes it easy to switch positions, making it ideal for combination sleepers.
Purple provides a 100-night trial and free shipping and returns.
Pros
- supportive pressure relief
- excellent quality and value
- made in the United States
Cons
- too soft for some
- poor edge support
- customers report sagging and indentations within a year
Best flippable mattress
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
- Price: $
- Type: memory foam
- Firmness: soft and firm
- Weight: 69 lbs. (31 kg)
- Warranty: lifetime
You can flip the Layla Memory Foam Mattress from a more firm side to a softer side to adapt to your specific needs, which may vary depending on your pain level. If you’re a side sleeper who needs more pressure point cushioning, simply flip it to the soft side. Both sides minimize motion transfer.
The memory foam is infused with copper gel to dissipate heat and offer extra support. The copper gel also has antimicrobial properties that help keep your mattress fresh, clean, and odor-free.
Layla offers a 120-night trial and free shipping and returns.
Pros
- two firmness options
- cooling copper gel infusion dissipates heat
- made in the United States
Cons
- soft side has poor edge support
- low responsiveness
- not supportive enough for some
Best for back sleepers
Zinus Pressure Relief Euro Top iCoil Hybrid Mattress
- Price: $
- Type: hybrid
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Weight: 94.5 lbs. (43 kg)
- Warranty: 10 years
The Zinus Pressure Relief Euro Top iCoil Hybrid Mattress combines memory foam with inner springs and a microfiber top that caters especially well to back sleepers. The mattress conforms to your body shape and provides support to optimize spinal alignment. It also helps to reduce motion transfer and relieve pressure point discomfort.
Zinus provides a 100-night trial and free shipping and returns.
Pros
- pressure relief
- low motion transfer
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- poor edge support
- may be too firm for side sleepers
- customers report lumps and indentations
Comparing our top mattresses for chronic pain
| Price | Type | Firmness | Weight | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casper Original Hybrid Mattress | $$$ | hybrid | medium | 91 lbs. (41 kg) | 10-year |
| The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress | $$ | memory foam | medium | 66 lbs. (30 kg) | lifetime |
| Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress | $$$ | foam | medium-firm | 80 lbs. (36 kg) | 10-year |
| Purple Mattress | $$ | GelFlex Grid | medium-firm | 110 lbs. (50 kg) | 10-year |
| Layla Memory Foam Mattress | $ | memory foam | soft and firm | 69 lbs. (31 kg) | lifetime |
| Zinus Pressure Relief Euro Top iCoil Hybrid Mattress | $ | hybrid | medium-firm | 94.5 lbs. (43 kg) | 10-year |
5 tips for choosing the right mattress for your pain
1. Don’t assume a firm mattress is better
Many people with chronic pain have repeatedly been told they need to sleep on a firm mattress to reduce pain.
Although there isn’t a large body of research on the subject of chronic pain and mattresses, one
During the study, more than 300 people with low back pain slept on mattresses that were categorized as either “medium-firm” or “firm.”
After completing the 90-day study, participants who had slept on medium-firm mattresses reported less pain while lying in bed and during waking hours than those who had slept on the firm mattresses.
Even though you might have been told to sleep on a firm or hard mattress, this may not be the best choice for all people with chronic pain. The firmness you choose is ultimately based on your preference, but you can also use your typical sleep position as a guide.
Tips on choosing the right firmness by sleep style
- Side sleepers: A softer mattress or topper often works well. This puts less pressure on your shoulder, arm, and hip facing down.
- Stomach sleepers: Medium or firm works well, so your hips and pelvis don’t sink below your shoulders, which can strain your spine.
- Back sleepers: Any firmness works since your weight is distributed over a larger surface area.
- Weight: Generally, the more weight you have, the firmer you want your mattress to be.
- Preference: Ultimately, choosing firmness comes down to what feels best for your body.
2. Use a cheap method to test out a firmer mattress before buying
In reality, a firm mattress might be more comfortable for some people, while a medium-firm mattress is better suited for others.
What works for you may be different from what works for someone else with chronic pain. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
Generally, a mattress that promotes the proper alignment of your spine and joints while you sleep is preferable to one that allows your spine to sag or your joints to rotate and twist.
If you wake up with elevated pain levels, that’s an indicator your mattress may be the culprit, and your spine could be lacking some much-needed support as you snooze.
If you’re uncertain whether you could benefit from a firmer mattress, an article from Harvard Medical School offers two pieces of advice:
- Place a piece of plywood under your bed to minimize the movement you’ll encounter from the springs of your current mattress.
- Try sleeping with your mattress on the floor.
Both of these options will allow you to see the effects a firmer mattress may have on your body before you invest the money.
3. Simply rotating your mattress could alleviate pain
You’ve probably heard you need to rotate or flip your mattress from time to time. But how often should you be doing it?
Well, that depends on the mattress and how long you’ve had it.
There are no set guidelines on how often you should change the position of your mattress. Mattress companies may have specific recommendations ranging from flipping or rotating it every 3 months to once a year.
If your mattress has a pillow top, you probably can’t flip it over at all, but you may want to consider rotating it so that it wears evenly over time.
In the end, the best way to determine whether it’s time to reposition your mattress is to check:
- how you feel while you’re sleeping on it
- how much pain you’re in when you wake up
- if it’s beginning to sag
If you notice an increase in any of these factors, it may be time to move your mattress around.
Before investing in a new mattress, try rotating or flipping your current mattress. To test out how a firmer mattress may feel before purchasing one, you can put your mattress on the floor for a night or put a piece of plywood under the mattress while it’s in the bed frame.
4. Consider a nontoxic mattress
Studies have shown that some people with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, experience flares when they’re exposed to certain household chemicals.
Mattresses can give off a strong chemical odor (called off-gassing) and may contain several toxic ingredients including:
- plastics, foam, and synthetic latex, which are usually made with potentially harmful petroleum-based chemicals
- flame-retardant chemicals
Since those materials may exacerbate pain, many people with chronic illnesses prefer to sleep on a nontoxic mattress.
When looking for a nontoxic mattress, you’ll notice most of them are made of materials such as natural latex, organic cotton, and organic bamboo. That said, not all mattresses claiming to be organic are made equal.
Mattress companies often boast several certifications. This makes it difficult to know which brand to buy.
According to Consumer Reports, the two certifications with the most stringent qualifications are the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and, for mattresses that contain latex, the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).
Another certification that Consumer Reports says is good is the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This label doesn’t guarantee the mattress’ materials are organic, but it does set limits on the amount of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds that can be present in the final product.
Look for one of these certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Also, buy from a transparent brand that lists all the materials contained in the mattress.
5. Look for a mattress with a money-back guarantee
New mattresses can be pricey. Plus, there’s no assurance that the one you pick will ease your chronic pain or be the right firmness for you.
While you may be able to try it out in the store for a few minutes, how do you know if the decision you’re making will work for you in the long run?
When you decide to buy a new mattress, look for a company that offers a money-back guarantee. That way, you can test out your bed for 30 days or more, knowing that you can return the mattress if you’re unsatisfied.
But be sure to read the fine print — the money-back guarantee may only apply to certain mattress brands in the store.
When to see a doctor
A new mattress may help to alleviate
A doctor may review your medical history, including your symptoms and health conditions, and perform an examination. They may create a pain management plan that includes medical treatments and lifestyle changes that help to alleviate discomfort and enhance your quality of life.
Frequently asked questions
What type of mattress is best for body pain?
The best type of mattress for body pain depends on factors such as your sleeping position, body weight, and preference. The best choice for pain relief is a medium to medium-firm latex, hybrid, or memory foam mattress. Ideally, it would be comfortable, offer support, and encourage spinal alignment.
Is a firm mattress good for back pain?
A firm mattress may be helpful for back pain, especially if you’re a heavy back or stomach sleeper. Firmness levels are a matter of preference and depend on how comfortable you feel.
Is a firm mattress good for neck and shoulder pain?
A firm mattress that provides pressure relief may be beneficial for neck and shoulder pain. Some models offer support zones that are softer near your shoulders and firmer near your hips.
Unsure of where to begin your search for the right mattress?
As you start exploring your options, pay attention to how you feel after you’ve slept on a bed other than your own, such as at a hotel or at someone’s home. If your pain improves, jot down the name of the mattress company, and, if possible, the model.
That’ll help you pinpoint the kind of mattress you need to get a good night’s rest and hopefully lower your pain.
Start your search for the perfect mattress
Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio, OTR/L, is a Chicago-based freelance writer, occupational therapist, health coach in training, and certified Pilates instructor whose life was transformed by Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. She writes on topics including health, wellness, chronic illness, fitness, and beauty. Jenny openly shares her personal healing journey at The Lyme Road.