Buyer’s Guide to Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

What is a mattress topper for back pain?

Just to be clear…

A mattress topper for back pain is NOT just a regular mattress pad, protector, or encasement. It’s also not a body pillow for hugging, although they’re also great sleep aids for alleviating aches and pains.

So, what is it?

A mattress topper for back pain is a thick pad you sleep on top of that supports and cushions your body. It does so by keeping it aligned in order to prevent strain on your back.

You should be able to sleep in your preferred position–back, side, or stomach–without causing pain in your back (or anywhere else in your body).

What else can it do?

Depending on the model, a mattress topper for back pain can improve the support of a mattress that’s too soft or adds softness to a mattress that’s too firm. The end goal is a comfortable night of sleep and pain-free start to your morning.

Why should I use one?

Good question!

Is a mattress topper for back pain really necessary?

Or is it just another extra accessory that won’t help?

Why not just purchase an entirely new mattress?

Even if you feel the beginning twinges of back pain–from sleeping, a non-sleeping injury, or just life in general–you may want to nip it in the bud. One way is by investing in a mattress topper to ease back pain–at least during sleeping hours (which also, of course, affect how you feel during waking hours).

Reason 1: To prevent, ease, and hopefully alleviate back pain.

A good mattress distributes a body’s weight evenly across the mattress’ surface.

“A well-designed mattress often possesses the ability to minimize high-pressure points [e.g., back, shoulders, and hips] applied onto the body.” If your mattress doesn’t do this, look into a mattress topper that conforms to, cushions, and supports your body to relieve these pressure points.

Reason 2: To protect the mattress.

As we mentioned, a mattress topper for back pain isn’t a mattress cover. Nonetheless, it does provide a layer of shielding against external elements (e.g., dust, dirt, etc.).

Reason 3: To refresh an old mattress.

If your aging mattress is salvageable and not so worn out to be harmful, the mattress topper can help it last longer or prolong its lifespan. A topper can add firmness to a mattress that’s become too soft.

Reason 4: To keep the sleeper cool.

Some mattress toppers are designed to reduce heat generated by sleeping bodies. While some contain cooling gel, others are composed of layers with holes to allow ventilation and air circulation.

Ideally, these features absorb and disperse body heat for comfortable, sweat-free, and ultimately quality sleep.

What To Look For In A Mattress Topper For Back Pain

Several factors to scrutinize when examining different models include:

Thickness: Most mattress toppers designed for mitigating back pain are between two and four inches thick.Be careful: don’t automatically assume thicker is better. While a thicker mattress topper may provide more support when you lie on it, it can also either sink/flatten easily or be too solid to conform to your body’s shape.Likewise, thin toppers aren’t necessarily worse. You just also need to pay attention to the next factor, the topper’s density…

Density: Mattress toppers densities range from two to five or more pounds per cubic foot.Toppers on the low end of density (e.g., two to three pounds per cubic foot) feel plush and comfy but may not provide enough back support for your back, which can exacerbate any pain.Higher density (five pounds or more per cubic foot) mattress toppers can feel rigid and may prevent your body’s aforementioned high-pressure points (and protruding parts like the buttocks) from sinking to allow proper spine alignment.Aim for medium density toppers, which distribute body weight and relieve pressure points.