If you’re over a certain age (or a very active youth), you may know the feeling of back pain. It comes on from lifting, bending, playing, or even sitting in one position just a little too much. This type of pain can be one of the most debilitating out there. Fun fact: even if you didn’t necessarily bring on an injury, you could have hereditary back pain. Depending on how severe the injury, back pain can prevent us from walking, sitting, or sleeping correctly. When you’re in the thick of it, you need all the help you can get. One way to ease your aching back is the mattress you sleep on at night.

 

Although there isn’t one right mattress for back pain, says the New York Times, there are plenty to choose from. Contrary to popular belief, a “tough-as-nails” mattress isn’t the answer, says the article, rather it’s choosing the right feel for your body. Some sufferers may want a memory foam mattress that contours to the body. Choosing a memory foam that supports your body weight is important, says the article. There are several that support under 200 pounds and over 200 pounds. Selecting the one that fits your body will help with durability. The feature to look out for when buying memory foam is its cooling ability, says Sleepadvisor. Memory foam tends to hold in heat, likely making the sleeper uncomfortable. Look for memory foam mattresses that have coils beneath its foam, and lots of layers in between the foam for absorption of heat, says the article.

When purchasing a mattress, make sure you do more than just lay on it in the showroom, says WebMD. Keeping your spine aligned is the most important factor in picking out the right mattress, says the article. The first thing you need to do is evaluate your own body. If you have wide hips, you may need a softer mattress, and what you may consider firm may not be firm for someone else. If you’re questioning firmness, says WebMD, go medium-firm. One study showed those who slept on medium-firm mattresses reported less pain than those who slept on firm mattresses.

Some unfortunate news, says WebMD, is that according to a study of 62 people, those who slept on inexpensive mattresses reported more pain in their backs. However, the study also showed that those who slept best were sleeping on new mattresses of any kind. The trick may just be to keep your bed fresh for the best sleep.

When looking for a mattress to help your back pain, you may feel a bit like Goldie Locks; it has to be just right. The good news is that there is no shortage of mattresses to choose from, and many of the companies have test and return policies to see if they work for you. It may take a few times to get the right one, but it’ll be worth the effort for your back in the end. Now, go catch some well deserved z’s.