How To Decrease Your Pain When Youre Side Sleeping

If youve recently suffered a back injury or you have a chronic condition, there are ways to release the pressure and alleviate the pain. For instance, it helps to place a small pillow or a rolled up towel under on in between your knees .

Again, if you like sleeping on the side, it helps to get a specially designed pillow that supports the spine during slumber. But, the best alleviation may come from a better mattress, one that was engineered to be your support in need.

Best Cooling Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain

Saatva Loom & Leaf

• Type: Memory foam
• Height: 12 inches

You can choose between two firmness levels with this mattress, though side sleepers will probably prefer the relaxed firm option.

Materials in the mattress are organic, Global Organic Textile Standard certified, and CertiPUR-US certified. The gel-infused top layer is designed to help hot sleepers better regulate their body temperature overnight.

Reviews for this mattress are overwhelmingly positive. One reviewer says they can sleep on their side now without pain. Another notes that they immediately noticed a difference in pain after sleeping on the Loom & Leaf.

What Firmness Level Should Side Sleepers Look For In A Mattress

Unlike stomach sleepers and back sleepers, side sleepers need a mattress that will accommodate the added weight placed on their shoulders, hips, and knees. For side sleepers, mattresses with some amount of give can be optimal to alleviate pressure through the hip and shoulder, Dr. Baxi says, echoing SELFs reporting on the importance of firmness options and pressure relief if you want to avoid waking up to back pain. The right mattress should make you feel like you are floating on air, Steve Zhou, MD, previously told SELF. In other words, you dont want to sink and you don’t want to feel like your body is pushing against the mattress, either. Finding a bed that strikes that balance will come down to personal preference, but, as Gerard Girasole, MD, previously told SELF, a medium-firm mattress is a good place to start for side sleepers.

A too-firm mattress that doesnt conform to your body can create uncomfortable pressure points, while a too-soft mattress can affect spinal alignment and put pressure on your lower back, hips, and shoulders. In case youre upgrading all of your bedding, in addition to getting a new mattress, the right pillow can also enable healthy spine alignment and prevent shoulder pain, as SELF has previously reported. The best pillows for side sleepers are firmer and higher-loft, and provide space for their head and neck to stay aligned over their shoulder.

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Best Time Of Year To Buy A Mattress

Most mattress companies tend to release new models in June and in order to make room, they need to unload their current inventory, making May the best month to purchase a new mattress. But in general, if you need a new mattress, there is no better time than today. You can also score a great deal during certain holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, President’s Day, Fourth of July, and Black Friday.

Find The Right Combination Of Comfort And Support With Our Pick Of The Best Mattresses For Sleeping On Your Side

Wondering whether your dream mattress is the best one for side sleepers? It goes without saying that the right mattress for you will largely depend on what position you tend to sleep in, whether it be your back, front, side or a combination of all three.

The mattress market is vast, and the amount of choice can be dizzying for anyone, but if youre the type of person who likes to sleep on their side, then you might find it difficult to get the right level of comfort from your mattress. Too firm and you could put undue tension on your hips, arms and shoulders. Too soft and your body wont get the support it needs, especially if you regularly sleep on your front and back too.

Side sleepers are in a particularly tricky situation here, but were here to help. Weve put together this list of the best mattresses for sleeping on your side, as well as a short buyers guide, to help the side sleepers among you choose a mattress that is just right.

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• A comfortable budget choice: Silentnight Studio Eco

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Best Mattress For Side Sleepers Video

Watch our video below to learn more about our labs top mattress picks for side sleepers.

With so many different mattress types and features on the market, it can feel overwhelming to decide which mattress is right for you. Taking our testing teams scores into account, we narrowed down the best mattresses for side sleepers. Take a look at our top picks to find in-depth information on the models we chose.

Weve also put together a buyers guide to help you learn how to choose the best mattress for your lifestyle and personal preferences. Weve covered different mattress constructions, firmness levels, materials, and how each of these affect side sleepers. Our guide also breaks down what to expect when it comes to a mattress price, warranty, and lifespan. Lastly, we talk about the benefits and drawbacks of sleeping on your side, as well as how laying in this position can affect your sleep.

Best For Side Sleepers: Casper Sleep Foam Mattress 2018 Edition

Amazon

• Minimal movement disturbances to partner

• May be too firm for some

Sleeping on your side is tricky as you need adequate support around your waist to keep your spine in alignment. If your mattress doesn’t provide this support, you may wake up with a stiff, achy back.

One of the best mattress options for side sleepers with back problems is the Casper mattress, which has a special zoned design to give you support exactly where you need it. The Casper mattress is constructed from four layers of memory foam that balance support, comfort, and breathability. And theres a softer zone under your shoulders, allowing you to sink in as you sleep on your side, and a firmer zone under your hips and core to keep your spine in place. They use open-cell foams to keep you cool throughout the night, too.

The company offers a 100 night risk-free trial, so you have plenty of time to make your decision.

Firmness: Softer around shoulders, firmer under the hips, waist, and lower back | Thickness: 11 inches | Type: All foam, or Hybrid | Trial Length: 100 nights

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Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers In 2022

Saatva manufactures affordable luxury beds that come with an abundance of mattress features. Our expert reviewers found that this hybrid mattress has excellent lumbar support for spinal alignment. The Saatvas combined coil and foam layer construction makes it a great choice for those who prefer the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress but want the pressure-relieving benefits of memory foam. We also love the strong edge support of this bed, which allows side sleepers to feel supported on the entire surface of the mattress.

Other luxurious perks that make Saatva the top choice include a plush Euro pillow top provides an extra comfort layer to pressure points and free white glove delivery service. A Saatva representative will remove your old bed and set up your new Saatva mattress in your house for no extra charge.

• Material: Hybrid

How The Right Mattress Ease The Pain

Mattresses arent the sole solution to shoulder pain. If the cause of the discomfort is an underlying illness, a nice mattress would only support, but not cure. Still, its undeniable that switching to a mattress crafted for side sleepers will make a big difference.

The best mattress for shoulder pain will sink enough to conform to the shape of your shoulder. The good thing about this is that there wouldnt be an excessive sinking feeling. Memory foam is the Holy Grail for side sleepers as it sinks and conforms, thus reducing the weight that seems to crush the shoulder.

Like what I said earlier, you dont have to change your sleeping position . You just have to look for a mattress that caters your sleeping position.

Take note that shoulder pain is one proof that youre experiencing acute pressure. Soon, these pressure points will manifest on different parts of your body including your back, hips, and neck. What you need right now is a mattress that will ease this strain.

One thing that the right mattress does is aid body alignment. While its true that you cant achieve perfect body alignment when sleeping on the side, a conforming mattress will do the trick. It will help straighten the spine while releasing the pressure points.

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Is Spinal Alignment The Most Important Factor

Spinal alignment is certainly important, but its not the only factor when it comes to sleeping with back pain. Pressure relief is also important for helping you reduce pain and get to sleep. However, its important to find a material that relieves pressure while still allowing movement.

If you find youre waking up stiff and sore but feel better after you get moving, you could be dealing with swelling or inflammation in the joints or muscle tissue. While this can occur in almost any type of injury, its usually a sign that the injury isnt getting motion, especially while you sleep.

When it comes to spinal injuries or misalignments, most chiropractors and physical therapists will treat the issue by aligning the spine and increasing motion to reduce inflammation and swelling. If you can move around easily when you sleep, either to reposition or rollover, your body may be able to help aid in that process.

How To Choose A Mattress

Before purchasing a mattress, people may wish to consider the following factors:

• Firmness: Medium-firm mattresses are usually suitable for all sleeping positions. However, the sensation of firmness is subjective, and a person should choose a mattress that best supports their body.
• Materials: Memory foam mattresses may provide extra pressure relief, while hybrid mattresses may offer cooler sleep.
• Sleeping position: People should ensure that the mattress they purchase is comfortable in all sleep positions.
• Sleep trial: Some companies may offer a sleep trial. With these, individuals can try a mattress for a period of time to ensure that it is comfortable.
• Warranty: A person may wish to purchase a mattress from a company that offers a lengthy warranty.

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How Back Pain Affects Sleep

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• Best Mattress for Lightweight People

Back pain is a widespread problem that affects an estimated 80% of adults at one time or another. It can make all types of daily activities difficult including walking, working, sitting, and lifting even lightweight items. Unfortunately, we know that back pain complicates sleep as well, making it hard to find a comfortable position to fall asleep and keep sleeping soundly through the night.

Research studies have found that over half of people with lower back pain report sleeping problems. These negative impacts on sleep arise in people who have both sudden and short-term back pain and those who have long-term, persistent back pain.

People with pain tend to have fragmented sleep that occurs from waking up during the night. Upon waking up, getting back to sleep can be difficult because of ongoing aches and discomfort. Pain can also contribute to stress, depression, and anxiety, all of which can be detrimental to quality sleep.

Back pain sufferers can take a number of steps to try to feel and sleep better. Getting medical help for serious back problems may help reduce pain. Treatments depend on the cause and nature of a persons symptoms and can range from surgery to physical therapy to pain-relieving medications.

What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Back Pain

Back pain often occurs when your mattress doesnt provide adequate support to your body throughout the night, causing misalignment in your spine. The key to alleviating an aching back is finding a mattress that provides appropriate support.

Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned. However, hybrid and coil mattresses can provide similar benefits, as long as you choose one thats specifically designed for that purpose.

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Mattress Toppers Protectors And More

If you have back pain and need a little extra cushion, a mattress topper or pad can be viable. There are a variety of pads and toppers available. All of them help relieve pressure points by providing additional support where needed.

A mattress protector is an optional purchase for protecting your mattress from stains and wear and tear each day. Mattress protectors can be especially beneficial if you are accident-prone, not to mention that they provide extra protection from bed bugs.

How To Find The Best Mattress For Side Sleeping

If youre a side sleeper, you need a mattress that provides both plush comfort and firm support to different areas of the body. The side sleeping position can put the majority of your body weight on pressure points such as the shoulders, hips, and knees. The best mattress for side sleeping will be plush enough to contour around these areas and relieve pressure by allowing them to sink gently into the mattress. You should choose a mattress that has enough pushback to keep your spine in alignment throughout the night. If your mattress is too soft or sagging, your back can twist or sink into uncomfortable positions that can leave you waking up with a sore neck or lower back.

Choosing a bed that is a medium firmness level on the firmness scale is a good way to find the balance of comfort and support that you need. This firmness level is soft enough to prevent tension from building in your joints, but also firm enough to keep the back and spine in a good sleeping posture throughout the night.

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Best Mattress For Low Back Pain And Side Sleepers

Nolah Mattress Review: A Worth Alternative to Memory Foam? Best Mattress For Low Back Pain And Side Sleepers

Are you trying to find an all-foam mattress that provides you the advantages of memory foam without the disadvantages? The Nolah Original mattress might be right up your alley. Best Mattress For Low Back Pain And Side Sleepers.

Our Nolah Original mattress evaluation will take a close take a look at its construction, firmness, and total performance. By the end of this review, you will know if this comfortable mattress is the best suitable for you!

What Side Sleepers Should Consider When Purchasing A Mattress Topper

There are several factors to consider when you purchase a mattress topper. While all of these apply regardless of your sleep position, well highlight special considerations for side sleepers so that you can rest more comfortably in your preferred position.

Material: Toppers typically use memory foam, polyfoam, latex, feathers, down alternative, or wool. Any of these options may be appropriate for side sleepers depending on their existing mattress and how they hope to modify their sleep surface.

Side sleepers looking for more contouring and pressure relief may prefer a memory foam, polyfoam, or latex model. These materials shape to the sleepers body while providing support, making them popular with side sleepers. Memory foam has the closest hug, but its also the most likely to retain heat. Polyfoam usually conforms less closely but with added breathability. Latex spreads out the compression more for a floating feel, and it adds a bit of bounce. Feather, down alternative, and wool toppers add cushioning more than contouring. They can make the sleep surface plusher and more breathable, but they may not give the support and cradling many side sleepers prefer. However, if your mattress contours well, a topper made of one of these materials may be a nice addition.

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What Mattress Is Best For Side Sleepers With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can occur when your mattress isnt offering enough pressure relief. You want a mattress that gently cradles the shoulders instead of pushing against them.

Many people experiencing shoulder pain may be drawn to the cushiness of a softer mattress, but thats not necessarily the right solution. In fact, the wrong soft mattress could increase your shoulder pain, by lacking the supportive properties of firmer beds. Instead, seek out a hybrid or foam mattress with the proper pressure relieving system.

When Should I Replace My Mattress

A person should replace their mattress if they believe it no longer offers adequate support.

The following are some other reasons for replacing a mattress:

• The mattress shows signs of wear and tear, such as soft spots, lumps, or broken springs.
• The person is waking up feeling tired or sore.
• The individual is waking up with a partnerâs movement. This can occur because mattresses lose motion isolation as they age.

People may find that they need to replace their mattresses every decade. However, mattresses featuring certain materials, such as memory foam, may last longer than this.

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