The Best Mattress Topper for Low Back Pain

Mattress Topper

Back pain is the number one leading cause of disability worldwide, and also one of the most common reasons that people miss work. Having lower back pain can be extremely frustrating, especially when it limits the type of physical activity you’re able to engage in. Many solutions exist to remedy back pain and alleviate some of the pain, stiffness, and aching that are associated with back issues. In fact, there’s a solution so easy, you can do it in your sleep (literally). One of the best ways to ensure that you start the day pain-free is to make sure you’re sleeping on the right mattress. But if you can’t afford to buy a new mattress, how can you ease your back pain while you get your beauty sleep? The answer; a mattress topper.

What are Mattress Toppers?

Simply put, mattress toppers go on top of your mattress. Not to be confused with mattress protectors, mattress toppers are sheets of padding that fit on top of your mattress to provide extra cushioning. They come in different thicknesses and materials, so it’s best to find the right fit for you according to your preferences. There are options that are firmer and provide more solid support, and options that are softer and provide less support but more cushioning. Whichever type you choose, using a mattress topper for lower back pain will be physically effective and cost-effective.

Who Would Benefit from a Mattress Topper?

If you have lower back pain and your mattress is fairly worn out or provides the wrong kind of support, you would benefit from a mattress topper. Does your mattress feel too soft and leave your spine unsupported? A mattress topper made of firm material will help. Did you buy a new mattress that feels too rigid and firm? There are soft, pillow-like mattress toppers that will make your bed more comfortable.

Although people often picture the elderly when they think of someone with an aching back, multiple age groups are regularly affected by lower back pain. In fact, more than 80% of us will have an issue with lower back pain at some point in our lives. This includes people in their teens, 20s, 30s, and up. There are several causes for lower back pain, ranging from chronic issues to isolated incidents caused by trauma or injury to the spine or surrounding muscles. Common causes of lower back pain in young adults are degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and muscle strain from excessive lifting. In middle-aged and elderly populations, common causes of lower back pain include osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs as well.

How To Use a Mattress Topper?

The first step when using a mattress topper is to take it out of the package. This may sound self-explanatory, but you want to make sure that you allow the topper enough room to expand once it’s been opened. Another thing to consider is that it may need to off-gas, or air out manufacturing odors, before you put it on your mattress. Once it’s been aired out and allowed to expand, you can prepare your mattress. You should remove any protectors, sheets, mattress pads, etc. before putting the topper on. Once you have your mattress topper aligned with your mattress, you can put a mattress protector back on if you have one, and then put your sheets and bedding back on. Once that’s done, time to test it out! Sleep soundly on your newly-outfitted bed, and rest in the fact that you’ve made a good choice for your back.

Once you’ve had your mattress topper on for a few months, it’ll be about time to clean it. Because mattress toppers are made with multiple different materials, there’s no one perfect way to wash all of them. It’s best to consult the packaging to find what method is acceptable for cleaning. When it’s all clean and dry, it’s a good idea to make sure you place it back on the mattress in a different position than it was before. The reason for this is the same reason rotating your mattress is recommended; it keeps your mattress pad from receiving too much wear in one area, prolonging its use.

Do you have low back pain but need to keep moving?  See common causes of low back while running and see how to fix to run with less pain.

What to Look for in a Mattress Topper?

Finding the right sleeping situation is key for lower back issues because we require the right amount of support to keep our spine in alignment, and the right amount of softness to cushion our joints. We spend almost a 3rd of our lives sleeping on our mattresses; they should be tailored to fit our specific needs. Here are a few areas that you should consider when looking for a mattress topper:

Material

Mattress toppers are available in many different types of material. The main types are latex, memory foam, feathers/down, and polyester blends. These all come with their specific functions, and it’s important to choose the right type for you. Latex tends to be firm and bouncy, while memory foam is supportive but not quite as firm. Polyester and feather toppers are not as supportive, but provide a lot of softness and cushioning. Latex and memory foam both reduce motion, which helps keep sleeping partners from waking each other when they adjust or move during the night. Latex, memory foam, and polyester can trap heat, making them slightly hotter than feather toppers. However, feather toppers can cause discomfort when feather shafts occasionally poke through the topper, and they can also cause allergies if you have down sensitivities. Synthetic pillow-top comforters can solve this problem, but they still can retain heat and can become lumpy over time. These are all factors to consider when choosing the right mattress topper to alleviate back pain.

Weight/Density

Mattress toppers come in varying degrees of thickness, which affects their weight and support. Latex toppers provide very firm support, while feather and poly blends are quite soft and not as supportive. Memory foam provides medium-firm support, making it a comfortable choice for multiple different lower back issues. The type you need depends on your specific pain and talking to a healthcare professional before buying never hurts.

Cleaning

Cleaning methods can vary widely between the different types of mattress toppers. This is why it’s best to consult the instructions on the packaging when you buy it. Memory foam and natural latex toppers have to be cleaned by hand, which can be a time-consuming task. Polyester mattress toppers can be washed in the washing machine and put in the dryer on low heat, then hung dried. Feather/down mattress toppers are a bit different, and need to be aired out outside every six months or so. Besides this, they should be deep cleaned once or twice a year, and most of them can also be placed in the washer and dryer.

Durability

Some mattress toppers fare better than others when it comes to wear and tear. Usually, the more expensive toppers will last longer, because cheaper material will break down quicker. Latex and memory foam are both pricier than their alternatives but stand the test of time quite well. Polyester blends can form lumps over time, and also tend to compress and become thinner with use. Similarly, feather/down toppers can become lumpy due to feathers settling and shifting. Unlike poly blend toppers, down toppers with lumps can be readjusted by shaking the topper to redistribute the feathers.

Mattress Topper: Our Picks for Best Tippers fo Lower Back Pain

Best Overall Mattress Topper – Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProForm Mattress Topper

Best Budget Mattress Topper – LINENSPA 2 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper Full

Best 3 Inch Mattress Topper – LUCID 3-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Best Down Mattress Topper – Duck & Goose Co Premium Mattress Topper

Best Pillow Top Mattress Topper – SOPAT Extra Thick Mattress Topper

Best 4 Inch Mattress Topper – ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Mattress Topper

Conclusion

If you suffer from lower back pain and don’t have the right mattress, it can be tricky to customize your sleeping situation to fit your needs. A mattress topper can provide the extra cushioning and support that you need without having to purchase a whole new mattress. Finding the right mattress topper for your lower back pain will help you wake up on the right side of the bed, every morning.

Works Cited:

https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics

https://www.thespruce.com/whats-the-best-mattress-topper-350741

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339077/

https://www.starkwoodchiropractic.com/3-causes-of-lower-back-pain-in-young-adults/

https://ayercomfort.com/blogs/articles/how-to-install-a-memory-foam-mattress-topper

https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-mattress-pad-right-way-t53736

https://www.flexuscomfort.com/blog/how-to-clean-latex-mattress-toppers/

https://www.hunker.com/12163782/how-to-clean-a-polyester-fiber-mattress-pad