Best Mattress for Herniated Disk

What Is the Best Mattress for a Herniated Disc?

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when some of the spine's soft center, or nucleus, pushes out through a tear in the spine's exterior. Also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, this condition sometimes exists without any accompanying pain. Other times nerves are irritated, and you experience pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

The herniated disc may happen at any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back. While anyone can get a herniated disc, they are most common in older people, highly physical people, such as athletes or construction workers, smokers, and people who are overweight. There is also evidence that genetics plays a role.

This is a condition in which the wrong kind of pressure and poor posture can increase the likelihood of herniated disc pain. The intensity and frequency of discomfort can be completely different from person to person.

How Does a Herniated Disc Impact Your Sleep?

A herniated disk can have a significant impact on your sleep, leading to pain and discomfort that keeps you up at night. Good sleep is foundational to your quality of life, and lack of sleep will delay the healing process.

In addition, interrupted sleep can lead to further problems with the disc and potentially even other health conditions!

Other Health Conditions That Could Develop from a Herniated Disc

Unfortunately, the pain isn't the only issue you have to worry about if you are experiencing a herniated disk. If that pain is ignored, it can cause other health problems, including:

Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that can develop as a result of a herniated disc that's left unattended. A herniated disc can damage the sciatic nerve roots in your lower back. This pain may be felt in a different part of the leg, like in the thigh or calf, depending on which nerve root is damaged.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is another condition that can make getting a good night’s sleep difficult. In some instances, a herniated lumbar disc can lead to scoliosis in adolescents.

Chronic Back Pain

In some cases, a herniated disc could lead to chronic back pain, making sleeping even more difficult. If your spinal alignment is off, it can keep you from getting the rest you need.

Mattresses for Chronic Pain

Talk to your doctor if you're worried about developing any further conditions from your herniated disc or experiencing side effects.

How to Sleep with a Herniated Disc

How you sleep on a herniated disc matters if you want to continue getting pain relief and improve your spine health while you sleep. Consult your doctor or chiropractor about the best sleeping positions for a herniated disc, as recommendations vary on a case-by-case basis. Everybody is different! Your preferred sleep position may be different than the best sleeping position to offer you pressure relief and maintain proper spinal alignment.

Sleep On Your Back

Sleeping on your back is one of the best ways to sleep if you have a herniated disk. This position keeps the spine in a neutral position, which reduces the risk of pinching nerves in your back. In addition, sleeping on your back can help relieve pressure on the discs, helping you sleep without pain or pinching.

Sleep On Your Side with a Pillow Between Your Knees

If you find sleeping on your back isn't right for you, you may try to switch up your position. One option is side sleeping, but bringing a pillow between your knees can help take the pressure off of the lower back and hips. Sleeping in the fetal position may compress your spine too much, but a pillow may help improve your sleep quality by offering pressure relief.

Consider a Wedge Cushion or Body Pillow

Sometimes, the right sleeping position might not be enough. Consider placing a wedge cushion pillow underneath your lower knees or using a body pillow if you prefer sleeping propped up. This will keep you in the "neutral" position and provide you with pressure relief while you sleep. Remember, it's all about trying to keep your nerves from getting pinched.

Use a Medium to Medium-Firm Mattress for Your Herniated Disc

The right mattress also plays a role in recovering from a herniated lumbar disc. A mattress that is too firm can cause you to sleep in a way that puts pressure on your back and hips. A mattress that's too soft may sink in, putting pressure on the spine.

Because of this, many people find that medium or medium firm mattresses are what works for them.

The Right Mattress Type May Help Relieve Herniated Disc Pain

A herniated disk is a condition that involves irritation and inflammation. Sound sleep is one of the most powerful ways to decrease pain over time and offer pressure relief. No matter how you are experiencing herniated disc pain, your discomfort may increase if you're sleeping on the wrong mattress.

Remember that you spend about a third of your life sleeping on a mattress. So, it's no wonder that your bed is an essential factor in managing your back pain and helping relieve pressure points. A good mattress makes all the difference!

Because your pain may change from night to night, the ideal mattress allows you to sleep each night differently to supply the support and contouring you need to reduce discomfort.

People with herniated discs may find firmer mattresses are less comfortable. However, you must also keep the spine aligned to prevent additional back issues. Medium-firm or flexible beds may be your best option.

It's smart for anyone suffering from back pain to talk with a doctor or chiropractor before trying new mattresses or pain management treatments.

Best Mattress Materials for a Herniated Disc

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a bed for a herniated disc. For instance, you must first decide which type of bed will provide the right balance of firmness and softness to relieve your pain. Then, you want to think about whether or not certain mattress materials might make your herniated disc or conditions like sciatica worse.

Memory Foam Mattress

A memory foam mattress is a great option for someone with a herniated disc. The foam contours to the body, which can help relieve pressure on the spine. Additionally, memory foam mattresses are often soft enough to provide comfort but firm enough to support the body.

Latex Mattresses

A latex mattress is a good choice for sleeping with a herniated disc because it offers support and comfort. The latex foam can help relieve pressure on your spine and any pain points.

Gel Memory Foam Mattress

A memory foam mattress differs from a traditional memory foam mattress in that it has a gel-like substance in it that often helps keep you cool. The foam in these mattresses cradles your body and usually provides good pressure relief.

Plant Based Memory Foam

If purchasing plant-based options is important to you, you can opt for a memory foam mattress that's plant based!

Coil Mattress

A coil mattress has individually wrapped coils that provide a good amount of support. A coil mattress with a layer of memory foam on top typically provides pressure relief and can be comfortable to sleep on when you have a herniated disc.

Hybrid Mattress

A hybrid mattress combines a coil mattress with latex, gel, or memory foam layers. These mattresses can provide good pressure relief. Some people find the springs offer more support than other memory foam mattresses. An all foam mattress may be a soft mattress that allows the body to sink in too much.

Mattress with Adjustable Base

An adjustable base allows you to set the head, foot, or both higher or lower than the rest of your body for relief of pressure points. Adjustable beds can help encourage proper spinal alignment since you can set them to meet your exact preferences.

Mattress Toppers for Sleeping with a Herniated Disc

If you don't want to purchase a mattress, you may consider trying a new mattress topper, like one made of memory foam. Keep in mind that this may not be enough, especially if your current mattress is old or ill-fitting. But as a side benefit, in addition to making you feel more comfortable, mattress toppers can also help your mattress last longer.

Other Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Bed When You Have a Herniated Disc

The material of your mattress isn't the only thing you need to consider when choosing a mattress for pain and a herniated disc. Here's a few other things to look at:

Your Preferred Sleeping Position

Sleeping on your back: Most people with a herniated disk find sleeping on their back the most comfortable position. This allows the head, neck, and spine to rest in a neutral position. You can place a pillow under your knees to keep the spine aligned. Most back sleepers prefer a firm or medium firm mattress.

Sleeping on your side: If you sleep on your side, try using a pillow between your knees to keep the spine in alignment. Most people who sleep on their side find a mattress of medium firmness most comfortable.

Sleeping on your stomach: This position is not recommended because it puts strain on the back.

Your Weight

If you are heavier, you may need a firmer mattress to avoid putting too much pressure on your spine. If you are lighter, a softer mattress may be more comfortable.

Sleep Trial

Some mattress companies offer a sleep trial, which allows you to try the mattress for a certain number of nights to see if it helps with your pain. If it doesn't help, you can return the mattress for a full refund. This is an important factor to consider if you're buying online.

Warranty

You should also consider the mattress's warranty. A warranty shows that the manufacturer stands behind their product and will replace any issues within a certain time frame.

Other Health Conditions

If you have other health conditions or chronic pain, you may need to consider which mattress materials are best for your condition. For example, you might try a memory foam mattress or another type of mattress that relieves pain in the hips and back. If you have a degenerative disc disease, talk to your doctor about long term solutions that offer the best pressure relief.

Body Heat

Being a hot or cold sleeper can also make a difference for everyone, including herniated disc sufferers. A quality mattress can keep you cool if you find you wake up sweaty. Sometimes a gel infused memory foam is the coolest option.

Other Mattress Features Like Edge Support

Edge support, or how firm your mattress is around the edges and corners, is an important factor for some people. Enhanced support around the edges of your mattress can make getting in and out of bed easier, especially if you have a condition that limits mobility.

The Five Best Mattresses for People With Herniated Discs

Are you looking for a good night's sleep? If you have a poor quality mattress, it may be time to upgrade! Doing so has the potential to relieve neck pain, provide pressure point relief, and help you get into the best sleep position for your condition.

PlushBeds Mattress for Herniated Disc

If your herniated disc is causing pain from inflammation, you need a mattress that offers soft support and keeps you cool. The 12-inch CoolBliss Gel Memory Foam Mattress from PlushBeds not only supplies pressure point relief and spine alignment, but it’s also one of the most cooling sleeping mattresses available. Five comfort layers work together to dissipate body heat and moisture three times faster than the competitors' swirl gel memory foam. This means you get soft, cool comfort—perfect for alleviating inflammation.

Because because your pain can move or change from night to night, the Reverie 8Q premium adjustable foundation will allow you to raise or lower the foot and bed to provide perfect comfort. Because this flexible foundation features Bluetooth Smart® connectivity, you can even control the bed from your smartphone. And if your muscles need a little help relaxing, this foundation also includes massage.

Split king models are available if you need a bed that adjusts to the needs of two people.