Best Mattress Toppers For Back Pain Relief [Review] in 2021

Best Mattress Topper for Bad Back Buyer’s Guide

Sometimes there’s nothing worse than waking up with a wrenching backache in the morning, and in most cases, it is caused by not having enough back support while you sleep. Whether your mattress has seen better days or just slightly too firm to help you, back pain is frustrating!

Something as simple as a mattress topper can actually make a world of difference when it comes to combatting back pain, not to mention a much cheaper alternative to getting yourself a whole new mattress.

It will even prolong the life of your original mattress underneath!

But it’s not as simple as picking up the first one you see with some good reviews; you need to get down to the nitty-gritty as finding a good quality mattress topper is a brilliant first step, but if it doesn’t support back pain as well then it’s not worth buying.

But no need to panic; I’m here to help! Following my guide and selecting one of my choices above will transform your sleep experience; you will notice the difference in back relief even after the first night!

Let’s break down everything you need to know, shall we?

What to look for in back pain-relieving mattress toppers: 

Here are some top things to check before buying yourself a mattress topper:

Material

A mattress topper that relieves back pain needs to be able to contour to the body and provide proper spinal alignment in order to prevent further damage to the back and keep things in place. There are two most common materials to choose from:

The first is memory foam. Memory foam easily supports the body, wrapping around it and contouring exactly to the shape of your weight. Essentially, this means even weight distribution and proper support on all joints and key areas.

It provides quite a lot of comfort, too, and many modern versions of memory foam toppers have found solutions to the heat retention issues of older products. Gel memory foam – a variety of this material that uses a layer of cooling gel – can also help those who sleep hot.

The second option is latex foam. Latex foam toppers are very versatile and usually come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and varieties.

Like memory foam, it contours to the body and promotes healthy spinal alignment, and it makes use of a hole-filled design to absorb body weight for added comfort and support.

Essentially, latex foam offers many of the benefits of memory foam but with a faster response time for an added bounce, so it works for those who don’t like the “stuck” feeling that slow-responding memory foam sometimes has. 

Latex is also very breathable in most cases and is often quite affordable.

You can also find an alternative to both with an alternative fill, this would be ideal for hotter sleepers as it is much cooler than both latex and memory foam, yet still provides the back support you need. 

Soft or Firm?

Softness and firmness with a mattress topper for back pain are about more than just comfort – it’s about support and ensuring it feels just right to prevent further aches and relieve existing pain.

Mattress toppers that are too soft will likely fail to provide enough support to your spine. The most comfortable toppers may not help your back issues as they won’t offer the necessary support to ensure proper spinal alignment.

On the other hand, extremely firm mattress toppers will likely be very uncomfortable, and they don’t offer the needed spinal support to alleviate back pain for most sleepers.

I would recommend finding a good balance between the two, not too soft that it doesn’t support you but not too firm that it feels uncomfortable. 

With that being said, you won’t be sleeping on your mattress alone, so choose one that complements the firmness of your mattress. If you have a soft mattress that barely offers any support, go for firmer toppers, and vice versa.

Also, remember to factor your weight into purchasing a topper. If you are plus-sized or weigh over 250 lbs., you will want a firmer topper that doesn’t sink in or bottom out underneath you, as that may only exacerbate back pain issues.

Thickness:

Thickness is an important factor to consider in a mattress. Thicker toppers are typically more comfortable and as a rule, thicker is generally better when it comes to finding the best mattress topper for back pain, but you don’t need a very thick product to enjoy pain relief.

It’s worth noting that thickness ties into other factors. For one, density is just as important as thickness and there are some thinner mattress toppers that offer higher density materials, making them equally or even more supportive than thicker ones with low densities.

On top of that, thicker toppers usually mean a firmer feeling, so if you’re dead set on getting a softer mattress, already have a very firm mattress, or are a stomach sleeper, there’s a good chance that you will feel inclined to go for a thinner topper anyway.

In addition, an overly thick and firm topper can prevent it from responding properly to the shape of your body as you lie down, resulting in a non-ergonomic design that leaves you with more pain than you started with.

You should again find the balance between the two: too-thin toppers also have their fair share of disadvantages for those with back pain, especially because they don’t provide enough support to key areas, joints, and pressure points.

I would recommend going for a 3-inch option as it offers the right balance, it’s not too thick but not too thin. 

Density

Some mistake density for thickness, and while the two often tie in together and have similarities, they are far from the same. The densities of mattresses usually begin at 2 lb./ft³, and higher density mattress toppers are, as you may expect, firmer than their less-dense counterparts.

A mattress topper with a density of 2 or 3 lb./ft³ will feel soft and plush, making it very comfortable, but this usually isn’t enough to help back pain.

One with a density higher than 5 lb./ft³ will feel very firm and offer the most support, but will not contour easily to your body, meaning it is still not optimal for those with back pain.

Lack of sufficient density will cause you to sink into the topper, causing spinal misalignment and worsening back pain.

Temperature Regulation:

Memory foam toppers often have a tendency to add to the overall warmth of your bed, and they can contribute to overheating and raising your body temperature.

Although most modern toppers have found ways around this, it’s likely a good idea that you opt for ones that have specific measures implemented to combat the heat. Low-qualities are not likely to include temperature regulation features.

If you are opting for a latex topper, then finding one that doesn’t sleep hot is an easier task as most latex bedding is highly breathable.

However, memory foam is notorious for sleeping hot so you will want to search for ones that are either gel-infused or are designed for optimal airflow and temperature balance.

Size:

This should go without saying, but you will need to purchase a mattress that properly fits your bed.

Make sure you have the measurements of your mattress and know its standard size because a mattress topper must completely cover your mattress in order to provide foolproof back pain relief.

Health and Safety

Many buyers make the mistake of overlooking this very important aspect. When you purchase a mattress topper, you should ensure that it is made in a safe manner, using little to no harmful chemicals or components.

A CertiPUR-US certification for memory foam products ensures that the foam has been manufactured in a manner that is safe for your health and does not use flame retardants, toxins, or heavy materials in its construction.

How Does Sleeping Position Affect Back Pain?

Back pain mainly occurs as a result of bad posture or sleeping positions, or in some cases an underlying condition. The right mattress topper can help relieve all these pressure points while aligning your spine to reduce backpain.

Different sleeping positions can also come into play when it comes to back pain, if you’re suffering with back pain you may want to review your sleeping position and potentially try and change it.

Side sleepers:

Side sleepers often prefer a soft sleep surface that will balance and conform to your body to provide support. A topper that is slightly too firm won’t allow your shoulders and hips to sink enough but one too soft may cause them to sink too much.

Both will put a strain on your side so it’s important to find a balance between the two, it should provide enough room for your hips and shoulders to comfortably sink in without feeling restricted.

A firmer mattress topper will be better for a softer mattress and a softer mattress topper will be better for one that’s more firm.

Back sleepers: 

For back sleepers, a slightly firmer sleep surface will be better as it will provide more support in order to maintain a natural spine alignment. You may prefer a more firmer topper but again make sure you work out the right balance.

A topper that is too soft will make you sink in too much making it difficult for your spine to align but one that’s too firm will leave a gap in your lumber region which can actually cause back pain.

Stomach sleepers:

you’re prone to sleeping on your stomach then you may be more prone to sinking in your bed which puts a strain on your spine, contributing to back pain.

For stomach sleepers I would recommend getting a mattres topper that is fairly thin  and firmer as this will be much more supportive and prevent the change of sinkage.

Combination sleepers: 

Do you find yourself switching between sleeping positions throughout the night? If so then I would recommend going for a mattress topper based on the position you’re most commonly in, or spend most your night in.

Or if you switch fairly evenly throughout the night then a mattress topper with a mid-range thickness may suit you nicely for all positions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mattress Toppers

Which type of mattress topper is best for helping lower back pain?

The most popular mattress toppers for back pain tend to be memory foam, polyfoam, and latex. This is because these types of mattress toppers conform to your body shape and relieve pressure points, including your lower back.

It also helps support spinal alignment; when picking thickness, you should carefully look for the right feel. Make sure you consider your weight and preferred sleeping position when choosing a mattress topper.

Do mattress toppers help with back pain?

In most common causes of back pain, the main cause is a bad posture or a bad sleeping environment. If your mattress is too firm or too soft, it won’t provide you with the support your need, plus it won’t align your spine correctly.

Investing in a mattress topper will most likely make a world of difference as it will provide a supportive sleep and promote spine alignment. However, a topper won’t make up for sagging, and in those cases, a new mattress is a way to go. 

What is the purpose of a mattress topper?

Mattress toppers are an affordable way to change your bed’s feel to get a more comfortable, supported, restful and rejuvenating sleep. Many are designed to conform to your body to relieve certain pressure points and relieve aches and pains.

They are also designed to prolong your mattress’s life as a whole; they will transform an old mattress into one that almost feels like new until you can afford a new one.

What is the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?

The key difference between the two is that mattress pads are thin layers designed to protect the mattress, some models offer some cushioning, but this not always the case. Pads can add features such as waterproofing and cooling to your bed.

On the other hand, Mattress toppers are designed to modify the feel and firmness of the mattress; it’s almost like adding another mini-mattress on top to improve support and comfort.

Summary:

Mattress toppers are an excellent way to solve back pain if you feel that your sleeping posture is the root of the problem; not only do they prolong the life of your mattress, but they add that little extra support and comfort, promoting spine alignment and a better night’s sleep.

There’s a wide range of options to choose from, from gel memory foam, latex to even down-filled alternatives that all promote the relief of back pain; you may even notice it after the first night of use!

We all deserve a good night’s sleep, one that is free of pain and discomfort and one that is helps relieves all our aches and pains and mattress toppers are the way to go!

Choose out of any I have selected today and get yourself back to the rejuvenating, pain-relieving sleep you deserve.

Happy sleeping!