Bad lower back - mattress recommendations?

[Tribal Chestnut]

Hi folks

I've a dodgy lower back from squats, deadlifts, etc when younger (seems an inherent weakness in the structure as form was always decent).

One of the beds that I sleep in appears to be exacerbating my discomfort - the mattress is about 6 yrs old and has sagged in the centre so a replacement is due.

Does anyone have experience of a mattress that has proven to be comfortable/good for lower back problems?

[davek_964]

Years ago, I had back pain pretty much every day and also had a worn out mattress.

Went to a bed shop and tried a few - was ready to order one, then tried a Tempur mattress and after lying on it for a few minutes, literally felt the tension drain out of my back.

Had it a good few years now - probably getting on for 10 - and don't think I will ever buy a 'normal' mattress again. It's superb.

[Big Pants]

Agreed. A decent memory foam mattress (of which Tempur is the top, but priciest brand) is something you won't regret.

Good bed. Good shoes. If you're not in one, you're in the other. Apparently.

[vanordinaire]

I can't go with the other two recommendations you've had, I can't stand memory foam, it's very much a Marmite thing. I bought a Hypnos after spending my first comfortable night in years in a Premier Inn. The Hotel chain has it's own spec from Hypnos but you can buy very similar over the counter from stockists. I'd recommend the first time you take a trip away, book into a Premier Inn and try them out.
Also, I share my bed with my wife and this is the first mattress we've had that my constant wriggling doesn't disturb her on at all.

[rsbmw]

Latex

http://www.latexsense.co.uk/

[Mr Gearchange]

Try these guys:

https://www.evemattress.co.uk/

Very reasonably priced and if after 100 nighst you decide you don't like it, they will pick it up for free and give you a full refund.

[944fan]

Just to throw another option in. We recently upgraded to a pocket spring mattress. I used to have back problems also but this has really helped.

OP - what other things are you doing to improve your back? I saw a chriopractor who loosened everything up for me. I also do some yoga and swimming and that really helps with the lower back pain.

[DuncanM]

We have an Ergoflex mattress, cheaper than Tempur but it's been absolutely amazing.

I will never go back to a conventional mattress after using memory foam.

[bitchstewie]

Pardon a bit of curiosity but do people find Tempur a bit too "squishy"?

Only ask as I was in John Lewis today and happened to walk past one so dug my hand in and it was a little unnerving vs. a traditional mattress.

[davek_964]

bhstewie said:

Pardon a bit of curiosity but do people find Tempur a bit too "squishy"?

Only ask as I was in John Lewis today and happened to walk past one so dug my hand in and it was a little unnerving vs. a traditional mattress.

When I bought mine, there were different types available - some squishier then others. If I remember correctly, I chose one of the firmer options.

[Matt_N]

vanordinaire said:

I can't go with the other two recommendations you've had, I can't stand memory foam, it's very much a Marmite thing. I bought a Hypnos after spending my first comfortable night in years in a Premier Inn. The Hotel chain has it's own spec from Hypnos but you can buy very similar over the counter from stockists. I'd recommend the first time you take a trip away, book into a Premier Inn and try them out.
Also, I share my bed with my wife and this is the first mattress we've had that my constant wriggling doesn't disturb her on at all.

This just illustrates how personal mattresses are because I found the Hypnos one of the most uncomfortable beds I've ever slept in, I just don't like a mattress with a memory foam / latex / soft topper, it ruins my back within minutes.

Best bet for the OP is to get in some shops and try some out, look out for the retailers that offer 'good night' guarantees that mean you can exchange the mattress within 30/60 etc days.

[vanordinaire]

Matt_N said:

vanordinaire said:

I can't go with the other two recommendations you've had, I can't stand memory foam, it's very much a Marmite thing. I bought a Hypnos after spending my first comfortable night in years in a Premier Inn. The Hotel chain has it's own spec from Hypnos but you can buy very similar over the counter from stockists. I'd recommend the first time you take a trip away, book into a Premier Inn and try them out.
Also, I share my bed with my wife and this is the first mattress we've had that my constant wriggling doesn't disturb her on at all.

This just illustrates how personal mattresses are because I found the Hypnos one of the most uncomfortable beds I've ever slept in, I just don't like a mattress with a memory foam / latex / soft topper, it ruins my back within minutes.

Best bet for the OP is to get in some shops and try some out, look out for the retailers that offer 'good night' guarantees that mean you can exchange the mattress within 30/60 etc days.

I agree with you that the OP should try out any mattress as it's a very individual thing.
I disagree with you over the Hypnos thing. I like Hypnos because they are pocket sprung, not memory foam as I don't like memory foam either. As far as I know, Hypnos don't use memory foam in any of their products, they have one range which uses toppers, but the toppers are wool based, I don't use one of these though, mine is a normal pocket sprung, orthapedic mattress.

[Salesy]

I suffered from bad lower back pains, tried many different mattresses and then found Tempur. Unfortunately my missus found it made her hot in the night so it had to go........ That lasted about 18 months when the pains started to come back.

Went into the Tempur shop at Bluewater and picked a new one up for £1600 on 0% finance and the threw in a couple of pillows a quilt, mattress protector and some bedding.
Been all good since then.

[Matt_N]

vanordinaire said:

I agree with you that the OP should try out any mattress as it's a very individual thing.
I disagree with you over the Hypnos thing. I like Hypnos because they are pocket sprung, not memory foam as I don't like memory foam either. As far as I know, Hypnos don't use memory foam in any of their products, they have one range which uses toppers, but the toppers are wool based, I don't use one of these though, mine is a normal pocket sprung, orthapedic mattress.

It was your mention of the Premier Inn one which has a soft topper, which I didn't get on with.

[RobM77]

I've suffered from lower back problems my whole adult life and yes, the bed you sleep in will make a big difference. However, it's highly personal for two reasons: a) Everyone sleeps in a different positions and b) Everyone's back responds to different things.

Personally, I spent about two hours in a huge bed shop trying all their beds and ended up with a high spring count mattress topped with memory foam (100% memory foam Tempur didn't suit me at all and was discounted early on). The new mattress made a noticeable difference to my back problems, especially in the morning.

[Zod]

I was going to come into the thread and say that you should take up weight training as it would strengthen your back, but clearly that 's not the answer here!

[gareth h]

I'm sure the mattress is an issue, however I have lower back issues due to wear and tear from weights / footie / squash, I recently started yoga and the improvement in mobility and comfort has been staggering, my back was very sore after the first couple of sessions and I could feel muscles stretching that I didn't know existed.
Wish I had started years ago, it isn't going to reverse the wear but things are certainly much improved.

[RobM77]

gareth h said:

I'm sure the mattress is an issue, however I have lower back issues due to wear and tear from weights / footie / squash, I recently started yoga and the improvement in mobility and comfort has been staggering, my back was very sore after the first couple of sessions and I could feel muscles stretching that I didn't know existed.
Wish I had started years ago, it isn't going to reverse the wear but things are certainly much improved.

Off topic, but this is the main thing that keeps me mobile. I get up from my desk and walk about every half hour and I walk four miles every lunchtime. After work I swim and cycle. These things do my back the world of good, and if it wasn't for them I'd be in much more pain and with much more reduced mobility. The other thing is avoiding things that are bad for your back; for me washing up is particularly bad, so we have a dishwasher to minimise that; heavy hoovers like Dysons are bad, so I have one of those hoovers where the hoover bits stays still and you just push the hose around.

Look also at your seating arrangement during the day - most of us spend just as long if not longer at our desks than in our beds, so get a good office chair. At home, make sure you're comfortable in the living room - I have a chaise end sofa so I can get my feet up and rest my back. Make driving position a priority with your car too - two weeks in a Peugeot last year rendered me unable to do sport for a month!

[Mr Pointy]

You might like to have a read of this page which explains a lot about the different types of mattresses & bases:

http://www.factory-beds-direct.co.uk/understanding...

The company makes beds (as customised for you as you wish) & offers a 30 day money back guarantee.

[pitchfork]

I have a Relaxsan Waterlattex.

No springs.

It moulds to your body - which is great - but it's no good if you share a bed, as you do roll together.

http://www.relaxsan.com/waterlattex.html