Choosing a Mattress for Back Pain

If you wake up stiff or sore, your mattress may be part of the problem. Research suggests that an old, worn-out bed can affect how well you sleep and how you feel in the morning. Here’s what the research found, and how to choose a mattress for back pain that fits your body.

What One Study Found About Old Mattresses

Researchers at Oklahoma State University, led by Dr. Bert Jacobson, compared how people slept on their own beds, most five or more years old, with how they slept on new bedding. On the new beds, participants reported improvements in:

Sleep comfort (70.8%)
Sleep quality (62.0%)
Back pain (55.3%)
Spine stiffness (50.7%)

This study tested new bedding in general, not FloBeds specifically. Still, the takeaway is clear: a sagging old mattress can cost you sleep and comfort.

vZone mattress for back pain with zoned support

Is a Firm Mattress Best for Back Pain?

Not necessarily. “The firmer the better” is an old rule that research hasn’t backed up. A 2003 study in The Lancet found that people with chronic low back pain did better on a medium firm mattress than a firm one. You can read more in our post, Goldilocks Was Right II.

The real goal is two things at once. First, your mattress should support your spine in its natural line. Second, it should cushion your pressure points, like hips and shoulders. The right balance depends on your weight, your shape and how you sleep.

How the FloBeds vZone Is Built

The FloBeds vZone is designed to give you that balance. It starts with a cotton and wool cover and a convoluted Talalay latex comfort layer. Below that are zoned latex pieces for your shoulders, lower back, hips and feet. You can swap zones to put firmer support or softer cushioning exactly where your body needs it.

Each side of the bed is separate, too. So if you and your partner need different support, you don’t have to compromise.

Common Questions

Can I really buy a mattress for back pain online?
The only way to know if a mattress works for you is to sleep on it for a while, not just a few minutes in a showroom. That’s why we offer a 100-night guarantee. If we can’t get your mattress right within 100 days, we’ll refund your purchase price (see our guarantee for details).

What if my needs change?
Bodies change. With our Goldilocks Guarantee, you can buy replacement layers and zones over the 20-year life of your mattress, instead of buying a whole new bed.

What Customers Say

“I have bursitis in my shoulder and stiff hips. After sleeping in one of your beds for a few weeks, my shoulder is better and my hips don’t ache nearly as much. I am not saying I have been cured, but the aches are a lot less than they were.” — Reverend Charles K.

“For over seven years, I have suffered with chronic back pain. After sleeping on your FloBed, I noticed an improvement in my sleep habits and a reduction in my back pain.” — Penelope M.

These are individual experiences, and results vary. Read more customer reviews.

Not sure where to start? Use our Firmness Advisor to find your setup.

This article is for general information, not medical advice. If you have ongoing back pain, talk with your doctor.