Having a herniated disc or slipped disc can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Some people with a herniated disc may find it difficult to get comfortable while sleeping.
A mattress that provides comfort while also supporting contouring for your spine may help you get a better night of sleep.
Finding the right mattress can be overwhelming. Knowing this, we have reviewed our top 5 best mattresses for herniated discs.
Best mattress for herniated disc: a shortlist
- Puffy — best overall mattress for herniated disc
- Helix — best hybrid mattress for herniated disc
- Nectar — best value mattress for herniated disc
- Plank — best firm mattress for herniated disc
- Nolah — best all-foam mattress for herniated disc
Comparison of best mattresses for herniated disc
| Product | Price of queen size | Trial period | Firmness | Warranty | Customer reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puffy | $1499 | 101-nights | Medium | Lifetime | 5/5 stars* |
| Helix | $1030 | 100-nights | Firm | 10-year | 4.5/5 stars* |
| Nectar | $659 | 365-nights | Medium | Lifetime | 4.7/5 stars* |
| Plank | $999 | 120-nights | Medium | 10-year | 4.8/5 stars* |
| Nolah | $1249 | 120-nights | Medium | Lifetime | 4.8/5 stars* |
Best mattress for herniated disc: overview
Having a herniated disc can cause pain, numbness, and tingling that can interfere with your everyday activities and rest. Getting a mattress that supports spinal alignment and removes pressure from your injured area may help manage uncomfortable symptoms.
We’ve extensively researched what type of mattress is best for herniated discs, and here are our top five recommendations.
1. Puffy — best overall mattress for herniated disc
The Puffy Lux Mattress is a hybrid mattress that combines contour-supporting coils topped with several layers of memory foam to provide you with support and contouring. We chose this as the best mattress for a disc herniation for several reasons.
The three foam layers provide cooling and climate control to help you stay cool while cradling your body when you sleep. Keeping your mattress clean is a breeze with the stain-resistant cover that removes easily with a zipper.
The company is confident in the quality of its mattress and offers a generous 101-night trial and a lifetime warranty. Others also agree on the quality of the mattress, including Forbes, Good Housekeeping, and Consumer Reports. The American Chiropractic Association also recommends this mattress for its exceptional spine support.
Customers rate this mattress with 5 out of 5 stars. The price ranges between $899 and $2098 depending on the size.
2. Helix — best hybrid mattress for herniated disc
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress made of wrapped coils and several layers of memory foam. It offers a medium firmness of 6/10, making it one of the best mattresses for a slipped disc.
The individually wrapped coils and high-density poly foam help keep your body in alignment while also offering comfortable contouring for your spine. The multiple layers are designed to help take pressure off your shoulders and hips and are great for people who prefer to sleep on their back or side. Couples also enjoy the mattress’s ability to isolate motions to help reduce movement.
The mattress comes with a Light Breathe Knit cover with exceptional airflow or an optional upgrade to the GlacioTex™ Cooling Pillow Top that helps pull heat away from your body.
The manufacturer offers a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Forbes and the Sleep Foundation rated this mattress the best for 2023.
Customers rate this mattress with 4.5 out of 5 stars. The price ranges between $936 and $1749 depending on the size.
3. Nectar — best value mattress for herniated disc
Nectar offers two of the best mattresses for disc problems: A memory foam model and a hybrid model.
The memory foam mattress is made of premium memory foam and offers contouring and support for your spine while you sleep. You can choose from several upgrades to enhance the mattress’s cooling, pressure relief, or plushness.
The hybrid mattress includes several memory foam layers and individually wrapped steel coils that provide extra support and help you feel cooler while sleeping. Several upgrades are available to enhance the mattress's comfort and support.
The mattress's cover is made of polyethylene fibers that help wick body heat away from you to promote comfortable rest.
The manufacturer offers a generous 365-night trial and backs their product with a lifetime warranty. The mattress has received several awards over the last five years.
Customers rate this mattress 4.7 out of 5 stars. Prices range from $359 to $1098, depending on the size.
4. Plank — best firm mattress for herniated disc
The Plank Mattress is one of the firmest mattresses on the market, claiming 10/10 in firmness. However, if the mattress feels too stiff, you can simply flip it and enjoy 8/10 medium-firm support. Because of this, we nominated it as the best firm mattress for a lumbar herniated disc.
The mattress is made of a six-inch, high-density foam core for solid support and spinal alignment. The outside layers are Supreme Response Comfort Foam, adding a comfortable contouring aspect. An optional GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover can help you better regulate your temperature while you sleep.
Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night trial and a 10-year warranty. The American Chiropractic Association endorses the Plank Mattress Firm.
Customers give this mattress a 4.8 out of five-star rating. The price ranges between $561 to $1,149, depending on the size.
5. Nolah — best all-foam mattress for herniated disc
The Nolah Signature 12” comes in two models, the Nolah AirFoam™ and the Nolah AirFoam™ Flex. The Nolah AirFoam™ is an all-foam mattress that provides medium firm support for combination sleepers.
The AirFoam™ Flex is an all-foam hybrid model that includes a specially cut foam that mimics coils, giving the mattress added support. This design is best for side sleepers.
Both models are wrapped in an organic cotton cooling cover to help you stay comfortable while sleeping.
According to the manufacturer, microscopic air bubbles in the AirFoam™ provide evenly distributed body weight and ultimate pressure point relief, making it one of the best mattresses for a bulging disc. The brand also claims that its AirFoam™ is 300% more durable than traditional memory foam and resists sagging over time.
Nolah offers a 120-night trial period with a lifetime warranty. The mattress has been awarded the best mattress for side sleepers by Forbes and Self.
Customers rate this mattress 4.8 out of 5 stars. The price ranges between $899 and $1898, depending on the size.
How to choose the best mattress for a herniated disc?
| Firmness | Support | Material | Customer reviews | Value |
| Preferred medium to firm | Even distribution of weight | High-quality materials like memory foam and hybrid mattresses that support and contour | Reviewed what customers had to say | $659–1499 |
- Firmness. We chose mattresses that provide medium firmness for the best mattress comfort for herniated discs.
- Support. We looked for mattresses that evenly distribute your weight to give you proper support for the natural curves of your spine.
- Material. What a mattress is made of determines its comfort, support, and durability.
- Customer reviews. We looked into what actual customers had to say to gauge their overall satisfaction with the mattresses.
- Value. We looked for mattresses that provide quality and support at a good price.
How to pick the right mattresses for herniated disc and sciatica?
It’s important to consider several factors while searching for the best mattress for herniated disc and sciatica.
- One of the most important factors is choosing between a soft or firm mattress for a herniated disc. Your spine needs to be in a neutral position while you sleep to help remove extra pressure from the injury. Look for medium to firm mattresses to help give you that support.
- The type of material a mattress is made of determines its firmness level, comfort, and how long the mattress will last. Look for mattresses made of memory foam, latex, or hybrid options that combine these materials with coils.
- Read through customer reviews. It can help give you an idea of how the mattress holds up in real-life experiences and provide insight into how easy the company is to work with if you need to make an exchange or return.
- Keep in mind the reputation of the manufacturer. Companies with a high reputation typically produce quality products meant to last.
- Lastly, consider the price. The health of your spine and the quality of your sleep is important for your overall well-being. Take this into consideration when selecting a mattress.
Mattresses for herniated disc compared to regular mattresses
A typical mattress is usually made of steel spring coils, a foam layer, and a fiber pad. While these mattresses can be pleasant for some people, a person with a slipped disc may have trouble sleeping comfortably.
Couples may also notice that a typical mattress has a lot more movement when someone shifts weight rather than being able to isolate the movement. This could be bothersome for a person with a slipped disc who is trying to keep pressure off the injured area.
The best mattresses for herniated disc problems are those with several layers of memory foam, latex, or a hybrid that combines coils and memory foam. These mattresses offer better support and proper spinal alignment.
Can a mattress actually help with a herniated disc?
Currently, there is no scientific research on how a mattress can help a herniated disc. However, sleeping on a mattress that properly supports the natural curves of your spine and evenly distributes your weight may help take pressure off the painful area of the spine.
If your current mattress causes poor sleeping posture or does not contour the neck and spine, you may experience extra pressure in the area, causing discomfort.
It’s important to understand that a mattress cannot fix a herniated disc, but it may help you sleep more comfortably. It is essential to consult with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Tips for comfortable sleep with disc problems
Here are some general tips that may help you sleep more comfortably if you have a disc problem with your spine.
- Supportive sleep surface. Make sure your bed provides you with medium support for the curvature of your spine.
- Incorporate pillows for comfort. Strategically place pillows to help support your body, such as putting a pillow under your knees if sleeping on your back or between your knees if you prefer a side-lying position.
- Good sleep position. Sleep in a way that helps support the natural curves of your spine, such as on your back or side. Avoid stomach sleeping, as this may put pressure on the injured area.
- Manage pain. Follow your health provider’s instructions on properly managing your back pain.
Further reading
Pick the best mattresses for hip pain that might help alleviate discomfort during your rest.
Protect your spine by choosing one of Best mattresses for back pain for added support.
Check out these mattresses that offer the best quality at the best price.
FAQ
Is memory foam good for herniated discs?
Memory foam mattresses are a great option for people with herniated discs. The material is comfortable while offering support for the spine and an even distribution of your body weight. Some hybrid mattresses offer a combination of memory foam with coils for added support.
How does mattress firmness affect herniated discs?
A mattress's firmness can significantly impact the ability to get comfortable if you have a herniated disc. A soft mattress may cause your body to sink in the wrong places and put added pressure on the painful area. A medium to firm mattress can help keep your spine in a neutral alignment and help you rest more comfortably.
What sleep positions are recommended for herniated discs?
The position you feel the most comfortable in with a herniated disc depends on the location of the injury in your spine. Many people prefer a side-lying position, which helps their spine stay in alignment. Some find sleeping on their back to be the most comfortable. We don’t suggest stomach sleeping, as this may put added pressure on your spine.
How often should I change my mattress with herniated discs?
The lifespan of a mattress depends on the quality of the mattress, the materials it's made of, and how often it is used. If you are suffering from disc problems, we suggest that you replace your mattress every 7 – 10 years.
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