Waking Up With Pain? Let’s Fix That
If your mornings start with stiffness, soreness, or that all-too-familiar ugh in your lower back, you're not alone. Back pain is one of the top reasons people toss and turn at night—and one of the biggest questions we get in-store:
“What’s the best mattress for back pain?”
Here’s the truth: the mattress you sleep on can either be your secret weapon for pain relief… or the hidden culprit making it worse.
At Mattress Warehouse Utah, we’ve helped thousands of people ditch their old beds (and their back pain) for something better. Whether your discomfort is chronic or just creeping in lately, this guide will walk you through:
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The best mattress firmness for back pain
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How your sleep position and body type affect what you need
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Top materials and models for real back support
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Our favorites that customers swear by
Let’s help your back—and the rest of you—finally rest easy.
Why Your Mattress Might Be Hurting Your Back
Back pain has a long list of causes: stress, bad posture, old injuries… and, yep, a mattress that’s past its prime.
If your bed is too soft, too firm, or sagging in the middle, it throws your spine out of alignment while you sleep. The result? Your muscles work overtime, your joints stay compressed, and you wake up feeling stiff and sore instead of rested.
The best mattresses do the opposite:
They support your spine’s natural curve, keep your hips and shoulders aligned, and let your muscles actually relax overnight.
We see it every day—customers come in with complaints of pain and poor sleep, and leave with a mattress that changes everything. Sometimes the relief is instant. Sometimes it takes a few months. But the results? Real.
Bottom line: If your back’s been barking, your mattress might be to blame—but it can also be the solution.
Firm, Soft, or In-Between? Finding the Right Feel for Back Pain
Let’s bust a myth right now:
You don’t need the firmest mattress on the market to fix your back.
The magic lies in finding the right firmness for your body and your sleeping style. Ultimately, the right feel is a matter of personal preference.
“There is no best mattress. It probably varies enormously as to what you are used to,”
—Dr. Steven H. Feinsilver, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital
That’s why our in-store team works one-on-one with you to find the mattress that supports your spine and feels good to you. Now, here’s how different firmness levels typically stack up:
Firm Mattresses
Great for: Stomach sleepers, Heavier body types
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Pros: Prevents hips from sinking too low, aiding spinal alignment
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Cons: Can create pressure, especially for side sleepers, which leads to tension in lower back
Medium-Firm Mattresses
Great for: Back sleepers, Combination sleepers, Most back pain sufferers
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Pros: The “Goldilocks” feel—firm enough to align the spine, soft enough to cushion joints
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Bonus: A major clinical study backs this up—medium-firm mattresses help reduce back pain, morning stiffness, and sleep disturbances better than firm or soft models.
Plush or Soft Mattresses
Great for: Light side sleepers, Dedicated side sleepers
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Pros: Cozy and cushiony
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Cons: May allow too much sinkage around the hips—bad news for spine alignment
Not sure what your body needs? Don’t worry—we’ll help you test options in-store until you find the one that feels just right.
Materials Matter: What Type of Mattress Is Best for Back Pain?
Firmness is only part of the equation. The way a mattress is built—its materials, construction, and support systems—can make a huge difference in how your back feels.
Here’s how the top mattress types stack up for back support:
Memory Foam
Best for: Pressure relief and contouring
Molds to your body, cradling your curves and easing pressure around the hips, shoulders, and lower back. This can help keep your spine in a more natural position. Great for side and back sleepers who need full-body support.
Latex
Best for: Responsive support, breathability, and natural feel
Offers similar gentle contouring to memory foam, but with more bounce, responsiveness and airflow. It’s a good choice if you want pressure relief without that “stuck in the bed” feeling. Naturally hypoallergenic, sleeps cooler, and durable—making it a popular pick for people with back pain who prefer a more natural material.
Hybrid
Best for: Balanced support and motion control
Combines the best of both worlds: pocketed coils for strong support, and foam or latex layers for comfort and pressure relief. Especially effective for back pain relief due to zoned support (firmer in the middle, softer at the shoulders) which maintains proper spine alignment across all sleep positions.
Gel Grid & Smart Beds
Best for: Tech-forward, targeted pressure relief and cooling
Innovative designs like Purple’s GelFlex Grid or King Koil SmartLife™ respond to your movements and relieve pressure in real-time. They use flexible materials or responsive tech to adjust to your body’s unique shape. Great for keeping your spine supported while reducing pressure on sensitive areas. Tends to sleep cooler than traditional memory foam.
5 Back-Saving Features to Look For
To get real relief, look for these mattress features designed to support your spine and improve your sleep:
✅ Zoned Support
Targeted firmness where you need it most—firmer at the hips, softer at the shoulders
Found in: Stearns & Foster, King Koil SmartLife™
✅ Pressure-Relief Layers
Foam, gel, or latex layers that ease tension on your joints and lower back
Found in: Tempur-Pedic, Purple, Posh + Lavish
✅ Edge Support
No more sliding off the side—solid edge support keeps you stable and expands your usable sleep space
Found in: Hybrid and innerspring models
✅ Cooling Technology
Hot sleepers, rejoice. Sleeping hot can make back pain worse by interrupting your sleep cycles. Cooling gel foams, breathable coils, or open-grid materials help regulate temperature so you stay comfortable all night.
Found in: Purple, Tempur-Pedic Breeze®, hybrids
✅ Long-Term Durability
Back pain doesn’t need a comeback. Investing in a high-quality mattress with reinforced coils or high-density foam helps ensure consistent support for years to come.
Found in: Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster, SmartLife™, Posh + Lavish
Our Top Mattresses for Back Pain Relief
(Handpicked by real sleep experts—tested by real Utahns)
Tempur-Pedic LuxeAdapt
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Adaptive TEMPUR® memory foam + coil support
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Cushions pressure points, aligns your spine
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Available in cooler-sleeping Breeze® models
Best for: Back sleepers and those who want premium comfort and lasting support
Purple RestorePremier™
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GelFlex® Grid cradles your curves
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Responsive coils for support + airflow
Best for: Combo sleepers, hot sleepers, and fans of a unique floating feel
Bedgear M3 Performance Mattress
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Customizable firmness on each side
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Individually wrapped coils + performance foam
Best for: Side sleepers, couples, and anyone who wants dialed-in comfort
Not Sure Which One’s Right for You?
Stop by a Mattress Warehouse Utah location and try them in person. Our team will guide you to the best pick for your body and your budget.
Why Choose Mattress Warehouse Utah?
When it comes to back pain, you need more than a flashy ad or a box at your doorstep. You need real help, real experience, and real comfort.
Here’s what makes us different:
We Know Sleep Science
Our team is trained to understand spine alignment, body types, and sleep habits. We don’t just sell mattresses—we match people with pain-relieving solutions.
“Justin, helped direct me to the bed I was wanting & needed. I’ve now slept on my new bed for a couple of nights and I’m pleasantly surprise, it is nice to wake up with out back pain from sleeping.” David Upvall
We’re Local
We’re Utah-owned, which means better service, faster delivery, and a real commitment to our neighbors.
