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Best Mattress for Hip and Back Pain - What To Consider When Choosing a Mattress a Mattress for Hip and Back Pain


Hip and back pain can be irritating and disturb the sleep we value so deeply.

We all know the benefits of a good night’s sleep: improved concentration, a healthy mind and body, a strong immune system, reduced stress levels and plenty of other factors that help us function happily and healthily during the day.

So, when our sleep is being disrupted from aches and pains, we need to find a practical solution to help us sleep comfortably all night long.

That’s why we’ve put together an essential guide for choosing the best mattress for hip and back pain.

Sufferers of hip and back pain can use our tips to find the best mattress that will make your body feel as good as new every time you wake up.



Best Mattress for Hip and Back Pain

The first aspect of choosing the right mattress for hip and back pain is to remember that everyone is different. Our bodies are unique so what is right for one person will be different for someone else.

As bed experts we can help you find the right mattress for your needs and comfort levels. We like to bust a common myth: a firm mattress is good for a bad back. Actually, there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a mattress to help with hip and back pain.

We’ve collected the eight best pieces of advice that we discuss with our customers when they ask us what mattress they need to sleep on to help with their hip and back pain.



1. Invest in pocket springs

A pocket spring mattress offers unrivalled support compared to other mattresses. Luxury brands such as Vispring and Hypnos are pioneers in the pocket spring world and can deliver bespoke mattresses which is perfect for anyone with specific sleep needs.

  • Pocket springs are designed to perfectly contour the body
  • They offer head to toe support so you can feel the effects on your entire body
  • Each individual spring adapts according to the weight it receives

Like any component, high quality springs will deliver better support. Beware of manufacturers or retailers offering a high quantity of springs; this does not always mean higher quality or improved support.



2. Proper spine alignment

Sleeping on your back is the best position for improving hip and back pain as it allows you to practice proper spine alignment.

  • Relieves pressure points
  • Evenly distributes weight throughout your body
  • Avoids unnatural or unnecessary curves in your spine

Bear in mind that as well as having the right mattress, choosing the best pillows will also help, particularly when dealing with back pain. We recently wrote an invaluable blog post with advice on how to choose the perfect pillow for any sleep requirement so be sure to have a read.



3. Consider your body weight

Everybody is unique and our body weight is crucial for decisions on the best mattress for hip and back pain.

  • A heavy frame will benefit from a heavier gauge (width of the wire used) spring tension i.e. a firm mattress. The springs will be thicker and able to sustain a heavier weight therefore offering the best support.
  • Choosing the correct mattress for your body weight will help with proper spine alignment.
  • A lighter person who suffers from a bad back is unlikely to need a firm mattress. A softer spring will help a light person’s body engage properly with the spring and get the support it needs.

If a couple shares the bed, it is important to consider the different weights and shapes of both people, however, depending on the mattress size you are choosing and whether or not a combination tension is available, you will need to be guided by the weight of the heavier person.

A mattress topper can always be added if the lighter person then requires more softness.



4. Indulge in comfort

Don’t be put off in opting for comfort as well as good support. Many people believe cushioning may be bad for their back but this isn’t the case.

  • First, choose the correct level of support you need to ease your hip and back pain (choose the right tension for your body weight) and to continue supporting you for many years.
  • Then, add comfortable upholstery layers for softness and cushioning

Most high quality mattresses are great at offering both support and comfort. Manufacturers will fill their mattresses with natural materials such as wool and cotton.

By investing in a luxury brand mattress these natural fillings will be 100% British, sustainably sourced and offer sumptuous comfort. Whilst you’re benefiting from superior support. It’s a win-win!



5. Size of mattress

This is important. A larger mattress is undoubtedly better so if you have the space opt for a larger size. Why?

  • More space allows room for movement
  • Less restriction
  • Able to relax more which is important for a restorative night’s sleep

A couple who sleeps in a double bed is giving each individual a cot size width of space to sleep in. This is less than a single size bed for a child.

As bed experts, we advise couples to try out king, super king and emperor mattresses in our showroom, especially if they need to address any hip or back pain.



6. Natural fillings

Further to our mention of natural fillings offering cushioning to a mattress, the use of natural materials has many benefits.

  • Wool and other natural materials create flow and breathability. The mattress won’t retain moisture so it establishes a more hygienic sleep surface.
  • Air flow also means the mattress stays cool helping your body to regulate its temperature and therefore sleep more soundly.

Other options like natural latex are excellent for mattresses as they are very supportive and anti-allergenic.



7. Check out your bed

Before you invest in a new mattress that you’ve picked out to specifically help your hip and back pain, take a look at the base you are going to place it on.

  • Make sure there is no evident sagging
  • Your mattress must be placed on a flat surface
  • Ask: does the base offer additional support, as this will help enormously.

A pocket sprung divan base will deliver the best support and comfort as it works in unison with your mattress.

A slatted base or solid platform top won’t offer extra support so you will only be helped by your mattress.



8. Your body, your preference

Our last piece of advice to our customers when we’re choosing the best mattress for hip and back pain is to listen to what your body needs and consider your personal preference.

When it comes to sleeping you know what you prefer and what you find comfortable. This is why we suggest trying before you buy. Our Hampshire based showroom is the perfect place to feel what you prefer and to speak to our knowledgeable team about the right fit for you. If you can’t visit us in store, please feel free to call our expert team, who will be more than happy to guide you through our range over the phone.


The snug team’s mattress selections

To help you even further, we’ve compiled a selection of our mattress recommendations for firm, medium and soft tensions. These mattresses are the most popular choices from the different ranges we offer.

If you want any more advice on these mattresses please call us or visit our showroom and our expert team can help you.


Most Popular Medium Mattresses


Wool Origins 8 Mattress by Hypnos
The Wool Origins No. 8 offers luxurious support and the comfort of a natural wool filling for a rejuvenating night’s sleep. Designed with the signature Hypnos ReActivePro 8 turn pocket springs, this high-tech support will sense and flex to your shape for constant comfort. It’s 16.3 kg of all-British wool is sustainably sourced and traceable to the farm. Wool is both hypoallergenic and moisture and heat regulating, this has proven benefits for helping people fall and stay in a deep, blissful sleep. 3 rows of genuine hand side stitching help keep the mattress layers and ticking in place, whilst ensuring support right up to the edge of the mattress. As a seasonal turn mattress, No. 8 is designed for long-lasting freshness and quality and is available in medium and firmer tensions, including zip and link options. 
From £1480
From £2244
Vispring Elite Mattress
The Vispring Elite mattress offers unrivalled quality and comfort to last a lifetime. It features a blend of the finest wool and cotton fillings – perfectly paired to wick away moisture and improve the quality of your sleep. It boasts 1,254 vanadium steel pocket springs*, available in a range of tensions to suit every personal preference and body type. This all-natural luxury mattress is expertly hand tufted and tailored with 2 rows of hand side-stitching for extra durability. It’s backed by a 30-year guarantee against craftsmanship.  
From £1055
From £1420

Vispring Herald Superb Mattress
The Vispring Herald Superb - one of Vispring’s most popular mattresses - combines the best of heritage luxury craftsmanship with the latest spring support technologies. An incredible 1,476 hand-nested calico pocket springs* make for an overall firmer but highly-responsive mattress base. Deep all-natural upholstery of Platinum Certified British fleece wool, horsehair, and cotton ensures a night of truly luxurious comfort and support. The mattress borders are enhanced with protective wool and two rows of hand side-stitching for edge to edge support and as with all Vispring mattresses, it comes with a 30 year guarantee against craftsmanship.
From £2135
From £2860

Most Popular Soft Mattresses


Wool Origins 6 Mattress by Hypnos
The Wool Origins No. 6 guarantees total body comfort for a great night’s sleep. It features Hypnos’ expertly engineered 6 turn ReActivePro pocket springs and a built-in Triple Edge Protection firm gauge spring for additional mattress edge support. This seasonal turn mattress boasts an all-natural filling of 8 fleeces, or 16.3 kg, of responsibly sourced British wool. Its unbleached cotton and viscose cover is tailored with three rows of traditional hand side stitching for extra durability. No. 6 is available in medium and firmer tensions, zip and link options, and is backed by a 10-year guarantee.  
From £1185
From £1797
Vispring Devonshire Mattress
This top-of-the-range all-wool Vispring model is the perfect choice for a cosy-feel mattress with natural moisture-wicking and temperature regulating qualities for enhanced sleep. The Vispring Devonshire’s 1,326 hand-nested calico pocket spring* construction combines the latest technologies with heritage British craftsmanship to deliver a first-class sleeping experience. Its borders are reinforced with protective wool and two rows of hand side-stitching for edge to edge support and durability. Each Devonshire Mattress is handmade to order in the size and tension of your choice and comes with a 30 year guarantee.
From £1780
From £2385

Vispring Shetland Mattress
The Vispring Shetland Mattress is a luxurious natural, all-wool model with real Shetland wool, a filling exclusive to Vispring mattresses. With 1,720 hand-nested calico pocket springs*, it's designed to contour your body, respond to every need, and adjust pressure where needed. It's filled with an all-natural blend of Shetland and British fleece wool with hand-tied woollen tufts and twine for exceptional depth of comfort. The Vispring Shetland is wrapped in the finest wool worsted ticking, and features borders upholstered with protective wool and 3 rows of hand side-stitching. It’s long-term quality and comfort is assured with a 30 year guarantee against craftsmanship.  
From £3705
From £4950

Find The Best Mattress for Hip and Back Pain

Choosing the right mattress will either relieve hip or back pain or, even better, prevent it from happening in the first place.

We aren’t medical experts but we do pride ourselves on knowing how to match our customers to the right bed or mattress. Contact us today and we can help you achieve a comfortable sleep for many years.

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21st October 2022

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