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Buying a mattress for spinal stenosis may not help cure the condition, but you certainly deserve a good and comfortable night’s sleep.
Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease that causes lower back pain. The problem becomes more prominent as you get older and the intervertebral discs show signs of wear in the form of pain.
Constant pain can affect quality of life, but the right mattress can help you relax and get a good night’s sleep.
In today’s article, we’ll help you choose the best mattress if you have spinal stenosis. There can be no single recommendation for this condition as the stage of the disease and a person’s body weight will always vary. These are the two most important criteria to consider before choosing the right mattress.
AMERISLEEP AS2 Memory Foam Mattress
Amerisleep AS2 is one of the best mattresses for stomach and stomach sleepers and is a medium firm mattress. The AS2 is best suited for spinal stenosis and there are other options available for varying firmness that can work based on specific preferences. See the link above for more options.
Amerisleep uses eco-friendly, plant-based memory foam and has an open cell structure that keeps you cool and comfortable.
Most people with spinal stenosis are advised to sleep in an adjustable bed, and Amerisleep works on any bed frame, including an adjustable bed.
The memory foam used in Amerisleep is one of the fastest recovery foams that quickly retains its shape. This feature sets Amerisleep apart and is more comfortable than the rest of the memory foam mattresses.
Getting off or spinning and diving in Amerisleep is relatively easy and you won’t feel “stuck”.
AS2 has three main layers of foam. The top layer, Bio-Pur, is a breathable memory foam that helps the body stay cool. The middle layer provides zone-specific support using HIVE technology. It has six-sided foam cores that provide extra pressure relief on the shoulders and back. The third layer is Bio-Core which forms the core of the mattress for durability and support.
Here are some other features not to be missed:
- 12 ″ medium firm mattress.
- Cooling mattress.
- Good edge support.
- 20 year warranty.
- Certi-PUR certificate.
- Celliant mattress cover for better performance.
Nectar Queen Mattress
Nectar is one of the top sellers of mattresses in the US. It is included in mid-range prices and is quite popular with people who sleep with back pain.
In addition, if you sleep warmly and are looking for a mattress that keeps you cool, the Nectar mattress adapts to your needs.
The Nectar has 5 layers, with the top layers being a layer of memory foam gel with a padded cover for extreme comfort. To further support the cooling effect, the mattress base is made of breathable foam.
The Nectar mattress supports all types of sleeping positions and can be an ideal option for patients with spinal stenosis. It has a medium firmness and the mattress cradles and supports the body.
Here are some other features not to be missed.
- Certi-PUR certificate.
- 180 night trial and lifetime warranty.
- Two complimentary premium nectar pillows (Amazon offer).
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress, (2020 Model)
In 2020, Casper relaunched its original zone-supported hybrid mattress. Zonal support in a mattress helps to better support the shoulder and neck area and especially the lower back.
The Casper mattress can be an ideal mattress for someone who suffers from low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis.
The key to choosing a mattress for spinal stenosis is a design that prioritizes spinal support. This is where Casper’s new 2020 model excels. It is recommended for couples and combination sleepers who switch to different sleeping positions at night.
The mattress has softer foam around the shoulder and neck area and is firmer around the hip area. This provides adequate pressure relief in both areas and keeps the spine aligned.
The top of the mattress has an AirScape™ layer of breathable foam to keep you cool at night. The mattress base is made of high-quality spirals that promote air circulation, provide resilience and provide better edge support.
Here are some other features that confirm why you should buy the Casper Hybrid.
- 100 nightly trials.
- 10 year warranty.
- CertiPUR-US Certificate.
- Industry-leading customer service.
- Made in the USA
Layla Sleep Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress
Layla Sleep is another reliable option for spinal stenosis. It has the unique feature of being a folding mattress with two levels of firmness. It has a medium-soft firm side and the other side is medium firm.
The mattress has a layer of copper-infused memory foam that keeps warm sleepers cool. It has a unique heat-infused mattress cover with added thermogel that has heat-dissipating properties. This mattress is a godsend for warm sleepers.
Layla Sleep is a foam mattress best suited for all types of soils, including an adjustable bed for spinal stenosis.
Side sleepers with back pain will prefer the medium-soft side and those who sleep on their backs will be more comfortable on medium-firm. But we recommend that patients with spinal stenosis test both sides of the mattress to determine which works best for you.
Other features of Layla Sleep that you should not miss are:
- CertiPUR-US Certificate.
- Hybrid mattress.
- trial period of 120 nights.
- Lifetime Warranty.
- Made in the USA
Snuggle-Pedic Orthopedic Hybrid Mattress
The Snuggle-Pedic Hybrid Orthopedic Mattress is one of the most comfortable mattresses for spine-related issues. It is a 10 inch foam mattress for all types of sleepers. Snuggle-Pedic is a medium firm mattress with a luxurious look.
Flexible technology provides pressure relief and increased support. It has a patented Airflow Transfer System™ that circulates the air and keeps it cool in the mattress.
The Snuggle-Pedic has a double comfort layer made of memory foam and traditional foam. This combination cradles the body and supports the spine.
The breathable, micro-ventilated cover is made of bamboo viscose, polyester and lycra. We recommend this orthopedic mattress for any cervical or lumbar problem, including spinal stenosis.
There are also some more notable features to consider.
- CertiPUR-US Certificate.
- Hypoallergenic.
- trial period of 120 nights.
- Removable cover.
- Free personal customization.
- Made in the USA
Mattress Types for Spinal Stenosis
We recommend four types of mattresses that are best for spinal stenosis. Here’s an overview of why they’re best suited for this condition.
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress is a combination of two types of mattress. The mattress core or support consists of spirals in a top layer that mold to the body with one or more layers of memory foam or latex.
Hybrid mattresses offer the best of both worlds. Internal coils or springs provide the responsiveness needed in a mattress and foam layers provide comfort by conforming to the shape of the body.
Before choosing a hybrid mattress for spinal stenosis, make sure it uses high-quality pocket springs and is not overly responsive.
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam mattresses are favored by buyers for their excellent shape and pressure relief properties. Memory foam adapts to the curves of the body and distributes the weight evenly. This is most crucial for clients with uneven body weight distribution.
A person with a heavy shoulder or lower body will find it extremely comfortable due to the correct alignment of the spine. But memory foam tends to trap body heat and can be a deal breaker for a hot sleeper.
For warm sleepers, a hybrid option is more suitable.
Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are expensive but provide a great sleeping experience. A latex mattress can be made from natural or synthetic latex. Most high quality latex mattresses are made from natural sources and are the most preferred.
Natural latex beds are expensive, but they respond better than memory foam. But they are not as soft as a memory foam mattress and are better suited to the needs of people who sleep on their backs or stomachs.
Patients with spinal stenosis may like it because they are the right combination of responsiveness and body adaptation.
Traditional Innerspring Mattress
We initially ruled out the internal spring mattress, but many patients with spinal stenosis prefer traditional beds, especially the elderly. Spring mattresses are relatively cheaper and quite inflatable.
It is not a recommended bed for someone who suffers from spinal stenosis. But if traditional innerspring beds are your first preference, we opted for a zoned support bed.
Best Sleeping Position in Spinal Stenosis
The sleeping position plays a fundamental role in the quality of sleep. A good sleeping position can relieve pain. Most problems associated with low back pain require a knee lift to reduce the load on the spine.
Lying in bed with a straight back puts more pressure on your degenerated intervertebral discs. Put some pillows under your knees to minimize the pressure on your back.
For any stage of spinal stenosis, we recommend maintaining sleeping positions for comfort.
Fetal Position:
The flexed-legged lateral or fetal position is one of the safest and most comforting poses if you have spinal problems. This will become a bedtime position for side sleepers with back pain or spinal stenosis.
Reclining Position:
The reclined position is another position that can provide you with great comfort when sleeping on your back.
We recommend buying an adjustable bed if you sleep more comfortably in a reclining position. Many battery-operated adjustable beds with remote control allow you to adjust the reclining angle while lying in bed.
Buying a wedge pillow for the patient can be a good starting point for understanding whether the supine position is a viable long-term solution.
Ideal Spinal Stenosis Mattress
Understanding the underlying condition of the spine due to disc degeneration is important in determining the best mattress for spinal stenosis. The right mattress in the early stages can take advantage of this and help reverse or stop further degeneration.
To avoid information overload, let’s take a look at the factor to look for in an ideal mattress for spinal stenosis.
Spine Health
Spinal health should be the top priority for any mattress buyer. As a patient suffering from degenerative disc disease, be it cervical spinal stenosis or lumbar stenosis, the alignment of the spine is key.
Memory foam and hybrid beds are good for better spinal support. The key here is to avoid cheap mattresses that may not last long or even hurt your back even more.
Buy certified foam beds that are comfortable and fit your body. The quality of the foam and the overall build quality are worth considering.
Sleeping Position
The sleeping position plays a key role in providing comfort to your spine. We’ve already discussed the best sleeping positions for spinal stenosis in the previous section.
Again, sleep in the fetal position or buy the best adjustable bed you can afford if the reclined position is comfortable for you.
Cooling Mattress
The reason we recommend a hybrid mattress in many situations is that many companies have experimented with building mattresses. There are multiple options for every need.
A memory foam mattress is a perfect mattress for most needs, except for hot sleepers. It can leave a hot sleeper all sweaty and uncomfortable.
Most hybrid mattresses have a cooling top layer infused with gel beads and/or open-cell foam for better heat dissipation. Alternatively, you can also buy a good cooling mattress topper to make things a little easier.
Firmness
Calculating the ideal firmness for a mattress can be a challenging task. For conditions related to the spine, it is an even more tedious task. For the most part, the medium to soft mattress works for most patients with spinal stenosis. Always keep in mind that a mattress that is too hard or too soft cannot provide comfort for long.