If your mattress isn’t cutting it for resolving your back pain, adding a good topper is an easy solution. The best mattress toppers for back pain can give you some extra support and pressure relief without costing you nearly as much as a whole new mattress.
Sadly, a lot of mattress toppers just aren’t very good for helping with back pain. Most mattress toppers are super soft, since they’re designed to provide pressure relief rather than support. That’s no good for back pain.
We’ve asked our resident sleep expert, Michelle Jenkins, to come up with some recommendations for mattress toppers that provide pressure relief along with ample support for chronic back pain. You’ll find all her picks below, along with some helpful buying advice for choosing the best one for you!
| Picture | Brand & Model | Thickness | Firmness | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” - Soft | 2 inches | Soft | Check Price |
 | Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” - Medium | 2 inches | Medium | Check Price |
 | Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” - Firm | 2 inches | Firm | Check Price |
Best Mattress Toppers For Back Pain (2019)
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2”
“Sleep On Latex is a really wonderful bedding company I’ve discovered recently. I’ve always loved the idea of natural latex, but traditional latex mattresses were just too firm for a lot of people. I like the Sleep On Latex approach because they’re taking natural latex and turning it into an adaptive foam material that’s like a supercharged version of memory foam! It contours to your body in a very similar way, but it doesn’t sink or develop dips. The springiness of latex helps to support your body around the pressure points, while the foam contours where you need a bit more relief.
Sleep On Latex mattress toppers are my top suggestions for back pain. They’re much cheaper than the full mattresses but provide the same excellent quality and effective support.
You can get one of these in three different levels of firmness. There’s are soft, medium, and firm options. I would suggest that most people go for either the medium or firm models.
If you sleep on your side, the soft version could also do-just bear in mind that medium is usually a better choice for preventing any spinal curvature from forming in your mid back. Still, even the softest latex is still much springier than memory foam. It’ll provide much more support to your mid-back and lumbar.
There are a few things to bear in mind before you spring for one of these, though. First, while natural latex doesn’t off-gas like synthetic memory foam, but it does have a fairly strong rubbery scent. It’ll fade fairly quickly, but don’t expect it to be completely odorless. Second, natural latex does last much longer than memory foam, but it does cost more up front. Just consider it an investment in your health!”
When you need the number one, best mattress topper for back pain, we’d recommend the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” – Medium as a great choice for you.
FAQ
Why do we only recommend latex mattress toppers for back relief?
The answer is actually quite simple. Back pain is usually caused by a lack of support as much as a lack of pressure relief. That’s why we like natural latex foams the best. Natural latex can be produced in foams that are just as adaptive as memory foam, but which provide a lot more springy resilience to support those areas that shouldn’t sink in. Plus, it doesn’t have the chemical off-gassing issue.
Buying Guide
Look For Support As Well As Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is one of the biggest improvements you’ll see when you use a mattress topper. However, when it comes to back pain, pressure relief isn’t the only thing you need. In order to support the spine properly, your mattress should cradle you-contouring around your pressure points while supporting the rest of your spine. If you’re trying to help your back with a mattress topper, make sure you choose something that can support all those in-between areas, such as your lumbar and mid back at the same time it relieves pressure around your hips and shoulders.
Know Your Sleep Style
As when you shop for a mattress, you should keep your personal sleep style in mind when you choose a mattress topper. If you sleep on your back, you should choose mattresses and toppers that are on the former side. If you sleep on your side, stick with surfaces that are medium-firm or medium so that your shoulders and hips get the relief they need.
Avoid Wool And Cotton
Wool and cotton mattress toppers certainly have their place, whether to help alleviate heat buildup on memory foam sleep surfaces or to add a bit of pillowy cushion to a mattress that’s too firm. However, they’re pretty much useless when it comes to back pain. These fiber toppers will just pack down wherever you lay on them, rather than relieving pressure points while supporting the rest of your spine. That’s bad news for your back! We recommend sticking with latex or memory foam, both of which can cradle your body’s specific contours.
What’s Next
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful and are well on your way to conquering back pain! Remember that no mattress topper can completely compensate for a terrible mattress, though. If yours is letting you down, check out our guide to the best mattresses to find a new sleep surface that will keep your back safe and comfortable all night!
Abby Larson
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