Best Mattresses for Back Pain in Canada
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Back pain is highly unpleasant, and it can turn your peaceful slumber into a nightmare.
However, along with chronic conditions that can aggravate the unpleasant sensations, your mattress may contribute to your back pain as well.
Which is why it’s important to choose the right mattress.
Today, I will share with you my reviews of the best mattresses for back pain in Canada and help you understand the most important factors you should consider to make sure you’ll make the right choice.
A Quick Preview
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Best Overall |
| Shop Now on Novosbed.com | |
Best for Mixed Sleepers with Back Pain | Best for Mixed Sleepers with Back Pain |
| Shop Now on Puffy.com | |
Best Budget-Friendly Pick | Best Budget-Friendly Pick |
| Shop Now on GoodMorning.com | |
Best for Couples | Best for Couples |
| Shop Now on Polysleep.ca | |
Best for Motion Absorption | Best for Motion Absorption |
| Shop Now on Endy.com |
Our Reviews of 5 Best Mattresses for Back Pain in Canada
Best Overall - Novosbed
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Highlights
- after-purchase firmness adjustments;
- low motion transfer;
- washable cover.
So, let’s start my review of the best mattresses for back pain in Canada with the well-known player on the market, the Novosbed. This mattress can literally hug you and adapt to your spine curves to provide excellent pressure relief.
The Novosbed comes in three firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm. But what makes the mattress stand out among its competitors is the Comfort+ kit. If your mattress appears to be not perfect for you, you can request this kit — which is basically an additional foam layer — and make your bed softer or firmer.
I also was quite impressed by the edge support the Novosbed can offer. Having tested dozens of mattresses, I can easily claim that the edges of this memory foam mattress are comparable to those of hybrid beds of the same price category. So, if you share a bed with someone, or just love to snooze closer to the edge, the Novosbed will help you get that extra space and uniform support without sagging.
Overall, I enjoyed testing the Novosbed mattress. It feels uniform, adjusts to your body curves, and is made of high-quality and proprietary materials. Basically, anything you could ask for in a mattress for pain relief.
Recommended for:
- Users who are unsure of their firmness preferences. If you don’t know what firmness level is good for you, the Novosbed is a safe option to go with. Opt for the Medium option, which offers a very balanced feel, and in case it doesn’t completely satisfy you, adjust it with a Comfort+ kit.
- Active sleepers and their partners. The mattress has incredibly low motion transfer. I’m a pretty active sleeper and my wife is sensitive to movements, and she didn’t have any complaints while we were testing this mattress.
- Fans of the classic memory foam feel. I think that the Novosbed will make a good purchase for those who love being hugged by their mattress rather than floating on it.
Cons:
- may be too soft for people;
Best for Mixed Sleepers with Back Pain - Puffy
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Highlights
- medium feel, suits combo sleepers;
- stain-resistant cover;
- incredible cooling properties.
The next candidate to claim a place in this review of the best mattresses for back pain in Canada is the Puffy. Aside from being a brand with a positive social impact (the company donates mattresses to children in need), Puffy builds its mattresses to be breathable, cradling, and universally comfortable.
The mattress comes in the medium firmness. I would rate it as 5.5-6 points out of 10, where 10 is the firmest surface for sleeping. It offers a great hug but doesn’t have that sinking feel. I’m a side and back sleeper, and I felt comfortable and supported in both positions. Even my wife, who’s a stomach sleeper and on the petite side, didn’t complain (although she had to put a pillow under her pelvis at the end of the third testing night).
I also loved the cooling effect of the Puffy. Despite being a memory foam mattress, it has two comfort layers made of proprietary gel-infused materials that can withdraw heat from your body. Top it with a breathable and removable cover, and you’ll get your own cooling cloud for sleep.
So, the Puffy is a great mattress for everyone. It can contour your spinal curves, relieve the pain, and induce a peaceful sleep in minutes, regardless of your preferred sleeping position.
Recommended for:
- Mixed sleepers. According to my wife’s and my own experience, the Puffy offers decent support in any sleeping position. You just feel as your muscles relax and the pain diminishes.
- Those who typically sleep hot on a foam mattress. The gel upper layers of the Puffy can cool down even a chronic hot sleeper and help them sleep comfortably while maintaining the needed level of support.
- People with hypersensitivities. The washable cover is soft to the touch and is made of hypoallergenic materials. So, if you have any hypersensitivity, the Puffy might be a good pick for you, as it will prevent you from developing allergy symptoms.
Cons:
- some may find it too firmer;
Best Budget-Friendly Pick - Douglas
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Highlights
- good value for money;
- eco-friendly materials;
- medium-firm, may satisfy the needs of most sleepers.
Recommended for:
- Those on a limited budget. The Douglas won’t burn a hole in your pocket and is no worse in terms of performance and durability than some of its more costly competitors.
- Fans of eco-conscious living. The mattress uses a Tencel cover made of eucalyptus leaves that are considered a renewable material. Also, the foam in the upper layer doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and is produced with a smaller carbon footprint than regular memory foam.
- Combo sleepers. The Douglas is medium-firm, so it may work for different sleep positions and offer an equally good amount of support in each of them.
Cons:
- some people don't like many layers of the mattress;
Best for Couples - Polysleep
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Highlights
- reinforced foam perimeter;
- medium feel;
- liquid-repellent cover.
Recommended for:
- Couples. The combo of great edge support and low motion transfer is essential if you share a bed with someone. With this model, you can claim your bed space and still get pain relief.
- Heavier users. Sturdy edges and dense foams can support even heavier users. But if you sleep on your back or stomach, you may need a firmer mattress.
- People with limited mobility. The Polysleep has a pretty quick motion response and will help you move across the mattress and get in and out of bed more easily if your mobility is restricted because of pain.
Cons:
- some users prefer less bright colors;
Best for Motion Absorption - Endy
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Highlights
- blocks sharp movements so that you can sleep soundly;
- medium-firm but offers a comfy hug;
- features temperature-neutral materials.
Recommended for:
- Restless sleepers and their partners. According to my experience, the Endy mattress has pretty good motion absorption and can prevent you from waking in the middle of the night if you share a bed with a restless partner.
- Hot sleepers. The mattress uses open-cell foams that retain less heat, thus preventing you from overheating.
- Allergy sufferers. The washable cover will help you clean the mattress more effectively and prevent dust and debris from building up and aggravating your allergies.
Cons:
- some users wake up with a stiff or sore back;
What Mattress Firmness Is Best for Back Pain?
Now, there are a lot of specs that you need to look for when choosing the right mattress for back pain.
But I want to mention the firmness level above them all.
And here’s the trick:
Each type of pain may need a different level of firmness.
That’s why even the best mattress for back pain in Canada might just not work for you because of the unsuitable firmness.
So, let me explain the correlation between the pain type and the mattress firmness that may work best for its alleviation.
Upper Back Pain
The most common cause of upper back pain is posture problems. If you tend to slouch, this might result in the kyphosis — an excessive curvature in the chest region of your spine.
Another cause of upper back pain might be scoliosis, which is a sideways curvature of your spine.
“The spine is an ‘encasement’ for our spinal cord that innervates the whole body. Any posture problems that create unnatural curves in the spine may pinch the nerves, resulting in neuralgia or numbness in different areas.”
If you have upper back pain, the best mattress for you would be medium-firm, assuming you have average weight. This level of support is enough for maintaining the natural curves without provoking pain.
Heavier users with upper back pain need to look for a firm mattress. Adding some firmness points will help you feel comfortable and supported on the mattress without sinking too deep, which can create pressure points in your thoracic area.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common complaint of office workers. However, it can have many causes, such as:
- hernias in the lumbar spine;
- lordosis;
- pelvic traumas;
- lumbago.
Or, you may feel strains in the lumbar spine because of sleeping on an old mattress. This type of pain is called ‘non-specific’ and typically appears in the morning.
So, what is the right firmness in this case?
If your pain is a result of trauma, you need a mattress that will help you recover quickly. A medium and medium-firm mattress made of more spongy materials will do best. I recommend choosing polyurethane foam or latex rather than traditional memory foam, because they don’t restrict your movements while hugging your body.
Speaking of non-specific lower back pain, a medium or medium-firm mattress works best, according to science (1). A medium bed has a balanced give and is less likely to create pressure points.
What Type of Mattress Is Best for Back Pain?
Generally, memory foam beds tend to be the best choice for those with back pain. They offer unbeatable pressure relief in any position and adjust to the body curves so that you can maintain proper spine alignment.
Another good option is a latex mattress made of the sap of rubber trees. Latex is heavier and denser than traditional memory foam, but it also springs back to the shape more quickly after you remove the pressure (2). The latter can be an advantage for those who seek a mattress that won’t interfere with their movements during the night.
Finally, there are hybrid beds that combine coils and foam or latex layers in different variations. While offering overall the most balanced feel, these mattresses may be a good option for heavier users because the coil system can support a larger weight more easily.
Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Good Mattress for Back Pain in Canada
Now, knowing the right type and firmness of your mattress is only half of the deal.
You need your bed not only for alleviating your back pain but also for comfortable sleeping overall, so here are a couple of other important things to keep in mind when making your choice.
Durability
A foam mattress of decent quality and a medium price will last you 7-10 years on average. Beds made of natural latex have the longest lifespan and can serve you up to 15 years, assuming you take proper care of them.
Coil units tend to wear out sooner, so if you’re on the market for an innerspring or a hybrid, prepare to replace them after 7-10 years (3).
To make the most of your mattress, be sure to go for high-quality materials:
- foams: high-density ones for base layers and infused ones, e.g. with charcoal or green tea, for comfort layers;
- coils: choose models with high coil count and thicker wires;
- fabrics: natural fabrics, such as cotton, or semi-natural, such as Tencel or bamboo rayon, typically are safer and more durable than synthetic covers made of polyester.
Thermoregulation
Your comfort will depend not only on the cradling properties of your mattress but also on the temperature in your bed. When we fall asleep, our temperature drops and reaches its lowest point in 2 hours after we doze off (4). This, along with melatonin production, helps ensure an uninterrupted, deep sleep.
However, your body won’t be able to drop the temperature if your mattress will retain heat. So, be sure to check mattresses with great cooling effects, such as:
- Latex. Despite being dense, latex has an open-cell structure that allows the heat to escape and cool you down.
- Gel foams. Gel particles make the foam structure more porous and withdraw excess heat from your body.
- Coils. Innerspring and hybrid beds deal with excess heat by promoting better airflow within the layers.
“Mattresses with good cooling effects are also less susceptible to mold growth, which makes their lifespan longer.”
And don’t forget to choose breathable mattress covers — such as those made of Tencel, natural cotton, microfibre, or bamboo. Along with ensuring airflow, these materials absorb moisture and prevent it from getting inside the mattress.
Wrapping Up
I hope that I’ve made your search for a top-rated mattress for back pain in Canada much easier. I’ve personally tested every model in this review, and I’m sure that each can make a great pick for back pain sufferers.
Speaking of my favorite, though, I’d choose the Novosbed mattress. I love the balanced feel of the Novosbed and the possibility to adjust the mattress firmness after the purchase without having to send the mattress back. Also, I liked the breathable design and conforming ability, which allowed my muscles to relax completely and wake up well-rested.
And what about you? Which model seems to fit your requests the most? Share your feedback below!
References
- Francisco M Kovacs, PhD, Víctor Abraira, PhD, Andrés Peña, MD, José Gerardo Martín-Rodríguez, MD, Manuel Sánchez-Vera, MD, Enrique Ferrer, PhD. Effect of Firmness of Mattress on Chronic Non-Specific Low-Back Pain. Retrieved from doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
- Linda Erlam (n.d.) Latex Mattress Vs. Memory Foam. Retrieved from https://homeguides.sfgate.com/latex-mattress-vs-memory-foam-94620.html
- Abe Abbas (2020, May 8). When to Replace a Mattress. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/how-often-to-replace-mattresses-1391234
- Edward C. Harding, Nicholas P. Franks, William Wisden. The Temperature Dependence of Sleep. Retrieved from doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00336
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