If you’re struggling with back pain from a bad mattress, it’s time to start thinking about purchasing a new bed. But with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know which is the best mattress for back problems.
Since foam mattresses have been a popular choice for decades, many customers wonder, is memory foam good for your back? The answer isn’t exactly straightforward; it just depends on how supportive the mattress is for your body.
Our mattress experts are here to dive into the wondrous world of memory foam mattresses: their benefits, their drawbacks, and how to know which kind of foam mattress is best for your needs and your back.
What is memory foam?
In the 1960s, NASA commissioned Charles Yost, an aeronautical engineer, to make aircraft cushions more comfortable for test pilots during flights — and memory foam was born. Memory foam is a “closed cell” foam mattress component that was designed to absorb pressure and provide more resistance than traditional foams for added support. Its ability to contour to the body’s curves and provide a soft cushion for pressure points made it a popular choice for mattress construction going forward.
The memory foam mattress misconception
It’s become a common misconception that because memory foam mattresses are soft, they are inherently bad at supporting the back. So, is a firm mattress better for your back? Not necessarily. People tend to believe that a firm surface equals more support, which is not always true.
Now, that’s not to say that some memory foam mattresses could cause back pain — there are some bad mattresses out there — but this will only happen if the mattress is poor quality or not the right fit for that person.
Simply put, whether or not a memory foam bed is good for your back will depend on what the supportive components are made of, the quality of the memory foam, and whether it is the right fit for your body type and personal needs.
How memory foam could support back health
Memory foam as a component does have many great qualities that can help ease back pain for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
- Spinal alignment: Memory foam mattresses can be great solutions for back pain because the foam will mold to the natural curve of your spine as you sleep, keeping it in alignment.
- Pressure relief: The cushion of the foam is soft and easy on your joints, eliminating aches and pains in places like your lower back.
- Adjustable friendly: Because memory foam is compatible with most adjustable mattress bases due to its flexibility, a memory foam adjustable bed is easy to come by. Adjustable bases help you sleep in the most comfortable position possible with little effort and are a great investment no matter which mattress you choose.
In case you were curious, here are some other benefits of memory foam to consider when mattress shopping:
- Motion isolation: The density of the foam absorbs movement to stop motion transfer. This means that you won’t feel your partner toss and turn or get in and out of bed for minimal disturbances as you sleep.
- Durable: Quality memory foam is quite durable and can last for many years.
Now, while this all sounds good and dandy, there are a few cons that we share with customers when they are considering purchasing a memory foam mattress.
Disadvantages of memory foam
As far as memory foam has come in the mattress industry, it is not always the best option for every sleeper. Here are some common disadvantages of memory foam to be aware of.
- Not ideal for hot sleepers: Traditional memory foam’s viscoelastic properties make it temperature-sensitive, and its closed-cell structure traps heat in the mattress. Because your warm body heat makes the mattress feel softer, some sleepers find this experience more suffocating than relaxing.
- Sinking and cradling: The softness of the memory foam can create a sinking or cradling feeling that isn’t always pleasant if you prefer a firmer feel to your mattress.
- Off-gassing: Traditional memory foam can sometimes have an off-putting chemical-like smell. Some mattress manufacturers (not us, of course) create them with harsh chemicals that can release off-gassing or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that leave a persistent odor in the mattress for weeks at a time.
All of our foam products are certified by CertiPUR-US®, meaning they are made in the United States without phthalates regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
So, if a memory foam mattress doesn’t seem like a good match, is there anything better than a memory foam mattress? Let us show you our foam components which are great memory foam alternatives.
Which kind of foam mattress is best?
Here at Texas Mattress Makers, we offer memory foam alternatives that may be more beneficial to sleepers who may not vibe well with the feeling of this type of foam. We actually carry a variety of different foam components that produce extra benefits such as improved breathability, moisture-wicking, and more.
Serene™ Foam
Serene™ foam is a newer foam technology that improves the material’s breathability for a cooler night’s sleep. Unlike traditional memory foam’s closed-cell structure, Serene™ foam is an open-cell, meaning that the cells create “bubbles” that allow air to move more freely throughout the foam. This ultimately helps create a cooler sleeping surface while maintaining a cloud-like plush feel. We use Serene™ foam in the comfort layers of our foam mattresses for a luxurious sleep experience.
High-density foam
We heard the misconception that foam can’t be supportive and decided to prove the industry wrong. Our high-density foam is a firmer foam, making it an ideal base layer for support in each level of our 100% Foam Mattress. Placing this high-performance foam underneath our foam comfort components gives it durability and structure for proper back support while you enjoy the comfort of our pain-relieving foam mattresses.
High-resilience foam (HR foam)
If you are not a fan of the sinking feeling that memory foam can have, the resilient properties of our HR foam keep you on top of the mattresses without sinking. Instead of a crater, the resilience will help the foam mold to your body and support your lower back as you sleep. You can switch sleep positions freely, get in and out of bed easily, and still enjoy the cozy feeling of a foam mattress without feeling trapped. You can find this foam in the soft, medium, and firm feels of our 100% Foam Mattress. Shop the collection in the link below.
Best Foam Mattress in Houston
Texas Mattress Makers: Take Your Perfect Foam Mattress Home
The answer to “Is memory foam good for your back?” may not be straightforward at other mattress stores. However, shopping at Texas Mattress Makers guarantees that your foam mattress was designed with the highest-performing materials to provide optimal comfort and support. So, yes, they will be good for your back.
With the help of our mattress experts, we’ll match you with your perfect foam mattress to eliminate any aches and pains and give you the best sleep of your life. Don’t waste time shopping elsewhere — visit any of our mattress stores in Houston today or purchase online and experience luxurious sleep without the luxury price tag.
More Helpful Articles by Texas Mattress Makers:
- Does Memory Foam Need a Foundation?
- Best Mattress For Back Sleepers
- Unpacking the Hype: What is a Bed in a Box?
- Expert Guide to Mattress Firmness
- Why Your New Mattress Feels Different Than In-Store