When it comes to back pain, mattresses matter. Some mattresses contribute to back pain, while others alleviate it. One major cause of back pain is the position in which one sleeps, which largely (though not entirely) depends on the mattress one sleeps on. Regular innerspring mattresses are composed of coils which push up against the body. Water beds make heavier parts of the body sink down too low.

What Goldilocks may have been looking for when she first tested for a mattress that was just right was a memory foam mattresses. Memory foam mattresses have been demonstrated to alleviate back pain because they work in synergy with the body, conforming to its shape and gently cradling its pressure points, areas that support the most weight. This means that weight is appropriately distributed across the body. The back is enabled to rest in proper orthopedic alignment, which means that good standing posture is maintained. Some sleeping positions are better for the back than others.

While a pillow under the legs or rolled sheet under the lower back may be necessary for good sleeping posture on innerspring mattresses, this is not needed for memory foam mattresses. Memory foam mattresses conform to your body’s shape naturally, making these extras unnecessary, even harmful. Ensure that your pillow is under your head and neck, but not the shoulders. A good memory foam pillow contoured for the shape of the head may do the trick. Sleep on your back or side and talk to your doctor about your particular condition, because there are different sleep positions that can alleviate specific back problems. A memory foam mattress may be just what the doctor ordered for back pain relief.