When it comes to lower back pain while you’re in bed, it seems like there’s little you can do other than just suck it up since it’s in such a tricky spot on your body. You’re faced with whether you should sit a pillow under you lower back, rotate to a new, uncomfortable sleeping position or take a Panadol.
Although many people struggle with those issues above, we’re glad to say that with a memory foam topper, or a gel memory foam pillowtop, you’re able to relieve your pressure points and truly change the way you sleep.
Many people don’t know that when they’re in bed, comfort comes from the weight lifted from their joints, and the support provided to their spine – instead of just the feeling of being on a soft surface. That said, with a memory foam mattress topper to rest on, you’ll soon say goodbye to lower back pain for good, regardless of whether you’re a front, back or side sleeper.
We know that there are a tonne of mattress pads and topper to choose from, so we’ve compiled a list of the best, breathable and comfortable mattress toppers below that are sure to offer some back pain relief.
LUCID 3 Inch Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Landing a top spot on our list has to be the 3-inch Ventilated topper from Lucid. At that 3 inches, you’ll find optimal support and plenty of sinkage for ultimate pressure relief on your joints, and especially in the hips and lower back. The memory foam used in their topper is ideal in that it’s malleable enough to contour to the body, support your spine’s curvature and also lift weight from your lower back.
There’s a medium-firm firmness rating on this topper, and having ultimate breathability means you’re kept cool and comfortable throughout your sleep. It’s good to know that breathability and airflow are also a major perk of a topper, as you’ll be able to remain sleeping in a position you find most comfortable for longer periods of time, without feeling hot and having to move.
As an investment, the topper is fantastic in that many users have left reviews stating that the topper has held its shape for years after purchase, great for spine health. You’ll be able to rely on the topper remaining supportive and preventing back issues.
Lastly, the topper comes in sizes from twin to California King, so just about all mattresses are supported.
Perks
Ideal Pressure Relief
Aligns and Contours to the Back
Medium-firm For Back Sleepers
Resistant to Dust Mites
Hypoallergenic
Exceptional Sheets Bamboo Mattress Pad
Sleepers with lower back pain looking for a mattress topper that isn’t a latex or memory foam variant will be glad to know Exceptional Sheets makes an ultra-plush variant of their topper using faux down or fiberfill instead. The cushioning offered by this topper is ideal for supporting spinal alignments but also helps you get that much-needed relief in your hips and lower back.
Acting somewhat like a pillow top, though much more intense, the Bamboo Mattress Pad is going to be a great solution if you’re someone who doesn’t like the sinking feeling of memory foam or latex. Once you land on this mattress pad, you’ll quickly experience the final ‘sinkage’ rather than slowly drop into the topper. With that in mind, you’re more likely to find relief right away.
Rather than providing contoured support, this mattress topper ‘hugs’ your body and keeps it supported while you rest higher up on the mattress. You’re going to have a great sleep with this topper if hip and lower back pain is a primary issue of yours, and being a little softer than most, it’s the perfect soft companion for a firm mattress.
It’s important to note that some sleepers have found small tears in the fabric encasing the topper, so being a little gentle with this top layer might be essential.
Perks
Very Plush Feel
Keeps Cool All Night
Hypoallergenic
Ideal for Side Sleepers
Ultimate Dreams Full 3″ Talalay Latex Mattress Topper
To a latex mattress topper now, the 3-inch Ultimate Dreams topper is the solution if you find memory foam far too soft for your sleeping style. Being latex, there’s a firmer feel to this topper, and you’re going to have a touch more support when it comes to seeping on your side and back.
Depending on the mattress you’re sleeping on, the Talalay Latex will allow you to sink just enough for it to hold the pressure off your hips, providing optimal pain relief. Like a firm mattress topper, it’s also the ideal variant for back and tummy sleepers who need a rather high-density latex or foam to ensure spinal health is kept in check.
Similarly to memory foam, the Ultimate Dreams latex topper is going to offer contouring support that would normally come with a really soft mattress. That said, side sleepers might also find comfort here, so long as you’re someone who likes the ‘wrap-around’ feel of a memory foam mattress.
This topper comes in all three firmness options, soft, medium and firm, so whatever you’re preference, there’s an option here for you.
Perks
Good Level of Bounce
Contours to the Body
Firm Topper Ideal for Back and Tummy Sleepers
Highly Supportive While Soft
Low Sagging
Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam 4-inch Mattress Topper
One of the thicker toppers on the list, the four-inch topper for optimal back support is Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam series. There’s a double-layer design on the inside here, which allows your body to sink a little into the soft upper level, and the firm layer below offers support for chronic back pain.
Unlike standard toppers, this mattress topper has been developed explicitly for back pain and improved sleeping experience. By placing this topper above your mattress, you’re essentially adding almost an entirely new mattress that’s pain-relief-focused.
All sleepers and their unique sleeping positions will be supported by this topper as there’s optimal support for the spine when sleeping on your back and tummy, and enough sinkage for shoulders and hips when sleeping on your side.
A major feature when comfort is concerned is the lack of heat retention thanks to the cooling gel. You’ll be able to remain comfortable in one position for a long period of time without worrying about getting too hot and having to move, which is ideal when you’ve found a position to relieve hip pain.
There are a few different sizes available from twin through California King, so almost all mattresses are well covered.
Perks
Designed to Alleviate Pain
10-year Warranty
Quickly Conforms to Body Contours
Cooling Gel Improves Comfort
ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
To a more luxury-oriented variant now, the ViscoSoft 4-inch Gel Memory Foam Topper will be your ultimate companion as it’s arguably the right mattress topper for everyone. It is a little more expensive, though with dual-layer gel and memory foam on the inside, and a 300 thread-count cover, you’re getting what you pay for.
To the nitty-gritty, ViscoSoft’s topper offers two materials that ensure comfort, one of which is the topper’s fiberfill faux down top layer, and below this, there’s a 1.5-inch thick gel-infused memory foam. The memory foam layer also includes heat dispersion and retention tech, which makes sure you’re kept comfortable with the temperature of the mattress being maintained through the night.
Not only does this topper have the pressure relief support and optimal sinkage of others on this list, but it also comes with a design that is not going to move an inch, no matter how much you toss and turn. The topper’s elastic band makes sure that it stays snuggly attached to your mattress, making it essentially ‘become one’ with the mattress and making sure you get a good night’s sleep.
In all, the topper will immediately take weight off the hips and lower back, and with the upper, ultra-plush top layer, this topper helps ensure extra comfort no matter what sleeping position you favour.
Perks
Body Temperature Regulation
Muti-layer Design
Elastic Grip to Prevent Movement
Pressure Point Relief Foam
TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling 3-Inch Mattress Topper
To the final topper on our list, Tempur’s Adapt+ topper is the ultimate in luxury and comfort. Being a Tempur-Pedic, you can rely on this topper to be body-contouring and more comfortable than just about anything else available. A number of online reviews have touted that the topper even turns their old, cheap mattress into a luxury bed.
For lower back pain, however, the topper’s proprietary TEMPUR-material offers ultimate sinkage, good motion isolation as well as plenty of support. When you first lie down on the topper, you’ll notice that shoulders, hips and thighs easily sink into the foamy material, and the spine, head and limbs are held up – giving you little to no pain.
One thing to note is that the topper is very soft rather than medium or medium-firm as most other toppers are. That said, a firmer mattress below is a good choice, unless you’re a side sleeper. Tummy and back sleepers might find this topper just a little too soft, though anyone who sleeps with their shoulders and hips digging into a mattress will be more than happy with this topper.
Available in all standard sizes the Tempur-Adapt is a winner in our book, though it is a fair bit more expensive than most.
Perks
Temperature Regulation
Ultra-soft Firmness
Ideal for Hip and Back Pain
Good for Side Sleeping
Washable Cover
Adds a Touch of Luxury
Choosing a Topper for Lower Back Pain
To end, we’d like to quickly highlight just a few things about mattress toppers.
If you’re choosing a mattress topper or pad for back pain, you want to choose something that offers a good amount of thickness, and sinkage. Most sleepers will impulse buy an ultra-thin foam topper and be done with things, though this often does little to nothing at all for pain.
Lower back pain comes from insufficient hip and back support as your mattress is forcing your back out of alignment. With a topper that’s thick, you’re able to sink into the mattress, take the weight off your joints and find a tonne of pressure relief in the lower back.
That said, we highly suggest opting for a topper that’s able to offer sinkage, but also plenty of support when it comes down to holding the weight off your joints.
Side sleepers should ideally find a topper that’s softer than most, whereas tummy and back sleepers should go for a topper that’s a little firmer and will support their pressure points.
