Best Mattress for Scoliosis (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Scoliosis occurs when there is a sideways curvature of the spine. The condition typically occurs during the growth spurt just before puberty. It can also be rooted in conditions such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, but the cause of most scoliosis cases is unknown.

If you are a scoliosis sufferer, sleeping can be a challenge. Without the right mattress, you could find yourself waking up in pain every morning. You might also toss and turn throughout the night.

“We are all aware of how important good posture is when sitting at our desks,” says Dr. Nayantara Santhi. “The same is true when we sleep. We don’t normally consider posture when we go to bed. But a good sleeping position is just as important as having a good sitting posture.”

“A good sleeping position relieves pain, including that of the lower back, and in turn can help you sleep better. This is because sleep posture may influence the load applied to spinal tissues when sleeping. Having a good mattress or pillow can facilitate a good sleeping position.”

Our guide will provide you options for the best mattress for scoliosis as well as tips for how to find the best bed for your sleep needs.

People with scoliosis will find the multi-layered Amerisleep AS2 one of the most therapeutic options available. This supportive mattress is medium-firm and offers excellent support for those with scoliosis.

Amerisleep offers a 20-year warranty with this mattress. The first 10 years fully protects against manufacturer defects. The second 10 years protect against defects at a prorated charge based on how long you’ve owned the mattress.

Customers will also receive a 100-night sleep trial with any Amerisleep mattress. The company recommends using the new mattress for at least 30 nights before determining whether you’d like to return it. If you’re not satisfied with your bed after the adjustment period, you can return it for free.

How Lying Down Feels

As we mentioned, the Amerisleep AS2 is the company’s medium-firm model, so there’s a touch of firmness but it’s not a hard surface that mimics a board. Recurring words that reviewers used to describe the AS2 include “good support” as the top phrase customers repeat, followed by “comfortable,” “holds shape,” and “durable.”

Some customers also thought the mattress has a “soft feel” for a firmer mattress, so it can be a good for sleepers who want the support needed to alleviate scoliosis without feeling like they’re lying on a brick.

Its not often a mattress is popular enough to have many reviews specifically for Scoliosis, but the AS2 is one of those. Here is what customers had to say:

Linda: Very comfortable mattress with a good amount of support. I have severe lumbar scoliosis, and this has been the best mattress I’ve found so far. However, I do not recommend for stomach sleeping, as I always wake up with back pain from that position.

AJ: I have scoliosis and 2 herniated discs so a god mattress is very important for me. This mattress is firm but still soft. I am absolutely thrilled with this purchase. Considering all the time spent each day, it was well worth the price.

Adam: I have back pain issue because of scoliosis. This is the first mattress I bought with a 1k+ price tag, but it definitely worth any penny that I spent. Will definitely recommend it, and probably will buy it again!

Inside the Mattress

The mattress is topped with a soft, breathable cover that helps keep air flowing throughout. The increased air circulation will prevent any sleep disruptions due to overheating. This cover is also made with specialty Refresh fabric that converts body heat into infrared energy.

The first layer contains 2 inches of Bio-Pur®— this unique, plant-based memory foam is more breathable than a traditional memory foam mattress. Its open-cell structure encourages air circulation while you sleep to keep you cool and comfortable.

The Bio-Pur® layer is followed by 3 inches of Affinity foam featuring Harnessing Intelligent Ventilation & Energy (HIVE®) technology. HIVE® contains hundreds of hexagon-shaped cutouts grouped into five comfort zones— the head, shoulders, back, hips, and legs. The HIVE® layer has a cloud-like feel to provide pressure relief to problem areas for those with scoliosis.

Lastly, the 7-inch Bio-Core® layer is a high-density poly-foam to enhance the longevity of the mattress and prevent sagging.

SEE ALSO: Best Medium-Firm Mattress

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS2 Mattress

If you’re looking for a mattress for arthritis or joint pain on Amazon, look no further than the Zoma Start. This medium-firm bed is offering discounts on the website at the moment, and it offers everything the original Zoma Mattress has for a more affordable price.

So those budget shoppers who want comparable features to the original Zoma Mattress for a better price should consider the Start as an alternative. The Zoma Start is backed by a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The Zoma Start has a relatively firm feel that allows for minimal sinkage, though its foam surface is still conforming enough to support most sleeping positions. The gel infusions and breathable mattress cover also ensure the bed stays cool and dry throughout the night, excellent for anyone in a warmer climate.

The Zoma Start is a relatively newer direct buy mattress with little customer feedback at the moment. But here is what some had to say:

Zac: My wife has a bad back and searched tirelessly for a good mattress that didn’t break the bank. So glad we found Zoma. We sleep SO well and the customer service has been incredible.

Zachary B: My partner and I struggled to find an affordable foam mattress. With back problems, bad sleep patterns, low budget, and a fear of fiberglass, our options were extremely limited. We were worried to take a chance on an out-of-the-box mattress, but sure glad we did. The Start mattress was the one we chose, and it’s great. Perfect level of support, breathable, and we don’t wake each other up if one of us gets out of bed.

Kalani C: This isn’t firm enough and my back is sore in the morning. It’s on the floor because the only opening is to buy the platform base which won’t fit inside my bedframe

Inside the Mattress

The Start makes a few simple changes to the original Zoma’s manufacturing process to cut costs in ways that you won’t notice when you’re sleeping on it. For example, the original Zoma Mattress features Triangule™ technology to provide zoned support to different body areas. The Start swaps this technology for one sheet of gel foam.

The Start also has a thicker support layer and thinner comfort and transition foam layers. This makes it slightly firmer than the Original. However, these changes don’t alter the comfort or support of the Zoma Start in a significant way. What they do alter is the Start’s price.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress Recommended By Chiropractors

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Start Mattress

The Vaya Mattress is fairly new, but its quality materials and simple design make it a great mattress for any household and budget. The latex-like comfort foam will keep your spine supported and deter pressure points, two things those with scoliosis need from their mattress.

The Vaya Mattress comes with a risk-free 100-night sleep trial, as well as free shipping, free returns, and a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The Vaya Mattress cushions the body as a sleeper lies down, yet regains its shape near instantaneously after the person moves away. This responsiveness keeps the top layer from feeling overly plush, ensuring that most sleepers won’t feel uncomfortable as they stretch out and prepare for sleep.

People with back issues are fans of the Vaya according to reviews, here are some of them:

Erin S: Delivered easily, set up easily, quite comfy, made in America. I don’t wake up with a stuff back, nor am I sleeping in a sunken pit. Pretty good overall.

Cooper: I work with animals and have been lifting 100+ lb dogs for almost 25 years. Back pain wakes me up off and on all night and in the morning I am very stiff and sore. I purchased a $2800 Beauty Rest mattress in October and still had the same problems, PLUS, it was hot. I’ve had the Vaya for about a month and for the first time in decades I can sleep though the night and wake up with no back pain.

Tia W: I have some back problems, and this mattress is very supportive on my low back and hips. It’s firm, but doesn’t result in stiffness. I would recommend Vaya to anyone, especially considering the price!

Inside the Mattress

The top layer, known as Vaya Comfort Foam, sits under a breathable cover. The open-cell design makes this foam breathable and responsive, so you don’t need to worry about sleeping hot or feeling trapped inside the bed. The perfect medium feel offers a balance of softness and support for side, combo, and some back sleepers.

Beneath the Vaya Comfort Foam is Vaya Base Foam. This thick, sturdy layer minimizes sags and soft spots in the Vaya Comfort Foam while ensuring your spine stays neutral while you rest.

SEE ALSO: Vaya Mattress Review

Scoliosis sufferers who want an all-natural mattress should consider the Natural 11 by Nolah. This mattress features organic textiles, pure natural latex, and recycled steel. Not only does that make it fantastic for those who want natural comfort. It also makes it a more eco-friendly choice, as it’s made with biodegradable and recyclable materials.

How Lying Down Feels

The Natural is a latex hybrid. When you combine springy latex with bouncy coils, you get a mattress that’s almost as responsive as an innerspring—without all the noise and the motion transfer and the sagging.

Unlike the open coils found in most innerspring beds, pocketed coils can move independently of one another. That means this naturally bouncy mattress can adapt much better than an innerspring mattress, and it also means the Natural won’t transfer your motion all over the rest of the bed. The coils will just bounce underneath you.

Most people are fans of the Nolah Natural, but as often happens with Nolah, be careful when choosing firmness:

JoA: My shopping experience was good. October 13th I will be sleeping on my mattress for 30 days. As of now I am not sleeping better, wake up several times during the night with back pain.

Barry: The Nolah Sleep Company is outstanding in the customer service and accessibility. I regrettably purchased the wrong mattress. It is always a guessing game buying a mattress online. Unfortunately, I missed the mattress comparison on their website. The Natural 11 was the firmest mattress they sell, and far less than ideal for side sleepers

Mary: The mattress is comfortable. Only problem, with the wool layer, I am twisting and turning all over the mattress. I am a non smoking household so dont understand why I need wool layer. But otherwise mattress is very comfortable.

Inside the Mattress

The Natural features two layers of Talalay latex. The comfort layer is two inches of plush, pressure-relieving latex foam that can contour to your shape and keep your pressure points pain-free. The denser, firmer latex transition layer helps increase buoyancy in the comfort layer and also provides an extra buffer between you and the coils.

The Natural features Nolah’s patented HDMaxTM Tri-ZoneTM coil system. This pocketed coil system offers 25 percent more support than traditional coils to keep you lifted onto the sleep surface. These coils are also arranged into three distinct zones to offer each area of your body its optimum mix of support and pressure relief.

On top of all these layers of comfort, you’ll find an organic cotton cover certified under GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). A GOTS certification means you can rest assured your mattress’s cover is nothing but pure organic cotton without all the synthetic ingredients and processing chemicals you’ll find in other fibers.

Directly under the cotton layer rests a layer of natural wool. Wool is breathable and excellent for temperature regulation. It also provides a natural fire barrier without the need for added chemicals.

The fantastic thing about all these ingredients is they’re recyclable or biodegradable. So when it’s time to replace your mattress, you don’t have to worry about it sitting in a landfill for the next thousand years.

SEE ALSO: Nolah Mattress Review

Scoliosis sufferers may enjoy a plush mattress that hugs their body, relieving pressure points as it does so. When it comes to mattresses that balance softness with bounce, our top recommendation is the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid. Its soft feel is excellent for side sleepers of all body types.

Amerisleep guarantees the AS5 Hybrid’s quality with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The soft feel of the AS5 Hybrid ensures the owner is transported off to weightless, restful sleep. It’s swift to embrace all of the body’s curves, yet while the sleeper will feel pleasantly enveloped they won’t feel as if they’re sinking too far, thanks to the bed’s responsive pocketed coils.

The AS5 has many people raving about how it helps with back pain, here is what some had to say:

Na: Before I bought this mattress I had pain in my shoulders, and my back. Gone yes I said gone. Mattresses matter and so does customer support. My salesperson was awesome. They notified me prior to my trial period to see if I liked the mattress. It has been months and they still touch base. It cannot get any better than this.

Ktrox: I’m so glad I found this bed. It is the most comfortable bed I have ever had. I have low back problems and as soon as I get in this bed I feel relief. I would tell anyone to get this bed and feel assured that they would love it as much as I do.

Kay Trox: I love this Mattress! It is soft and conforms to your body. I have back problems and cannot sleep on a hard mattress. This mattress is perfect!

Inside the Mattress

The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid is 14 inches high and contains four layers, wrapped in a soft, breathable cover of Refresh fabric.

The first layer is 3 inches of Bio-Pur® foam, a material designed with sustainability and comfort in mind. By using plant-based material with petrochemicals, Amerisleep created a foam more responsive and breathable than traditional foam.

Next is 2 inches of Active Flex foam, which adds buoyancy without impacting the bed’s soft feel. Active Flex keeps you from sinking too far into the bed, causing spinal misalignment and other discomforts.

The bed’s support core is 8 inches of pocketed coils with firm edge support. Each coil inside the AS5 is wrapped in fabric to increase motion isolation, keeping one partner’s movements from disturbing the other person. A base layer of foam, an inch-thick, structures the bed and gives the coils a surface to push off from for reinforced support.

SEE ALSO: Amerisleep Mattress Review

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Mattress

Innerspring mattresses are going out of fashion in favor of newer sleep technologies. However, if you just can’t live without the feel of an innerspring, the Saatva Classic uses an innovative design to fix the problems inherent in most innerspring mattresses, namely, their lack of motion isolation, their sagginess, and their inability to contour. That means this is one of the few mattresses that scoliosis sufferers can use comfortably.

How Lying Down Feels

The Classic uses a combination of a thick Euro topper and dual support cores to offer you adaptive and pressure-relieving support. That means when you lie down on the Classic, it can follow the curve of your body as well as any hybrid. This gives you fantastic pressure relief and spine-aligning support.

The Classic might upgrade the adaptability and motion isolation of the innerspring mattress, but that doesn’t mean it loses the innerspring bed’s best qualities. The Classic is still just as responsive and just as cooling as an innerspring mattress, thanks to its open coil bottom support layer. So if you like the breathable and cool feel of an innerspring, you will get it with the Classic.

People with Scoliosis are happy with the Saatva, while some report minor issues, people with scoliosis are happy:

Philip A: After months of research we decided on the Luxury Firm Queen. This is by far the most comfortable bed we have ever owned. With scoliosis, and lower back problems we had tried many different brands….No more searching…Saatva is by far the best bed on the market in our book

Debra M: It’s been only 3 nights and I can tell anyone thinking of buying this mattress to not hesitate. I have been suffering for years from scoliosis, and tried to research what type of bed would be best.

Cate: I have had my 11.5″ luxury firm with 4″ base for abut six weeks. I have severe scoliosis and was unable to straighten up in the mornings. The mattress is still super comfy but back pain is not entirely gone. Hoping another few weeks will help and that my s-curved back is not the whole cause.

Inside the Mattress

The top layer of the Classic is the contouring three-inch Euro top with lumbar support quilting to give you more support under your lumbar region. The cover over this Euro top is made of organic cotton for cooling breathability.

Under the Euro top, you’ll find a layer of high-density memory foam for pressure point relief and enhanced back support. This foam layer sits on top of the first of two coil support cores.

The first support layer is made of individually wrapped 14.5-gauge steel coils. The layer of pocketed coils gives the mattress adaptability so that it can contour to your curves and keep your spine neutrally aligned. This coil layer also reduces motion transfer because it only responds to your movements. It doesn’t send your motion traveling across the bed.

Below the pocketed coils, you’ll find the open-coil layer. This layer is what gives the bed its traditional innerspring feel. The open coils allow for better airflow to keep your mattress cool from top to bottom. These coils are also ultra-bouncy to provide the same responsiveness you’d find in a regular coil mattress.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Heavy People

The GhostBed Flex is one of the coolest and most contouring beds for scoliosis sufferers who sleep hot. If you want layers of cooling and breathable foam on top of bouncy and adaptable pocketed coils, this is the mattress for you.

How Lying Down Feels

The GhostBed Flex is a medium-firm mattress that doesn’t skimp on the contouring. It offers three layers of pressure-relieving foam to alleviate hip and shoulder joints and follow the curve of your spine for optimal alignment.

These layers of cushioning foam are extra-special because they’re infused with cooling gel. The gel swirls have thermoconductive properties that help pull body heat away from you and push it down towards the coils to be dispursed. That means the Flex is cool to the touch when you first lie down. And it stays cool all night.

Another amazing feature of this mattress is its responsiveness. Not only does the Flex have bouncy coils. It also features GhostBed’s proprietary Ghost Bounce layer. This layer bounces like latex without the allergy risk. Combine the Ghost Bounce layer and the coils, and you’ve got one responsive mattress.

People with scoliosis and other back issues are often happy with the GhostBed, with occasional firmness issues:

Medwyn C: So far great, I have it on an adjustable bed, which I spend a fair amount of time on in the upright position which messed with my memory foam only bed quickly (because of scoliosis. I went through two foam mattresses in 6 months. This hybrid mattress so far is much better, have had now for a month and 1/2. Wish I had made this choice with GhostBed for the 1st time I bought a mattress for my adjustable bed.

J.W: This mattress gives me significantly less back pain in the morning than my previous one because of the firmness. It is a little too firm though and I feel the pressure on my hips as a side sleeper.

Letitia A: Love My Ghost Flex! I sleep on an adjustable bed. With this mattress I can comfortably sleep on both my side and my back. I am finally getting a good night’s rest!

Mattress Construction

The Flex starts off with a quilted cooling cover. The cover itself is breathable, but what makes it truly chilly is the one-inch layer of cool burst fiber woven directly into it. This cool burst fiber keeps air flowing and means your mattress will be cool the second you touch it.

Underneath the cover and cooling fiber layer sit two layers of gel memory foam. The cover and fiber technology give the mattress a cool-touch feel. But the gel foam is what keeps it cool all night by pulling body heat away from your skin. ‘

Underneath the layers of gel memory foam, you’ll find the Ghost Bounce layer. This layer works with the coils below to ensure that your mattress springs back into place as soon as you move. So you can toss and turn as much as you like without worrying about body impressions or slow response time.

The pocketed coil support layer works to increase the bed’s bounce and adaptability even further. They also feature an edge support system that doesn’t impede the cooling technologies. Instead of using edge support rails that can impede airflow, the GhostBed Flex uses their Spirited EdgeTM reinforced coil system around the perimeter of the mattress.

On the bottom, the Flex boasts a layer of high-density foam to add stability and durability to the pocketed coil layer above. This increases motion transfer control as well as the mattress’s longevity.

Hybrids are excellent mattresses for keeping cool at night, and coolness is a key factor when it comes to undisturbed sleep. That’s why we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Hybrid, which has numerous features to maximize the hybrid’s cooling potential.

The Sedona Hybrid has a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

What separates the Sedona Hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding’s other hybrid model, the Aurora Hybrid? Well, as Brooklyn Bedding explains, while the Aurora Hybrid’s design focuses on keeping cool, the Sedona Hybrid is designed to provide a luxurious sleep experience.

Stretching out on the medium feel Sedona Hybrid mattress, many reviewers noted there was a pleasant squishiness to the bed, thanks to how quickly it was ready to conform to their bodies. Yet it also felt supportive, allowing them to rise refreshed and free of any little aches and pains that might have troubled them on a lower-quality mattress.

Customers who have back issues report overall satisfaction with the Brooklyn bedding, but some have noted minor complaints:

Geraldine W: So comfortable and feels great to sleep on whether I’m on my back or side! My partner also thinks it feels great. I don’t know so much about the part about it sleeping cool though, because I still get pretty warm in the middle of night sometimes.

Joseph W: Still getting used to our new mattress. We thought it would have been a bit firmer than it is. The quality seems to be there so far. I did not see a firmness choice when I ordered the Sedona.

Roxey H: We absolutely love our Brooklyn bed. We went to visit our parents in Texas and they had one as their spare bed and we absolutely loved it so we ordered our own. Comfortable from the first day out of the box. Would 100% recommend

Inside the Mattress

The 14-inch thick Sedona Hybrid mattress has six layers, with the mattress surface consisting of a knit cooling panel to make it easier for heat to escape the bed.

First is an inch of proprietary comfort foam that contours to the body. Next is a 2-inch layer of gel memory foam that increases heat-wicking while also offering responsive support.

An inch of slow-response memory foam forms the third layer, deepening compression for greater comfort. This layer also has a gel infusion for added coolness. This is followed by the fourth layer, a high-density transition foam.

Next is 8 inches of Brooklyn Bedding’s Ascension X® coils. Each coil is wrapped for responsive support and pressure relief, while the design also limits motion isolation. At the bottom is an inch of high-density base foam for a more stable structure.

SEE ALSO: Best Luxury Mattresses

The Bear Pro mattress has a medium-firm feel designed to relieve stress on the hips and shoulders and also support the spine. The mattress contains both copper poly-foam and gel memory foam to relieve pain for those with scoliosis.

The Bear Pro mattress comes with a year-long sleep trial. If you’re not satisfied within this time, Bear will pick up the bed for free and provide you with a full refund.

Bear offers a lifetime warranty to protect against indentations or sagging greater than 1 inch. The warranty also protects against any manufacturing flaws causing the foam to crack.

How Lying Down Feels

The Bear Pro is one of Bear’s softer models, thanks to its thick top of cushioning, cooling foams. However, it’s still a touch on the firmer side, as Bear designs all of their mattresses to fall in the “sweet spot” between medium and medium-firm.

This mattress’s feel still suits most sleepers seeking a supportive yet lightly conforming mattress, but lightweight individuals who prefer their sides may need a touch more softness.

While some people with back issues voiced concern, about 95% gave 5 stars.

Maria S: The Sedona is an excellent choice as a supportive, medium-firm mattress, but for a heavier, strictly side sleeper it’s a bit firm. After 2+ weeks of break-in time, I’m doubtful it’ll become “soft” enough for pressure point relief. The Sedona would be great for back and stomach sleepers, or side sleepers who like the “on top of the mattress” feel.

Eric G: It’s pretty good. My only complaint is that I feel like I’m always sinking to a hole in the middle of the bed. Perhaps I should have gotten a firmer model. But on the good side, it’s comfortable and I don’t wake up with a sore back

Joshua M: Best mattress I ever owned haven’t slept this good in years 10/10 recommend. Great cooling features and it really supports my back and hip.

Inside the Mattress

The mattress starts with a breathable, FDA-determined Celliant® cover to promote blood flow, which can help relieve pain. Beneath the cover is a 1-inch thick layer of copper-infused foam to help keep you cool and comfortable at night and reduce inflammation. A 1.5-inch layer of gel memory foam wicks away unwanted body heat.

Beneath the gel memory foam is a 2.5-inch layer of responsive transitional foam to relieve pressure points with balanced support. Finally, there is a 7-inch layer of high-density support foam to improve the durability of the mattress.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide

Scoliosis sufferers who want the ideal mattress to alleviate their condition should check out the T&N Hybrid. This mattress offers the perfect balance of pressure relief, contouring, and support to relieve back pain caused by scoliosis so that sufferers can get a great night’s sleep and wake up with less pain in the morning.

How Lying Down Feels

The T&N Hybrid mattress features cooling ceramic gel, which is 30 percent more conductive than even graphite. That means this foam offers a cool feel that will keep even the hottest sleepers sweat-free all night.

The contouring and plush foam in the comfort layer also offers a lot of pressure relief. So side sleepers don’t have to worry about waking up with pain in their hips and shoulders. And back sleepers can enjoy the comfort of lumbar support customized to their unique body shape.

The Tuft and Needle has good reviews, but there is not a lot of feedback yet and they have their share of complaints. Here is what some had to say:

Chris C: I’ve bought this mattress a little over a year ago, worst purchase I’ve made. Constantly waking up with back pains, I’ve got told to keep it to allow some break in time. I knew I should’ve returned it when I had the chance.

Marguerite C: We’re an older couple with lots of aches and pains, and getting a good night’s sleep is challenging. Nonetheless, our new T&N Mint Hybrid Mattress suits us perfectly–conforms to our bodies but doesn’t sag, firm enough for our backs and hips, VERY comfortable!

Tallsidesleeper: No hip or lower back pain. I almost bought a purple mattress for a grand more. I’m so happy I went with this one. Shipping was fast, set up was fast and easy.

Mattress Construction

The T&N Hybrid mattress starts off with a quilted pillow top for extra pressure relief and a two-inch comfort layer of plush T&N Adaptive® foam. These layers work together to create a softer feel in an otherwise supportive mattress. That makes this a perfect bed for those who need tons of pressure relief.

Next, you’ll find a layer of nano coils for extra cooling breathability before you go down to the Mint foam layer that adds even more cooling and pressure relief. After the nano coils and the Mint layer, you’ll find the main coil layer. These pocketed coils feature lots of adaptability and a firmer perimeter for fantastic edge support.

Wrapped around all these layers is the plush and breathable cover. This soft knit cover lets cooling air flow freely around your body while keeping things cozy at the same time.

All in all, the T&N Hybrid mattress features lots of cooling infusions including ceramic gel and graphite. It also boasts carbon fiber foam that can stand the test of time, retaining its shape and resisting body impressions for a full decade.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses for Athletes

Best Mattresses for Scoliosis Highlights and Comparison

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is the unnatural curvature of the spine, in either a “C” or “S” shape viewed from behind the body. A healthy spinal curve should look like an “S” from the side. If left untreated, scoliosis could lead to spinal deformities worsening with age.

What Scoliosis Sufferers Should Look for in a Mattress

Those with scoliosis experience pain in the lower back and neck, muscle spasms, and heat sensitivity, all of which affect sleep quality. The right type of mattress evenly supports the body, relieving pressure points and reducing inflammation of affected areas.

Potential buyers should look at the mattress type, preferred sleep position, and cooling features before committing to a mattress. A few moments of consideration can be the key difference between ending up with the most comfortable mattress for your style or an uncomfortable bed.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress Under 2000 Dollars

Mattress Type

Each type of mattress offers sleepers its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. While each contains a comfort layer and a support layer, some mattress types may help reduce symptoms of scoliosis better than others.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are one of the most popular mattress types on the market today. Memory foam, or viscoelastic foam, conforms to the body’s natural curves to relieve pressure points. Memory foam beds may run the risk of retaining heat, but this is easily fixed through cooling infusions, like gel memory foam, copper, or graphite. Some manufacturers take it a step further by developing plant-based or open-cell memory foam.

A typical memory foam mattress contains a top layer of memory foam and a support layer of high-density foam.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Bed Sores/Pressure Ulcers

Innerspring Mattress

Most likely, you grew up sleeping on an innerspring mattress. Innerspring mattresses lean towards the firm side with exceptional cooling due to the coiled support layer. The open structure allows for better air circulation within the mattress.

An innerspring mattress contains a thin comfort layer— usually a topper of foam or fiberfill with a support layer of steel coils.

Latex Mattress

Latex foam is either created through a synthetic process or extracted from rubber trees. There are two types of natural latex— Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex is denser and more durable, while Talalay latex is softer and includes a zoned support system from strategically-placed holes in the material.

Generally, a latex mattress contains a comfort layer of latex and a support layer of either high-density foam or latex.

Hybrid Mattress

By combining memory foam and innerspring coils, manufacturers created the perfect mattress— the hybrid mattress. Hybrid mattresses offer the body-contouring pressure relief of memory foam and the cooling and responsive bounce of innersprings. However, hybrids also come with the drawbacks of both materials, including the risk of overheating and less pressure point relief.

A hybrid mattress contains a comfort layer— usually at least 2 inches thick of memory foam with a coiled support layer.

Sleeping Position

Now that you know about different mattress options, it’s time to focus on sleeping styles. This will help you choose the best mattress for scoliosis.

Odds are, you know whether you sleep on your side, stomach, or back. What you may not know is your sleeping position should drive what type of mattress you buy. Manufacturers offer different firmness levels for different types of sleeping positions.

Side Sleeping

If you are a side sleeper, a soft to medium mattress is a good idea— it will give you the support you need as well as enough contouring to let gravity align your spine without sinking too much.

If you have scoliosis and prefer side sleeping, use a pillow between your legs and a rolled-up towel under your ribs. The main goal is to keep your spine as supported and aligned as possible.

Back Sleeping

If you’re a back sleeper with scoliosis, using a thin pillow under your shoulder blades can reduce pressure and ease pain. Look for a medium to firm mattress to offer enough support to ensure you sleep with your spine in neutral alignment.

Sleeping on a bed which is too soft can cause the hips to sink lower than the shoulders and feet. This could cause a host of back problems, including tightness and anterior pelvic tilt.

Stomach Sleeping

If you sleep on your stomach, you will want to consider changing sleep positions. This is especially critical if you have scoliosis, since stomach sleeping places more pressure on the spine.

If you’re committed to sleeping on your stomach, make sure you have a medium-firm to firm mattress. A softer mattress can cause your hips to sag into the bed and throw the spine out of alignment, causing pain. Stomach sleepers can also place a flat pillow underneath the hips to align the spine.

Cooling Features

A cooler sleep environment is key to improving sleep quality. Ideal bedroom temperature for better sleep is 60 to 70 degrees. For those with scoliosis, a mattress with cooling features may reduce inflammation and pain. These features include:

• Plant-based foam
• Open-cell technology
• Gel memory foam
• Memory foam infused with copper or graphite
• Innerspring coils

Other Things to Consider

Can a bad mattress cause scoliosis?

A bad mattress doesn’t cause scoliosis, but it can make symptoms worse. A cheap, unsupportive bed can cause pain and disrupt sleep. So while a bad mattress isn’t a direct cause of scoliosis, it can undoubtedly lead to worsening symptoms.

How should you sleep if you have scoliosis?

Generally speaking, the best way to sleep if you have scoliosis is on your back. This position helps with the natural alignment of the spine and distributes weight proportionally. You can also add extra cushioning to help relieve pain.

For instance, if you have chronic shoulder pain from scoliosis, you can add thin towels beneath your shoulder blades and neck for support. If you have pain in the lumbar area, placing a rolled-up towel underneath your lower back can alleviate discomfort.

Is a firm mattress better for scoliosis?

Firmer mattresses are better than softer mattresses for sleepers with back pain because they can better promote healthy alignment. However, you don’t need a super firm mattress to ease aches and pains. Many sleepers with back pain find medium-firm mattresses the most comfortable.

What’s the best mattress type for scoliosis?

When it comes to soothing pain, our top recommendation is memory foam. Memory foam contours to the body to relieve pressure and prevent pain, so it’s great for easing discomfort in all parts of the body.

Memory foam mattresses with zoned technologies are better for those with scoliosis because the targeted support they offer maintains neutral alignment. Hybrids with memory foam comfort layers are also excellent at adapting to the body, thanks to their responsive support.

What mattress do chiropractors recommend for scoliosis?

Chiropractors typically recommend supportive mattresses that still provide ample pressure relief, such as memory foam, latex mattresses, or hybrid beds. From there, choose a mattress firmness based on your sleeping position—side or back sleeping is optimal when you have scoliosis.

Side sleepers need medium or soft mattresses to cushion the joints, such as the AS5 Hybrid mattress, Zoma Mattress, or Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Hybrid mattress. Back sleepers with scoliosis should use medium-firm or firm mattresses, including the Amerisleep AS2, Novosbed, or Bear Pro.

Conclusion

If you are a scoliosis patient, you are likely always searching for ways to relieve your back pain. Your current mattress could be a significant contributor to your discomfort. This is especially true if it is unsupportive or not designed for your sleeping position.

Consider this list when shopping for the best mattress for scoliosis. Take advantage of sleep trials to find a mattress to suit your sleeping position and specific needs, particularly if you choose an online mattress. It is possible to have a good night’s sleep.