Best Mattress for Spinal Stenosis

When you sleep, your body generally stays in one position all night. While this isn’t a problem for most individuals, this can cause immense pressure build-up and pain for people with spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes narrowing of the spinal canal and/or foramen that can result in back and neck pain amongst other problems, including sleep quality. While there’s no known cure for it, lifestyle changes can make the condition easier to manage.

Upgrading your mattress may relieve some spinal stenosis pain by aligning your spine and cushioning pressure points. We look at some of the best mattresses for spinal stenosis to ensure you wake up feeling restored every morning.

Best Mattress for Spinal Stenosis

One of the utmost comfortable mattresses for spinal stenosis sufferers is the Amerisleep AS2. With a 97-percent satisfaction rate and countless positive reviews, the AS2 is highly rated for relieving back pain.

The AS2 has a soft and breathable cover built to prevent you from overheating. The medium-firm mattress is 12 inches thick and is suitable for back and stomach sleepers.

At the top of the AS2 is 2 inches of Amerisleep’s proprietary Bio-Pur® memory foam. Bio-Pur® foam features castor oil in place of the petroleum-based oils most memory foam has. This way, the foam is more sustainable, breathable, and durable. With the Bio-Pur® foam, you get the pressure-relieving goodness of memory foam without the heat and off-gassing.

The second layer is 1 inch of Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. HIVE® is Amerisleep’s zoned technology system designed to evenly distribute body weight. The layer features hexagonal cutouts of different sizes built to provide extra cushioning and support as needed. It cushions your shoulders and hips and supports your back, head, and legs.

The AS2’s base is made from 8 inches of Bio-Core® foam. This layer helps support your spine but also fights off wear so your bed lasts longer.

Amerisleep mattresses are all made in the USA and CertiPUR-US® certified. This means the foams are free of heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde, and are low in VOCs.

All Amerisleep mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Back Pain of 2023

Another one of the best mattresses for spinal stenosis is the Zoma Mattress. Zoma specially designed their mattress to promote muscle recovery and boost relaxation so you sleep pain-free all night long.

This cooling mattress is popular amongst active individuals and chronic pain sufferers, along with hot sleepers. We recommend it for most sleep styles suffering from spinal stenosis.

The Zoma Mattress’s top layer is made from gel memory foam with Triangulex™ technology. Triangulex™ is a three-zoned support system in this memory foam layer built to evenly distribute your body weight. The foam is soft around the hips and shoulders, but firm near the back and spine.

Next is a layer of Reactiv™ foam. This layer soothes pressure points and keeps your body lifted, making it easier to shift places in bed.

At the bottom of the bed is Support+ foam. It minimizes wear and sags throughout the mattress to ensure you can use it for years and years to come.

Every Zoma mattress is US-made and CertiPUR-US® certified.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Athletes

Hybrid mattresses are one of the pricier types of mattresses on the market, but Vaya manages to offer a high-quality hybrid bed for a low cost. The Vaya Hybrid is an affordable option suitable for practically any sleeper, especially people who sleep hot or deal with chronic pain.

The Vaya Hybrid has a lightweight, soft mattress cover that helps keep you cool and comfortable at night. Under the cover is proprietary Vaya Comfort Foam, a durable foam that performs similarly to latex. It soothes pressure and supports healthy spinal alignment without causing you to sink into the bed.

Next is the mattress’s support layer made from pocketed coils. The coils keep your body lifted and promote airflow throughout the bed. Unlike mattresses with soft, unsupportive edges, the Vaya Hybrid has reinforced edges. The coils on either side of the mattress are extra-firm, making sure you don’t roll off the ends of the bed at night.

Despite its low price, Vaya ensures all of their mattresses are made in the USA and certified by CertiPUR-US®.

SEE ALSO: Vaya Mattress Review

Another Amerisleep mattress we love is the AS3. This memory foam mattress is famous for its balance of cushioning and support, ensuring you maintain good posture without feeling stiff at night. The AS3 is Amerisleep’s most popular mattress, scoring 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 15,000 reviews.

The AS3 is 12 inches thick and has a medium feel suitable for side sleepers and combo sleepers. If you share a bed and your partner has different firmness needs than you, medium mattresses are a great choice as they provide both support and comfort.

The AS3 has the same Bio-Pur® foam, Affinity foam with HIVE® technology, and Bio-Core® foam as seen in the AS2 and most other Amerisleep mattresses. What makes the AS3 different from the AS3 is the thicknesses of each layer. The AS3 contains 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, 2 inches of Affinity foam, and 7-inches of Bio-Core® foam for a more cushiony feel.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sleep on a cloud, the Puffy Lux has got you covered. This hybrid mattress scores nearly 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 10,000 reviews, so it’s safe to say people love this bed. Customers suffering from chronic health conditions—such as herniated discs or back pain—stated how switching to the Puffy Lux greatly improved their pain.

The Puffy Lux features the patented Cloud Cover, a stain-resistant and hypoallergenic fabric designed to protect your mattress from wear. If there’s ever an accident, all you need to do is unzip the cover and toss it in the washing machine. The Cloud Cover is Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified as well, meaning the fabric is free of harsh, chemical substances.

The top layer of the bed is made from 1.5 inches of gel-infused Cloud™ foam. This cooling foam cushions your body without trapping heat or moisture.

Next is 1.5 inches of Dual Cloud foam, which maximizes pressure relief. This layer prevents muscle stiffness or strain so you wake up feeling refreshed every morning.

Beneath that is 2 inches of Climate Comfort™ foam, a humidity-resistant foam built to draw away excess moisture. You’ll stay comfortable by being dry and the mattress itself won’t trap odors or wear down rapidly.

Finally comes the Puffy Lux’s support system. It contains 7 inches of contour-adapt pocketed coils to support your body and stabilize the mattress. Surrounding the coils is a durable and thick support foam that provides excellent edge support.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Sizes and Dimensions

Check out the Bear Original if you want a reliable, yet simple mattress for a good price. As Bear’s first mattress model, the Bear Original has a medium-firm feel perfect for stomach sleepers and back sleepers. With that, Bear markets their bed towards active individuals looking to wake up restored and pain-free, which translates well for spinal stenosis sufferers.

The Bear Original has a unique cover featuring Celliant® technology. Celliant® is an FDA-determined fabric designed to transform body heat into infrared energy. When you sleep on the Bear Original, the Celliant® cover draws in your body heat—keeping you cool—transforms it into energy, and releases it back to you to boost muscle repair and help you sleep deeper.

Beneath the cover is breathable graphite and gel-infused memory foam. This layer further promotes cool nights while also cushioning your curves to minimize pain.

Next is a layer of transition foam designed to evenly distribute your body weight and prevent pressure points. It also keeps your body lifted so you never feel stuck inside your mattress.

At the base of the Bear Original is a durable support foam. It promotes healthy spinal alignment and minimizes sags, wear, and lumps.

SEE ALSO: Bear Mattress Review

What is Spinal Stenosis?

The spine contains an array of vertebrae and spinal discs—ligaments designed to absorb impact between the vertebra. Conversely, the spinal cord is a series of nerve endings that run through and from the spine to other parts of the body, such as the brain.

Spinal stenosis is a condition where the foramina—bony canals where the spinal cord runs—start narrowing. The narrow passage leaves little space for nerves, causing issues including pain, tingling, and numbness around the legs, arm, and back. Other symptoms include difficulty walking, sciatica, incontinence, shooting pains, and muscle weakness.

There are three types of spinal stenosis: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Cervical stenosis is when the top part (neck region) of your spine narrows. Thoracic stenosis is when the middle part (mid back region) of your spine narrows. Lumbar stenosis is when the bottom part (low back region) of your spine narrows. It’s possible to have one or all types of spinal stenosis.

Regardless of what type of spinal stenosis you have, the causes are similar. Spinal stenosis generally occurs with age and over many years. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of spinal stenosis, next to general wear associated with aging.

While there’s no cure for spinal stenosis, common treatments include medication, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and surgery. Physical therapist Dr. Jennifer Miller explains, “Pain and other symptoms of spinal stenosis are typically relieved in a neutral or flexed position.”

“With that in mind, I encourage my patients to perform exercises and daily activities without overextending or arching their back. The same goes for when they sleep, since sleeping on their stomachs can lead to spinal extension (arching), I prefer patients sleep on their side or back.”

Types of Mattresses for Spinal Stenosis

The type of mattress you sleep on makes a big impact on your comfort and pain levels when you have spinal stenosis. It also affects your bed’s durability, feel, and price.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is one of the better mattress types for people with spinal stenosis thanks to its pressure-relieving capabilities. Memory foam mattresses respond well under your body, absorbing any pressure build-up when you lay down.

Sleepers with spinal stenosis often find that memory foam beds are excellent mattresses for pressure point relief. When the body’s pressure points are cushioned and cradled, it keeps them from building up into pain.

The issue with memory foam is that it can get uncomfortable. Some people note feeling stuck and tired, unable to move when sleeping on a memory foam mattress because of its “hug-like” feel, while others say how hot the beds get.

If the pain-relieving aspects of memory foam beds intrigue you but you’re afraid to feel hot or trapped in bed, look into beds made with plant-based, copper, or gel memory foam. These types of memory foam are more responsive and breathable than traditional memory foam.

Latex

Natural latex is a durable and cooling foam made from the sap of rubber trees. It’s known for being a sustainable alternative to memory foam, but it’s not quite as pressure-relieving. Latex is springy and supportive, which is great for certain people, but certainly not everything.

The two types of natural latexes are Talalay and Dunlop. They’re both sustainable foams from rubber trees, but they are processed differently in factories. Dunlop is firm and extra-supportive while Talalay is slightly softer and more similar to memory foam.

Natural latex isn’t the only type of latex you’ll come across when browsing latex mattresses. Some brands offer synthetic or blended latex which contains harsher chemicals. So, while synthetic and blended latex may resemble natural latex in terms of feel, it’s not good for the environment nor is it durable.

Innerspring

Also known as coil mattresses, innerspring mattresses are made up of continuous steel coils and pillow tops. The pillow tops are often made from wool, cotton, polyester, or other fiber fills for a cloud-like and cushiony feel.

While innerspring beds are known for their breathability and support, they don’t always last the longest. Continuous steel coils break easily, leaving your mattress vulnerable to being scratched or tearing open. With that, innerspring pillow tops are prone to lumping and shifting out of place, minimizing any potential pressure relief.

As innerspring mattresses wear down, they can become painful and unsupportive, especially for people with spinal stenosis.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine features from both coil and foam mattresses. This way, you can enjoy the support of a coil bed while receiving the pressure relief of a foam bed.

A hybrid bed’s comfort layer is usually made from either memory foam or latex, although some more natural mattresses feature wool or cotton in their comfort layers as well. For a mattress to be a hybrid rather than an innerspring, the comfort layer must be at least 2 to 3 inches thick.

The support layer of a hybrid mattress contains individual steel coils wrapped in cloth. Compared to the continuous coils in innerspring beds, pocketed coils won’t squeak or break through your mattress. Since the coils in hybrid beds are independent of each other, they support your body more closely for ultimate comfort.

Mattress Firmnesses for Spinal Stenosis

Your mattress firmness refers to how much cushioning your bed has. Your sleeping position is the main factor to consider when choosing a mattress firmness since it affects how much cushioning you’ll need.

If you have spinal stenosis, we recommend sleeping on your side or back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as much as possible because it places stress on your spine.

Mattresses for side sleepers should have a soft or medium feel. Soft mattresses cushion the hips and shoulders while aligning the spine to prevent any sharp pains at night.

Back sleepers with spinal stenosis are most comfortable on medium-firm to firm mattresses. These types of beds support the spine without causing pressure build-up around the lumbar spine.

Even with our guidelines, it’s always helpful to take advantage of your bed’s trial period to properly adjust to a new mattress firmness. If it turns out your bed is too firm or soft for you, most mattress companies have straightforward return policies! Sleep trials are no longer reserved for just online mattresses, with most mattresses including one regardless of where you buy it.

FAQs

What type of mattress is best for spinal stenosis?

When struggling with spinal stenosis, we recommend mattresses with ample cushioning to relieve pressure. Some excellent types of mattresses for spinal stenosis include memory foam, latex, and hybrid beds. Choosing between these mattresses may depend on your personal preference or budget.

What mattress do orthopedic doctors recommend?

Most orthopedic doctors will recommend mattresses based on your sleeping position and any physical ailments you may have, such as spinal stenosis. Compare different mattress firmness levels to see which promotes proper spinal alignment for your sleeping position.

Consider orthopedic mattresses such as the Amerisleep AS2, Puffy Lux, or Zoma Mattress.

How firm should a mattress be for spinal stenosis?

There’s not one mattress firmness for spinal stenosis. Mattress firmness varies on your body type and sleeping position, regardless of whether or not you have chronic health conditions. Your mattress should be just the right firmness to align your spine while also cushioning the heaviest parts of your body. Jennifer Miller, PT, suggests, “Placing a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back, or using a body pillow when sleeping on your side can also help improve comfort while sleeping.”

We recommend side or back sleeping when suffering from spinal stenosis, so you can find a firmness from there. Side sleepers should typically use soft to medium mattresses and back sleepers should use medium-firm to firm mattresses. Always take advantage of sleep trials so you can properly adapt to a new mattress firmness and determine whether it’s helping with your pain.

Can a bad mattress cause spinal stenosis?

Yes, a bad mattress can potentially cause spinal stenosis. It won’t happen overnight but rather over years of using a bad mattress.

A bad mattress can mean old, worn down, and unsupportive, but it can also mean the wrong mattress for you. It’s vital to use a mattress suitable for your body type and sleeping position so your weight is properly distributed and your spine is neutral.

What sleeping position should I choose for spinal stenosis?

When struggling with spinal stenosis, it’s best to sleep on your side or back to not aggravate your spine. Stomach sleeping places a lot of pressure on the spine, worsening your pain and making it difficult to sleep. If you prefer side sleeping, be sure to curl your knees in towards your chest. Curling into the fetal position creates space between your spinal discs, reducing pressure and pain.

While back sleeping on its own can be beneficial for spinal stenosis, consider getting an adjustable bed so you can sleep with your upper body elevated. Raising your upper body reduces the strain on your lumbar spine among other benefits.

Conclusion

Changing your mattress won’t fix your spinal stenosis, but it can make sleeping at night much less uncomfortable. Purchase a mattress suited for your sleeping position and body type. This way, your spine stays neutral and you don’t experience any painful pressure build-up. Even with the right mattress, speak with your doctor about how you can improve your condition.