10 Highest Rated Beds for People with a Herniated Disc – Our 2023 Review Guide

• Zenhaven – Editor’s Pick
• Helix Midnight – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with a Herniated Disc
• DreamCloud – Best Hybrid Mattress for a Herniated Disc
• Nolah Signature – Best Mattress for Pressure Relief with a Herniated Disc
• WinkBed – Best Mattress for Heavy People with a Herniated Disc
• Bear Elite Hybrid –  Best Soft Mattress for Sleepers with Herniated Disc
• Birch Natural – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with a Herniated Disc
• Avocado Green – Best Organic Mattress for a Herniated Disc
• Aurora Luxe – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with a Herniated Disc
• Layla Memory Foam – Best Memory Foam Mattress for a Herniated Disc

What is a herniated disc, and what happens if you have one?

Picture your spine. We’re all familiar with the line of vertebrae that goes from our skull to our lower back. There’s a space between each of these vertebrae, and within that space are discs. Their purpose is to provide mobility. They function like ball bearings.

The discs themselves are fibrous with layers of ligaments that protect a center core of gel-like fluid. If you picture the rings of a tree, that’s what a section of a spinal disc looks like. The annulus makes up the exterior part, and the soft center is called the nucleus.¹

A herniation occurs when those fibers get damaged or degenerate. The inner fluid begins to push outward, distorting the shape of the disc. The result is the disc either bulges or ruptures, depending on how damaged and degenerated the fibers become.

Depending on the type of spinal disc herniation you have, the symptoms vary:

A contained herniation usually happens in the first two stages before the gel-like material leaks into the spinal canal, which typically happens in the third and fourth stages. This means the jelly center is still contained within the outer wall of the lumbar disc. Besides lower back pain, patients may experience symptoms such as arm and leg pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness¹.

A non-contained herniation typically causes more severe back pain. What happens in this stage is that the gel-like material breaks through the outer wall of the intervertebral disc. The material leaks into the spinal canal and causes many painful and uncomfortable symptoms. This is why non-contained herniation is often called ruptured discs as well. The symptoms may include tingling, numbness, and pain that can be severe and long-lasting¹.

Sequestered herniations happen if a patient doesn’t treat non-contained herniations. What happens is that the discs beak due to the compressor, which then results in severe pain and even loss of mobility if patients ignore the symptoms long enough. Those who deal with chronic back pain may be more likely to ignore symptoms of sequestered herniation, although consulting a doctor is critical¹.

People with herniated discs require a sleeping surface that keeps their back in proper alignment, and their entire body should be well-supported. A poor-quality mattress will have areas that sag, further exacerbating back pain.

How do you know if your spine is in proper alignment when you’re in bed? The best way to determine this is to lie on your side and have someone take a picture of you from behind. Your spine should keep a straight line. If you don’t feel comfortable asking someone to take the picture, set a timer on your phone, prop it up on something, and take a picture that way.

Check Out Our Guide: Highest Rated Beds for Back Pain

When it comes to choosing the right type of bed for pressure relief, we’ve found that memory foam mattresses often perform best. You need something that cradles the heavy parts of your body while also providing ample support. Memory foam is designed to contour all of your curves, making it a great material for pressure relief.

People with back pain are often told to sleep on an exceptionally firm surface, or in some cases, even the floor. However, this can sometimes make it even worse.

As we’ve said, if you have a herniated disc, it’s crucial to maintain proper spinal alignment when you lie down. A too-firm surface isn’t going to allow for any contouring, and a too-soft surface won’t have as much support.

Mattress firmness is relative to your body weight since people who weigh more will feel a mattress differently than someone who is exceptionally lightweight. Medium-firm beds are often a great choice since they can provide sturdy support without sacrificing pressure relief.

Have you ever noticed that when you’re in pain, you tend to feel hotter? If you sleep on a mattress that doesn’t allow for any airflow, your already heated body is going to feel even more uncomfortable.

Memory foam is not known for being a cool material, mostly because the contouring traps body heat. We recommend looking for a memory foam mattress with either gel or copper infusions, which draw heat away from the body. There are also some brands that offer something called “open cell” construction that have pockets of air that get released when you put weight on them.

Hybrid and innerspring beds get extra airflow from their coil units, and latex beds are good for cooling because latex is a temperature-neutral material.

Find Out More: Top Cooling Mattresses

A slipped disc is a term often used to describe a herniation, though it’s technically a misnomer because the disc isn’t actually slipping. Rather, it’s being pushed out of place due to being misshapen.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we can discuss the best sleeping position for a herniated disc. The answer to this question lies in where in your vertebral column the herniation has expressed itself: neck, thoracic or lumbar.

Here are general guidelines for each sleeping position:

Back: Sleeping on your back is usually the best choice, though there are a couple of caveats. If your disc herniation is in your neck area, you should focus on which pillow you use. Ideally, a cervical pillow with a center opening to let your head sink while supporting your neck is best.

Also, when you sleep on your back and you have a herniated disc, you’ll probably feel most comfortable with a pillow underneath your knees.

Side: As long as you have the right mattress, side sleeping can be a fantastic choice, especially if you have a herniated lumbar disc. You can try sleeping with a pillow between your knees to ensure that your spine doesn’t twist during the night.

You can also try a cervical pillow regardless of where your herniation is located. Keeping your cervical spine in place can help to make sure the rest of your back stays in alignment.

Stomach: This position is not typically recommended because it can force the hips down and cause your back to arch in an uncomfortable way. If you insist on stomach sleeping, you can place a pillow under your pelvis and at your knees. For your head pillow, choose something very thin or opt for nothing at all.

A bad mattress won’t cause a disc to herniate, but it can prolong or prevent the healing process. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can also accelerate the degeneration process, so even though it won’t be responsible for the actual herniation, it can be a contributing factor.

When you have a herniated disc in this area, the most important thing to keep in mind is neck support. This means sleeping on a pillow that is slightly higher under your neck than your head. Using cervical pillows that dip in the center and have a gentle, rounded ridge at the base of your skull can be very helpful.

Want to see more? Check out our complete guide for best pillows for neck pain.

Degenerative disc disease⁷ (DDD) is not technically a disease. Rather, it’s the long-term degeneration that happens to your spine as you age. However, age is not the only thing that causes this, and just because we get older, it doesn’t mean we have to experience DDD.

Factors that can cause discs to start wearing down⁸ include injuries, drying out of discs with age, and tears that result from sports and daily activities. A nutrient-rich diet, moderate exercise, and avoiding obesity can help support your overall health and may help slow or prevent degenerative disc disease.

While excess soft tissue in the mouth and throat often is the culprit behind obstructive sleep apnea, the less common central sleep apnea⁹ (CSA) may originate in spinal trauma or injury, which can include herniated discs. This is because CSA is most often caused by a disconnect between the muscles you use to breathe and the brain.

Interested in exploring further? Learn more in our bed guide for people with sleep apnea.

Memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses should be best for struggling with herniated discs. These beds are good at contouring the body and relieving pressure in the most critical areas, including the lower back. On top of that, some models even have zoned support that further enhances the contouring in the lower back.

The best way to sleep if you have a herniated disc is on your back. You can even add a small pillow under your knees if you need more relief. This way, you’re less likely to feel as much pain because the nerves aren’t under so much pressure. Side sleeping is also an option, though we recommend avoiding stomach sleeping if possible.

Sleeping on a surface that’s too hard, like the floor, may worsen the symptoms as it offers no contouring. This can put too much pressure on the lower back, so sticking to medium and medium-firm surfaces should be better. These beds usually offer a good balance of pressure relief and support, both of which are crucial for those with a herniated disc.

Medical Disclaimer: If you have or are concerned that you may have a herniated disc, always work closely with your healthcare provider regarding appropriate lifestyle changes, including sleep.