The 9 Best Mattresses for Scoliosis – Buyers Guide and Reviews for 2023

The term scoliosis describes a spinal curve of at least 10 degrees regardless of the point at which it’s located. This condition usually happens in one of four curve patterns, causing a bent spine, an S-shaped spine, or a curvy spine. Scoliosis usually occurs in late childhood or early teen years, which means between the years 9 and 14, and is known to affect females up to seven times more than males. Though it isn’t life-threatening if the child is older than five, treating it is advised. 

Scoliosis can be idiopathic, congenital, or neuromuscular. The most common is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which is diagnosed during puberty, but doctors don’t know what causes it. However, researchers² think several factors such as genes, hormones, and changes in cell structure could lead to scoliosis. Most children don’t show any symptoms of scoliosis, so doctors usually see this during routine checkups. Depending on how severe the curve is, doctors may suggest scoliosis treatment³ that includes bracing, surgery, physical therapy, or simply monitoring your child’s posture.

Most people don’t show any signs of scoliosis, especially if it’s a mild case. However, symptoms do exist, and if the scoliosis is more severe, these will show early on. 

• One shoulder blade is more prominent
• The shoulders are uneven
• The waist is uneven
• One side of the back is more prominent when bending
• One hip is higher than the other
• One side of the rib cage is jutting forward

People with scoliosis should be careful with how they sleep because some positions can worsen the pain and pressure.

Back sleepers struggling with scoliosis should look for a mattress with a bit of contouring. Back sleeping can be tricky because you don’t want to put too much pressure on your spine. The best way to avoid this is to use pillows under your shoulders at the base of your spine. You can also use rolled-up towels, but make sure this isn’t too high or low because the spine has to stay neutral, flat, and parallel to the mattress.

Side sleeping is healthy for spinal alignment, so it’s also good for people with scoliosis. However, those with a more pronounced curve should be careful when it comes to the side they’re sleeping on. If the biggest curve is on the left side, you should sleep on your right side, and vice versa. On top of that, you should also think about mattress firmness and contouring to prevent pressure build-up when sleeping on your side.

Individuals with scoliosis may find stomach sleeping uncomfortable, waking up with pain, and numbness in sensitive areas. For this reason, most physicians advise against sleeping on your stomach. In this position, your neck and head twist at angles that may be comfortable at first, but could cause the spine to fall out of alignment. 

Learn More: Sleeping With Scoliosis

Scoliosis can often cause numbness, tingling, and even pain, so one of the best ways to alleviate these symptoms is to ensure you sleep on a comfortable mattress. Some beds are better than others due to their construction, responsiveness, and support level, so let’s see how they differ.

Innerspring mattresses have a traditional style with a coil unit and one comfort layer on top. These are good for people with scoliosis because they’re responsive and usually easy to get in and out of. However, innerspring mattresses unusually lack pressure relief compared to other mattress types, particularly if you’re a side sleeper or very lightweight. So, while an innerspring bed could be a good choice for scoliosis, make sure to consider other crucial factors like your sleeping position and weight.

Foam beds are made from multiple foam layers working together to deliver variable support and pressure-relieving levels. Foam beds hug the body, and you can also choose between several firmness options to find the most comfortable feel. However, foam beds can be too hot for some people, especially if they contain traditional memory foam, so make sure to look for one with cooling features if you’re a hot sleeper. Another consideration is that memory and polyfoam beds aren’t as responsive, so if ease of movement is important to you, you might want to consider another option.

Latex is a good option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly bed. Latex comes from natural sources and is naturally hypoallergenic, so it’s good if you’re prone to allergies. Latex beds are more responsive than memory foam because latex is naturally bouncier. On top of that, the material is breathable and more cooling, so it’s suitable for hot sleepers. Latex beds are known for their durability and good edge support, although they’re pricier than other all-foam models. However, these beds should last you a long time.

Hybrid mattresses have coils and multiple comfort layers that set them apart from classic innerspring beds. The coils are usually individually wrapped to enhance motion isolation and support. Hybrids are a good option for people with scoliosis because they come in many styles, and you can choose among multiple firmness options, materials, and heights. These beds are usually breathable, but some have added cooling features like gel-infused foam or a breathable cover. Hybrids often offer an ideal blend of responsive support and plush pressure relief that could be great for some with scoliosis.

According to Scoliosis Association UK¹, most people struggling with scoliosis should benefit from a medium mattress firmness. Your bed shouldn’t be too hard or soft, as both types could worsen the symptoms. People with scoliosis need solid support in the hips and shoulders, so soft beds aren’t a good choice. However, a bed that’s too hard wouldn’t allow any contouring, which may result in pressure buildup, especially around the hip and shoulder areas.

Those living with scoliosis should focus on beds between 18 and 22 inches1. This is considered the best height that would allow sleepers with this condition to get in and out of bed easily. Luckily, some of the best mattress brands offer multiple heights, so there are plenty of options available.

Pressure buildup is something many people struggle with. For this reason, it’s important to have a bed that contours the body, allowing a bit of cushioning to relieve pressure in areas like the hips, knees, and shoulders. People with scoliosis need a mattress that has comfort layers made from contouring materials that help relieve pressure while still supporting the body and preventing sinkage.

Edge support is valuable for people who like spreading out when they sleep. Couples typically benefit from it the most, although edge support is also important to some single individuals too. Many mattresses have good edge support thanks to reinforced edges. In hybrids, this usually includes thicker-gauge coils around the perimeter, while memory foam beds have higher-density foam in this area. If you have scoliosis, lying or sitting on the edge of the bed can be easier with a mattress that has reinforced sides.

People living with scoliosis should like responsive beds because they foster easier movement. A mattress made from responsive materials is also more convenient for getting in and out of bed. This is helpful for people with scoliosis because they often wake up with pain and numbness. Responsiveness refers to how quickly a bed can respond to your movement, adjusting to the shape of your body in different positions. Hybrid, latex, and innerspring mattresses tend to be the most responsive.

Firm mattresses are usually too firm for people struggling with scoliosis. These allow minimal contouring and may not be as comfortable, especially for those sleeping on their side due to pressure buildup. Instead, focus more on medium and medium-firm beds that offer some contouring without taking away from support.

The best pillow to use for scoliosis has a medium loft, so it’s not too high or too low. Medium pillows keep your head well-supported, which also helps keep the spine straight. Cervical pillows are also a good option because they promote healthy neck posture.

People with scoliosis should focus on having a bed that’s between 18 and 22 inches high with a medium-firm mattress. Hybrid, latex, and foam mattresses can be great for many sleepers with scoliosis as they offer great support and pressure relief, but it’s important to consider additional factors about the mattress type, such as cooling, and responsiveness. Innerspring beds are great for support, breathability, and responsiveness, but they may not have enough cushioning for some sleepers.

The best way to sleep with scoliosis is flat on your back because this allows a healthy spine alignment. However, many people can’t sleep this way, so they choose side sleeping. Side sleeping is also fine, but you should make sure that the bed allows a bit of contouring so that your spine is straight and no pressure can build up in sensitive areas. Most experts will advise against sleeping on your stomach, which can put extra pressure on the lower back.

A mattress is unlikely to cause scoliosis, but it can worsen the symptoms. In other words, a bed that doesn’t fit your needs may cause you to wake up with pain and numbness instead of helping you alleviate these symptoms. Furthermore, a mattress that’s not supportive enough can throw your spine out of alignment. Over time, this can lead to severe pain and bad posture.