Highest Rated Mattresses for Spinal Stenosis for 2023

Spinal stenosis^[1] is when the discs between the vertebrae become too narrow, resulting in the vertebrae compressing the nerves in the spinal column.

There are two types of spinal stenosis^[2]:

1. Foraminal stenosis: Also called lumbar or lateral stenosis, this is when a bone spur that’s developed from degeneration presses on the nerve root in the lower back. With foraminal stenosis, it looks like the nerves are being pinched.

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2. Central stenosis: This condition also occurs in the lower back region. However, instead of compressing the nerve root, the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae affects the nerve bundle. Rather than the pain that’s associated with the foraminal and lateral varieties, central stenosis affects organ function.

Spinal stenosis symptoms^[1] vary, and some patients don’t even know they have it. For the majority of people with this condition, they’ll experience one or more of the following:

• Pain or cramping in the legs
  

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• Back pain
  

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• Numbness
  

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• Tingling or weakness in the hands, legs, feet, or arms
  

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• Diffuclty walking or maintaining balance
  

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• Neck pain
  

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• Bladder or bowel problems

Having the right mattress is a huge step in the right direction for someone with spinal stenosis. One of the causes of this condition is degeneration caused by the spine being out of alignment over long periods. This happens due to daily micro-traumas, like poor posture, too much sitting, and sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t allow your spine to maintain a natural alignment.

The best thing about sleeping on a mattress that allows for proper alignment is that you can help your body heal without having to do anything!

In addition to keeping your spine in the position, it’s supposed to be in, a proper mattress can also deliver pain relief. A bed that is either too hard or too soft for your condition could make your pain worse, while one that has an ideal mattress firmness level can help alleviate that symptom.

There are four main types of beds, so in this section, we’ll briefly discuss each one and share whether they may be a good fit for someone with this condition.

This type of bed is popular among most people, particularly those that experience conditions associated with a bad back. Memory foam is a softer sleeping surface that responds to body weight and conforms to its curves.

When you lie down, your body distributes its mass unevenly. The part of the mattress that supports your shoulders and hips will bear more weight than the area supporting your head, waist, and feet. The responsive material of memory foam helps absorb that weight, allowing your heavier parts to sink in comfortably.

The result is that your spine stays in neutral alignment, which is critical for those with spinal stenosis. The only real disadvantage of memory foam is that it tends to sleep hot. What this means is that when you lie down and the mattress hugs your body, there’s not much airflow, so the bed can trap much of your body heat; however, some brands account for this by implementing cooling gel into their memory foam.

Check Out Our Guide: Top Rated Memory Foam Beds

A hybrid bed simply means that two types of beds were merged into one. Usually, a hybrid mattress has a coil or innerspring base with soft layers of latex or memory foam on the top. Hybrids are popular because you get the springy feeling that comes from a coil mattress but also the comfortable support that’s characteristic of latex and memory foam.

Some hybrid bed companies allow you to build a more custom bed based on your specific preferences. You’ll answer a series of questions before you buy, and the company will design and ship a bed built just for you. They’ll adjust the firmness and material settings based on your age, weight, gender, sleeping position, etc.

Get More Info: Best Hybrid Beds Guide

Also called innerspring, coil mattresses feature a layer of springs that make up the foundation of the bed. This type of mattress is ideal for jumping, but these beds tend to wear out faster because the springs that bear most of your body weight lose their integrity and make the surface sag.

When this happens, it becomes a terrible mattress for anyone, but especially those with degenerative disc disease.

If you like the feel of an innerspring mattress, some brands have individually pocketed coils that can offer enhanced support.

View Our Guide: Best Rated Innerspring Mattresses

There are two types of latex: natural and synthetic. The natural variety is made from the sap of a rubber tree, so it’s a greener and more durable material. Natural latex is also bouncy since it is technically a form of rubber. Synthetic latex, on the other hand, is made from a petroleum base, so even though you get the feel of latex, it’s not natural.

Pure latex beds tend to be expensive, so if you’re on a budget, you might want to get a bed with a blend of natural and synthetic latex.

For people with spinal stenosis, these beds can be a great choice, though some people find them to be too firm. If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll probably prefer a memory foam mattress, but if you tend to sleep on your back or stomach, latex could be a perfect match for your needs.

Find Out More: Highest Rated Latex Beds

The most important thing to consider is getting a bed that provides the perfect blend of soft comfort and firm support. While these two features may seem opposite to each other, quality mattress companies have found a way to provide both.

They’ve mastered this feat by designing beds that have soft and cushiony top layers with a firmer base layer. The result is that you sink in comfortably at the top of the bed, but not so far that it buckles your spine and causes it to lose proper alignment.

If you’re buying memory foam, look for beds that have multiple layers to provide the ideal blend of comfort and support we’ve been talking about. If you’re considering a hybrid, check to make sure that they’re using top-quality coils and that the top “comfort” layers are durable enough to support you properly.

Keeping your spine supported and in proper alignment are important for three reasons:

1. May reduce pain
   

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2. Helps you to sleep comfortably, which is necessary for physical and mental health
   

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3. Potentially relieves symptoms of stenosis and in some cases, could reverse the condition

When it comes time to buy your bed, make sure you’re looking for quality materials and seeking out brands that demonstrate that they understand this concept. A cheap memory foam bed, for example, will usually have poorer quality foam that feels cozy at first but lacks durability.

Tell-tale signs of a cheap mattress that won’t work well for you are low-density foam, a lack of certifications (at the very least, all beds you consider should be CertiPUR-US certified), or integrated coils systems that do not offer tailored support.

Being hot and sweaty can make your back trouble worse for many reasons, one of which is dehydration. When you’re not properly hydrated, you lose fluid in your joints, exacerbating your existing symptoms.

Since memory foam tends to sleep hot, if you choose this bed, make sure you get one that has a top layer designed to keep you cool. Look for gel or copper infusions, both of which keep the surface of the mattress cooler and help draw heat away from your body.

You should also look for something called an open-cell structure. This means that the mattress was designed for adequate airflow to help cool down its surface.

If you’re concerned about the bed still being too hot, you can get a mattress topper with cooling properties as well.

Want to know more? Read our full top cooling beds guide here.

Did you know that the position you sleep in could cause back pain?

If you have spinal stenosis, you should be careful which position you choose to sleep in. In our research^[3], we’ve found two recommended sleeping positions:

1. Side sleeping – More specifically, the fetal position. By drawing your knees up toward the chest, you relieve pressure on the nerve root.
   

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2. Back sleeping – If you choose this, make sure you keep your upper body elevated. You can do this with either a wedge pillow or an adjustable bed. You can also try maintaining a bend in your knees. Putting a pillow underneath them can help retain that bend, even when you’re asleep.

Along with getting a great mattress, you may also want to try some home treatments for spinal stenosis. Some doctors may recommend these remedies for pain relief since they’re safe and easy to do for most people^[1]. 

• Weight Loss – Losing weight can reduce added pressure and stress on your lower back.
• Working Out – Doing light stretches and strength training should help build up strength and flexibility in your back. However, it’s always best to consult your doctor about safe workouts because doing too much could be more harmful than helpful. 
• Pain Relievers – Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with spinal stenosis. 
• Walking Aids – Mobility aids like canes and walkers may give you more stability and relief as it helps to take some pressure off the back. 

Folks with spinal stenosis should benefit from a medium-firm mattress. This firmness should offer good support for the spine, preventing the body from sinking into the bed and throwing the spine off alignment. In addition, medium-firm beds offer a bit of contouring to prevent pressure build-up in the lumbar area.

Memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses should work well for people with spinal stenosis. These beds can offer great pressure relief, responsiveness, and support for your back pain. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages that you’ll also have to consider as well. For example, natural latex mattresses are eco-friendly, while memory foam excels at pressure relief and motion isolation.

Most people with spinal stenosis should find relief by sleeping in the fetal position. This is when you have your knees up near the abdomen. If this is uncomfortable for you, you can try sleeping on your back with your head and knees elevated^[3].

Although some exercises and stretches can provide relief, you should avoid certain physical activities^[4] like running, taking long walks, contact sports, jumping, climbing, deep back stretches, and biking on hilly or uneven terrain.

Yes, spinal stenosis is one type of degenerative disc disease^[5]. While it’s commonly associated with aging, getting older doesn’t mean you have to fall prey to this condition. The cause of degenerative disc diseases like spinal stenosis is refers to the shrinking and drying out of the discs. Lifestyle choices like proper nutrition, adequate movement, and sleeping and sitting on the right surfaces can help prevent this from happening.

To prevent spinal stenosis from getting worse, you should exercise regularly, practice good posture, avoid smoking, and follow guidance from your doctor4. For exercise, you may have difficulty getting started if you’re already in pain. Therefore, you can try low or no-impact exercises like walking and swimming. Yoga and lifting weights are also excellent activities to keep your body strong.

To promote good posture, make sure you sit and stand without slouching, lift heavy objects carefully and with your legs (not your back), and sleep on a mattress that keeps your spine in proper alignment.

Quitting smoking is also helpful because experts say nicotine inhibits blood flow, which means fewer nutrients and less oxygen can reach your back for it to heal sooner.

Of course, following recommendations from your doctor is also vital because they will know your personal circumstances and limitations.

There are a variety of exercises you can do that could help open up the narrow passageways and encourage the spinal discs to fill back up with fluid.

Exercises^[6] that can help with spinal stenosis include riding a bicycle, swimming, and taking Tai Chi classes that involve light and slow movements. When it comes to riding a bicycle, it may be better to opt for a stationary bike to avoid accidentally falling. Water therapy, light stretches, and some core strengthening workouts may also help.

We do recommend that anyone attempting any sort of new stretch or exercise consult with their doctor to ensure that the activities are safe and helpful for their body.