What to Look For In a Mattress If You Have Spinal Stenosis?

Posted on the 16 December 2019 by Charlene Farwell

Do you have trouble walking the long distance? Do you feel a nagging pain in your legs whiling walking?

If you age over 60 years and suffering from pinched nerve pain and having difficulty walking, you are suffering from Spinal Stenosis. Spinal Stenosis is among the most common causes of back pain in people over 60 years of age. You might stay awake all night because of the increased aches and joint stiffness.

You can get relief from pain when you choose the mattress from our top 3 firm mattresses for spinal stenosis. You can have an ultimate sleeping experience by staying comfortable during the night.

Let’s quickly find what they have to offer!

Mattress Best For Firmness Thickness Support Core Comfort Layer Cover Materials

Puffy Lux Cloud-like Comfort 6 (Medium Firm) 12-inch 7-inch Polyfoam (HD) 3-inch Memory Foam and 2-inch Polyfoam Polyester 100%

Idle Sleep Pressure relief 5.5 (Medium) 14-inch 14-inch Pocketed Coils and Luxury Firm Model 2-inch Latex and 2-inch Memory Foam 4 PCF Cooling Buoyancy Foam

Sweetnight Contouring 5.5 (Medium) 12-inch 3-inch Gel-infused Memory Foam and 3.5-inch Polyfoam (Open Cell) 5.5-inch Polyfoam (HD) Cotton & Rayon Blend

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal Stenosis is a progressive illness occurs due to the narrowing spaces in your spine. It affects the nerves to travel in your spine which affects your mobility and well-being. According to research by WebMD, people with spinal Stenosis experience the following symptoms.

  • Severe low back pain
  • Numbness and muscle weakness
  • Difficulty walking and loss of mobility.
  • Tingling sensation.
  • Decreased organ functions

Studies reveal that 95% of people suffer from degenerative changes in the spine by the age of 50. If the disease is left untreated, it could have adverse effects. You might have paralysis, inability to walk, permanent bladder control.

Best Mattress Type for Spinal Stenosis

The kind of mattress makes a huge difference when it comes to sleeping peacefully at night. There are four types of mattresses which help you get the support you need to sleep better at night. We will discuss them all briefly and let you know whether they are suitable for spinal Stenosis or not.

Find out more about The Best Mattresses for Back Pain and The Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain in our complete review.

Memory Foam

This mattress type is recommended that helps you in unique ways to deal with your back pain. Memory foam contours your body perfectly and distributes your weight evenly. When you lie down on a sleeping surface, your body unevenly distributes your body mass.

You need to have an even distribution of bodyweight to have a soothing and relaxing sleeping experience. Memory foam mattress allows your shoulders and hips to sink in comfortably in the mattress. It is quite responsive to the weight of your body which will enable you to have a proper spinal alignment.

Did you know? If you don’t get adequate sleep for 18-hours, it has the same effect as someone legally drunk.

For those who suffer from spinal Stenosis, maintaining the natural posture of the spine is vital. Therefore, this mattress type is a good fit for Spinal Stenosis patients.

A memory foam mattress has a drawback. It tends to make you sleep hot at night and gives you minimal airflow to maintain an optimal temperature of your body to sleep better.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is the latest addition to the world of mattresses. It is a combination of inner-springs/coils and memory foam or latex foam. The memory foam helps to provide a comfortable sleeping surface while the inner springs give you optimal back support and good pressure relief. The coils give you a good bounce and freedom of movement.

Based on your requirements and specifications different brands allows you to construct a custom based mattress especially for you.

You can choose the firmness level and material set according to your age, weight, and sleeping position. If you suffer from spinal Stenosis, you can have an optimal level of firmness by getting a custom based mattress.

Innerspring

The coils or innerspring mattresses are designed to give you optimal support and individualized comfort. Numerous coils are encased to provide mattress the required thickness and strength. If you prefer to sleep on a mattress which gives you an easy in and out of the bed, this mattress is the best choice for you. However, innerspring tends to wear off quickly. For people who have spinal Stenosis, this type of mattress is least recommended.

Did you know – Innersprings are 28% efficient in transferring heat and are cooler on the first contact as compared to the other materials.

There are some brands which offer specific zoned support by giving you different firmness levels all over the mattress. If you want to purchase an innerspring mattress and you are a spinal Stenosis sufferer you can choose the mattresses with zoning technology.

Latex

The natural latex mattress is made from extracts of a rubber tree that gives your body a proper contour with a bounce. It provides you with the right combination of support and balance and molds according to the shape of your body.

Natural latex bed is a highly recommended option for spinal Stenosis sufferers because it offers the best pressure relief from the body as compared to any other material.

Natural latex is expensive though; if you have a tight budget, you might want to buy synthetic latex which is made from a petroleum base.

Other Buying Considerations

Spinal alignment & Support

Our spine is made from 24 vertebras which hold us upright and support our body weight. Maintaining natural spinal alignment is imperative. A bad posture of your spine could be a source of back pain. It is essential to keep proper spinal alignment and support to reduce back pain, sleep comfortably, and improve your well-being. Make sure that you buy a mattress which gives your spine the right support it needs.

Breathability & Cooling Materials

Sleeping hot at night could make your back aches worse. Memory foam mattresses give you right back support, but they tend to make you sleep hot. If you choose memory foam mattress for a healthy spine, make sure that you get the one with a gel-infused top layer.

Such mattresses give you optimal airflow and allow you to sleep cool. Maintaining an optimal temperature of your body while sleeping makes you sleep comfortably without unnecessary tossing and turning.

Sleeping Position

If you suffer from spinal Stenosis, you need to check your sleeping position. It is recommended for spinal Stenosis patients to sleep in two positions:

Side Sleeping Position: This is an ideal position to keep your spine aligned.  For people who suffer from back pain, we recommend this sleeping position. It gives optimal back support. It also prevents you from acid reflux and sleeps apnea.

Back Sleeping: Make sure that you keep your body elevated while sleeping on your back with Spinal Stenosis. You can place your pillow under your knees; you maintain a natural posture of your spine.

Sleep Position Guidelines for Spinal Stenosis

Sleeping Position Guideline Benefit

Back Sleeper It is best to place a small-sized pillow under your knees for extra support. It will release the additional pressure off the spine and will support its natural curve.

Stomach Sleeper Tuck in a flat pillow between the hips and stomach region. This will lower the pressure on the lumbar region.

Side Sleeper Place a pillow between your knees. It will reduce the stress from the lower spine and hips.

Is spinal stenosis a degenerative disc disease?

Yes, Spinal Stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease is a common disease which affects people who are above 50 years. It is a gradual weakening of discs between your vertebras. As you grow old, the discs in your spine which are made from water dehydrate.

Exercises for spinal stenosis

Many exercises can help you prevent spinal Stenosis. Make sure that you consult your medical expert before trying these exercises.

  • Focus on stretching the muscles of your back with backward bending. Lie down comfortably on your back and slowly pull your knees to your chest. After sitting in this position for 30 seconds, go back to the starting position. Try to complete ten repetitions of this exercise.
  • You can bend your knees and lay on your back. Ensure that your feet are flat against the floor. Slowly rotate the knees from left to right. Repeat this exercise 10 times for three sets.
You may be love to learn more about How to Choose a Mattress Fit for You?

Compare & Review – Top 3 Mattresses for Spinal Stenosis

1. Puffy Lux Mattress – Best for Cloud-like feel

Features

  • Body adapting cloud foam
  • Pressure-relieving support
  • Cloud Gel layer
  • Durable base foam
  • Certified Certi-PUR
  • Breathable Cover
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • 101-Nights free trial

The 2 inch Plush Cloud Comfort Foam enhances the breathability of the mattress and gives your body an exceptional contour. It contours your body correctly and makes you feel comfortable in your bed. The 3-inch Cooling Cloud foam can regulate the airflow 8x more than a standard mattress giving you a sweat-free sleep. The 7-inch Firm Core Support Foam gives your spine the right balance and support to maintain its natural posture.

The Patent Pending Puffy Cloud Cover is stretchy and breathable. It adds to your comfort while you are trying to sleep at night.

The mattress has that “new mattress smell” which goes away after a couple of days. If you are extra sensitive to odors, you might find it difficult to sleep on this mattress for a couple of days. However, this smell is bearable and doesn’t outweigh the positive features of the product.

Sleeping on a wrong mattress could worsen your Spinal Stenosis symptoms. If the cartilage of your spine has worn off and the bones of your spine rub against each other, you might want a mattress which has minimal motion transfer. Puffy Lux mattress eases your pain by giving you optimal motion isolation.

Why we like it :

  • The mattress gives you a soft plush to stay comfortable while sleeping at night.
  • The company gives you a 101-night trial to satisfy yourself completely.
  • It perfectly facilitates your body to get optimal back support.

What to Look For In a Mattress If You Have Spinal Stenosis?

  • It does not give you a good edge support

Check Price and Availability

The medium-firm range of 5.5 – 7 makes Puffy Lux the best choice for you if you are a spinal Stenosis sufferer because it contours your body and makes you feel comfortable in your bed. Puffy Lux mattress eases your pain by giving you optimal motion isolation. If you are a light sleeper and you sleep with your partner, this mattress is the right one for you. The ultra-soft cover is stretchy, breathable and easy to remove and wash.

Want to learn more about the Puffy Mattress? Read our complete review here.

2. Idle Sleep Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress – Best for Pressure relief

Features

  • Luxury Materials
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • High-end Coils
  • 7 layers Hybrid
  • 6″ of Quantum Edge-to-Edge Pocketed Coils
  • Combination of air chamber support core, latex foam, memory foam, and a pillow top
  • Cover made from Thermocool fabric
  • 1,000 smart support coils and 300 springs
  • 18 MOnths home trial

The first layer is 1″ of IDLE Quilting Foam (for softness), then 1″ of Air Flow Response Foam, then 2″ of Cooling Buoyancy Foam, and then 6″ of Quantum Edge-to-Edge Pocketed Coils (for support).

The second layer is also 1 inch and uses Air Flow Response Foam that is ventilated for temperature control while adding to the bed’s overall bounce.

The third layer contains 2 inches of Cooling Buoyancy Foam that has been specially formulated to provide the body conformance of traditional memory foam while having a quicker response time and less heat retention.

The fourth layer builds the support system with 6 inches of Quantum Edge-to-Edge pocketed coils that can reduce your experience of motion transfer while keeping your spine resting straight.

The fifth layer begins the opposite side with another 2-inch layer of Cooling Buoyancy Foam.

The sixth layer is the same as the second layer.

The seventh layer repeats the first layer.

The mattress has a nice soft cover that isn’t going to bunch up under your sheets. It’s made from Thermocool fabric, which IDLE says works with your body temperature to keep you from getting too hot or too cold.

Did you know?  Since the year1985, there has been an increase of 31% in people sleeping for less than 6 hours a day.

IDLE’s Hybrid bed has a surprisingly soft foam feel to it, considering it has those coils. It sort of feels like an innerspring bed, but with a thick, soft foam topper. It’s quite comfortable.

Idle Sleep Natural Latex Hybrid bed has a surprisingly soft foam feel to it, considering it has those coils. It sort of feels like an innerspring bed, but with a thick, soft foam topper. It’s quite comfortable.

Why we like it :

  • All sleeper types (back, stomach, side, combo)
  • If you love a bed with a soft foam feel
  • Anyone that wants to be able to choose from multiple firmness options
  • People that are intrigued by a mattress with a lifetime warranty
  • Individuals that like options (IDLE offers flippable beds in multiple firmness levels)

Why we hate it :

  • Anyone on a shoe-string budget that wants an ultra-cheap mattress
  • People that aren’t interested in a flippable bed

Check Price and Availability

For people suffering from spinal Stenosis are recommended to sleep on medium-level firmness mattress. Idle Sleep has a medium level firmness allows your back to maintain a healthy posture through excellent support and don’t make you feel stuck.

3. Sweetnight Mattress – Best for Contouring

Features

  • Soft Rayon, Hypoallergenic cover.
  • 10 years Warranty
  • Targeted Support
  • Open Cell comfort foam
  • Heat dissipation
  • Certified Certi-PUR

Moreover, the foam and a softcover of the mattress are hypoallergenic. You can keep dust mites, bacteria, and harmful insects away all night. You don't have to be afraid of catching any diseases and allergies.

Furthermore, the mattress is made from 3 layers which are all-foam. Each of these layers gives your body targeted support. The 3-inch gel memory foam contours your the whole body and give you a comfortable feeling leaving pressure from your hips and joints. The use of open-cell foam offers unique airflow and allows breathability whereas the base foam restricts sagging of the foam.

The mattress is CertiPUR-US which makes it a healthier choice for you. It is free from ozone depletes and flame retardants that are harmful to your health. CertiPUR-US ensures that your mattress is free from materials like mercury, lead, and other heavy metals.

One drawback of the mattress is that it takes time to expand when it is new. You have to wait for 72 hours to let it come in the right shape. However, it is not a big issue. Patience is a virtue; you can wait for a couple of days to enjoy the comforts it offers.

Surgery is the only way to deal with the severe spinal Stenosis issue. However, a comfortable mattress could also help you get adequate relief at night. You can ease your symptoms with Sweetnight 12-inch gel memory foam mattress that adjusts to your body temperature and weight.

Why we like it :

  • Gel memory foam layer gives your body the right level of cushioning it wants to stay comfortable.
  • The 5 inches high-density foam prevents it from sagging.
  • Targeted support to alleviate back pain.
  • Heat dissipation formula allows you to sleep cool.
  • It gives you a 10-year warranty.

Why we hate it :

  • Setting up could be a bit complicated.
  • Single firmness option.

Check Price and Availability

This mattress is perfect for you because it supports your body from head to toe. You can improve your sleep quality with the comfortable contour it gives to your body. Targeted support helps in relieving pain, tossing and turning and motion isolation. The medium firmness of the mattress provides excellent support to the back

Find out more about Top Rated Mattress Brands in our complete review here.

Conclusion

Choosing the right mattress for your spine does not have to be stressful. Our guide would be quite handy for you to select the one which soothes your pain and supports your spine correctly. These mattresses would help improve your sleep quality. If you are short on time, you can rely on our research and buy one of our top picks.

The right mattress would give you the comfort and support you desire, but it won't be able to cure your disease. Discussing your health care concerns with your doctor is essential. Your spinal Stenosis symptoms might worsen over time.