Okay, “miracle” is over the top(per). But if you’ve been waking up feeling achy, have certain kinds of pain, or just need to renew the comfort of a hard but still-sound mattress...the right topper can feel pretty miraculous. Here’s a handy primer on how to choose the best mattress topper for your situation. Toppers for Hip Pain If you wake up with stiff, sore hips—your mattress is most likely too firm. You might also be a side sleeper or tend to stay in one position for most of the night. When your body is under constant pressure from a too-hard surface, circulation is compromised as the tiny veins called capillaries collapse. That often creates hip soreness and aches, with discomfort at its worst in the mornings. Underlying problems such as arthritis of the hip, of course, may compound the misery. A soft, natural latex mattress topper can make your bed feel new and your hips much more comfortable. Customizable toppers allow you to choose the type of latex or even the degree of softness you’d like;
others add casings made of stretchy, knitted fabric for a luxurious, embracing feel. Toppers for Shoulder Pain When you’re on your side, the greatest amount of torso weight is borne by your shoulders. When a mattress has a shallow memory foam or cold gel surface, or features “perimeter support” (extra-stiff foam around the edges)—side sleeping can become very uncomfortable. Broad-shouldered people often experience soreness, stiffness and tingling. And they miss out on how comfortable a sleep surface can be when it accommodates the widest parts of the body. A mattress topper in soft natural latex allows shoulders (and hips) to sink in just enough to relieve the pressure while still keeping the spine aligned. If a topper is too thick, however, back support may be compromised. A 3" to 4" natural latex topper provides enough cushioning to make side sleeping comfortable again without destabilizing the spine. If you prefer moderate softness, a duvet-style topper can add deluxe cushioning without the uber-pillowy feel.
Wool-filled toppers offer dense but breathable comfort that feels quite different from foams. Learn more about our organic mattress toppers HarmonyThe Harmony is one 3" layer of your choice of natural latex in the Savvy Rest organic casing. VitalityThe luxurious Vitality is one 3" layer of Soft natural Talalay latex in a certified organic cotton knit casing. Savvy WoolsyAdd pillowy softness to your mattress with three inches of domestically-sourced, natural wool. Enter zip code to find your nearest Savvy Rest dealer Toppers for Back Pain Many people who have had “slipped” (herniated) disks or other nerve injuries to the back will endure very hard mattresses in order to keep their spines stable during the night. It makes sense, as the electric pain of sciatica can be acute. But there are better solutions. Generally, a very deep or ultra-soft mattress topper, while it may feel wonderful for a few minutes in a showroom, is a risky choice for people with severe back pain.
After a few nights or weeks, the pain may flare up again. Pain that results from injury or disk problems can be re-triggered by toppers that allow a back sleeper to “sink in” too far. But even people with these back issues can enjoy a more comfortable mattress, with a fiber-filled topper that’s not too thick. A 3" wool-filled topper will gently cushion the mattress, improve air circulation and reduce heat build-up beneath the sleeper. These toppers won’t compromise spinal support. Simple pressure point areas in the back, such as over the tailbone, can be relieved by almost any topper. You can choose whichever style appeals, and any depth that feels comfortable. A Note on Memory Foam Toppers The contouring reaction of this synthetic foam occurs when your body heat sets off a chemical reaction within the foam. It’s a molding, almost clasping feel that some users compare to sleeping in damp sand. If you’ve never encountered memory foam before, the novelty of the sensation can feel exhilarating—at first.
Apart from the toxic chemicals, another downside of memory foam toppers is that the foam not only requires trapped body heat to create its close-fitting feel—but also to maintain it. This means that every time you shift or adjust position during the night, your body has to re-heat the foam to make it feel good again. The full response can take up to 15 minutes, so many people find that despite its gadget-y appeal, memory foam makes sleep more restless. Natural latex is more supple, more breathable, and safer for your health than memory foam, hybrid foams or gels. You might also enjoy... The Right Mattress Firmness For You One of the questions we always make sure to ask our customers is whether they sleep on their back, stomach or side. This is one of the most important factors when trying to determine the right mattress feel for you. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sinking into a mattress when you want a firmer feel or feeling like you’re sleeping on a rock when you want a mattress that will gently hug you.
Here's what you can do.Do you wake up every morning with back pain? If you can’t afford to purchase a new mattress, investing in a high quality mattress topper can help alleviate the pain while adding more comfort and support to your bed. With so many mattress toppers on the market today, it’s not always easy to find the right model for your needs and budget. What is a good mattress topper? What factors should you consider? You know what to look for when comparing mattress toppers, but which models are the best? Not all mattress toppers are created equal. These five models are durable, affordable and built with the highest quality materials. Linenspa 2” Ventilated Memory Foam Topper by Lucid – The Linenspa from Lucid is our top pick because it offers ventilation, a 2” density, multiple sizes and superior pressure relief to eliminate back pain. LUCID’s memory foam formula offers luxurious comfort and uses open cell technology that allows the topper to maintain its shape for longer.
Unlike other toppers, you won’t get lasting body impressions with this model. And because it’s 1” shorter on all sides, this topper can easily fit under your existing sheets. What we really love about this model is that it offers so many different sizes, including hard-to-find ones, like RV/Short Queen and Olympic Queen. California King, Twin XL and Full XL are also available in addition to the traditional mattress sizes. LUCID offers something for every bed size. The ventilation keeps you cool at night, while the 2” thickness provides you with pressure point relief that minimizes or eliminates back pain altogether. A firm mattress with a memory foam topper like this will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning. Snuggle-Pedic Double Layer Mattress Topper – Snuggle-Pedic – the name says it all. This double layer mattress topper is 2” thick, but creates the feeling of a 3” topper. The conforming memory foam offers superior support for the spine, which is great news for back pain sufferers.
It also keeps the shoulder and neck properly aligned to further eliminate pressure points and pain. The first 4lb layer provides additional cushioning for the hips and shoulders, while the 5 pound density layer offers extra support for the spine. Built with low VLC, this mattress topper won’t hinder indoor air quality or emit any unpleasant odors. Snuggle-Pedic’s foam is made in the USA, and offers excellent temperature regulation to keep you cool all night long. Cool IQ 2.5” Memory Foam Topper by Nature’s Sleep – Cool IQ is a high density, 3.5 pound mattress topper that’s 2” thick and comes with a convenient microfiber cover. With added support, this topper eases pain in the back, hips and shoulders. It’s naturally antibacterial, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, too. Available in six sizes, including Twin XL and California King, Nature’s Sleep accommodates all customers. The microfiber cover is a nice addition as it keeps the topper in place, and the foam used to create this product is CertiPUR-US approved.
With a 2.5” thickness, you’ll enjoy more support and comfort. This particular model is especially effective for side sleepers, but back and stomach sleepers have also found relief with the Cool IQ. Sleep Better 2” Mattress Topper – Built with 100% foam, Sleep Better’s 2” extra firm mattress topper is both comfortable and extremely affordable. Because it’s extra-firm, this model offers the added support that you need to alleviate back pain. If you’re back pain is caused by a mattress that’s too soft, this topper can help fix the problem without forcing you to buy a brand new mattress. That extra added support can alleviate pressure points while supporting your spine and shoulders. The Sleep Better model is simple – it doesn’t come with a cover or fancy design. But it gets the job done, and it does it well. Milliard 2” Gel Memory Foam Topper with Bamboo Cover – Looking for a mattress topper that not only provides you with support, but also keeps you cooler at night?
The Milliard 2” gel memory foam topper may be the right choice for you. With a 2” density, this topper still provides optimal support while keeping you cool. It also works to reduce pressure points to alleviate pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Arthritic patients are particularly pleased with this topper as it provides them with phenomenal relief. Milliard’s toppers are built with open cell technology, which means that the foam is built with porous cells that trap air inside. When compressed, the cells distribute the air among nearby cells, which allows for improved airflow. Simply put, you stay cooler at night. Affordably priced, this topper also comes with a bamboo cover for added protection and comfort. How do we decide which models make it onto our list? There are several things that we take into consideration (and you should, too) when looking through mattress toppers. When buying a mattress topper, especially for back pain, you need to keep these key factors in mind.