How to choose your mattress topper when you have back pain?

Neck, back or lumbar pain: the choice of your bedding can help you alleviate it. Perhaps you have already opted for an excellent quality mattress. But have you thought about investing in a mattress topper ? This solution will allow you to extend the life of your mattress, and will also help you improve the comfort of your bed. Just as with mattresses, there are a multitude of mattress toppers with varying characteristics. Morphology, location of pain, sleeping independence are criteria to consider to determine the ideal mattress topper. Follow our advice to know which mattress topper to choose for back pain.

Why buy a mattress topper if you have back pain?

Generally speaking, changing a mattress is expensive and is not necessarily affordable for everyone. The mattress topper is a piece of equipment that allows its user to extend the life of the mattress, because it will not be directly affected by the weight of the mattress. The mattress topper also prevents bacteria, mites and various residues from reaching the surface of the mattress. In addition, if your mattress has lost some of its firmness, purchasing a mattress topper will allow you to delay the fateful moment of its renewal.

MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) are said to be the leading cause of compensated illnesses in France. On average, these work stoppages represent 44,500 French people in 2019 according to Public Health France. However, back pain does not always require the purchase of an orthopedic mattress. If you are concerned, purchasing a mattress topper will optimize the distribution of your body weight on the bedding. Pressure points will thus be less concentrated on the spine. In addition, it is often wrongly believed that the firmness of a mattress is beneficial for the back. This is not always the case, because a mattress that is too firm can cause pain. The mattress topper is the ideal bedding accessory to alleviate this firmness.

Sleeping independence: a criterion to consider

We don't all have the same body shape. It is sometimes difficult to choose a mattress adapted to the unique characteristics of your couple. Acquiring a mattress topper will allow you to enjoy sleeping independence without considering sleeping in separate beds. For example, if you have a spring mattress, know that its reception is generally soft. If this trait suits your spouse, it may not be the case for you. To avoid buying a hard mattress, opt instead for a feather mattress topper, which will give you a softer feel.

What are the determining criteria for choosing a mattress topper?

To optimize the quality of your sleep and limit the appearance of pain, it is better to pay attention to the characteristics of your bedding. Firmness and thickness are the main information to check for a successful purchase.

The firmness

A good quality mattress topper should have a density between 300 and 700 g/m². The higher this index, the firmer the mattress topper will be. You will therefore need to adapt your choice to your needs. If you consider your mattress too soft, choose a high-density mattress topper.

Thickness

It must be less thick than your mattress. On average, mattress toppers sold commercially have a thickness of 5 cm. To increase the softness of a firm mattress, you can choose a slightly thicker product.

What materials should you turn to if you have back pain?

In the same way, the material of your mattress topper will also play its role in the quality of your nights. Depending on the pathology you suffer from, you will have to choose from different fillings. Memory foam, latex, bamboo, cotton and feathers: each material has its own characteristics.

The memory foam mattress topper

The memory foam mattress topper has the characteristic of conforming to the shape of its user. It adapts to all body shapes and therefore to the uniqueness of your spine. It is essentially composed of several layers of foam, including viscoelastic foam.

This technology comes directly from aeronautics. It was intended to protect the astronauts from shocks during the rocket's various maneuvers! This material has heat-sensitive properties: the foam gradually deforms under the effect of heat to adapt perfectly to the contours of the sleeper. The memory foam mattress topper is recommended to reduce all back and joint pain thanks to its cocoon effect. It is also suitable for people who frequently change position during the night.

The latex mattress topper

Latex is a material that facilitates breathability. It is perfectly suitable for people who sweat a lot. We distinguish between natural latex and synthetic latex. For reasons of sustainability and environmental protection, we recommend the first. Indeed, the manufacturing of synthetic latex is particularly harmful to the planet.

The density of the latex is excellent. For this reason, its use is particularly recommended if you are looking for a mattress topper for sciatica back pain or a mattress topper for herniated discs.

The bamboo mattress topper

The bamboo fiber mattress topper is a high-end product. It combines several technologies. It generally includes polyurethane foam or latex which will be combined with bamboo fiber. These will optimize the characteristics of the material that makes up the mattress topper. Bamboo fibers are resistant to humidity and microorganisms. They offer softness and freshness to the touch. This type of bedding is generally ecological, because bamboo is widely used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To choose your cotton fiber mattress topper, you will need to identify the other material it is made from. If it is made of memory foam, it will be suitable for all types of back pain. If it is made of latex, it will be suitable for lower back pain.

The cotton mattress topper

Woven from cotton fibers, the filling of this mattress topper has significant hypoallergenic properties. This type of bedding is generally washable at 60°C, which is ideal for people who suffer from allergies. In addition, the cotton mattress topper also has very valuable thermoregulatory properties. Finally, cotton provides excellent ventilation. If you are prone to night sweats, this type of bedding is perfectly suitable.

Cotton is not the material of choice for people who suffer from back pain. However, its thermoregulatory properties optimize the quality of your sleep.

The down and feather mattress topper

This type of bedding is the most high-end in the mattress topper category. Indeed, its soft welcome and its softness are particularly appreciated by its users. Its level of ventilation is also far from negligible. The down and feather mattress topper is ideal for distributing pressure points and providing excellent support.

The down and feather mattress topper is the ideal device to provide comfort and alleviate all back pain.

Our comparison table

The type of pain, the cost of this bedding accessory and its maintenance will be the main determining criteria for choosing your mattress topper.

Mattress topper material	Use	Average cost	Features
Memory foam mattress topper	Suitable for neck, back and lumbar pain	Between 100 and 300€	Thermosensitive Cocoon effect Suitable for people who change positions often Sleeping independence for your partner
Latex mattress topper	Suitable for all types of back pain Particularly suitable for sciatic pain and herniated discs	Between 100 and 200€	Breathable Hygienic
Bamboo mattress topper	Suitable for all types of back pain if it contains memory foam Recommended for people suffering from lower back pain	Between 100 and 600€	Moisture resistant Ecological Softness and freshness to the touch
Cotton mattress topper	Cotton is not the material of choice for people who suffer from back pain	Between 100 and 200€	Promotes heat exchanges Hygienic because washable at 60°C
Down and feather mattress topper	Ideal for all back pain	Between 100 and 500€	Soft welcome Thermoregulatory properties Excellent support Improved distribution of pressure points