Best Chiropractor Recommended Mattresses

List of the Best Chiropractor Recommended Mattresses

Best Overall - Editor’s Pick — Saatva

The first item on our list of the best chiropractor-recommended mattresses is the Saatva hybrid. What makes it stand out from the competitors is the smart combination of layers this mattress uses meant to provide extra support for your spine.

The Saatva combines a sturdy support core with thick and cradling comfort layers. Thanks to that, this mattress has a very balanced feel. It’s neither too resilient nor overly hugging. The Saatva is somewhere in the middle, which makes it rather universal (and that’s probably one of the reasons why many chiropractors recommend this mattress).

Another aspect I appreciate about this model is its firmness variety. The Saatva hybrid comes in Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm variations to suit different types of users and sleep positions. Seems like this mattress was built to deliver proper spinal alignment to almost any sleeper type. My personal favorite is the Luxury Firm, which offers just the right amount of a hug while keeping my spine properly aligned all through the night.

Best for Multiple Firmness Levels - Winkbed

Best for Customization in Use — Refresh Mattress by Natural Form

Best Organic Chiropractor-Recommended Mattress — Botanical Bliss by Plushbeds

Which Chiropractor Mattress Type Is the Best?

There are many types of chiropractic mattresses, and each of them has specific characteristics that may or may not work for you:

• Memory foam. Famous for its gentle cradling feel, memory foam is often recommended for back pain because. This construction offers close conforming and distributes the body weight uniformly. It promotes proper spinal alignment, which is crucial (especially when you have back issues). Memory foam is also great for relieving pressure and pain in shoulders and hips. However, this material can make users sleep hot (unless it is infused with cooling particles like gel). 
• Latex. Latex can also mold to your body during sleep but it doesn’t allow for much sinkage. It offers bouncy pressure relief that is favored by those sleepers who don’t like feeling stuck in their bed. Latex is naturally temperature-neutral, even if it’s synthetic. Keep in mind that such mattresses are extremely durable but also quite expensive. 
• Innerspring. Coils offer consistent support throughout the mattress surface. Many manufacturers use pocketed coils for an even weight distribution and spinal support. Innerspring beds are rather affordable but don’t typically provide superb pressure relief.
• Hybrid. Such mattresses combine supportive innerspring systems with either foam or latex comfort layers. They successfully balance support and comfort, aiding in proper spinal alignment and providing pressure relief. Keep in mind that hybrid mattresses can be quite expensive. Plus, they are usually heavy and hard to move.

Note: waterbeds work to displace the heaviest pressure points of the body and sometimes provide pain relief for people with back issues. However, this type doesn’t work for everyone and isn’t typically recommended by chiropractors.

Choosing the Firmness of Your Chiropractor Recommended Mattress

Generally, people think that firmer mattresses are better for your back.

And while research suggests that harder beds may help improve back pain (1), an ideal firmness level depends on each body type and sleeping position:

• Side sleeping. A soft to medium surface is ideal for side sleepers. This position may create pressure points in one’s shoulders and hips, so a proper mattress should offer some sinkage for those areas. If you are heavier than average (more than 250 pounds), you may need a medium mattress that would support your weight evenly.
• Back sleeping. Back sleepers are advised to choose medium to medium-firm mattresses. This sleeping position requires sturdy support and enough cradling for the hips and buttocks. Mattresses with an extra lumbar support zone would be ideal in this case. Overweight back sleepers may benefit from using a medium-firm or a firm mattress.
• Stomach sleeping. This position is generally considered unhealthy for the spine. However, if you can’t change the habit of sleeping on your stomach, you should pick a firm mattress. If you weigh more than 250 pounds, you may want to invest in an extra-firm model as it will prevent sinkage in the pelvic area and the unhealthy curves in your spine.
• Switching positions. Combination sleepers need sturdy support that would allow them to change positions effortlessly. In this case, you can try a medium to medium-firm mattress.

Other Factors to Consider When Searching for a Good Chiropractor Recommended Mattress

While chiropractor’s recommendations are important, you need to remember that there are some other (potentially game-changing) factors you may want to consider:

• Foam density. In memory foam mattresses, higher densities mean that a bed would be able to maintain stable support longer. This aspect is especially important for sleepers over 250 pounds.
• Coil gauge. If you are considering an innerspring or a hybrid mattress, pay attention to the coil gauge. It defines the overall strength of the coils. Lower gauge means thicker and more durable coils that would provide stronger support.
• Size. If you have back issues, you might require more room to switch positions during the night (to find the most comfortable one). If you share your bed with a partner, it has to be big enough to give you both legroom and prevent you from disturbing your loved one when you’re feeling restless. Queen can accommodate 2 adults, but some couples prefer King for the extra legroom.
• Adjustable frame compatibility. Some back issues require sleeping in a reclined position. That’s when an adjustable frame can come in handy. However, not all mattresses are flexible enough to work with adjustable beds, so you need to check that aspect when shopping (2). 
• Trial. If you have back issues, a good sleep trial is an absolute must. You may need more time to break in the new mattress or see how it affects your current condition.

Conclusion

When it comes to back issues, a good mattress can be a game-changer. You just have to make sure that you pick a proper firmness level.

Keep in mind that the materials used also play a role here, as foam tends to be more cushioning than latex and innerspring. At the same time, hybrid mattresses combine the best of the two worlds: uniform support (coils) and pressure-relieving cradling (foam or latex).

However, if I had to recommend only one mattress, that would be the hybrid by Saatva. Not only is this mattress extremely well-made but also comes in multiple firmness options to satisfy more users. Plus, this model offers sturdy, reliable support for the spine (which is crucial for one’s back health).

Which bed would be the most suited for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!