How to choose the Best Mattress for Arthritis and Fibromyalgia relief and 5 mattress recommendations

List of 5 Best Mattresses for Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Relief

Best Overall — Editor’s Choice - Winkbed

The Winkbed is included in this list of the best mattresses for fibromyalgia and arthritis because of its extensive firmness variety that can please any type of sleeper. The mattress comes in four different firmness levels and even has an option designed specifically for heavier users, so it covers most demands.

The Winkbed is a hybrid mattress, meaning it can offer you both uniform support and pretty decent contouring so that you’ll spend less time trying to find a comfortable position. 

The zoned support is delivered in two ways: a zoned coil-on-coil block (in models from Soft to Firm) or a zoned latex layer (Firm Plus option). Both of them are equally effective at keeping your spine aligned and relaxing the deep muscles around it.

Also, the Winkbed sleeps cool thanks to proper air circulation inside the coil block, so it’s a good pick for those who are prone to sleeping hot.

Overall, the Winkbed could make a good purchase for you regardless of your sleeping style. It’s sturdy, uniform, and comfortable to snooze on.

Best for Precise Contouring - Amerisleep AS3

Best for Cooler Sleep - Dreamcloud

Best Budget Option - Zoma

What Else You Should Know Before Making a Purchase?

Aside from deciding on the right mattress type, you have to consider other factors, to end up with a mattress that will make your sleep truly blissful. So, let’s see what makes a good mattress for joint pain and fibromyalgia.

The Right Firmness

The perception of firmness varies from person to person and can be affected by pain. However, there are general guidelines on how to pick up the right firmness level:

• Soft. Soft mattresses offer a deep hug, which is bad for those who weigh 250 pounds and more. Small and average-weight side sleepers, however, will feel great on a softer bed. But if you’re lightweight and sleep on your back or stomach, you should consider a medium-soft mattress.
• Medium. This is the most optimal level of firmness for almost everyone. According to a Sleep Science study in elders, a mattress with a medium-firm feel performs best at reducing musculoskeletal pain in elderly people. It can work for combo sleepers, as well as strict side and back sleepers of average weight. If you’re a heavy user and sleep on your side, though, you may want to try a medium-firm bed.
• Firm. Firm mattresses make you feel as if you’re floating on top of your bed. They don’t offer much give, which can be great for stomach sleepers. Besides, a firmer bed can support the large weight without sinking, so it can make a good pick for heavy individuals. 

If you’re a large user or just feel like you need a really firm bed, you can check out my guide on extra firm mattresses and choose the model that appeals to you.

Thermoregulation

Hot sleeping can be really annoying and decrease your chances to recover during sleep. So, if you’re suffering from chronic pain, it’s advisable to look for a temperature neutral mattress, such as the one that uses latex, coils, or gel memory foam. However, in some cases, some heat retention can be beneficial. According to the Arthritis Foundation, heat can improve the production of synovial liquid and lubricate the joints, thereby improving mobility in arthritis patients. A mattress that retains a small amount of your body heat might work as a big warming pad and have more pleasant effects than direct heat application, so you won’t feel worse.

Material Quality

Those who suffer from pain are likely to use every minute to get some relief, so chances are that you’ll be lying on your mattress pretty often. That means it has to be durable. And here’s how to find a long-lasting one:

• Look for high-density foams. Good numbers start from 1.7 and 7 pounds per cubic foot (PCF) for polyfoam and memory foam, respectively. High-density latex is 5-5.5 PCF or higher.
• Choose quality covers. The cover is here not only for aesthetic purposes. It also allows the air to circulate through the mattress and protects the layers from dust and debris. Choose mattresses with natural or semi-synthetic covers, as they’re usually more durable.
• Check the brand’s reputation. User reviews or sleep expert opinions will help you figure out how the given mattress performs in real life and see through all the marketing tricks.

How Arthritic Pain and Fibromyalgia Affect Your Sleep

There is a strong connection between sleep quality and health issues. Understanding that connection can help us find suitable solutions and, consequently, sleep better. Now, there are different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common form. Source: http://www.apolloclinic.com/blog/types-of-arthritis/

Osteoarthritis causes the loss of cartilage and makes the bones rub together. This results in joint stiffness, swelling, and pain. The 2015 Arthritis Care & Research study suggests that 81% of osteoarthritis patients have difficulties maintaining night sleep, while 31% complain about significant sleep disturbances when trying to fall asleep.

Rheumatoid arthritis, another common condition, causes joint tenderness, stiffness, swelling, and pain. Naturally, these symptoms can interfere with a healthy sleep regime. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis report non-optimal sleep, especially with higher pain levels.

Psoriatic arthritis and gout are less common but can still result in poor sleep quality. These conditions often cause restless leg syndrome, which makes it hard to stay asleep all through the night and can also lead to insomnia.

As for fibromyalgia, this condition can also disrupt one’s sleep. Fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle and joint stiffness (especially in the morning), widespread pain, tingling of the extremities, restless leg syndrome, and so on. Increased pain in fibromyalgia patients is associated with reduced sleep duration and its overall quality. At the same time, research suggests that sleep problems can aggravate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Naturally, when dealing with any of these conditions, your sleep should be a priority. And picking a proper mattress should be the first step to improve your sleep quality.

FAQ

Conclusion

As you can see, sleep and pain don’t do well together.

Arthritis and fibromyalgia patients often find it hard to maintain a healthy sleep regime. However, a good mattress can help.

Keep in mind that every sleeper requires the right bed firmness according to their weight. And let’s not forget about pressure relief, which is crucial when it comes to fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. Foam and latex mattresses tend to do the best job of reducing tension. As for hybrid beds, it is recommended to test them first as the feeling may vary from model to model.