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Aching back? These are the best mattresses for back pain, according to doctors — and they're all on sale for President's Day

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Say goodbye to your aching back. (Photo: DreamCloud)
Say goodbye to your aching back. (Photo: DreamCloud)

When you have chronic back pain, the right mattress can make the difference between waking up feeling great and spending your day in agony. Of course, you have to find the best mattress for your bad back first. And there’s no better time to shop for one than now— many are on sale.

“It’s a decision you don’t want to get wrong because you’ll have to live with it for years to come,” Neel Anand, MD, professor of orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

You’ve probably heard at some point that the best mattress for a bad back is something incredibly firm, but Anand says that’s not true. “While specialists used to recommend an extra-firm mattress as the ideal choice for proper back support, that guidance is outdated and has pretty much been overruled,” he says. In fact, using a mattress that’s too hard could actually create even more back pain because there isn’t enough “give” near pressure points like your hips and shoulders, he says.

Ultimately, you want to look for a mattress that’s of medium firmness and supports the curve of your spine, Jessalynn Adam, MD, an orthopedist with Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

In the market for a new mattress? Here are the best options to check out.

Bear Hybrid

Bear is offering 20 percent off sitewide, plus two free pillows. Our expert’s pick? The Bear Hybrid mattress, which has four separate layers of foam to help contour to your body.

“Foam is generally more comfortable for your back,” Adam says.

Serta Blue 100 Gentle Firm

Serta is giving customers up to $200 off select mattresses from the iComfort line. This mattress offers memory foam that’s somewhere between firm and soft, which is where you want to be, Anand says. The foam also has cooling, pressure-relieving comfort and supports the curves of your body.

Nora Mattress

Wayfair’s Nora mattress is a great option if you’re on a budget. It has memory foam, as well as high-density support foam. Don’t let the low price be a deterrent.

“Don’t assume the more money you spend, the more comfortable you’ll be,” Anand says. “The best sleeping surface is the one that feels best to you.”

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

DreamCloud’s Luxury Hybrid Mattress (Photo: DreamCloud)
DreamCloud’s Luxury Hybrid Mattress (Photo: DreamCloud)

DreamCloud is taking $200 off of select mattresses. The Luxury Hybrid Mattress is a great option. It works with all bed types and has great memory foam, as well as a pocketed innerspring coil to promote breathability and help keep you cool. The company will even let you try out the mattress for a whole year and return it for a full refund if you’re not satisfied. Being able to try out a mattress before you’re all in is a great option, Adam says. “You have to try a mattress for at least a few weeks to see if it’s going to make a difference with your back pain,” she says.

Helix Moonlight

Helix Moonlight Mattress (Photo: Helix Sleep)
Helix Moonlight Mattress (Photo: Helix Sleep)

Helix is offering up to $200 off on your purchase of a Helix Mattress. The Moonlight mattress has dynamic foam to react to your body shape, is made to support all sleep positions and has a super-soft feel on top. Helix also will let you try out the mattress for 100 days and has a temperature-regulating cover to keep you from overheating at night — an important step for comfort, Adam says.

Tempur-Adapt

Tempur-Adapt Mattress (Photo: Tempur-Pedic)
Tempur-Adapt Mattress (Photo: Tempur-Pedic)

Tempur-Pedic is taking up to $500 off select mattress sets. The Tempur-Adapt has a cool-touch cover to keep you from overheating, a comfort layer to help keep you cozy at night and a Tempur support layer to help support your back. Reviewers rave about how comfortable it is — and that’s what it ultimately boils down to. “You have to feel comfortable,” Adam says.

The editors at Yahoo Lifestyle are committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. At times, we may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.

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