Best Mattress for Scoliosis

Roughly 2 to 3% of the U.S. population lives with scoliosis, a condition characterized by an unnatural curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can cause pressure and sore spots in areas along the spine that make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. While a mattress can’t cure scoliosis, some beds provide adequate support, improve spinal alignment, and alleviate pressure where it’s needed. This can ensure people with scoliosis get the high-quality sleep they need.

Our team of sleep experts has conducted hands-on testing for hundreds of mattresses sold today. We evaluate each mattress for several different metrics, including support, pressure relief, ease of movement, and other factors that can impact people with scoliosis. Our team includes people with varying body types, sleep positions, and firmness preferences to ensure our recommendations are reflective of most sleepers. After concluding our tests, we’ve decided to name the following picks as our best mattresses for scoliosis.

In-Depth Reviews

Watch Video: We Tested the Best Mattresses for Scoliosis – Here Are Our Favorites

Watch the video below to learn more about our lab’s top mattress picks for people with scoliosis.

To read more about our top selections, visit the detailed product profiles below. Scroll down even further to find our buyer’s guide, which is specifically aimed at mattress buyers who either live with scoliosis or share a bed with someone who has this condition. We’ll discuss different types of mattresses, which ones are best at alleviating scoliosis-related pain, as well as how much you can expect to spend on your purchase.

Data-Driven Results You Can Trust

We’ve assembled a team of sleep experts for our hands-on testing, and each member brings years of firsthand knowledge and experience to this process. Our testers differ in terms of body type, sleep position, and general firmness preferences, so our product recommendations should apply to anyone regardless of how much they weigh or whether they sleep on their side, back, and/or stomach. We’ve also consulted with medical experts to ensure complete accuracy.

How Our Testing Process Works

While a mattress won’t make scoliosis-related pain go away, a model that cradles the spine, supports your body, and alleviates pressure in sensitive areas can make a world of difference. To choose these top picks, we focused on mattresses that meet these criteria. Our evaluations include specialized tests for pressure relief, ease of movement, and other characteristics that matter to people with scoliosis.

If you’d like to learn more about our testing process, below is a closer look at our product research methodology:

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

If you’re still having trouble deciding which mattress is right for you, check out our shopping recommendations categorized by mattresses for your particular requirements.

How to Choose a Mattress for Scoliosis

You should always work together with your healthcare provider to manage your scoliosis. However, we can offer some advice on how to choose a mattress that keeps your spine supported to help reduce aches and pains. We’ll cover everything you need to know about how a mattress works, how scoliosis affects your sleep, and how to get the most out of your mattress if you have scoliosis.

What to Look for in a Mattress

Finding a mattress that ticks all the boxes can seem like an impossible task, especially if you have additional considerations due to your scoliosis. Many mattress companies also like to take advantage of their consumers, using fancy-sounding words to inflate the price of their products.

But choosing a mattress for scoliosis doesn’t have to be that difficult. We’ve laid out the most important factors to prioritize to help you narrow down your search.

• Price: Mattress prices vary widely depending on the materials and construction of the mattress. The good news is that on average, memory foam mattresses – which are well suited for people with scoliosis – have a lower price-point than other materials. You may pay more for cooling technology or other features.
• Quality Materials: All mattresses will eventually start to sag and develop permanent body indentations, rendering them unable to deliver proper support and pressure relief. Mattresses made with higher-quality materials, such as denser foams or higher coil counts, will last longer before they need to be replaced. If you plan to use your mattress for many years, it may be worthwhile to invest in a good-quality model.
• Firmness Level: The right firmness for each person is mostly determined by body type, preferred sleeping position, and personal preference. A mattress that is too hard may cause uncomfortable pressure points, while a mattress that is too soft may fail to keep the back sufficiently supported.
• Pressure Relief: Depending on your sleeping position and the kind of scoliosis you have, you may experience uncomfortable pressure points where certain parts of your body jut into the mattress. Conforming materials like memory foam or latex can help cushion these pressure points to help reduce pain. Sagging hips also cause pressure build-up.
• Edge Support: Edge support is important for people who struggle to get in and out of bed, or who like to spend time sitting on the edge of the bed. Mattresses that compress around the edges can also reduce the amount of usable space when sharing the bed with a partner. Hybrid mattresses and innersprings tend to have the best edge support.
• Contouring: Certain materials contour more closely to the curves of the body, allowing heavier parts such as the shoulders and hips to sink in further. This can relieve pressure from these body parts, and may improve spinal alignment in some sleepers. However, close-contouring mattresses can also restrict movement, so they are not for everyone.
• Temperature Regulation: Hybrid and latex mattresses allow room for airflow, which helps prevent heat build-up. In contrast, memory foam and polyfoam mattresses tend to absorb heat, which can lead to an uncomfortably warm sleep surface. If you typically run hot, look for a mattress made with naturally breathable materials or cooling features such as phase change material.
• Ease of Movement: Ease of movement is important for combination sleepers and can also facilitate sex. If you value being able to easily switch positions on your mattress, look for a latex or hybrid mattress. These mattresses are naturally bouncy and won’t make you feel stuck in the bed. The caveat is that beds with responsive surfaces tend to transfer motion across the surface, which can be a problem if you’re a sensitive sleeper and you share the bed.
• Mattress Type: The materials and construction of a mattress significantly affect factors like contouring, responsiveness, edge support, and temperature regulation. Knowing what features you value in a mattress can help narrow down your search to a specific mattress type.

Importance of Pressure Relief – Video

A mattress with strong pressure relief can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with scoliosis. Watch the video below to see how we test for pressure relief in our lab.

What Type of Mattress is Best for Scoliosis?

The majority of mattresses that are currently sold are classified either as hybrid, innerspring, latex, airbed, or all-foam. Because they are built similarly, mattresses of a given type will resemble each other to some extent in terms of performance and feel. That said, they will also vary depending on the quality of the materials used and the exact makeup of each individual model. The best type of mattress for scoliosis will depend on your needs.

Hybrid

Definition: Hybrid mattresses feature an innerspring support core and a substantial comfort layer section. The comfort layers can be made of polyfoam, memory foam, latex, cotton, wool, or other similar materials. The coils are usually pocketed coils.
Highlight: Meet In The Middle. Hybrid mattresses are defined by their balanced features. The comfort layers add pressure relief and motion isolation, while the coils contribute to edge support, bounce, temperature neutrality, and overall support. This makes them ideal for people who suffer from pressure points but need an extra-supportive mattress.

Innerspring

Definition: Made with a support core of metal coils and occasionally a very thin comfort layer, innerspring mattresses revolutionized the mattress industry in the late 1800s and remained the most popular model for decades. They are steadily decreasing in popularity as people start to explore options with thicker comfort layers.
Highlight: Cheap And Supportive. Innerspring mattresses provide a solid support system and good airflow, which is a perfect starting base but usually not cushy enough for someone with scoliosis. For an economical bed, those who wish for added pressure relief can purchase a mattress topper in the material of their choice.

Latex

Definition: Made from the milky-white substance of the rubber tree, natural latex can be processed in several different ways. All-latex mattresses take advantage of this versatility, combining different types of latex in the support core and comfort layers. Mattresses can also be made with synthetic latex, which tends to be more affordable.
Highlight: Responsive Contouring. Latex provides pressure relief without conforming as closely to the body. Its resilient surface helps distribute body weight to provide support while enabling sleepers to switch positions easily.

Airbed

Definition: Airbeds have a support core made with air chambers that can be inflated or deflated. By adjusting the amount of air within the air chamber, users can control the firmness level of the bed. Most airbeds have a separate air chamber for each sleeper, and may feature an additional comfort layer system made with foam, latex, or other materials.
Highlight: Ongoing Firmness Control. Airbeds allow users to adjust the firmness in real time, which means the mattress can adapt almost instantaneously to the needs of someone with scoliosis as they switch positions or experience pain in different areas.

Foam

Definition: Foam mattresses eschew coils in favor of a high-density polyfoam base layer. The comfort layers may be made of memory foam, polyfoam, latex, or occasionally materials that add padding such as cotton or wool.
Highlight: Unbeatable Conforming. Of all mattress types, foam mattresses tend to perform the best on contouring. This is particularly true of memory foam mattresses, which conform closely to the sleeper’s body to alleviate pressure points and encourage natural spinal alignment.

How Does Scoliosis Affect Sleep?

Scoliosis happens when the spine curves unnaturally to one side by a factor of at least 10 degrees. Looking at the spine from the back, this causes a C-shaped or S-shaped curve.

In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown, although some cases have been linked to cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or problems with bone formation before the baby is born. Scoliosis appears to be genetic and is usually more severe in females. While signs of scoliosis usually appear just before puberty, it occasionally presents in babies. Some adults may develop scoliosis later in life as a result of wear-and-tear on the spine.

Scoliosis can manifest differently depending on the type of scoliosis and its degree of severity. Common signs of scoliosis include uneven shoulders or hips, an off-kilter gait, poor posture, ill-hanging clothes, or protruding ribs or shoulder blades on one side. Some children may exhibit a visible curve in the spine.

Wearing a back brace during adolescence can help slow the curve of the spine until the person is finished growing. More rarely, some people may also resort to surgery to correct the curve.

Around 40 percent of adolescents with scoliosis experience chronic back pain that can lead to insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Even when scoliosis doesn’t cause pain, it may lead to unnatural curves in the body that affect the way you interact with your mattress, making it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Children or adolescents who wear a brace may have extra pressure points that make it difficult to find a comfortable position at night.

There is evidence to suggest that sleeping on the convex side of a thoracic curve may cause respiratory difficulties that lead to frequent nighttime awakenings. Pain medication may also interfere with sleep, and studies have found that people can suffer from impaired sleep for up to 6 months after scoliosis surgery.

People with scoliosis may have trouble getting back to sleep after nighttime awakenings. Like many sleepers who experience chronic pain, this cycle may be exacerbated by the anxiety and depression caused by the scoliosis itself. Practicing proper sleep hygiene and using a mattress that’s quiet and isolates motion transfer may help minimize added disruptions.

Scoliosis causes important structural changes to your body, so it’s crucial to pick a mattress that delivers strong support for your spine and minimizes pressure points in the shoulders, hips, or other parts of the body that are affected by the curve of the spine. Many sleepers with scoliosis find that a medium firm surface provides the best balance of support and pressure relief. Still others swear by a zoned mattress that provides targeted support and pressure relief.

How Does Sleep Position Affect Sleepers with Scoliosis?

When selecting mattress firmness, keep in mind that different sleeping positions put stress on different parts of the body. This can have a heightened impact in people with scoliosis, especially those with asymmetrical hips, shoulders, or ribcages.

Typically, doctors recommend that people with scoliosis sleep on their back or side. These positions put less strain on the spine and are less likely to lead to back pain and pressure points.

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping is considered the healthiest position because it encourages natural spinal alignment. It also helps distribute body weight, avoiding the pressure points that can occur in heavier body parts such as the hips and shoulders.

Back sleepers with scoliosis should sleep on a mattress that’s firm enough to keep the spine on an even plane, yet soft enough to prevent pressure build-up. For most sleepers, this translates to a medium firm mattress, although this will depend on your body type as well.

You may find that tucking a pillow beneath the lumbar area or the shoulders can help take pressure off sensitive areas.

Side Sleepers

Depending on the type of scoliosis, sleeping on your side may or may not be recommended. People with misaligned hips and shoulders may find it uncomfortable to sleep on their side.

A mattress that’s too soft may allow the hips to sink in too far, which can interfere with spinal alignment. On the other hand, a mattress that doesn’t allow the hips and shoulders to sink in far enough can cause pressure points in these areas and contribute to lower back pain where the hips meet the spine. The best solution is to find a mattress that contours just enough to allow the hips and shoulders to settle naturally.

Side sleepers can place a pillow between the knees to keep the hips in line. Many people with scoliosis also insert a pillow under the ribcage to coax the spine towards a healthier position.

Stomach Sleepers

Most doctors recommend against sleeping on your stomach if you have scoliosis. This position allows the hips to sink in and forces the neck to bend at unnatural angles, which can put stress on the spine. Stomach sleepers will do best with a firm mattress and a flat pillow, which will keep the hips in line with the rest of the body and won’t force the neck to contort as much.

Combination Sleepers

Sleepers who frequently switch sleeping positions benefit from a mattress that is more responsive, such as a latex or hybrid mattress. This extra “bounce” makes it easier to move around and may be doubly beneficial for those who experience pressure build-up when they stay in the same position for too long.

When choosing a new mattress, it’s important to consider not only your usual sleeping position but also your body type. People who weigh more than 230 pounds put extra pressure on a mattress. These sleepers need a mattress that’s firmer and more supportive to keep heavier body areas from sinking in too far and throwing off spinal alignment.

In contrast, those who weigh less than 130 pounds benefit from a plusher and closer-conforming mattress. This reduces pressure points while allowing the hips and shoulders to sink in just enough for proper spinal alignment.

Last Things to Consider with a Mattress for Scoliosis

Additional things to consider when shopping for a mattress include budget, pillow, and sleep trial and warranty policies.

How Can I Get Relief On a Budget?

The good news for people with scoliosis is that memory foam mattresses tend to be among the most affordable models, and this is usually the type that’s recommended for scoliosis patients. But if the price of a new mattress is too prohibitive, you may also consider buying a mattress topper. This won’t be able to fix a sagging mattress, but it can add contouring to relieve pressure points.

How Much of an Investment Do I Need to Make?

The average price of a good mattress starts at around $800 and can be as much as $2,000 or more depending on the type and the features it offers. All-foam mattresses usually cost between $900 and $1,300, hybrid mattresses run between $1,300 and $2,000, and latex mattresses will set you back around $1,600 to $2,000. You may be able to find exceptions or seasonal discounts that lower the price.

Choosing the Right Pillow

The best pillows support your spinal alignment. A pillow that’s too low or too high will fail to keep your head, neck, and spine aligned. Side sleepers should opt for a pillow that’s as high as the space between the ears and the tip of the shoulders, and back sleepers will need a slightly thinner pillow that supports the neck without curving it too far upwards. Stomach sleepers usually need a flatter pillow, or sometimes none at all.

Some people with scoliosis relieve pressure on the spine by tucking an extra pillow between the knees when lying on the side, under the lumbar area or shoulder blades when lying on the back, or under the hips when lying on the stomach.

Mattress Warranty and Other Policies

Mattress companies typically offer a sleep trial of at least a few months. This allows time for your body to adjust to the feel of the mattress, and gives you leeway to return it if you discover it’s not right for you.

If you order your mattress online and reside in the contiguous U.S., chances are the retailer will mail your “mattress in a box” free of charge via standard ground shipping. Residents in Alaska, Hawaii, and other places outside the contiguous U.S. usually need to pay extra delivery fees.

Mattresses should also be backed by a warranty against workmanship and manufacturing defects. Among other things, this usually covers permanent indentations in the foam that limit the mattress’s ability to deliver pressure relief and support. Mattresses that sag prematurely can exacerbate pain caused by scoliosis, so you may want to look for a warranty of at least 10 years.

Why Buy a New Mattress?

People purchase new mattresses for a variety of reasons, whether it’s to alleviate physical pain or to replace a worn bed. We polled thousands of Sleep Foundation readers to find out some of the most common reasons sleepers decide to invest in new beds.