We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?

Joint pain is a common but manageable symptom of health conditions such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and injuries. Choosing a suitable mattress may help relieve excess pressure on aching joints and improve a person’s sleep quality.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, people with joint pain often experience difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate the condition, making the symptoms worse.

People who have difficulty sleeping due to joint pain might want to consider getting a new, more supportive mattress.

Learn all about joint pain here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that 25% of adults in the United States experience severe joint pain due to arthritis.

While there is not a large amount of research investigating the association between mattresses and joint pain, the authors of a 2015 review article found evidence to suggest that a medium-firm mattress promotes spinal alignment, comfort, and quality sleep.

An earlier study from 2009 reported that medium-firm mattresses reduced back pain by 48% and improved sleep quality by 55%. However, this study did not focus on the effect of mattresses in those specifically with joint pain.

According to a 2015 study, medium-firm mattresses reduced neck and back pain in adults over 60 years old. The results also found that if a mattress was too firm, it resulted in inferior sleep quality.

Learn about some of the best mattresses for arthritis here.

People who experience joint pain may wish to consider the following factors when choosing a new mattress:

  • Know when to replace an old mattress. If a mattress sags in the middle, makes it challenging to sit up or stand, or is no longer comfortable, it may be time to consider a replacement.
  • Firmness. Firmness is an important quality to look for in a mattress. However, a mattress that is too firm can exacerbate joint pain. Research suggests that medium-firm mattresses provide enough support for the spine and relieve pressure on joints.
  • Materials. Mattress manufacturers use a wide range of materials that serve various purposes. A pillow-top mattress is soft and gives the sleeper the feeling of sinking into the bed. Gel or memory foam layers provide pressure relief and contour to the body. Wrapped coils add support and prevent the mattress from sagging.
  • Targeted support. Some mattresses feature targeted support for the mid-and lower-back. A person who experiences joint pain in the back, lumbar area, or hips may be better suited to this design.

Learn more about the types of mattresses available here.

Here are some of the best mattresses for joint pain.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

WinkBed

The WinkBed combines flexible steel coils that relieve pressure with stabilizing gel foam that reduces motion transfer. This mattress also features targeted support for the mid-back and lower body.

The top layer is a quilted pillow-top, and the rest of the multilayer design allows good ventilation to keeps the mattress cool and prevent overheating.

This mattress comes in four levels of firmness:

  • Soft: Designed for side sleepers, the soft mattress comes with a three-layered pillow-top that relieves pressure from the hips and shoulders.
  • Luxury Firm: This option features pushback support that contours to the body while maintaining firmness in areas with more pressure.
  • Firm: This model comes with a firm pillow top to prevent individuals from sinking into the mattress.
  • Plus: This option features a latex layer with seven support zones. It also contains dense foam that cushions without sagging.

Helix Midnight Luxe

The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress has a layer of high-density memory foam and a gel layer. The two layers relieve pressure to provide cushioning and support.

An additional layer of wrapped coils gives extra support to the lower back and lumbar region.

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The Nectar mattress comes with a soft pillow top and several layers of memory foam.

Nectar designed the mattress to distribute body weight and relieve pressure points in the shoulders, hips, and legs.

Saatva Loom and Leaf Mattress

Staava’s Loom and Leaf mattress features a cooling gel foam, a layer of memory foam, and a high-density foam base.

According to the company’s website, this mattress keeps a person cool and provides lasting spinal support and pressure relief.

The mattress is available in two firmness options:

  • Relaxed Firm: Suitable for all sleep positions, this design contours the body while maintaining proper spinal alignment.
  • Firm: This option may be better for an individual who sleeps on their stomach. The firm foam prevents the body from sinking into the mattress.

Level Sleep Mattress

This mattress features three distinct support zones that make it suitable for all sleeping positions.

The soft zone, located at the head of the mattress, is designed to relieve pressure on the shoulders. The firm zone provides extra support for the lower back, and the medium zone contours to the hips, which may help with spinal alignment.

A person may consider consulting a doctor if their joint pain impacts their daily activities. A doctor can diagnose and treat the underlying cause of a person’s joint pain. They can also recommend medication, physical activity, dietary options, or make a specialist referral to a physical or occupational therapist.

Medical treatment

Doctors may prescribe medications, such as:

Physical activity

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD), a person can promote joint health and prevent joint pain by doing regular exercise.

Some gentle activities include:

Dietary options

The NIAMSD also state that diet plays a role in joint health, recommending individuals eat a balanced, nutritious diet that includes:

  • fruits
  • vegetables
  • whole grains
  • low-fat dairy
  • lean proteins, such as poultry, beans, and nuts

Learn all about eating a healthy diet here.

Joint pain can result from a wide range of conditions, including injury, arthritis, and infection. It can affect almost every aspect of a person’s daily life.

A person who has difficulty sleeping as a result of joint pain might consider replacing their mattress. Newer mattresses offer a range of specialized support for problematic areas, such as the lower back.

Research suggests that medium-firm mattresses offer the best balance between pressure relief and support.