Sleeping with a herniated disc is no easy feat if you’re not sleeping on the right mattress.

You need a model that offers plenty of support to keep your spine in proper alignment, without being too firm that it creates uncomfortable pressure points that only exacerbate your pain and discomfort.

The best mattress for a bulging or herniated disc tends to have medium-firm to firm comfort and head-to-toe pressure relief. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best mattresses for herniated discs and helpful tips for sleeping comfortably with back pain.

Understanding Bulging vs. Herniated Discs

Unfortunately, suffering from a bulging or herniated disc is quite common in the United States. Even still, you might not understand exactly what this ailment is and how to manage the pain and discomfort that comes with it.

Both conditions concern the discs that sit between vertebrae in the spine. To clarify, a bulging disc occurs when the inner part of a disc gets pushed out to the tough outer part. This can happen in a number of ways, whether through normal wear and tear, injury or poor posture.

On the other hand, a herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped disc, happens when the inner part of the disc gets pushed out through a tear in the outer layer. This can be caused by sudden impact, serious injury, genetic conditions or repetitive motion that gradually wears down the disc.

Both bulging and herniated discs can result in serious pain and discomfort. This isn’t just isolated to your back and spine, but can radiate out through your limbs with a tingling, numb, or shooting pain sensation.

Key Mattress Features for Back Pain Relief

A mattress for back pain, like if you have a bulging or herniated disc, should have a few key features to accommodate your unique needs. Here’s a quick overview of what to look for in a mattress for a herniated disc:

Firmness level

Typically, the best mattress for someone with a bulging or herniated disc has a medium-firm to firm comfort level.

Of course, this is only a recommendation. Some people may prefer the feel of a plush mattress and like how softly it cradles their body’s curves. However, the general idea is that a firmer mattress offers better support and will help to keep the spine in proper alignment.

Spinal support

The best mattress for a herniated lumbar disc will have zoned support. This means that the bed offers enhanced stability and support in the lumbar area to avoid lower back strain. But the shoulder and hip areas have a softer surface to provide extra cushion at the joints.

Zoned support is typically included as a premium mattress feature. You may not find it in budget-friendly models, which tend to have simpler support foundations.

Pressure relief 

Good pressure relief is essential in any mattress for back pain. You need to find a bed that offers consistent pressure relief across the sleep surface, helping to relieve tension and pressure build-up in the hips, shoulders and back.

The mattress should offer a comfort layer that contours to your body, helping you feel enough cushion around sensitive areas without an uncomfortable sinking feeling.

Motion isolation

If you share your bed with a sleep partner, motion isolation is a key feature that will ensure comfort for both of you. This way, either of you can move around or readjust as needed without worrying about disturbing the other person.

This is particularly important for someone with a herniated or bulging disc, as you may be used to tossing and turning at night to find the right position that’s comfortable.

Materials

Quality, durable materials are highly important when you’re shopping for a mattress that’s good for back pain.

Regardless of your preferred mattress type, you want to sleep on a bed that will maintain its shape all night long while withstanding wear and tear from everyday use.

This way, you get good value and longevity from the mattress and know that it will keep your body well-supported on a nightly basis.

Best Types of Mattresses for Herniated Discs

When shopping for the best mattress for a bulging disc, first consider the different types. Not every mattress type is best for someone experiencing disc-related pain. Let’s break down the common types to see which one is ideal if you have back pain.

Memory foam

People like memory foam mattresses because of the way the material molds and adapts to each person’s anatomy. Your body doesn’t just sit on top of the mattress surface, but melts into the material for all-around cushion and personalized support.

For this reason, memory foam mattresses can be a great option if you have a herniated or bulging disc. It helps distribute your body weight across the sleep surface, easing any pressure or discomfort that the condition might cause.

Hybrid 

Hybrid mattresses are designed to offer the right blend of comfort and support, which is an excellent option for those with disc-related back pain.

Innersprings provide a sturdy base that promotes proper spinal alignment. Meanwhile, the memory foam layer at the surface provides cushion and pressure relief to ease feelings of pain and discomfort.

As mentioned above, look for models with zoned support where possible. This provides even more targeted support in the lower back area, without compromising in the comfort you feel around the sensitive joint areas.

Latex

You may also consider a latex bed if you’re someone who suffers from bulging or herniated discs. The latex material provides a soft yet supportive sleep surface, which is great for those who are experiencing back pain issues from a bulging or herniated disc.

Another reason to choose a latex mattress is for its durability. Even though these models tend to be on the more expensive side, they offer great value through longevity.

Innerspring

Traditional innerspring mattresses are known for offering consistent support from edge to edge with its spring coil construction. As such, high-qualty innerspring models may be an option for those with a bulging or herniated disc.

However, these mattresses may not offer the cushion and pressure relief that’s needed for someone dealing with disc-related pain. The bed will not contour to your body like a hybrid, latex or memory foam mattress.

If you do decide to purchase an innerspring, look for options with a pillow top or add a foam mattress topper for added comfort.

Top Mattresses for Herniated Discs

Here at Mattress Firm, you can find a good mattress for a herniated disc at any price point.

Our mattresses come with a 120-night sleep trial, so you get the chance to try the bed at home, risk-free, and ensure it’s the right fit for your needs and comfort.

Sleepy’s Basic Memory Foam Firm Mattress

What We Like

Sleeping with a bulging disc? Try out the Sleepy’s Basic Memory Foam Firm Mattress. It’s available at an exceptional price, delivering supportive comfort for sleepers, no matter their budget.

It has several memory foam layers designed to provide durable support for proper spinal alignment. Plus, the comfort layer is made from carbide gel memory foam to draw heat away from the body and keep you feeling cool and refreshed throughout the night.

All in all, this firm mattress has a durable design that is meant to last. If you’re looking for a bit more cushion, an upgrade is available to add 2” of medium comfort memory foam.

Price

Starting at $179.77 (Limited-time offer)

Features

• Firm comfort
• 8” mattress height
• 2” carbide gel memory foam
• 2” convoluted transition foam
• 4” firm support foam
• Stretch knit zipper cover

What Customers Say

“I have a lumbar fused. This bed has been the best. Highly recommended.” – Anonymous

“So happy with my new mattress! Sleeping comfortably and waking up with no back pain.” – Marlichi

Serta Perfect Sleeper Nurture Night 12” Firm Mattress

What We Like

The Serta Perfect Sleeper Nurture Night 12” Firm Mattress is a highly supportive mattress that’s great at keeping your spine in a neutral position to ease feelings of pain and discomfort. Its 825-coil density system offers sturdy support, with no sinking or sagging feeling that puts additional strain on your back.

At the same time, the mattress includes a lumbar gel support band and CoolTwist® Gel Memory Foam layer to offer extra cushion and comfort around your joints.

If you like a firmer feel, this might be the right mattress for a bulging disc. However, upgrades are available if you’re looking for extra cooling and support features.

Price

Starting at $599.00

Features

• Firm comfort
• 12” mattress height
• 1” PillowSoft Aire®
• 0.5” Serta® Support Foam
• 0.5” Cool Twist® Gel Memory Foam
• 1” Serta® Support Foam
• 0.5” Gel Band Support
• 8” 825 Edition Custom Support System
• 1” Serta® Balanced Support Foam
• CoolFeel Fabric
• PerfectPure Fiber
• Anti-microbial cover

What Customers Say

“Just the right amount of firmness. My old mattress was too soft, glad I switched to this. Feeling some improvements with my aches and pains.” – Anonymous

“The transition from ‘waking up in pain after a restless night of tossing and turning’ to ‘waking up well-rested and ready to go’ was instant. The mattress is the perfect combination of firm and cushy – it’s solid enough to keep you in the right position, but soft enough that you still feel like you’re on a 4” combo foam/gel topper.” – Amanda B.

Beautyrest PressureSmart 2.0 Plush 11.75” Mattress

What We Like

If you’re someone who likes a softer sleep surface, you’ll love the Beautyrest PressureSmart 2.0 Plush 11.75” Mattress. This mattress is exclusively available to Mattress Firm shoppers, so you won’t find it anywhere else.

This bed is proven to offer superior pressure relief, which is music to your ears if you have a bulging or herniated disc. Its CarbonBoost™ Foam is said to provide up to 35% more pressure relief compared to the Firm PressureSmart™ model without carbon fiber technology.

Also, if you’re known to sleep hot, this mattress is uniquely designed to help you stay cool and refreshed, delivering 13% more cooling power against standard PressureSmart™ models.

Price

Starting at $999.99 (Limited-time offer)

Features

• Plush comfort
• 11.75” mattress height
• 1.25” AirFeel™ Foam
• 1” CarbonBoost™ Foam
• 0.5” GelTouch™ Foam
• 1” energy foam
• Gel memory foam lumbar support
• 1000 Series Plush Pocketed Coil™
• BeautyEdge
• InfiniCool™ Plush Surface

What Customers Say

“Very comfortable, soft and good to my back. I sleep on my side and deal with lower back pain. Honestly, I haven’t had any issues when waking up like I did on my old bed.” – Anonymous 

“The mattress has been great so far! It supports my back while I sleep and is perfect for me.” – A. Garcia

“The mattress has the right support but is still comfortable. Being able to sit on the edge without sinking is a plus.” – Jeanette B.

Sleepy’s Basic Hybrid Mattress

What We Like

If you’re looking for an affordable hybrid mattress for a bulging disc, check out the Sleepy’s Basic Hybrid Mattress. This bed is conveniently delivered in a box for easy setup.

It offers cradling comfort and pressure relief to help you rest comfortably and ease joint discomfort. Whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach, the mattress’s carbide gel memory foam adapts to your body.

Plus, the pocketed innerspring design aligns the spine and reduces motion transfer, which is great if you share the bed with a sleep partner.

Price

Starting at $399.99

Features

• Medium comfort
• 10” mattress height
• Carbide gel memory foam
• Polyurethan foam
• Caliber edge and pocketed coils
• Stretch knit zip cover

What Customers Say

“I have some lower back issues. This bed has done wonders. When I sleep on my back, I get the best sleep ever. My back has also been feeling better since I made the purchase. It’s like you’re sleeping on a comfortable cloud. I love it. My best purchase to myself this year.” – Phin

“So comfortable, and my back doesn’t hurt anymore. My wife loves it and she doesn’t wake up with pain anymore.” – Mike C.

“Sleeps good and works good on an adjustable base. I needed this after all my back surgeries.” – Anonymous

Purple Original Mattress

What We Like

The PurpleⓇ Original Mattress is an ideal choice for relieving pain and discomfort, no matter your preferred sleep position.

The brand’s trademarked GelFlex GridTM offers top-of-the-line support with adaptive pressure relief from head to toe. It’s meant to cradle your body’s contours for ultimate comfort.

At the same time, the mattress has a solid Comfort Core to keep the sleep surface comfortable without excessive bounce. Plus, the Grid design helps to draw heat away from the body and keep you feeling cool and refreshed.

Price

Starting at $999.00

Features

• Medium comfort
• 9.25” mattress height
• 2” GelFlexTM Grid
• 3.5” comfort foam layer
• 4” support foam layer
• SoftFlex Cover

What Customers Say

“I sleep on my back, side and stomach, depending on what pain my body is in. This mattress allows me to sleep in all three positions comfortably. It really is a fantastic mattress.” – Charlotte

“With our old mattress, we always get up with stiffness and soreness in the low back, neck and shoulders. Since we have been sleeping on the Purple, we have not had any soreness, stiffness and pain getting out of bed in the morning.” – Chip S.

Tips for Managing Sleep and Disc Pain

If you want some additional tips on how to sleep with a herniated disc, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some quick suggestions for getting quality and comfortable sleep with a herniated or bulging disc.

Choose the right sleep position

The best position for a bulging disc is one that will allow for a neutral spine. This will place less pressure or strain on the affected disc, helping to alleviate pain and discomfort.

Sleeping on your back is a good option that evenly distributes your weight across the mattress surface. You may also decide to sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs to keep the spine in proper alignment.

Use a good pillow

Your mattress choice is important when sleeping with a bulging or herniated disc, but so is the pillow you choose. The pillow you sleep on impacts your overall sleep posture and spinal alignment.

This is especially important if you have a bulging or herniated cervical disc, affecting the neck area. Opt for a high-quality memory foam pillow that promotes even pressure relief and keeps its shape throughout the night.

The exact pillow you should choose depends on your sleep position. If you sleep on your side, you may want a pillow with a higher lift to keep your head and neck supported. If you sleep on your back, a pillow with a lower profile would be better.

Consider an adjustable base

Getting an adjustable base for your mattress is a great idea if you suffer from a bulging or herniated disc.

These bases allow you to find a comfortable, reclined position rather than sleeping on a flat sleep surface. This helps to alleviate pressure on your spine and promote a more natural spine position.

In particular, adjustable bases are good for relieving lower back strain and reducing pressure points and joint stiffness. If you’re interested in an adjustable base, just make sure your mattress is a compatible model.

Frequently Asked Questions