Whether you prefer harder or softer mattresses, the main focus of finding a mattress for hip pain is support. We chose these mattresses because their features could offer the support you need.
Support, support, support
No matter what kind of sleeper you are or whether you like your mattress soft or super firm, if you have hip pain, the main point you need to keep in mind is support.
We’ve rounded up a list of mattresses that have unique features that could help support certain areas, and they come in a variety of firmness levels.
Take a look and see which one could offer you the support you need.
*Prices are based on queen-size mattresses. All prices are accurate at the time of publication.
We created our list of the best mattresses based on these factors:
- Brand flexibility: manufacturers with best-in-class warranties, transparency about materials, excellent return policies, and generous at-home sleep trials
- Price: a variety of price options for different budgets
- Word of mouth: customer reviews where compliments far outweighed complaints
- Design versatility: mattresses that balance softness with support, especially those designed to accommodate different sleeping positions and people experiencing chronic pain
- Certifications: brands and mattresses that have at least one third-party certification, such as CertiPUR-US, Greenguard Certification, or Global Organic Textile Standard
- Industry standards: all mattresses comply with the Federal Flammability Standard and pass an open flame test
- Medical accuracy: any general health claims made by a brand must be backed by strong scientific support
When you turn in for the night, your muscles and bones go from a state of motion to a state of rest. This state of rest gives inflammation and stiffness their moment to strike, as your circulatory system is no longer in its active mode. That’s why lying still in your bed trying to sleep can leave your joints and tendons swollen and stiff.
If you have hip bursitis, for example, you usually won’t experience pain in your hip while standing. When you lie down, it’s a whole different story.
And if you’re pregnant, your baby might not be pressing up against your lower extremities when you’re walking around throughout your day. When you lay down, your baby’s weight might shift to compress your blood flow and your joints.
If sciatica is causing your hip pain, either your sleep position or your mattress can put pressure on a point that might trigger pain. That’s why it’s so important to look for the best mattress for both hip pain and sciatica, generally thought to be one that combines support and softness.
If you experience hip pain only when you sleep, that’s a red flag that something about your sleep itself could be an underlying cause. A sagging mattress or a curled sleep posture can disrupt your spine’s natural, neutral alignment. When that happens consistently, hip pain can be triggered.
If you’re a person with hip pain considering a mattress purchase, ask yourself the following questions:
- What materials is this mattress made of? Does the company provide transparency about where the mattress materials are made and where they’re assembled?
- Is there a specific feature, design, or material used in this mattress that makes it superior to others?
- Does the mattress have features that could help support the areas I need?
- Does the price of this mattress match my budget?
- Do I understand the trial period, return policy, and manufacturer warranty that comes with the mattress?
- Have sleep experts, orthopedists, spine health specialists, or others endorsed this mattress for people with hip pain?
Mattresses lacking support may cause nighttime hip pain because they cannot maintain neutral spinal alignment. The ideal mattress encourages your spine to be in a neutral position while you sleep. In addition, your mattress should give underneath you to cradle your hips and shoulders.
In addition to choosing the right mattress, there are other ways you can reduce hip pain to sleep better. Some strategies to consider:
- Change your sleeping position: Though it may be a bit of a challenge at the beginning, try to start the night on your side or on your back instead of on your stomach. Promoting neutral spine alignment is most challenging if you sleep on your belly, so working to change it up may provide relief.
- Stretch before bed: Try to stretch out your hip before bedtime by crisscrossing your legs while you sit down and pressing gently on either side. You can also try a yoga session right before bed or stretch out throughout the day to improve flexibility and tight areas.
- Elevate your legs: Elevating your legs while you sleep may also help to relieve pressure on your hips and spine. The best way to do this is to make sure the weight of your legs is supported by pillows or a folded blanket.
- Use a pillow between your knees: Similar to alleviating pressure on your hips by elevating your legs, for side sleepers, placing a pillow between your legs can help hip and back alignment.
- Try massage or other physical therapies: You may also want to try using a TENS unit to stimulate the area, relax, increase blood flow, and relieve pain before you go to bed.
There aren’t studies that indicate that the “wrong mattress,” by itself, can cause hip pain. It’s more likely that the wrong mattress type for you can aggravate hip pain.
It may be possible for an old, sagging, or damaged mattress to cause hip pain. When you sleep with your spine out of neutral alignment, hip pain can show up as a result.
Mattress firmness is subjective, so it’s difficult to know what will work best for you. You’ll want to make sure that the comfort system of the mattress is both supportive and comfortable for you.
As a general rule, a firm mattress that you can sleep on deeply and comfortably will be a good choice. That is especially true when you have hip pain and need to keep your spine stabilized throughout the night.
For most people, the firmest bed that feels comfortable is a “medium-firm” option — something that’s a 5 or 6 out of 10 on a firmness scale.
Sleeping on your back may reduce pain in your spine and shoulders while you sleep. However, there’s not a lot of research to demonstrate the effect of sleeping on your back on hip pain.
If you have a chronic condition that causes back pain, sleeping on your back won’t necessarily treat that condition or make your pain go away.
Any sleeping position that keeps your spine in neutral alignment will be better for your hips. The best way to sleep is in any position that helps you achieve deep, restful sleep cycles.
If you have hip pain on one side, the best solution is often to try sleeping on the opposite side. You may also want to place a pillow between your legs to keep your spine in a neutral position.
Doing stretching and strengthening exercises during the day or before sleep may also help. It’s best to start with stretching, and follow with strengthening.
If you think your hip pain may be caused by your mattress, you might consider replacing it. But if the pain is a symptom of a health condition or disease, a medical professional or physical therapist will be best able to recommend a solution.
Spring mattresses are the traditional mattress type that many people are used to. They usually combine foam and innersprints for support, and sometimes a pillow top for a comfort layer on top.
Spring mattresses offer simplicity and springiness, as well as a lower pricetag than the newer hybrid mattresses. They are made with an innerspring metal coil support system that gives a generally firm and somewhat bouncy feel.
A spring mattress can definitely be good for hip pain, but you’ll want to try it out first and make sure there are no pressure points that trigger pain. You’ll also want to ensure that the mattress is soft enough to allow comfort as well as support.
If you have hip pain, investing in a new mattress may be a way to improve your symptoms. Choosing a mattress that provides medium-firm support and keeps your spine in neutral alignment throughout the night can be your priority.
Other factors, like moisture wicking and softness, can play a role in your decision as well. You can speak to a doctor, chiropractor, or spine specialist and ask for a recommendation if you’re buying a new mattress to relieve hip pain.