Choosing a new mattress often feels like an impossible task. Choosing a mattress for back problems? Is “hard” better for the back, or is “soft” more comfortable? And what should I choose if I already have back problems? Does my sleeping position play a role? Is there a certain type of mattress that is better?
Ergonomic sleep systems attempt to adapt the sleep environment to the person sleeping. Thanks to optimizing the entire sleep system, you improve health, comfort and well-being. The ergonomic answer lies in the balance between two important concepts: conformity and stability.
In this blog, we explain how to see through the marketing jargon and find a mattress that truly fits your body. But pay attention! It’s only one part of a bigger picture. Sleeping ergonomically is not just “lying on a good mattress”, but lying in a sleep system that is fully adapted to your unique body structure. So look closely at bed base and pillow as well!
What do conformity and stability mean when choosing a mattress?
Conformity: raincoat or tailored suit?
When we talk about how “comfortable” a mattress is, we often talk about conformity. This term describes how closely the mattress follows the contours of your body.
- Low conformity: Compare this to a stiff raincoat; it stays straight no matter who wears it. On a mattress, this feels like a hard board where your shoulders are flattened and your lower back “floats” ..
- High Conformity: This is like a tailored suit or stretch shirt; it precisely follows the contours of your waist, shoulders and hips.
Stability: the carrying capacity
Stability Is about the hardness or resistance of the mattress. This determines how deep you sink into the mattress at an equal load. Therefore, zworthier people usually benefit from higher stability (harder mattress) to avoid sinking too deeply.
Without sufficient stability, the hangmate effect: you sag like a banana, which is hard on your muscles and intervertebral discs and may give you back pain.
The collaboration: why you need both?
The secret to a good mattress is the combination. To quickly summarize: firmness determines whether your back is supported correctly, conformity determines how good that feels. The ideal match occurs when the mattress is hard enough to support you, and at the same time flexible enough to accommodate your body shape.
Don’t let yourself off the hook! Because personal habituation often puts a spanner in the works. Because you are used to your mattress, choosing a similar model is therefore not always the right choice. Sometimes an excessive focus on firmness also arises because your current, to-be-replaced, mattress has lost too much support.
What you need to know about your back and the most critical moment during sleep!
Why your back is a “sponge”?
To understand why the right mattress is essential, let’s look at the back. Your spine has a natural S-shape. Between your 24 vertebrae are intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers ..
During the day, these intervertebral discs are flattened, as it were, by your body weight. At night, when the pressure drops sharply compared to daytime, they refill with fluid, just like a sponge. This is why, in the morning, you can grow up to 2 centimeters longer than at night!
The critical moment: REM sleep
During REM sleep, something special happens! To protect you during dreaming occurs atonia on: your muscle tension drops to almost zero. At that point, the mattress should completely take over the stabilization function of your muscles.
What if your mattress doesn’t do that adequately? Then your body has to “work” by tossing or building up muscle tension, hindering the recovery of the intervertebral discs.
How do you recognize a mismatch?
Your body gives clear signals when the balance between hardness and conformity is not right:
| Signal | Possible cause | Consequence |
| Morning stiffness |
Mattress is too hard. |
Intervertebral discs cannot absorb fluid optimally. |
| Nagging pain lower back |
Mattress is too soft (hangmate effect).. |
Joint ligaments, among other things, come under tremendous strain. |
| Lots of tossing and turning |
Mattress is too hard. |
Blood vessels and nerves are pinched; your brain gives a “turn signal” .. |
| Tingling in arms/legs |
Shortage of conformity. |
Excessive peak pressure on joints and pinched nerves. |
How to choose the appropriate mattress for back pain?
Does the above make sense? But now you’re thinking, “what’s in it for me? Now how can I practically do that myself when looking to choose a new mattress for back pain? Of course, it’s best to go to a sleep store with good advice. However, better prepared…
The “tailored suit” test (Conformance)
Lie on the mattress in your favorite sleeping position and pay attention to the following points:
- Do I feel that the mattress completely fills the hollow of my lower back or waist?
This is crucial for supporting the natural S-curve. - Are my shoulders and hips comfortably absorbed by the mattress?
These widest points should be able to sink. - Do I feel definite back pressure anywhere?
Pay specific attention to pressure points near the shoulders or hips; these are places where peak pressure can be too high. - Is this a “raincoat” or a “tailored suit”?
Does the mattress feel stiff (low conformity) or does it follow my contours exactly (high conformity)?
The “carrying capacity” test (Stability).
Stability ensures that your spine remains straight even when your muscles are fully relaxed:
- Am I “lying on” the mattress or sinking bottomless into it?
Sinking in too deeply causes the damaging “hangmate effect”. - Can I turn over easily?
A good mattress should facilitate movement, not block it. - Does the mattress feel firm enough to support my weight without sagging like a banana?
This is essential for the protection of your intervertebral discs
Conclusion – Choosing Mattress for Back Pain?
While proper S-curve support is important, the human body is not a machine. Scientists today are nuancing the focus on “perfect” posture; pain is also influenced by stress, fitness and sleep deprivation. This fits into the so-called “biopsychosocial model. A healthy body is flexible and adaptable. Choosing a mattress for back pain? The best mattress is one that allows movement easily and in which you feel both supported and comfortable.
Read more: Choosing mattress for back pain? Tips for the best mattress
