How to Find An Orthopedic Mattress For Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical disease characterized by a sideways curvature of the spine. Even though there is no known treatment for scoliosis, certain lifestyle modifications can help manage discomfort and provide you with a good night's sleep. This is why it makes sense to look for a comfortable orthopedic mattress to alleviate any stiffness and pain, especially in the lower back. In this article, we'll help you choose the right orthopedic mattress for scoliosis.

To find an orthopedic mattress for scoliosis, choose a mattress that has adjustable firmness, includes memory foam layers, is thick enough to support the entire body, has high density, provides pressure point relief, and enhances spinal alignment.

An orthopedic mattress for scoliosis patients needs to provide medium-firm support and pressure point relief. Image Source: Amazon.

What Mattress Features Help for Scoliosis?

Selecting the incorrect mattress can dramatically affect your sleep quality. Even if you have an orthopedic mattress, there are still things to keep in mind to make sure it is the right fit for you.

To choose a mattress for scoliosis, buy one that offers medium-firm support, relieves pressure points, includes foam layers, and comes with a protection policy.

Read our article about the 7 benefits of orthopedic mattresses to help you choose the right one for your needs. Bear in mind that a mattress for someone suffering from scoliosis must include a number of essential components that may not be found in all available orthopedic mattresses.

An orthopedic mattress that has dual firmness sides is ideal for a person who suffers from scoliosis because the mattress can be easily flipped. Image Source: Amazon.

1. Medium-Firm Support

Medium-firm mattresses are optimal for relieving back discomfort and offering premium support for people of all ages, heights, and weights. In this article from the Journal "Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Bioengineering", an analysis of 30 different patients showed that medium-firm mattresses were the best for most patients with back problems. An orthopedic mattress that has a medium soft and a firm side is great for a person that has scoliosis, as it can be flipped when the sleeper needs different levels of firmness. The soft side will cradle your spine, while the firm side will provide additional support if you need it. With this Layla Sleep Mattress, you get two mattresses in one, providing optimal comfort and restful sleep on both sides. Our article about orthopedic mattresses that you can flip, offers some handy tips about how and when to choose these types of mattresses.

2. Pressure Point Relief

Mattresses that provide pressure point relief and spinal alignment may be the most effective for those with scoliosis. This Leesa Mattress provides cooling, contouring, and pressure-relieving support to reduce pressure and lower back pain.

3. Foam Layers

The majority of the greatest mattresses for scoliosis are foam or foam hybrids. Almost all modern foam mattresses are layered - providing the various benefits of foam without sacrificing the support that scoliosis patients need. Latex mattresses are a more recent innovation and are becoming more popular as a result of the support they provide, as well as the fact that latex stays cooler than other materials.

Memory foam mattresses have long been popular because they mold to the curves of your body. Read our memory foam mattress shopping guide for more information about the various types of memory foam mattresses that are available. Memory foam is also much warmer to sleep on. In this article entitled "Anesthetic problems and postoperative care in the surgery for scoliosis", it was found that a warmer bed can reduce hypothermia-related symptoms in patients after scoliosis surgery. Hybrid mattresses, like these, have both foam and insulated springs to give you the best of both worlds, combining the softness of foam with the durability of metal coils.

“For patients with scoliosis, the mattress needs to accommodate asymmetric loading — the spine doesn't distribute weight symmetrically, so a flat foam surface that supports a typical spine may create pressure points for a scoliotic patient. The AS3's HIVE zoning provides adaptive support that responds to the actual load rather than assuming a symmetric distribution. That adaptability is the clinical criterion I apply for this population. — Dr. Jordan Burns, DC, MS, Amerisleep Expert Review Board”