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Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief, and more.
I’ll go over my top picks for the best mattresses for fibromyalgia. These beds all offer a balance of comfort and support and have cooling features for temperature regulation.
If you have fibromyalgia or know someone with the condition, you know how difficult sleeping with fibromyalgia can be. Luckily, finding the right mattress may ease that pain and help you sleep more comfortably. That’s why we’ve chosen the seven best mattresses for fibromyalgia. Read on to see which one will be the best fit for your situation!
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress for Fibromyalgia?
Our expert reviewers chose the WinkBed as the best mattress for fibromyalgia because it’s easy to move around on, offers comfortable pressure relief, and is made from temperature-regulating materials.
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed over 600 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
Hands-on mattress testing in our sleep lab
When thinking about the best mattresses for fibromyalgia, we wanted to choose beds that offered a balance of comfort and support. A supportive mattress can help keep your spine in proper alignment and should be easy to move around on. Six of these beds scored above average in both durability and support, ensuring long-lasting sturdiness.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Hip Pain
This bed should be comfortable for anyone struggling with hip pain since it contours the hips and keeps them supported.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress with an innerspring feel and boasts four different firmness levels: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus. With this in mind, the mattress should suit all body types and sleeping positions. This unique versatility makes it one of our favorite mattresses for fibromyalgia.
Its construction varies with its firmness options, but regardless of which firmness you select, your WinkBed will have a Euro-top comfort layer, along with gel-infused memory foam for pressure relief. Additionally, the bed has a layer of individually wrapped coils that are zoned to create support where it is needed most.
This construction makes the WinkBed one of the most durable mattresses we’ve reviewed. Also, we think the WinkBed is one of the best mattresses for back pain, and that the softer version is one of the best mattresses for hip pain.
What our testers say: “The WinkBed has several features that make it an excellent mattress for pain relief. It’s very supportive and easy to move around on, but also offers a good amount of pressure relief. It also has a luxurious feel that you would expect from a hotel mattress. “ – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the WinkBed
The WinkBed’s pocketed coil system offers zoned lumbar support to help keep your spine in proper alignment.
With gel-infused memory foam and coils that promote airflow, the WinkBed is a great option for hot sleepers.
The WinkBed’s Plus model is designed for heavyweight sleepers to receive a great balance of comfort and support.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBed
The WinkBed has a bouncy, innerspring feel and it does not isolate motion well. Couples might be disturbed by the other person’s movements from the other side of the bed.
Since the WinkBed is a luxury mattress, it’s not as affordable as a value mattress with fewer deluxe features.
Other User Reviews
On WinkBed’s website, the WinkBed has a 4.8/5 star rating based on over 8,500 customer reviews. Many customers love the WinkBed’s high-end craftsmanship and how effective it is at relieving their back and pressure point feeling. Some customers were unsatisfied with the firmness level of the WinkBed model they purchased, which is subjective depending on your sleep position and body type.
Not supportive enough for heavyweight side sleepers
Our Expert’s Take
There is no one perfect mattress for everyone with fibromyalgia. If you need help finding the perfect mattress for you, Helix is a great place to start. With Helix, you can select from one of their numerous mattress models or take their online sleep quiz. Based on your answers, they will recommend the right model for you.
While they have a whole line of mattresses with different firmnesses and feels, the Helix Midnight mattress is their most popular. It features an excellent balance of comfort and support and should be a good match for both back sleepers and side sleepers.
Given that the Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress, it should also be a great cooling option. Its coils will promote airflow through the mattress, and the gel-infused foam layer shouldn’t trap too much heat.
What our testers say: “For those looking for a mattress for both back and side sleeping, the Helix Midnight is one of my top recommendations. The Helix Midnight Luxe is also a good match for combination sleepers and has extra cooling features and zoned support.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Helix Midnight
Combination sleepers should enjoy the Helix Midnight’s balanced foam feel and medium-firmness level. The high level of responsiveness (rated 4/5 by testers) will also make it more seamless when switching positions.
Its top layer of memory foam provides excellent pressure point relief. Below it are two layers of responsive foam that provide additional body contouring and support.
The bed has solid edge support, rated 4/5 by testers after sinking only 2.25″ under the weight of our heaviest (250 lbs) tester.
Helix mattresses are available in Luxe and Elite versions which add more comfort and cooling to the top.
Even if you just opt for the regular Helix Midnight, the bed’s cooling is outstanding. We rated it a near-perfect 4.5/5 based on how the bed felt during the nap test, and how it performed by the thermal gun measurement. The gun measured a 3.4 degree F rise on the bed’s surface after absorbing the body heat from a sleeper.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight is not a great fit for stomach sleeping unless you are a lightweight sleeper. The Helix Twilight and Helix Dawn are the best mattresses for stomach sleeping from the brand.
Most of Helix’s mattresses do not have a slow-moving feel, including the Helix Midnight models. The Helix Midnight has a balanced foam feel with a bit of bounce from its innerspring coil layer.
Other User Reviews
On Helix’s website, the Helix Midnight mattress has a 4.5/5 star rating from over 6,600 users reviews. Many customers agree that the Helix Midnight offers a great balance of comfort and support. Some customers who left negative reviews either found the Helix Midnight too soft or too firm, which can be subjective.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
As we just discussed, memory foam mattresses can be a great option if you deal with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Out of the numerous model we have reviewed, the Nectar is one the best memory foam mattresses for fibromyalgia.
The Nectar is an all-foam mattress that has two thick layers of memory foam right on top. This great amount of memory foam will really let you sink in and take the pressure (and hopefully pain) away. At the same time, the second layer of memory foam is high-density and should keep you from feeling “trapped” in the mattress.
One of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is poor temperature regulation. This means you could struggle with waking up hot and sweaty. While memory foam is known for trapping some heat, this should be a major issue with the Nectar. With its Tencel cover and gel-infused memory foam, it should help dissipate body heat during the night.
What our testers say: “The Nectar mattress is on several of our best lists because it offers a great balance of comfort and support for fans of a slow-moving feel. Its plush comfort layer is designed to stay cool and provide sleepers with great pressure relief. It’s also a great choice for shoppers on a budget.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Nectar
It’s a medium-firm mattress that is ideal for back and side sleeping.
The Nectar is made from three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam. This means it has met strict standards for emissions and durability and contains no harmful chemicals.
Couples should enjoy how well the Nectar mattress isolates motion. There’s little to no motion transfer from one side of the mattress to the other.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar
The Nectar mattress is not firm enough for stomach sleepers to find enough support under their hips.
We noticed a slight chemical smell after we unboxed the Nectar mattress. This is called off-gassing, and the smell should dissipate after 48 hours.
Other User Reviews
The Nectar Original mattress has a 4.7/5 star rating based on over 50,000 customer ratings on the Nectar website. Several customers said the Nectar mattress helped relieve their back and joint pain and gave them more restful sleep. A few customers pointed out that the Nectar mattress can be difficult to move around on because of its slow-moving feel.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Nolah Signature is an all-foam luxury mattress that specializes in pressure relief while still being fairly affordable ($1,169 for a queen) compared to other beds in its league. Our testers found the Nolah Signature provided excellent support (4/5) for side and back sleepers and could generally be considered a restorative tool for sleepers experiencing chronic back or joint pain. For people struggling with fibromyalgia who toss and turn in their sleep, the Nolah Signature offers excellent responsiveness, according to our testers. One of our sleep specialists commented, “If you switch positions while you sleep but don’t want to compromise the memory foam feel, the Nolah Signature should be responsive enough for you to move around with ease.”
Despite its competitive price tag, the Nolah Signature doesn’t cut corners with its construction and design. It stands at a foot tall and has a five-layer composition. At its top is an all-organic cotton cooling cover testers found breathable, offering a “balance of comfort and cooling,” according to one sleep specialist. Underneath is a zoned AirFoam layer that is perforated to stimulate airflow and designed to provide responsive lumbar support and pressure relief. Then you have a layer of CertiPUR-US certified comfort foam that is more eco-friendly while generating orthopedic support (4/5) upwards. At its base is a firmer AirFoam layer and solid foam foundation to create a durable and spinal-supporting base that lets you sink into the pressure relief of the bed’s softer foam layers while still experiencing posture support.
Notably, our testers placed a glass of water and pushed down on the areas around it to see how it responded to the motion. Reportedly, the water barely moved. This is one fundamental way to test motion regulation in a bed. Considering this, along with other tests we performed, the Nolah Signature scored a 4/5 for its motion-isolating abilities. This is particularly important if you or your partner share the bed and disrupt each other when experiencing restless sleep. The Nolah Signature should help minimize disturbing each other through the night.
The Nolah Signature offers exceptional support and pressure relief for people experiencing chronic pain. And with a more affordable price tag that doesn’t include compromises in the quality of its construction, budget-minded sleepers should have this mattress on their radar.
What our testers say: “Overall, the Nolah Signature brings consistent support in most positions. As a medium-firm bed, it provides a truly balanced feel. The upper comfort layers should cushion your body while the support foam underneath keeps everything comfortably lifted. Sleepers with back pain should consider giving this mattress a second glance.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Nolah Signature
The Signature uses multiple foam layers that are designed to consistently respond to your body’s movements with pressure relief and support. Combination and restless sleepers should expect this mattress to follow them as they move on the bed’s surface.
The Nolah Signature has excellent motion isolation, which makes it ideal for couples sharing the bed who tend to wake each other up at night.
The Signature uses CertiPUR-US certified foam materials. This means that these foam layers are produced using more eco-friendly manufacturing standards.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah Signature
Unlike latex beds that are known for their bounce, the Nolah Signature has a more classic “sinking” memory foam feel. While testers found that the Signature’s slightly firmer foam feel and quality responsiveness provided some bounce, fans of bouncier beds (like latex mattresses) may want to consider another mattress.
According to our testers, some heavier (over 230 lb) back sleepers may experience “fair” support on the Signature. Still, most heavyweight sleepers will likely sink too much into the Signature and want a mattress designed to hold more weight.
Other User Reviews
The Nolah Signature has a 4.8/5 score on its official customer review page. However, Nolah doesn’t list the number of reviews on its site, but from a glance, there are at least hundreds. One comment by a 71-year-old back sleeper stood out: “I tried other beds, but nothing gave me the comfort and pressure relief like my Nolah. I have Disk Disease and arthritis, so it was quite a challenge.”
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
If you’re dealing with chronic pain, pressure relief is going to be a must with your mattress. This is especially true if you are a side sleeper, and you want something to cut down on pressure around the shoulders and hips. If you are a side sleeper with fibromyalgia, the Loom & Leaf mattress could be a great choice.
While the Loom & Leaf is our top pick for side sleepers, it is also a great fit for back sleepers with fibromyalgia. Because its memory foam is so high-density, the Loom & Leaf also offers the proper amount of support for back sleeping. At the same time, it should let your hips sink in just the right amount.
Finally, this is one of the more luxury mattresses on this list and looks and feels like something you would find in a high-end hotel. If you want to sleep pain-free and in style, take a look at the Loom & Leaf!
What our testers say: “The Loom & Leaf mattress is one of the most luxurious all-foam mattresses I’ve ever tested. It has several layers of dense foam to gently cradle your body while side sleeping or back sleeping. These layers also feature cooling gel technology and allow for more airflow than a traditional all-foam mattress.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Loom & Leaf
The Loom & Leaf is a multi-layered all-foam mattress that features high-density memory foam. It might feel firm at first, but after a few moments, you should slowly sink into the mattress and feel the pressure melt away.
This mattress has two firmness options: Relaxed Firm and Firm. We recommend Relaxed Firm for side sleepers because it offers more pressure relief.
Considering its high-density foam and overall quality materials, the durability of the Loom & Leaf should make it a great long-term investment.
What to Keep in Mind About the Loom & Leaf
The Loom & Leaf is an all-foam mattress that has a slow-moving “quicksand” feel. Fans of a responsive mattress probably won’t enjoy the feeling of sleeping “inside” a mattress rather than on top of it.
Lightweight side sleepers might prefer sleeping on a mattress that’s slightly softer than the Loom & Leaf. This mattress is a better fit for average and heavyweight side sleepers.
Other User Reviews
On the Saatva website, the Loom & Leaf mattress has an impressive average 4.9/5 star rating from 581 user reviews. Most customers were pleased with the brand’s customer service and how supportive and cushioning the Loom & Leaf felt. A few customers wished the Loom & Leaf felt a touch softer, and a few customers added a mattress topper to find the right amount of softness.
The Bear Star Hybrid is a bed known for being designed for athletes. However, athletes turn to it due to the restorative sleeping experience it can offer people struggling with injuries, inflammation, or chronic pain. This makes the Bear Star an excellent tool for sleepers experiencing fibromyalgia. The Bear Star has a hybrid design that simultaneously offers the support of sturdy coils and the pressure relief of foam.
When trying out different sleeping positions on the Bear Star, our testers found it to be one of the “best mattresses for back sleepers”. They were also quite impressed with the level of orthopedic support they felt when resting on it, giving the mattress a 4.5/5 for back and joint support. Also, due to the hybrid design, the Bear Star’s innerspring layer helps generate quality airflow and cooling throughout the bed’s core, creating a cool sleeping surface that hot sleepers can embrace. Our testers gave the Bear Star a 4/5 for its temperature-regulating abilities. Also notable from our testing is the Bear Star’s edge support. After our heavier tester sat on the bed’s edges and experienced minimal sagging, he gave the Bear Star a 4.5/5 for its edge support. This is important if you tend to sleep on the edges of the bed or need a sturdy edge to help you safely get in and out of bed.
The Bear Star has a simple but strategic four-layered hybrid construction. On top is a quilted, moisture-wicking cover top that is breathable and ultra-soft. At the bed’s core is a gel foam layer and responsive comfort foam designed to optimize pressure relief and respond to your movements with cushioning without trapping your body heat. Finally, at its base is a layer of individually encased steel coils that generate airflow and support upwards to you on the surface while creating a durable (4/5) foundation for the entirety of the bed.
The restless sleep and chronic pain that may come from fibromyalgia can be a nightmare, but the Bear Star Hybrid offers potential relief and a way to improve your sleep and broader health for the long term.
What our testers say: “The Bear Star Hybrid is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers. The soft pillow top creates plenty of pressure relief, while the coils at the bottom provide support. It should work for back sleepers of all body types. Combination sleepers might also like this mattress as it’s easy to move around on.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Bear Star Hybrid
The Bear Star Hybrid’s innerspring layer, cooling gel foam, and breathable quilted cover top work well together to dissipate body heat and generate airflow, keeping hot sleepers cool.
Strategically blending the superior support of responsive coils and the pressure relief of cushioning foam have many testers deeming the Bear Star Hybrid a great tool for fighting chronic pain and experiencing more restorative sleep.
If you often find yourself sleeping on the edge of the bed or struggling to get in and out of bed due to the edge’s sagging, the Bear Star demonstrated excellent edge support when putting it to the test.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear Star Hybrid
The Bear Star Hybrid has a 6.5/10 firmness, which is known to be accessible to many sleeper types but may not be ideal for most non-lightweight (130 lb and over) stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers should consider opting for an 8/10 firmness or higher mattress designed more specifically for them.
Other User Reviews
On the Bear Star Hybrid’s official website, 1,385 verified customer reviews resulted in a 4.7/5 score. One verified buyer who sleeps on their side claimed the Bear Star was “life-changing”, leaving this review: “Absolutely amazing! This mattress has significantly helped my lower back problems. It is firm and so soft at the same time. I sleep so much better thanks to this mattress!”
Read our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress, check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses for more great options!
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is a medium-firm hybrid mattress with excellent support (4/5) for back sleepers of all shapes and sizes. It uses both coils and foam to generate support and comfort, with our testers finding that its coils help keep your back in a neutral position while you can safely indulge in the bed’s pressure-relieving foam layers. The mattress was also found to have quality edge support (4/5) due to its dense “flex base”, which is an important consideration if you share the bed or are seeking a mattress where the edges won’t sag. However, while our tester didn’t overheat when trying out the Essential, they weren’t as impressed with its temperature regulation as other hybrids, giving the mattress a 3/5 for its cooling ability. Yet the Essential does impress when you consider how much more affordable it is ($699 for a queen) than similar hybrids that cost over $2,000.
The Essential has a four-layer construction. On top is a 1.5″ quilted cover top, which, according to testers, wasn’t exactly cool to the touch but still quite breathable. Underneath this is a .75″ layer of high-density transition foam designed to separate the durable coiled base from the upper comfort layers while still allowing support to pass through without jeopardizing pressure relief. Finally, at the base is a layer of individually encased steel coils and a reinforcement layer, which help create support upwards while creating sturdy edges and a durable foundation.
Back sleepers should experience excellent support, with some lightweight and average-weight side sleepers also getting decent support. However, stomach and heavier sleepers will likely find the Essential unable to meet their needs. The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is a quality hybrid, especially for the price. It is a definite choice for back sleepers shopping for a mattress that can support them without putting a hole in their wallet.
What our testers say: “I started out on my back, and the Brooklyn Essential felt just right. Medium-firm mattresses are usually great for back sleeping, and the Essential was no exception. I felt my hips sink in a bit, but the top layers also pressed up into my lumbar area. And, with the supportive coils, I felt like my body was held up well.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Testers found that when sleeping on their backs on the Essential, the bed efficiently offered support and relief while maintaining the healthy alignment of their spines.
Our testers reportedly felt secure the whole time when sleeping or sitting on the bed’s edges, determining that the Essential had great edge support despite being a thinner-than-normal mattress.
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is shipped directly from its factory to the consumer, cutting out the middleman and making this hybrid incredibly affordable compared to others available today.
What to Keep in Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
The Essential has quality airflow and breathability, but testers found it may not offer enough cooling features for sleepers who struggle with feeling hot at night.
On Google reviews, the Brooklyn Bedding Essential has nearly 90 reviews, resulting in a 4.3/5 rating. One buyer wrote, “It’s only been a few weeks, but so far the only complaint I have with my Brooklyn Essential is with myself for waiting so long to replace my previous memory foam mattress which was clearly long past its prime. Order took a little longer to arrive than expected but has proved to be worth the wait. Mattress is excellent quality and quite firm, maybe a little firmer than I was expecting – I added a one inch memory foam topper and It’s absolutely perfect now. No more back and shoulder pain and I’m sleeping better than I have in a while. And the price was fantastic, especially compared to other comparable retailers. Very happy with my purchase.”
There is no singular best mattress type for fibromyalgia. Rather, the best mattress for you will come down to a variety of factors, including sleep position, personal preferences, budget, and so on. Here’s an overview of the most common mattress types to get you started on your search.
Mattress Type
Who’s It Best For?
Memory foam
Side sleepers and those looking for pressure relief
Innerspring
Those with mobility issues
Hybrid
Those who need pressure relief and spinal alignment
Latex
Those who sleep hot and those with mobility issues
Airbed
Those who want an adjustable mattress
Memory Foam Mattresses
Ever-popular memory foam is known for relieving pressure, contouring the body, and responding slowly to pressure. This material can be a great option for side sleepers who are looking to enjoy plenty of pressure relief around the shoulder and hip. In general, the cradling comfort of memory foam can help relieve pain in multiple sleep positions.
If you’re interested in a memory foam mattress, be sure to look for a model that balances comfort with support. Some memory foam mattresses align the spine better than others, and it’s important to consider spinal alignment alongside pressure relief.
Additionally, be aware that memory foam can sometimes trap heat. If you’re worried about sleeping cool, consider a hybrid mattress that combines memory foam with innersprings, or look for a memory foam mattress that’s designed with temperature regulation in mind.
Innerspring Mattresses
This classic mattress type features coils in the support layer. Innerspring beds generally boast a number of benefits, including enhanced edge support, great mobility thanks to the bounce of the coils, and budget-friendliness. Also, the coils in innerspring mattresses tend to be very durable.
For folks with fibromyalgia, one downside of innerspring mattresses is that they don’t always offer enough pressure relief. If you’re interested in an innerspring mattress but worried about comfort, consider looking at models with thick pillow tops for added cushioning.
Hybrid Mattresses
In many ways, hybrid mattresses combine the best of both the memory foam and innerspring worlds. They typically layer memory foam over coils (although in some cases the top layer might be made of latex or another material).
The combination of foam and coils offers several benefits. Hybrid beds tend to be responsive, supportive, durable, and pressure-relieving. They also tend to sleep cooler than all-foam beds.
Hybrid mattresses come in a variety of firmnesses, so it’s important to think about your weight, preferred sleep position, and so on in order to select a mattress that will provide both spinal support and pressure relief.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses can be made from natural or synthetic latex. In either case, they tend to be durable, supportive, responsive (so you don’t feel stuck in the bed) and a touch pressure-relieving. Latex also does a great job of naturally sleeping cool.
The amount of pressure relief on latex beds can vary, so it’s important to consider sleep position while looking at these models. If you’re a side sleeper, make sure to look for a mattress that offers adequate cushioning. Also, note that latex mattresses tend to be pricey and won’t be accessible to all budgets.
Airbeds
Don’t worry, we’re not talking about blow-up mattresses! Instead, airbeds are luxury mattresses that feature adjustable air chambers. These chambers can be adjusted on a nightly basis depending on your pain levels, planned sleep position, and so on.
The customizability of airbeds is a real boon for fibromyalgia sufferers because you can adjust the feel of the bed each night depending on how your body is feeling. However, some people find that airbeds don’t offer enough body contouring. Another possible downside? These beds tend to be very pricey.
How To Choose The Best Mattress For Fibromyalgia
Investing in a comfortable mattress is the first step in creating a sleep environment that’s conducive to quality sleep. When searching for a mattress for fibromyalgia, there are several important factors to consider. Here’s an overview.
Mattress Firmness
Many people wonder about the difference between a firm vs. soft mattress for sleepers with pain. Which is best? This is arguably one of the most important considerations for anyone dealing with fibromyalgia (or any form of chronic pain). A bed that’s too firm or too soft can exacerbate painful conditions.
The best mattress firmness for fibromyalgia sufferers varies from person to person, especially depending on your sleeping position. Most back and stomach sleepers find that a medium-firm or firm mattress is ideal for maintaining spinal support, while most side sleepers prefer a softer, plusher mattress in order to enjoy adequate pressure relief.
Both spinal support and pressure relief are important for people with fibromyalgia. A saggy mattress can throw the spine out of alignment and exacerbate pain, while a mattress that doesn’t offer any cushion around the joints can also make the pain worse. For good spinal alignment, make sure to also see our best orthopedic mattresses.
Body Weight
Your body weight can be a big factor determining your comfort on a particular mattress. Keep in mind that your weight will influence your perception of a given mattress’s firmness. As a general rule, lighter-weight sleepers feel most comfortable on a softer mattress while heavier-weight folks will require a firmer, more supportive mattress.
Mobility
People who deal with chronic pain and stiffness may find that their mobility is reduced while or after lying in bed all night. For this reason, it’s important to consider whether a mattress makes it easy to move around.
For better mobility, look for a responsive mattress with at least a bit of bounce. Mattresses that incorporate coil systems like innersprings and hybrids are typically bouncy and responsive.
Temperature Regulation
Even for people without fibromyalgia, overheating can prevent quality sleep. People with fibromyalgia don’t need any other issues to interfere with their sleep, so it’s essential to look for a mattress that does a good job of sleeping cool. In general, innerspring, latex, and hybrid mattresses tend to sleep cooler than all-foam models.
Durability
As noted above, a saggy mattress can throw the spine out of alignment and exacerbate pain. For this reason, it’s helpful to look for a durable mattress that will hold its shape and offer sustained support for years to come. Take a look at our list of the best mattresses that won’t sag to see some of the most durable mattresses we’ve seen.
Edge Support
Pain can make it harder to get in and out of bed, and a bed with poor edge support can exacerbate this even more. Look for a mattress that will support you when you’re sitting or lying down near the edge of the bed so that your mobility isn’t reduced any more than it might already be.
Sleep Trials
Finding a comfortable and supportive mattress is essential for everyone, but especially people who deal with fibromyalgia. For this reason, it’s a good idea to look for a mattress with a long sleep trial that lets you get a feel for whether the mattress will be a sound fit over the years to come.
Price
Budget is always a factor while mattress hunting. Make sure to keep your personal budget in mind as you shop so that you don’t encounter any major surprises when it comes time to complete a purchase.
Investing in a high-quality mattress is one of the best ways to obtain better sleep both in general and as a person who deals with fibromyalgia. Beyond that, several lifestyle habits can also make it more likely that you’ll enjoy sound sleep. Work closely with your doctor to determine which combination of habits might work best for you.
Create a restful sleep environment. Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it dark, cool, and quiet. Don’t engage in any activities other than sleep or sex in bed. And be sure to keep electronics out of the bedroom, as the blue light they emit can interfere with sleep.
Adopt a relaxing bedtime routine. Help your body and mind wind down before bed with a calming nightly routine. This might look like taking a warm bath, reading a good book, listening to calming music, and so on. Avoid stressful conversations and activities in the hours leading up to bed. And aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day so your body grows accustomed to this schedule.
Exercise on a regular basis. Research suggests that regular exercise can help fibromyalgia patients manage their pain, which can make it easier to fall and stay asleep at night. Low-impact activities such as walking, yoga, or swimming might be especially helpful.
Try out different stress reduction techniques. Gentle massage, yoga, mindfulness meditation, and deep breathing can all assist with managing the physical and emotional stresses of fibromyalgia so they’re less likely to interfere with sleep.
Consider therapy. A Cognitive Behavioral Therapist or other trained mental health professional might be able to help you identify factors that exacerbate your condition, adopt thought patterns that help you effectively manage physical and emotional stress, and develop regular sleep habits.
Manage related conditions. As noted above, a variety of conditions sometimes co-occur with fibromyalgia and can further interfere with sleep quality. Do everything in your power to manage any related conditions so they don’t negatively impact sleep.
Identify factors that exacerbate your symptoms. Take a few weeks to log your symptoms and note any foods, activities, and so on that seem to make your symptoms worse. Knowing these factors will help you create routines that are designed to facilitate sleep and mitigate pain. Respect your body’s limits, and curate a schedule that balances periods of activity with plenty of rest.
Keep in mind that managing fibromyalgia and learning how to maximize your sleep while dealing with this condition is a marathon, not a sprint. Be willing to experiment with different strategies, and seek help whenever you need it from a doctor, licensed mental health professional, and/or support groups for folks who share this condition. Support and help are out there; don’t be afraid to reach out.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap of our top-rated picks for the best mattresses for fibromyalgia sufferers:
There is no one best mattress for sleepers with fibromyalgia. But out of the many mattresses we considered for this list, we chose the WinkBed as the best mattress for fibromyalgia. The WinkBed has a comfortable Euro pillow top that offers ample pressure relief but is also easy to move around around.
What’s the best sleep position for fibromyalgia?
Generally, back sleeping is the most recommended sleep position for pain relief. Side sleeping can also be a comfortable position to relieve joint and muscle tension. If you are a side sleeper with fibromyalgia, make sure you are sleeping on a mattress that is soft yet supportive enough to prevent pressure from building up around your shoulders and hips.
Are memory foam mattresses good for fibromyalgia?
Memory foam mattresses are good for side sleepers with fibromyalgia and those looking for excellent pressure point relief. However, a memory foam mattress with a slow-moving feel may not be a good fit for sleepers with mobility issues. Sleepers with fibromyalgia interested in a memory foam mattress should look for one that offers a balance of comfort and support and comes with cooling features.
Is a firm or soft mattress better for fibromyalgia?
When it comes to your mattress’s firmness level, you want to consider your body type and your primary sleep position. Those with fibromyalgia should chose a mattress that is supportive enough to keep your spine in alignment and soft enough to provide body cushioning. If you are a back or stomach sleeper, opt for a medium-firm to firm mattress. If you are a side sleeper, consider a soft to medium-firm mattress.
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Marten Carlson
Lead Mattress Reviewer
About Author
Marten has been writing about mattresses and sleep health for six years. He is the lead reviewer at Mattress Clarity where he tests mattresses, bedding, and sleep accessories.
In his role here, Marten’s reviewed over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories (so you can rest assured that if he recommends a product, it’s been put through the wringer in our Austin studio). In addition, he has written more than 400 articles reviewing the quality of sleep and sleep products as well as sleep health. He’s especially interested in the correlation between sleep and mental health.
Marten’s also got a personal stake in sleep health. After writing dozens of pieces on the dangers of sleep apnea, he decided to get tested for the condition. Realizing he did, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea, he immediately started using a CPAP machine. He knows all too well the importance of a healthy night’s sleep and is passionate about helping others get the healthy, restorative sleep they deserve.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Denison University and his master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University.
