Lower back pain used to wake me up at 3 am — these 4 products helped me sleep through the night again
No more rude awakenings — here’s what helps relieve my back pain, from $40
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I've had several rude awakenings from my lower back pain over the last few years. Chalk it up to getting older, but I value my sleep a lot these days — especially now that I know what happens when I don't get enough of it.
Fortunately, as someone who tests the best mattresses and sleep products for a living, I've discovered items that help soothe my sore back and make it easier to sleep through the night. Below are four things I swear by for banishing overnight back pain — and they cost as low as $40.
Along with switching up my sleep setup, I also take other measures to provide relief — mainly, getting enough movement and practicing good habits. Of course, if you're unsure of the reason for your back pain, or if it's having a significant impact on your daily life, go see your doctor.
The sleep products that helped me with my back pain
If your back pain is worse in the morning, your sleep setup may be to blame. Does your mattress support your sleep position and body type? What about your pillow? If you're not sure, here are the telltale signs that you're sleeping on the wrong mattress.
Alleviating your back pain may be as simple as replacing your mattress, but if your bed is otherwise in good shape, adding a mattress topper can provide a boost of comfort. Meanwhile, this quick test will help you figure out if you need to refresh your pillows.
What you do before bedtime can affect how you feel in the morning, too. Staying active can help prevent muscle stiffness. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to join a gym — it can be as simple as taking a walk at lunch or engaging in some light stretching with a massage at night.
I’ve dealt with back pain for much of my adult life, and these are the four items that have helped me wake up refreshed and relatively ache-free...
The Saatva RX is a luxury mattress designed for sleepers with chronic back and joint pain. I have lower back pain due to scoliosis, and this sumptuous bed relieved the stiffness I developed after weeks of sleeping on a less comfortable mattress. With a dedicated lumbar zone and a quilted organic cotton cover, you can think of it as a souped-up version of the Saatva Classic. The RX adds microcoils and a layer of waved foam for targeted pressure relief, full-body support, and cooler sleep. It’s one of the best mattresses for back pain I’ve ever slept on. As always, it comes with Saatva’s industry-leading perks, including a one-year trial, a lifetime warranty, and free white glove delivery. The current Saatva mattress sale takes up to $425 off all sizes.
Our Saatva RX review score: ★★★★½
Saatva RX customer score: ★★★★½ (400+ reviews)
Long hours hunched over my laptop can put a lot of strain on my back, so a good pillow is essential for good mornings. Mine is tailor-made by Pluto, which uses an algorithm (along with human engineers) to create the best pillow for your sleep needs and body type. With nearly 40 build options available, you’re bound to find one that suits you. And if you don’t, you’re entitled to one free replacement to make adjustments. (It comes with a 125-night trial, too.) I enjoyed my Pluto Pillow so much that I ordered a second one — my neck and shoulders are better off for it. Order today and add a eucalyptus pillowcase to get $25 off your entire purchase. (Note that delivery may take at least two weeks.)
Pluto Pillow customer score: ★★★★★ (2,800+ reviews)
If you experience lower back pain and are intent on extending the life of an older bed, listen up — this memory foam mattress topper from Helix turned my flat, unsupportive futon into a comfortable sleep surface. It's firmer in the middle to support the back and hips, with the softer areas cushioning the shoulders and knees. Whether I was on my side, front, or back, I never fell out of alignment— and the aches I developed from sleeping on a less supportive mattress slowly melted away. The GlacioTex cover adds a nice, soothing touch for cooler sleep. This month's Helix mattress sale cuts 20% off all sizes of the ErgoAlign Mattress Topper. It comes with a 120-night trial, the same as Helix's mattresses.
Our Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper review score: ★★★★½
Unfortunately, I can't afford an on-call masseuse, but this portable massager from HoMedics is the next best thing. My evening workouts often leave me sore, so before bed, I place this handy device wherever it hurts (usually my lower back and quads). For maximum relief, I turn on the heat. I'll let it run for a cycle or two before turning out the lights and going to sleep. Together with some light bedtime stretches, this is one of my favorite ways to relieve tension, especially after a tough session. Buy it from Amazon at a 20% discount.
Homedics 3D Shiatsu Full-Body Massager customer score: ★★★★ (6,000+ reviews)
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Based in Philadelphia, writer and editor Alison Barretta has been sharing buying advice and retail news for over 15 years. Since 2020 she's been helping Tom's Guide expand its robust library of sleep content by researching the latest trends, speaking with renowned experts, and going behind the scenes at Saatva, Casper, Sleep Number, Tempur-Pedic, and 3Z Brands. Alison has reviewed everything from budget mattresses to immersive luxury smart beds that automatically adjust to your every move. When she isn't reviewing mattresses or searching for great deals to save you money, Alison can be found practicing yoga and martial arts, experimenting with recipes, getting too invested in the Philadelphia Flyers, and snoozing with her cat / assistant mattress tester Alex.
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