100% Australian Owned & Operated, 30 Years Experience and Exclusive Brands
02 9649 2111
01 Oct 2025
Victor Hu
Share
Back and neck pain can make every part of daily life more difficult, but one area where it is often most noticeable is during sleep. A poor-quality or unsupportive mattress can aggravate pain, cause restless nights, and lead to stiffness and fatigue in the morning.
Choosing the best mattress for back and neck pain is one of the most effective ways to restore comfort, support spinal alignment, and improve overall sleep quality.
At Active Mobility, we understand that no two people’s needs are the same. Our occupational therapists recommend various mattress types — from air mattresses and hybrids to advanced foam designs — to suit different sleep positions, body shapes, and required support levels.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- How to choose between a hard and a soft mattress for back pain
- Why firmness, body type, and sleep position matter
- Our OT recommended mattresses for back and neck pain
- Signs it might be time to replace your old mattress
By the end, you’ll have the information you need to find the right mattress that provides adequate support and helps reduce pain so you can sleep more comfortably.
Why firmness, body type, and sleep position matter
Understanding the relationship between spinal alignment, pressure relief, and mattress firmness is key to finding the best mattress for back and neck pain.
A good mattress should keep your spine aligned in its natural curvature, provide ample cushioning at pressure points like the shoulders and hips, and offer adequate support for the entire body.
Firm vs soft mattress for back pain
One of the most common questions from back pain sufferers is whether a hard or soft mattress is better. A soft mattress may feel comfortable initially, but it can allow the body to sink too deeply, pulling the spine out of alignment.
On the other hand, a very hard mattress can place too much pressure on joints, leading to discomfort in the shoulders, hips, and neck.
Most research and clinical recommendations suggest a medium-firm mattress as the best compromise. This level of firmness provides the proper support for maintaining spinal alignment while allowing enough cushioning to reduce pressure points.
Sleep position and mattress choice
Back sleepers benefit from a medium-firm mattress that supports the lower back while keeping the spine aligned.
Side sleepers need a mattress with more contouring — memory foam mattresses or hybrids are often ideal — to ease pressure on shoulders and hips.
Stomach sleepers require a firmer model to prevent the pelvis from sinking too deeply, which can strain the lower back.
Combination sleepers should look for mattresses with foam layers that adapt quickly to movement and maintain even support.
Other factors to consider
Body type: Heavier individuals often need firmer models for proper support, while lighter people may prefer medium soft or plush mattresses.
Hot sleepers: Hybrid mattresses with breathable materials help regulate temperature better than traditional memory foam.
Pain sufferers: Targeted support zones and foam moulds that adapt to body shape can help reduce pressure and improve comfort.
Our OT recommended mattresses for back and neck pain
Top recommended air mattress: Zephair Air Mattress
The Zephair alternating air mattress is specifically engineered for people at higher risk of pressure injuries or requiring extended bed time, like those in ICU wards or palliative care. Unlike a traditional foam or hybrid mattress, this system has a 22-cell system that inflates and deflates to redistribute pressure across the body.
Key features and benefits:
- Alternating pressure therapy: Constantly changes pressure points, reducing the likelihood of ulcers and improving blood circulation
- Customisable firmness levels: Support workers and users can adjust air settings to balance comfort and support, which is especially important for people whose pain levels vary daily
- Enhanced spinal alignment: Even body weight distribution prevents sagging areas that can strain the lower back and neck
- Quiet, reliable pump: Designed to operate discreetly, so sleep quality isn’t interrupted
Best suited for:
- People with limited mobility who are prone to pressure injuries
- Back and stomach sleepers who need to adjust firmness easily
- Pain sufferers who require highly adaptive support
Top recommended hybrid mattress: Alaise Hybrid Mattress
Hybrid mattresses combine the pressure-relieving comfort of foam layers with the responsive support of air cells. The Alaise is one of our best-selling models because it delivers the right mix of contouring and support, making it suitable for many users.
Key features and benefits:
- High support air cells: The Alaise features 13 individual air cells for unbeatable pressure redistribution. It includes a self-regulating thigh cell, a high-support pelvic cell, and a self-regulating scapular cell
- Ample support: Pocket springs provide targeted support for the entire body, making it ideal for side and back sleepers
- Balanced firmness: Rated as medium firm, striking the balance most back pain sufferers require to maintain proper spinal alignment
- Durability: It is resistant to sagging and indentations, so it continues to offer ample support even after years of use.
Best suited for:
- Combination sleepers who change positions during the night
- Side and back sleepers who need both contouring and support
- People in long-term care
Top recommended foam mattresses for acute care: Sovereign S7 Mattress & Softform Maxi Glide
The Sovereign S7 is designed for people with significant support needs in acute care or rehabilitation environments. Its advanced foam design provides consistent support across the entire body while minimising risk factors for pain and skin breakdown.
Key features and benefits:
- High-performance foam: Engineered to adapt to different body shapes and distribute pressure evenly. This particular foam technology is exclusive to Forte Healthcare
- Anti-shear surface: Reduces friction when moving or repositioning, protecting fragile skin. It also comes with a choice of cover—luxury homecare or premiflex ultra waterproof covers
- Clinical reliability: Frequently recommended by healthcare professionals for post-surgery recovery or rehabilitation patients. This mattress has also undergone years of development and clinical feedback to ensure the perfect combination of support, care, comfort, and longevity
Best suited for:
- Patients in hospitals or care facilities that need intensive support
- People recovering from surgery or injury
- Pain sufferers who cannot tolerate pressure points
The Invacare Softform Maxi Glide, on the other hand, is unique because it addresses not just support, but also the issue of shear forces created when the head of a profiling bed is raised. This added stress can increase discomfort for people with back or neck pain.
Key features and benefits:
- Glide mechanism: Allows the top surface to move independently from the base, dramatically reducing shear and friction
- Deep contouring: A deep contoured insert pad provides enhanced pressure area care, maximising body contact and optimising pressure reduction
- Clinical safety: Optional evacuation steps provide extra safety for the patient and caregiver in an emergency. They have been clinically assessed to ensure that CPR procedures are not impeded
Best suited for:
- Users of adjustable or profiling beds
- People prone to pressure injuries or skin breakdown
- Back and side sleepers who need targeted pressure relief
Top recommended foam mattresses for everyday comfort: ICON Homecare Mattress & iCare Active X Mattresses
The ICON Homecare range is versatile, affordable, and adaptable for different users. It is designed to provide proper support for everyday comfort while remaining practical for home care environments.
Key features and benefits:
- Choice of firmness: Mattresses are available in soft, medium, and firm versions to suit different body types and sleeping preferences
- Variety of thicknesses: Choose between 15 cm and 20 cm to ensure the right height for safe transfers and to prevent bottoming out
- Easy to clean: A wipe-down cover helps with infection control in care settings
- Balanced design: The high-density secondary layer provides comfort and ample support, making it ideal for back pain sufferers transitioning from an old mattress
Best suited for:
- Older Australians and people with mild to moderate back pain
- Side, back, and stomach sleepers who want firmness options
The iCare Active X series is one of the most advanced foam ranges available. Its biggest strength is choice — with thicknesses ranging from 15 to 30 cm, it ensures every user can find a model that meets their support and transfer needs.
Key features and benefits:
- Advanced foam technology: Active X material responds to body temperature and weight, adjusting firmness dynamically for targeted pressure relief
- Multiple thicknesses: 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm options ensure the right balance of comfort and transfer safety. Thicker models help heavier users avoid bottoming out and maintain safe bed height
- Postural support: Helps align the spine and reduces neck and lower back strain
- Comfort for all sleep positions: Foam layers contour to the body, offering support for side and back sleepers in particular
- Long-lasting design: High-density core ensures durability and consistent, ample support for years
Best suited for:
- Users who need a safe transfer height and reliable support
- Pain sufferers who require foam that adapts to their body shape
- People replacing a bad mattress with something clinically proven
Signs you may need a new mattress
If you’re waking up sore, it may not be your body that has changed — it might be your current mattress. Here are some signs it’s time to consider an upgrade:
- Sagging or dips in the mattress surface
- Increased back or neck pain after waking
- Trouble finding a comfortable sleep position
- Mattress is more than 7–10 years old
- Visible wear, lumps, or loss of support
Switching to a mattress that provides targeted pressure relief and adequate support can dramatically improve sleep quality and overall wellbeing.
Finding the perfect mattress for your body
Choosing the best mattress for back and neck pain is not about finding the softest or hardest mattress, but the one that provides the proper support for your unique body shape, sleep position, and health needs.
At Active Mobility, our occupational therapists recommend the trusted options above—the Zephair, Alaise, Sovereign S7, Invacare Softform Maxi Glide, ICON Homecare Mattress, and the iCare Active X range. Each offers unique benefits to help reduce pressure, support spinal alignment, and improve sleep quality.
If you’re ready to upgrade from a bad mattress to one that truly supports your needs, explore our full range online or contact our team for personalised guidance. We’re here to help you find the perfect mattress so you can sleep easier and wake up with less pain.
