Highest Rated Beds for Arthritis Sufferers for 2021 – Reviews & Guide

Arthritis affects far more people than you could ever think. Did you know that children also suffer from it? Despite us knowing about it, talking about it, and feeling sorry for those that have it, we are not entirely sure what to do about it. Sure, there is the inevitable walk to the doctor, medication and looking after yourself, but what else should you consider?

The quest for a healthy lifestyle is taking more and more people into its throes. The TV is full of shows on how to eat and live a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. And not surprisingly, the importance of sleep has cropped up somewhere along the way – Well, we do spend about one-third of our life in bed.

How does all of this impact you and your arthritis pain? Simple really, your joints need all of the support they can get, and there is no better way to do that than to invest in the best mattress. What can the right mattress do to alleviate your suffering?

A good bed supports your physique where it is needed and provides relief to the muscles and joints. In this article, we are going to check out the top-grade mattresses for people living with arthritis and give you all the relevant information you need.

Mattress Buying Guide for Arthritic Pain Relief

Pressure Points & Relief

Globally, it is safe to say that arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that makes it very painful to move if the symptoms are more severe. Even if you are not a big sufferer, you will surely be aware of your condition.

For this reason, it is best to invest in a mattress that will help your body relax. At the same time, the right support is needed to relive the various parts of your physique of pressure while at the same time providing relief where it is needed.

A good bed does all of this. We have already seen in the reviewing process that the bedding we listed is perfect for eliminating pressure points around the shoulders, back, and hips. These are the areas where the pain is most acute. Another important factor is to allow for shifting during the night. People in pain move around a lot, and the right mattress always aligns the spine correctly.

Sleeping Cool

Temperature is another factor you need to consider. In many cases when you are in pain with like a cut, you might try to cool the wound. On the other hand, muscle and joint pain tend to get better with a certain degree of warmth applied to the problem area. This is why infrared is so popular for athletes when they sprained a muscle or a ligament.

For your mattress, however, you must be aware of the fact that getting too hot at night can aggravate your arthritis pain. Nobody wants to wake up sweating in the middle of the night with a pain in their hips. Read our full guide if you want to learn more about cool beds.

Memory foam is generally the bed of choice for people with arthritis because of the excellent body-contouring properties of these type of mattresses. However, the viscoelastic material tends to heat up to create this effect. No worries, look for air-flow technology in the form of grids and gel and you are sure to sleep cool.

Easily Change Sleeping Positions

We are all different when it comes to sleep. Some of us prefer the traditional innerspring mattress for comfort and firmness variation, while others amongst us might go for all-natural latex for extra durability and a hint of luxury. Both are good choices.

However, when you are in pain, the likelihood that you move around a lot at night is higher. This is why you need a mattress that quickly adopts the new position your body has taken by immediately aligning the spine. We will look into the most recommended sleeping positions later on.

Memory foam beds with cooling properties are the very highly rated at this. But you must be sure to choose the right one to get extra fast surface shape changing. Take a look at our recommendations. All three of them are good when it comes to surface adaptability.

Support

When bedding experts speak of mattresses, they often mention support. The word ‘give’ or ‘sinkage’ invariably also comes up in a discussion.

Support comes in two guises. For one, let’s look at the one that involves propping up the parts of the body that need it. For example, if you lie on your back, the shoulders need support, while the buttocks require sinkage, so that the lumbar area on the back is adequate, you thought it, supported. If you lie on the side the opposite is true – the shoulders require give, and the hips need support – simple, right!

The other area that involves mattress support is the base or the foundation of the entire bed. It is often made of high-density foam or latex and keeps the whole structure of the bed in shape. It is also responsible for maintaining the edges of the mattress supported.

Watch out for this because it is one of the most important criteria for people living with arthritis.

Types of Arthritic Problems

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis there is. It defines itself as pain in the joints that also often feel stiff.

The intensity of the symptoms varies from person to person and can even go so far as to impair day-to-day activities. Some of you may even experience swelling in the joints and a grating and cracking sound when you move – not very nice stuff.

But where does it come from? Think of our bodies as a car. In time, the vehicle starts to break down more often, or it may even start to rust. It is the same for the human body. Over time, with the constant pressure on our joints, the cartilage that protects the end of the bones starts to break down – the result is a pain.

The speed in which we as individuals can get arthritis depends on family history, joint injury, age, obesity and other conditions such as gout and psoriasis.

Rheumatoid

In addition to joint pain and joint swelling, various other signs can also manifest in the form of rheumatoid arthritis.

At the beginning of the illness, very unspecific symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and elevated temperature can occur. For some people this phase starts abruptly, in others, it is rather insidious. In this early stage of the disease, it is particularly challenging to diagnose.

At the same time, most people develop typical symptoms of the locomotor system. History and intensity, however, it can be very different for each of us. In addition to the joints, other organs may be affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

At an early stage, those affected notice a decreasing gripping power of the hands and have increasing difficulties in everyday activities, such as screwing jam jars for example.

Joint pain generally occurs in a period of rest, often at night. Pressure on the joint and maximum flexion or extension increase the pain.

Psoriatic

When skin scale turns into Psoriatic arthritis – the inflammatory disease on the joints that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can even lead to the destruction and deformity of the joints.

The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can occur at any age, but mainly adults are affected – typically the disease develops in people between 35 and 55 years.

Psoriatic arthritis most commonly affects the small joints of fingers and toes. Especially their end members are affected. Characteristic of psoriatic arthritis is the so-called Dactylitis – while all the joints and soft tissues of a finger are inflamed and swollen.

But also the big joints like knees, hips or shoulders as well as the spine can be affected. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling result in significant limitations, often preventing those impacted from performing their day-to-day tasks. The symptoms occur especially at night and early in the morning. 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition that manifests itself in general muscle and connective tissue pain as well as pressure pain over specific pain points. Also, it is accompanied by a variety of other physical and psychological signs.

The term ‘fibromyalgia syndrome’ means ‘fiber-muscle pain’ and thus expresses the main symptoms of the disease.

The fibromyalgia syndrome belongs to the circle of rheumatic diseases and is accordingly treated. On average, women are nine times more likely than men to get it.

The exact causes are unknown. What is certain, however, is that an FMS is not an ‘imagined’ condition, and various factors, some of which are unknown, cause brain pain processing alterations and other factors contributing to impaired pain perception.

Gout

Gout is a metabolic disease in which too much uric acid accumulates in the blood, causing uric acid deposits. A typical symptom of a first gout attack is a severe joint pain, usually in the big toe.

Men are much more likely to suffer from gout than women between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Women are usually not affected before menopause

The best way to counter gout is to lose weight. In so doing, adapt your diet. Instead of red meat, go for fruit and veg. Also, fast food is a real gout maker – the fattier your diet, the happier gout will be. And lastly, stay away from booze.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease with symptoms of various organs. The body produces antibodies that are not used to ward off infections, as is usual, but are directed against the body’s cell and tissue structures – Systemic lupus belongs to inflammatory rheumatism.

• 90% of those affected are women.
• Lupus runs chronically, in irregular spurts and varies from individual to individual.
• Lupus is neither psychosomatic nor contagious nor directly inheritable. It does not lead to cancer.
• Lupus is currently not curable. Depending on which organs are affected, lupus is a mild, severe or life-threatening disease.
• For those affected, it is often distressing that Lupus is mostly unknown, and it is difficult to explain.

Why a Very Good Bed Is Critical?

If you suffer arthritis no matter in what form, an excellent bed is critical for your overall wellbeing and ultimately for your comfort at night. We have already seen different mattresses in the review part of this article, and we have gone over some interesting facts as to why the best-quality mattress is the only way to go.

You are better equipped now to understand why this is important. Arthritis impairs the joints and causes pain that in some case can be bad. The right mattress allows for the spine to align correctly. In so doing specific pressure points on the body are relieved and supported in just the right way.

The right bedding supports the muscles as well consequently helping you relax. Another important fact about the proper sleeping surface is that if you toss and turn during the night because of pain is that it will immediately adapt to the new position of your body.

Sleeping Position May Cause More Joint Inflammation & Pain

Stomach

If you prefer to sleep on your stomach you may be aggravating your arthritis because it is not the ideal position to support your neck and back. The right mattress and certain other accouterments can aid you if you cannot give it up and switch to your back or side.

The most important thing to look out for is making sure your back is properly aligned to avoid increasing the pain during the night and when you wake up.

We already touched upon the mattress. A good bed adapts to the shape of your body by providing the correct amount of support memory foam with cooling properties does an outstanding job of achieving this.

If you add a pillow, the natural arch in your back can be aligned reducing pressure to the hips. For the neck, a traditional pillow is not enough. Try something with a slight arch to potion the neck correctly.

Back

Surprisingly, sleeping on your back is not the best if you have pain caused by arthritis. But if you do it right, you can minimize aches. Of course, the right mattress will help you achieve that. It needs to align the spine so that it forms a straight line.

This is best accomplished with the right support to your shoulders and a certain degree of sinkage for the buttocks.

Make sure to choose bedding that is slightly less firm (read our mattress guide for back sleepers). We are not saying that you need something that sucks your entire frame into the surface, but more so a product that supports the full weight of your body.

Also, bear in mind that when you rest on your back that the surface contact of your body to the mattress is far higher than when you sleep on your tummy.

Side

Sleeping on the side is the most common way people sleep. A little more than seventy percent of us prefer this position. And why not? It’s the first sleeping position we encountered as a living organism. Already in the womb did we lie slightly to the side, which is why side sleeping is also often referred to as the ‘fetal position.’

Just remember that the most impacted arthritis areas like the hips, shoulders and knees are impacted in this station (see our mattress guide for this position). For this reason, you need a mattress that will ensure the natural spinal alignment through the proper sinkage for the shoulders and support for the knees and hips.

Ideally, you should have something that is slightly less firm. Having said that, don’t totally neglect support – again memory foam and even latex bedding are best suited for side sleepers – body contouring is key here.

Mattress Material Type To Relieve Discomfort

Latex

Latex is often considered the Rolls Royce in the bed mattress industry. Of course, this title is derived from the cost. Latex is not only pricier than other beds, but it also is far stronger and lasts longer. Another thing is that latex is very good at molding to the shape of the body like foam and you will definitely not get hot during the night because of excellent heat flow throughout.

When you are considering latex as a sleeping surface, it is essential to know that there are two different types. On the one hand, there is synthetic, which is derived from manmade petroleum-based materials – very good hypoallergenic properties at a low price.

On the other hand, you have natural latex derived from trees by using the Dunlop technique for example. This rubber is all natural and eco-friendly but can come at a high price, go over the latex beds we tested to see how good they are. But before you go for eco-friendly, make sure you are not allergic to latex.

In short – latex is a good bet if you have arthritis. 

Memory Foam

We have touched upon memory foam many times in this article. Our three examples at the start are all memory foam mattresses with various characteristics. So, you are already ahead when it comes to this sleeping surface.

As you already know, foam-based mattresses are made up of viscoelastic materials that absorb body heat to allow for the surface to shape to the natural outlines of your body. Memory foam is excellent for any type of sleeper, and if it is a quality product, an excellent transition is guaranteed for sleepers that move in the night.

Thanks to technological developments, you no longer have to worry about getting hot at night because of cooling gels and specially designed pockets in the foam that allow for optimal heat and perspiration conduction throughout the sleeping surface.

When considering memory foam, you might want to make sure that it is sourced from CertiPUR-US materials that are eco-friendly.

Innerspring

If you are a member of the so-called ‘Generation X’ chances are that you slept on an innerspring when growing up is considerable or perhaps you remember the springy feel that only coils can do. The innerspring is the oldest type of mattress still on the market. It has been with us for over one hundred years.

As the name suggests the bed core is made up of springs in individual pockets that allow for support and contouring. You can buy them in any firmness level, making them a pretty good alternative if you suffer from pain in the joints.

Another thing is that you can buy one for almost any price. Innerspring can either be very expensive or very cheap. A lot of us love them because they are made of natural materials and feel very soft to the touch. Just be aware that durability can be a problem. Also, they are more difficult to keep clean.

Hybrid

The mix and match type of mattress. The hybrid takes the best from memory foam, latex and innerspring and puts them all together to create something unique. In some case, they even have air pockets depending on the brand. If you choose wisely, this type of bed can be ideal if you have arthritis.

Let’s say you prefer memory foam because of the excellent body-contouring properties, but you also require something that is durable, so you want latex in it as well. With the hybrid, this is no problem. On the other hand, you might be a traditionalist and require innerspring. Hybrids exist in such combos too and you can get amazing value in the hybrid market.

Another good thing about the hybrid is that you can buy them at almost any price. If you are considering one, be sure to identify which joint cause you the most pain so that you can optimize the material composition of the mattress.

Frequent Arthritis Pain Areas (Where it Hurts)

Hip and Legs

The hips and legs are paramount when it comes to mobility. These two body parts work in conjuncture to make moving around natural and without complications. Most of us take it for granted. But if you have arthritis, you might hanker after those heady days when the pain was a thing of the past.

Hip and leg pain can manifest itself in different ways. And remember, you are not some senile old ‘git’ because you suffer from it. People of all ages can succumb to the dull and sometimes stabbing agony caused by arthritis in these areas.

Aches in the hips and legs can often come and go in intermittent bouts. And when it manifests, the discomfort portrays itself in two very distinct ways. Sometimes, you might feel a persistent sharp pain or subtle aches felt in the groin and thigh.

Keep it at bay by remaining active and sleeping on the best bed.

Have a hip pain? Our Highest Rated Beds for Hip Discomfort (Pain)

Joints

To be able to comprehend joint pain fully, you need to understand the composition of that particular part of the body. For one, joints are vital when it comes to moving around. They are the articulation between two boney surfaces that are comprised of cartilages, which allow for the smooth and gliding movement of the joints.

As we age, various parts in the body suffer from constant use thus weakening the lubricating fluid that keeps everything running smoothly. Of course, rheumatism can hit us at any time during our lives, also causing the same decay.

It is essential to reduce stress to the tendons by sleeping on the right surface. There are few things worse than waking up during the night because you are lying in the wrong position on a lumpy and inadequate mattress.

Upper, Middle, and Lower Back Ache

Fortunately, upper, middle and lower backache is not a disabling condition. However, it can cause extreme discomfort if left to its own devices. Mostly pain in this area is because of age-related issues. The older we get, the more the back tends to suffer from wear-and-tear of the disks on the spine.

The symptoms show themselves in the following forms:

• Daily tasks like driving become difficult due to slight stabs of agony or intermittent aches.
• It can spread and cause pain to the neck and also walking can become a trial.
• In some cases, you can suffer from headaches and tingling and numbness in the arms and legs.

There are many ways to treat it. Consult your doctor for more details. The right mattress is another excellent way to counter the discomfort. By having the right support to the upper, middle and lower back, pain can be reduced.

Read: Highest Recommended & Excellent Beds for Lower and Upper Bad Backs

Hands, Arms, and Shoulders

Aches and swelling also can affect the hands, arms, and shoulders if you have arthritis. It depends on your age, genes and whether you have suffered an injury. Be sure to consult your doctor if you do notice that your habitual lifestyle is being impaired.

If it is not age related, joint dislocation can be the cause of shoulder pains if you somehow had an accident. In many cases, aches persist long after the situation has allegedly been resolved. Make sure that you do everything to alleviate pressure to the problem area.

Then you Carpal Tunnel Syndrome that involves pressure to the wrists caused by constant over and inadequate strain to this part of the body over an extended period.

If the pain is in the arms, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome could be the culprit. Hands and arms can swell as a cause of this.

If you sleep on your side and have shoulder pain then click here.

Spine

When the cartilages in the spinal joints break down due to aging or injury, the individual disks in the vertebrae no longer slip and slide as smoothly as before, which can result in severe pain. It can affect anyone of any gender and all ages.

As with the other points we touched upon in this article, spinal arthritis can spread to other parts of the body that can make it quite difficult to pinpoint at first. It is not rare to have tingling sensations in the arms and legs that derive from the spine as a source of origin.

One thing that characterizes it is that living your daily life can turn into quite the burden. You must do everything you can to alleviate the stress to the spine to reduce the symptoms. Getting the right mattress is a start. Also look out for your body weight.

Are Mattress Toppers a Good Alternative for Joint Inflammation?

We have touched upon the importance of the right sleeping surface for your arthritis many times in this article. We have mentioned the mattress as a very good tool to aid you in your quest to make life more livable and ‘sleepable.’

But what if you don’t have the money to splurge on a new bed? Does that mean you are destined to live a life in constant pain without any hope of relief?

No, it does not!

If your bed is a little past it and does not provide the adequate support and give where you need it, a topper might be the best way to sort out the problem. The topper is an excellent addition to your bed.

Toppers can vary in thickness from two to four inches, check our top overall mattress pad/topper guide. As a rule of thumb, the lumpier and more used your sleeping surface the thicker the topper to gain sufficient pain relieving support.

Our Top Arthritis Mattress Reviewed

When we think of ‘Nectar’ we might think of flowers and the pollination process that is associated with it. Others might say ‘Nectar’ is the drink of the gods – the Greeks and Romans of old certainly considered it so. And today, the Nectar bedding company still tries to be up there in the Pantheon of the Gods with their claim that ‘it is like sleeping on a cloud.’

Do they have any right to claim such a thing? We tested the mattress to find out. The gel memory foam cocktail sourced from the top-rated eco-friendly materials with the Tencel cooling cover is a dream come true. The mattress truly adapts to the contours of your body and keeps it at the perfect temperature during the night.

It’s no wonder Nectar claims that you are bound to wake up pain-free the following morning – Great news for people with arthritis and their painful joints.

You can see our evaluation of Nectar here.

‘Puff, puff goes the dragon’ – We definitely felt relaxed and well supported on a Puffy mattress as if it was one of the tiny smoke clouds from the dragon. For starters, what’s pretty cool about the Puffy bed is that you can place it on any surface whether a box spring, the floor, a slatted frame or an adjustable frame. It’s flexibility and excellent comfort at its finest right from the start.

And it does not end there. If arthritis is something you suffer from, you will certainly appreciate the Body Adapting Cloud Formula the company has come up with. The various memory foam layers inside of the mattress adapt to contours of your body, ensuring maximum joint relief and optimal spinal alignment.

Body cradling, cooling cloud and pressure relieving firm support all in one delivered for free straight to your front door. No wonder they say that it is the top-rated bed for side and back sleepers on their website.

Go over here to learn more about this model.

Purple really has it nailed with their wide selection of mattresses for every type of sleeper. Whatever you need, they have it. This is the best news for people living with arthritis.

The smart grid inside of the mattress is better than regular memory foam because it can relieve pressure points, remain in the position of your body so that you stay supported and comfy, and lastly, the temperature neutralizing air movement technology will keep you cool during the night.

It’s no wonder that this bed is excellent for chronic pain. The moment you lie on it, you will notice that your spine is in perfect alignment. Purple does well in living up to their mission of being ‘The world’s most comfortable mattress.’ They go further still. This company is genuinely eco-friendly from the way the bedding is made all the way to the packaging that is 100 percent recyclable.

Want to read more about this bed? See our in-depth review of Purple over here.

Our Final Thoughts

Ailments such as arthritis have a considerable impact on your life as a whole. You may suffer from it already, or you are interested in finding a solution for a loved one – it matters not because you know now that something has to be done. And the good news is, you can do something.

Most importantly, you need to look after yourself. Treat ‘you’ as a temple and make sure that it gets all that it needs to reduce and hopefully banish pain. We have done our best in this article to give you some pointers on the highest-rated and quality beds for those with arthritis. The rest is up to you.

Resources:

• Arthritis – https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis
• How to Prevent Arthritis – https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/arthritis-prevention.php
• 13 Natural Remedies for Arthritis – http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20443624,00.html