Some beds look comfy but feel like trampolines. You lie down expecting support, but wake up stiff and sore.
Maybe it dips. Maybe it creaks. Either way, it’s messing with your back.
Key Takeaways
- Spring mattresses can cause back pain when coils wear out, lose tension, or stop supporting your spine evenly.
- Choosing the right mattress firmness and material, plus matching it with your sleep-style, can help reduce pressure points and improve spinal alignment.
- Alternatives to traditional spring mattresses like memory foam, latex, or a well-designed hybrid mattress offer better back support and long-term comfort.
Some spring beds hold up well. Others? Not so much.
In this guide, we’re breaking down what spring mattresses are made of, how to spot if yours is causing problems, and what to do if your back’s paying the price.
Whether you’re stuck with an old spring bed or choosing your next one, we’ve got your back. Literally.
Jump to a section:
- What Are Spring Mattresses Made Of?
- Do Spring Mattresses Cause Back Pain?
- How to Choose a Mattress To Help With Back Pain
- Better Mattress Options for Back Support
- Final Thoughts
What Are Spring Mattresses Made Of?
Spring mattresses use metal coils as their support system, with layers of foam or fabric on top to soften the feel. It’s this spring base that shapes how firm the mattress feels, how it moves with your body, and how long it holds up over time.
The type of spring system inside makes a big difference in how the mattress performs.
| Coil Type | Features |
| Bonnell Coils | Hourglass springs wired together. Prone to sagging and low motion isolation. Budget-friendly but less durable. |
| Pocket Springs | Individually wrapped coils. Contours well and reduces motion transfer. Great for pressure relief. |
| Continuous Coils | One wire woven into a grid. Firm and long-lasting, but lacks contouring. Minimal motion isolation. |
Bonnell Coils
These are open springs shaped like an hourglass, wired together to form a sturdy base. They’re common in older mattresses or entry-level models.
While they offer full-body support at first, the connected design wears unevenly, especially in high-pressure zones like your lower back. Over time, this can lead to sagging and a lumpy sleep surface.
Pocket Springs (Pocketed Coils)
Each coil in this design is wrapped in its own fabric pocket. That means the springs can move on their own instead of all at once. It helps reduce partner disturbance and lets the mattress contour to your shape.
Some designs go even further, like a 7-zone pocket spring mattress, which offers extra support in the areas that need it most, such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back.
But as the springs lose tension over time, they can dip in spots, especially under heavier areas like hips or shoulders.
Continuous Coils
This system uses one single wire woven through the mattress to form a grid of coils. It holds its shape well and resists sagging longer than other types.
The trade-off is that it doesn’t adjust to your body as well. That can make it feel too flat or too firm, especially if you need pressure relief in certain areas.
Do Spring Mattresses Cause Back Pain?
Yes, they can.
When springs start to sag, lose tension, or stop supporting your spine properly, back pain can creep in.
Spring mattresses might start out firm and supportive, but over time, the structure underneath can work against your body.
Here’s how that happens:
1. Uneven Support from Worn-Out Springs
As springs lose tension, they stop holding your weight evenly. This creates dips, usually right where your hips or lower back rest.
Instead of lying flat, your spine curves or sinks in awkward spots, which leads to tension across your back. You may not feel it straight away, but night after night, it adds up.
2. No Contouring Around Pressure Points
Unlike foam or latex, springs don’t mould to your shape. That means your shoulders, hips, and lower back carry more pressure than they should.
For side sleepers especially, this lack of contouring can create sore joints and muscle tightness by morning.
3. Too Much Motion Transfer
Old spring beds tend to bounce with every movement. If your partner turns over or gets up in the night, the whole mattress shifts.
Your body never fully settles. That constant movement keeps your muscles on alert, which prevents them from fully relaxing.
4. Uneven Wear in High-Use Areas
Most people sleep in the same spot each night.
Over time, springs in those areas wear faster, creating lopsided support. You end up twisting or shifting to find a comfortable position, which only puts more strain on your spine and joints.
5. Indirect Effects from Disrupted Sleep
Some spring beds trap or lose heat in ways that affect your sleep cycle. And when you don’t sleep deeply, your body doesn’t get time to heal.
The result? Tight muscles, poor posture, and a sore back when the alarm goes off.
So, can a mattress cause back pain? If the springs are sagging, stiff, or not built for your sleep style, they absolutely can.
How to Choose a Mattress To Help With Back Pain
It’s not just about soft or firm. The right mattress supports your spine, cushions pressure points, and holds its shape night after night.
Here’s what to look for if you want to avoid waking up sore.
1. Choose the Right Firmness
Too-soft beds can let your back sink in. Too-firm ones push against your joints. The sweet spot usually sits in the middle. You want enough support to keep your spine aligned, with a bit of softness to ease pressure around your shoulders and hips.
Not sure what firmness suits you best? It often depends on your sleep position, body type, and even your age. We break it all down in our guide to mattress firmness.
2. Go for Contouring Materials
Some mattresses mould to your shape better than others.
Memory foam and latex respond to your body and spread your weight evenly. This helps relieve pressure and stops certain areas, like your lower back, from working harder than they should.
3. Know Your Sleep Style
Different sleeping positions put pressure on different parts of the body. Choosing a mattress that supports your natural posture can help prevent stiffness and strain.
- Side sleepers often need more cushioning around the shoulders and hips to ease pressure.
- Back sleepers tend to benefit from firmer support through the lower back and hips.
- Stomach sleepers usually need extra firmness to stop the midsection from sinking too far in.
4. Check the Durability
Support doesn’t count for much if the mattress starts sagging after a year. A good one should hold its shape, especially in the areas you sleep on most.
How long a mattress lasts often comes down to the materials and construction, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before you buy.
Better Mattress Options for Back Support
Your solution to an aching back? It might be to choose a new mattress.
These mattress types tend to offer more consistent support and fewer pressure points. Your spine will thank you for the switch.
Memory Foam Mattress
A memory foam mattress moulds to your body and helps spread out your weight. That means less pressure on your lower back and better alignment while you sleep. It’s a good option for side sleepers or anyone who wakes up with sore hips or shoulders.
Just keep in mind that some memory foam mattresses can trap heat. If you’re a warm sleeper, look for styles with cooling features built in.
Latex Mattress
A latex mattress feels more responsive than memory foam. It supports you without letting you sink in too far. This can be helpful if you change positions often or want something that feels more “lifted” than cushioned.
It’s also a solid pick for allergy-prone sleepers or those wanting a mattress made with more natural materials.
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress combines springs with a top layer of foam or latex. You get some bounce and edge support from the coils, along with comfort and pressure relief from the upper layers.
If you’re not ready to give up the feel of a spring bed but need better support, this might be the sweet spot.
Are you looking for something more specific? We’ve broken down the best mattresses for back pain in a full comparison to help narrow the search.
Final Thoughts
Back pain and sleep don’t go well together. If your old spring mattress isn’t doing your body any favours, it might be time for a change.
Our back-friendly mattresses are built to support your spine, with a generous 100-night trial period and warranty included. Pair yours with a supportive pillow to create a sleeping setup that actually helps you rest, not fight for it.