People with Fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions will understand the difficulty of trying to get a good night’s sleep when experiencing a flare up of symptoms.
The good news? Your choice of mattress could make a big difference in terms of pain relief and support. We look at the best mattresses for fibromyalgia sufferers to help you drift off easier.
Best Type Of Mattress for Fibromyalgia Sufferers
To achieve that elusive deep sleep, your choice of mattress can make a big impact. Let’s look at the different types of mattresses available and which ones are best for Fibromyalgia sufferers;
Spring Mattress
A spring or innerspring mattress contains metal coils. If the mattress doesn’t feature a thick enough comfort layer on top, these coils can become uncomfortable over time. For Fibromyalgia sufferers, these hard springs could aggravate tender points so you will need to opt for a premium mattress if you go for spring.
Pocket Sprung Mattress
Pocket sprung mattresses contain individual pocket springs contained in their own fabric pockets for more targeted support. This can be a good option if you share your bed with a partner as they can accommodate for both of your weights and sleeping styles.
Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are durable, hypoallergenic and supportive. However, buying a quality latex mattress can be very expensive
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is ideal for Fibromyalgia sufferers as it moulds to the contours of your body, providing enhanced cushioning around tender joints and pressure points, while maintaining full body support.
More memory foam benefits include;
- Enhanced circulation
- Hypoallergenic properties
- Durable
- Relieves muscle pain and stiffness
- Provides lumbar support
- Relieves back pain at night
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress that features a pocket sprung base and a memory foam top layer can be a good alternative for those with the condition, as it provides a great balance between comfort and support.
Orthopedic Mattress
In our opinion, the best mattress for Fibromyalgia is an orthopedic memory foam mattress.
An orthopedic mattress is designed specifically for those with back, joint pain or conditions such as arthritis. Strategically positioned grooves in the deep foam provide optimum pressure relief and cushioning where you need it most - around the lower back and pressure points, making it ideal for chronic pain conditions.
What to Look for in a Mattress
To help you find your perfect fit, we’ve put together a list of things to look for in a mattress for Fibromyalgia sufferers;
Mattress Firmness Level
If your mattress is too soft or too firm, it can make pain worse. Mattress firmness and feel is very much down to individual preference so there isn’t one correct answer. For example, the heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be. However, most people sleep best on a medium firm mattress.
Mattress Support and Pressure Relief
Full body support is essential when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. The right support, plus pressure relief results in a comfortable sleep that allows your muscles and joints to be rested and restored.
Movement Absorption
If you move around throughout the night to find a comfortable position, you don’t want a mattress that squeaks and shifts, especially if you share a bed. Memory foam absorbs impact to minimise movement disturbances.
Temperature Levels
For many people living with Fibromyalgia, heat sensitivity can be an issue. This can mean getting too hot and stuffy in bed. If this is you, it’s best to choose a mattress featuring cooling sleep technology such as our Coolmax mattress range or 4G Aircool memory foam.
Test First with a Sleep Trial
Everyone is different and has varying sleeping preferences. To make sure you choose the right mattress model for you, we offer a 100 night sleep trial so you can test out your new mattress in the comfort of your own home. If it’s not quite right, we’ll help you find a better alternative.
Or, if you want to try before you buy, feel free to pop into our Yorkshire mattress warehouse and try out some of our best sellers for yourself!
Best Orthopedic Memory Foam Mattresses
We’ve curated a list of some of the best orthopedic memory foam mattresses in our range suitable for Fibromyalgia sufferers;
ClassicPedic Memory Foam Mattress
The classicpedic orthopaedic mattress range has been formulated specifically for those who suffer from chronic pain conditions, including back pain, joint pain and arthritis. Castellations in the base layer of foam provide targeted lumbar support and luxuriously deep memory foam layers allow you to sink in and relax.
Choose from the Classicpedic memory foam mattress or the Classicpedic ultra memory foam mattress which has a deeper layer of foam and luxury quilted cover.
Features of the ClassicPedic range;
- Orthopedic
- Hypoallergenic
- Removable, washable covers
- 10 year warranty
Zen Ergopedic Memory Foam Mattress
The Zen range of mattresses are designed to accommodate a range of sleeping issues through intelligent layers of memory foam.
Choose between the Zen Ergopedic mattress or the Zen Ergopedic Pocket mattress which is a hybrid design featuring both pocket springs and memory foam layers.
Features of the Zen range;
- Triple and quad layer designs
- Medical grade HD foam
- Zoned air channels for back pain relief
- Hypoallergenic
- Removable, washable covers
- 10 year warranty
4G Aircool Pedic Deluxe Mattress
If you sleep hot, the 4G Aircool Pedic Deluxe mattress could be a handy solution. With open cell foam, this mattress design improves airflow by up to 95% for a cool night’s sleep. This is combined with Eucalyptus infused fibres for sensitive skin and superior medical grade foam.
Mattress features;
- Medium support
- Washable, Eucalyptus infused cover
- Hypoallergenic
- 10 year warranty
- Made in the UK
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a condition that causes chronic pain throughout the body. The medical community are unsure as to what causes the condition, but it has been linked to unbalanced levels of chemicals in the brain and the way the central nervous system processes pain.
Fibromyalgia can be set off or triggered by physical or emotional trauma such as an operation, getting an infection, having a baby or a traumatic event such as a death.
Women tend to be more affected by the condition than men, but anyone can have it. However, it can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms have lots in common with many other health issues.
The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia can include;
- Fatigue
- Chronic pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty remembering things or concentrating
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Restless leg syndrome
- Depression or anxiety
Fibromyalgia Tender Points
Some people with Fibromyalgia experience extra sensitive areas that can be painful when pressure is applied. These are known as tender points. Common tender points include;
- Upper chest
- Back of the head
- Elbows
- Knees
- Hips
- Shoulders
As these are the main points of the body that are in contact with your mattress night after night, it makes sense to choose a supportive mattress that can provide extra cushioning around these pressure points.
Is Fibromyalgia Pain Worse at Night?
While everyone has their own individual experience of the condition, many people with Fibromyalgia find that their pain worsens at night. This may be because you become more aware of the pain when the distractions of daily life aren’t surrounding you, but no one knows for sure. If you have stiff muscles, relaxing deeply enough to fall asleep can be tricky.
How Can I Get Better Sleep with Fibromyalgia?
If you find yourself tossing and turning in discomfort each night, here’s some tips;
- Try some gentle exercise such as yoga during the day to ease stiffness
- Banish screens from your bedroom
- Listen to your favourite calming music to encourage relaxation
- Or have a long, luxurious bath
- An evening massage can help your body prepare for bed
Best Sleeping Position for Fibromyalgia
Another thing to think about is your sleeping position;
Side Sleepers
Sleeping on your side can provide relief to tender points, as well as reducing sleep apnea and improving digestion and circulation.
Back Sleepers
If sleeping on your side doesn’t work for you, try lying on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will encourage natural spinal alignment and take pressure off the hips and pelvis.
Stomach Sleepers
If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, make sure your neck isn’t twisted which could aggravate pain and sleep on a medium firm mattress to flatten the spine.
Best Mattress Topper for Fibromyalgia Sufferers
A mattress topper can provide an easy upgrade and extra layer of comfort to an old mattress. However, if your mattress is very old and starting to dip, a mattress topper won’t be enough to save it!
Memory foam mattress toppers are a good choice for those who suffer from Fibromyalgia, arthritis or other similar conditions. This is because memory foam adapts to the weight and form of your body to provide tailored support and cushioning around pressure points.
We recommend going for a high density foam such as the Zen Kooltop mattress topper which has a deep 7.5cm layer of memory foam. Alternatively, the Coolmax memory foam mattress topper is ideal if you often wake up hot in the night.
What is the Best Pillow for Fibromyalgia?
If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, it’s likely you experience headaches and stiffness around the muscles in your neck. Finding the right pillow can help you get the rest you need.
A memory foam pillow can provide the right balance between comfort and support. The viscoelastic foam gently moulds to your shape, reducing pressure on the neck and spine.
For help with spine alignment, an orthopedic contour memory foam pillow could make all the difference to your sleep. High density, orthopedic foam and an organic curved shape helps ease neck and shoulder pain throughout the night.
Find Your Comfort
When you’re dealing with chronic pain, getting a good night’s sleep can be tough and it’s easy to fall into a cycle of insomnia and fatigue.
Rest and recovery is essential for managing pain, and the right mattress can help you achieve it.
Browse our range of memory foam mattresses to find the right sleep solution for you.
