Restful sleep is crucial for optimal health and quality of life. But if you have orthopedic pain, a good night’s slumber can be elusive, particularly if you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress. While some mattresses can exacerbate pressure points and stiffness, others can help relieve discomfort and cradle aching muscles and joints. If you suffer from hip pain, your choice of mattress is crucial to comfort and improved sleep.
So, how do you pick a model that will ease your pain and provide much-needed pressure relief? Despite the abundance of options, finding a great mattress doesn’t have to be confusing. I’ll guide you through the process step-by-step, from understanding how hip pain can impact sleep to selecting a mattress that helps to mitigate discomfort and promote better slumber.
Note: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of medical advice and supervision from a trained professional. If you feel you may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see your healthcare provider immediately.
Best Hybrid Mattress For Hip Pain | ||
Leesa Legend  | Leesa Legend The Leesa Legend has a soft feel that I love for side sleepers and great bounce so you won't feel stuck in bed. Be sure to click this link to save 15% site wide on Leesa products! | Doesn't expire |
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain | ||
Nolah Signature  | Nolah Signature Double-sided, the Nolah signature could be a good fit for a wide range of sleepers. Get $320 off your purchase by clicking here! | |
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Hip Pain | ||
Bear Pro  | Bear Pro The Bear Pro is a great all foam option for side sleepers looking for plush comfort! Enjoy 20% off your order with the code SLEEPOPOLIS! | |
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Hip Pain | ||
Helix Luxe  | Helix Luxe Whether you choose the standard or luxe edition, Helix mattresses have something to offer every style of sleeper! Enjoy $125 off the Helix Luxe mattress by using our exclusive discount codes! | |
Best Cooling Mattress for Hip Pain | ||
Purple Hybrid Premier  | Purple Hybrid Premier The combination of Hyper-Elastic Polymer and pocketed coils makes the Purple Hybrid a great option for those looking for bounce and pressure relief! | |
Best Mattress for Back/Hip Pain | ||
Casper Wave  | Casper Wave Casper's most luxurious mattress, the Wave is built with pressure relief in mind. Customers in the US can use code SLEEPOPOLIS to save $200! |
Best Mattresses for Hip Pain – Our Top 6 Picks!
Best Hybrid Mattress For Hip Pain
Leesa Legend
A hybrid mattress can be a great solution for those who suffer from hip pain. Built with pressure-relieving foam and supportive coils, these beds offer a balanced approach to soothing aches and setting the spine in a healthy, neutral alignment. And if a hybrid sounds like a good fit for your needs, I’d suggest checking out the Leesa Legend.
This hybrid mattress makes the cut because of its special zoned support system of microcoils. Tucked just beneath the gentle top layers of poly foam and memory foam, this section works to bring targeted relief to the shoulders and hips. Specifically, it lifts the lumbar region up and out of the structure while cushioning the shoulders as they press into the bed. This helps to align the spine and alleviate tension at the hips and lower back.
To learn more about this legend of a bed, check out my full Leesa Legend mattress review.
The Leesa Legend has a soft feel that I love for side sleepers and great bounce so you won't feel stuck in bed. Be sure to click this link to save 15% site wide on Leesa products!
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain
Nolah Signature
The flippable Nolah Signature has a soft side that’s great for side sleepers who are trying to avoid hip pain. People who sleep on their side can experience hip pain on a mattress that’s too firm (because it doesn’t provide enough pressure relief or body contouring at the hip), but that shouldn’t be an issue on the Nolah. The soft side of this bed features a 2.5” comfort layer made with the brand’s proprietary AirFoam, a memory foam substitute that’s great for pressure relief and provides nice body-contouring.
The Nolah’s AirFoam offers a few extra perks as well. It’s more open-celled and breathable than traditional memory foam, which has a reputation for absorbing and trapping body heat. This means the Nolah Signature should sleep fairly cool. The AirFoam also does a great job of minimizing motion transfer across the bed, meaning this could be a good option for couples who don’t want to be disturbed by each other’s movements. If you ever find yourself in need of a firmer mattress, you can simply flip over the Nolah to enjoy a thinner layer of AirFoam and more supportive comfort.
Need to know more about the Nolah Signature? Read up on this mattress in our full review.
Double-sided, the Nolah signature could be a good fit for a wide range of sleepers. Get $320 off your purchase by clicking here!
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Hip Pain
Bear Pro
The all-foam Bear Pro lets sleepers sink into the bed and enjoy some nice pressure relief around the hip. How does the mattress achieve this cozy feel? Both the comfort and contour layers utilize memory foam to provide a ton of comfort and body-contouring. Side sleepers might be especially fond of this construction, which is gentle and pressure-relieving around the hip and shoulder.
Memory foam has a slight reputation for trapping body heat, so you might be wondering if sinking into the Bear Pro will lead to overheating. The folks at Bear thought about this too, and included several features to defend against the problem, including: a cooling copper infusion in the memory foam top layer and a breathable cover made of all-natural Celliant. So, if you want to sleep on pressure-relieving memory foam without overheating, consider the Bear Pro.
Could the Bear Pro be the bed for you? Find out in our detailed review.
The Bear Pro is a great all foam option for side sleepers looking for plush comfort! Enjoy 20% off your order with the code SLEEPOPOLIS!
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Hip Pain
Helix Luxe
Enjoy relief from hip pain with a bed from the Helix Luxe line of mattresses, several of which feature thick comfort layers for pressure relief. The line includes six mattresses in a range of firmnesses, so construction varies a bit between models. But all of the mattresses in this luxury line feature pillow tops that should provide plenty of comfort for different sleeping positions.
These hybrid mattresses also offer strong support thanks to pocketed coils. This support is zoned to be softer around the shoulder and firmer around the hip, keeping the hips elevated with the spine and promoting healthy spinal alignment. The coils also give the beds some bounce and mobility, which will appeal to folks who like to move around easily on top of their mattress. No matter your sleep position, the Helix Luxe line should have a model that can help you combat hip pain.
Have your heart set on a Helix Luxe? Learn more about this mattress in our full review.
Whether you choose the standard or luxe edition, Helix mattresses have something to offer every style of sleeper! Enjoy $125 off the Helix Luxe mattress by using our exclusive discount codes!
Best Cooling Mattress for Hip Pain
Purple Hybrid Premier
Finding a mattress that’s both pressure-relieving and cooling can sometimes be a challenge, but the Purple Hybrid Premier delivers on both fronts. It lets you sink into the bed to enjoy pressure relief around the hips and shoulders, and its temperature neutral design helps ensure that you don’t overheat even when you’re nestled in the bed.
The Purple Hybrid Premier lets you choose from either a 3” or 4” comfort layer of hyper-elastic polymer. This unique material seems like a walking contradiction: It’s gentle and supportive, pressure-relieving and bouncy. That’s thanks to its grid structure, which collapses in the areas where you need pressure relief and stays upright where you need the most support. Not only does this thick comfort layer help protect against feeling “jammed up” at the shoulders or hips, but it’s also temperature neutral. The polymer comfort layer is paired with a breathable cover that allows for plenty of airflow through the mattress, rounding out its cooling cred.
Did the Purple Hybrid Premier pique your interest? Read up on this mattress in our detailed review.
The combination of Hyper-Elastic Polymer and pocketed coils makes the Purple Hybrid a great option for those looking for bounce and pressure relief!
Best Mattress for Back/Hip Pain
Casper Wave
Hip pain and back pain often go hand in hand, and the Casper Wave might help you find relief from both. How are these aches related? When you’re experiencing hip pain, you might contort yourself into strange sleeping positions that throw the spine out of whack and lead to achiness. If you’re among the many folks who find their hip pain branching into back pain, consider the Casper Wave.
This all-foam mattress has a soft feel overall, which allows for some general pressure relief. It also has a zoned support system to promote healthy spinal alignment. The mattress offers extra support at the hips to keep them elevated and aligned with the spine, and it’s softer at the shoulders to prevent that “jammed up” feeling that can occur on firm mattresses. Thanks to this balance of comfort and support, I like the Wave for back and side sleepers (or combo sleepers who switch between these two positions). If you’re intrigued but want more bounce than an all-foam bed can provide, check out the Casper Wave Hybrid.
Could the Casper Wave be right for you? Learn more in our comprehensive review.
Casper's most luxurious mattress, the Wave is built with pressure relief in mind. Customers in the US can use code SLEEPOPOLIS to save $200!
Hip Pain: Common Symptoms and Causes
The hip is one of the most important joints in the body, and one of the most common sources of pain. Hip pain impacts more than 22 million Americans, including 14.3% of adults aged 60 and over. (1) Pain in the hip is often described as stabbing, shooting, achy, tight, or stiff. Pain may also radiate to other parts of the body such as the knee and back. Hip pain is considered chronic when it persists for longer than 3-6 months. (2)
Common causes of hip pain
- Osteoarthritis (OA) – OA is characterized by wearing away of the cartilage that protects the end of bones, inflammation, and changes in the tendons and ligaments. In addition to pain and stiffness, OA of the hip may cause decreased range of motion. OA is most common in older adults but can also occur in younger people.
- Other forms of arthritis – Hip pain can be caused by other forms of arthritis, as well. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis affects children 16 years or younger. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints. (3) Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some sufferers of psoriasis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease.
- Injuries, falls, and fractures – Athletic injuries, sprains, and falls are common causes of hip pain. Hip fractures can result in chronic pain and occur most frequently in older adults.
- Overuse – Hip pain can occur because of overuse of the joint, repetitive motion such as running, or stress on ligaments and tendons.
- Autoimmune diseases – Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are well-known causes of hip pain. (4) The immune system can cause pain by attacking healthy tissue, including the lining of joints.
- Bursitis and tendinitis – Inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint, known as bursitis, can result in temporary or chronic pain. Tendinitis is irritation or inflammation of the tendon and can occur in any joint.
- Excessive weight – Being overweight or obese is a common cause of hip and other joint pain. Additional body weight can increase strain on the joint structure, increasing the risk of injury and discomfort.
Hip Pain and Sleep
Chronic pain is one of the most common causes of insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Pain may flare at night or make falling and staying asleep more difficult. Pain medications can also have side effects that disrupt or change sleep, and may not be as effective in people who are sleep-deprived. (5)
Pain-related sleep loss can result in a number of negative physical and mental effects, including:
- Feeling tired and/or groggy
- Anxiety or depression
- Irritability or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Diminished work performance
- Reduced coordination
Poor sleep can also heighten the brain’s perception of pain, worsening hip discomfort and making restful slumber even more difficult. So how can you get healthy sleep if you suffer from hip pain? Medical treatment is important, of course, but sleep position and choice of mattress are key for many people. Let’s take a look at how both of these factors can affect slumber and hip pain.
Choosing a Mattress for Hip Pain
The right mattress can make a significant difference for folks with hip pain. When shopping for a model that can help to maximize comfort, keep a few terms in mind: firmness, support, and pressure relief. These terms are crucial for mattress buyers, particularly those who experience orthopedic pain.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is rated on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. 6.5 is the mattress industry standard for medium firmness. Firmness describes how a mattress feels when you lie down on it. A firmer mattress provides more push-back against the body and has a more level sleeping surface. A softer mattress has increased sinkage and a cushiony feel. A medium firm mattress offers a balance between push-back and cloud-like conformity.
Support
Firmness and support might sound similar, but they describe different mattress characteristics. Both soft and firm mattresses can be supportive. Whereas firmness refers to the stiffness and push-back of the mattress surface, support refers to structural features that help keep the spine aligned and the neck in a neutral position. These features typically include steel coils and/or foam support layers. A supportive mattress also prevents excessive sinkage or “bottoming out” of the materials under body weight.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief describes the ability of a mattress to alleviate tension in areas such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back. A mattress that provides pressure relief is important for people who sleep on their sides or experience joint or neck issues. Contouring foam comfort layers can be essential for pressure relief, particularly if you suffer from chronic hip pain.
Hip Pain and Sleep Position
Now that we’ve chatted about basic mattress terms, let’s look at another key element of choosing the right mattress: sleep position. Sleep position can have a profound effect on the joints and spine. Even healthy joints can be strained by a sleeping position that causes poor spinal alignment or orthopedic stress. Each position has benefits and drawbacks that can affect the sleep and comfort of hip pain sufferers.
Side sleeping
Side sleeping is the most popular of all sleep positions and is the choice of 41% of people. Sleeping may occur on either side and take place in a fetal-type position or with one or both legs down.
- Pros: Sleeping on your side can keep the tongue and throat muscles from falling into the throat and causing snoring or sleep apnea. Left side sleeping can also reduce acid reflux by preventing acid from flowing into the esophagus.
- Cons: Side-sleeping can cause shoulder, arm, and/or hip pain due to pressure from the mattress and poor spinal alignment. Pressure on the jaw from sleeping on your side against a pillow or mattress may result in jaw pain.
Mattress firmness is an important factor for side sleepers with hip pain. A medium-soft model can help cradle the hips and provide pressure relief without too much sinkage. Heavier side-sleepers may need a medium-firm mattress that helps to prevent excessive sinkage and curvature of the spine.
Back sleeping
While only 14% of people sleep on their backs, back-sleeping may be the healthiest of all sleeping positions. Back sleeping is often recommended for people with orthopedic conditions or after certain types of joint surgery.
- Pros: Sleeping on the back aligns the spine and helps the neck and head maintain a neutral position. Back sleeping also distributes body weight evenly and minimizes tension on pressure points. Sleeping on the back can help reduce pressure on the side and front of the hip joint, which may be helpful for many folks who experience hip pain.
- Cons: Back sleeping can allow the tongue to fall back into the throat, blocking the airway and causing snoring and sleep apnea. Back sleeping can also feel uncomfortable or awkward to some folks, who may have difficulty sleeping in this position for extended periods of time.
Sleeping on the back is often the position of choice for folks with hip pain, who may experience greater pain relief and improved spinal alignment. The right mattress for back sleepers with hip pain is typically a medium-firm model that cushions the hips and prevents gapping between the mattress and lower back. If you’re on the heavier side, a slightly firmer mattress can prevent too much sinkage that may aggravate orthopedic pain.
Stomach sleeping
About 16% of folks sleep on their stomachs. Stomach sleeping is known for putting stress on the neck and spine and is generally considered the least healthy of the sleep positions.
- Pros: Sleeping on the stomach can keep the tongue from blocking the airway and reduce the risk of snoring and sleep apnea. Folks who experience hip pain when lying on their sides may prefer to sleep on their stomachs but should be aware that the position can cause poor spinal alignment.
- Cons: Stomach sleeping can cause poor head and back alignment and counteract the natural curve of the spine. This can lead to muscle and joint pain during sleep and waking hours.
As a general rule, stomach sleepers who experience hip pain should look for a firmer mattress that will support the spine and help prevent sinking of the torso. Heavier stomach sleepers typically do best with a very firm mattress that will help prevent poor spinal alignment and neck strain.
Mattress Types
Now that we’ve discussed sleep positions and their potential effect on hip pain, let’s look at the pros and cons of the most common types of mattresses. Most of these types of mattresses are widely available in stores, online, and as bed-in-a-box models.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a type of polyurethane foam known for its plush, comfortable feel. Memory foam comes in a range of firmness options, from extra soft to extra firm.
Pros:
- Memory foam responds to pressure and body heat, and is touted for its ability to relieve pressure and conform to the body. This can be a great feature for hip pain sufferers, especially those who sleep on their sides.
- The absorptive quality of the material decreases motion transfer, making it a good option for partners who share a bed.
- Memory foam mattresses have become increasingly affordable as their popularity and use have increased.
Cons:
- Older and less expensive forms of memory foam can retain body heat and “sleep hot.” This is less likely with newer forms such as those infused with gel and copper.
- Less edge support can cause sloping or poor spinal alignment for folks with hip pain who sleep close to the edge of the mattress.
- Memory foam mattresses may not offer enough support or durability for some sleepers, particularly those who weigh more than 225 pounds.
Latex
Latex foam is a natural product made from the sap of the rubber tree. Latex has a bouncier feel than memory foam and has a quick response to pressure.
Pros:
- The naturally airy structure of latex means that it ventilates better and sleeps cooler than some memory foams.
- Latex is a great option for hip pain sufferers who prefer natural mattress materials.
- Stomach sleepers with hip pain may prefer latex, which feels more buoyant and sinks less than other types of foam.
- Comfort layers made from latex can be a good choice for heavier sleepers who sink through memory or poly foam.
Cons:
- Latex transfers more motion than memory foam, so bed mates may feel each others’ tossing and turning at night.
- The material doesn’t hug the body like memory and poly foams and may feel less comfortable for hip pain sufferers.
- Latex is typically a bit pricier than other foams and hybrid mattresses.
Poly Foam
Poly foam is made from a type of polyurethane that lacks the viscoelastic properties of memory foam. Poly foam has a quick response to pressure and is typically used to complement memory foam or latex.
Pros:
- Poly foam can offer pressure relief to hip pain sufferers when used as a comfort layer.
- The material can feel light and airy, which may be helpful for folks with hip pain who sleep hot.
- Poly foam is generally one of the more affordable materials used in mattresses, particularly as a comfort and/or support layer.
Cons:
- Less expensive types of poly foam may degrade quickly, often within a few years of use.
- Poly foam can feel less responsive and plush than memory foam, which offers more of a conforming “hug.”
- When new, poly foam can have a strong smell that may take time to go away.
Hybrid
Like an innerspring mattress, a hybrid utilizes a steel coil core for durability and structure but adds memory foam, poly foam, and/or latex comfort layers for a satisfying balance of pressure relief and support. Innerspring mattresses are not typically recommended for hip pain sufferers, who tend to sleep best on conforming comfort layers that cradle the joints and muscles.
Pros:
- Hybrid mattresses typically contain pocketed coils, which are quieter and transfer less motion than traditional innersprings.
- The foam comfort layers of a hybrid mattress can offer plush pressure relief for hip pain sufferers, especially in softer models that utilize memory foam.
- Hybrid mattresses may be cooler than all-foam models and can be a good choice for hip pain sufferers who sleep warm at night.
Cons:
- The coil structure of a hybrid mattress may transfer motion, making it feel bouncier and more disturbing to a bed partner.
- Hybrid mattresses may be heavier and more difficult to move.
- Less expensive hybrids may not be as durable as those made from pricier materials such as low-gauge steel coils and cooler forms of memory foam.
FAQs
Can hip pain be caused by a bad mattress?
Absolutely. A mattress that is too firm or worn out to provide adequate pressure relief can cause hip pain to develop during the night.
Is memory foam good for hip pain?
In general, yes. If a mattress has a thick layer of quality memory foam on top, it should allow you to sink into the bed and enjoy some pressure relief around the hip. That said, it’s also important to look for a mattress that provides adequate spinal support so your hips and spine don’t get misaligned.
Is a firm or soft mattress better for hip pain?
Soft mattresses are generally better at relieving hip pain. As a general rule, firm mattresses put too much pressure on the shoulders and hips. Softer mattresses allow for some sinkage into the mattress, which can provide pressure relief in these sensitive areas.
How will I know if my mattress is contributing to my hip pain?
Your mattress may be contributing to your hip discomfort if you feel stiff and achy in the mornings or wake up during the night in pain. You may notice that you sleep better when away from home or in a different bed. If your hip pain begins after the purchase of a new mattress, it may be due to pressure from excessively firm materials or poor spinal alignment.
The Best Mattresses for Hip Pain of 2020
- Best Hybrid Mattress For Hip Pain – Leesa Legend
- Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain – Nolah Signature
- Best Memory Foam Mattress for Hip Pain – Bear Pro
- Best Pillow Top Mattress for Hip Pain – Helix Luxe
- Best Cooling Mattress for Hip Pain – Purple Hybrid Premier
- Best Mattress for Back and Hip Pain – Casper Wave
References
- Christmas C, Crespo CJ, Franckowiak SC, Bathon JM, Bartlett SJ, Andersen RE, How common is hip pain among older adults? Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, The Journal of Family Practice, April 5, 2002
- Treede, RD et al., A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11, Pain, June, 2015
- Krati Chauhan; Jagmohan S., Rheumatoid Arthritis, StatPearls, February 26, 2020
- Eberhardt K, Fex E, Johnsson K, Geborek P., Hip involvement in early rheumatoid arthritis, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, January, 1995
- J. A. Robertson et al., Sleep disturbance in patients taking opioid medication for chronic back pain, Anaesthesia, November, 2016
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