Mattresses are for more than just sleeping. They’re also an important component for pain relief, which is especially true for people who experience back problems. Chronic back pain can cause frequent sleep disruptions due to constant discomfort. The best cure for back pain, other than seeing a chiropractor, is to invest in a quality mattress. Sleeping on the right type of mattress can make the difference between a restful night’s sleep or the torment of tossing and turning all night long.

To help, we put together a definitive guide to help you in your quest for the perfect night’s sleep:

1. Orthopedists know best

When it comes to mattresses and relieving back pain–orthopedists know best. They know what type of sleeping mattress that people need to improve their back issues. Most orthopedists recommend that back pain suffers sleep on a spine alignment mattress. A mattress like this will give your spine extra support and can help with aches in the joints. This is important because an aligned spine back causes very little pain to the body. Having a mattress that aligns the spine is the first step in finding a great mattress for your back.

2. What orthopedists have to say about mattress firmness

The firmness level of any mattress is important to the body. A person will have to choose the right type of firmness for their body. Softer mattresses are generally for larger people because it can conform to the body shape of a bigger person. This will, in turn, help maintain spinal alignment by spreading the weight evenly. Smaller people typically need a firmer mattress to prevent them from sinking into the bed. Due to their lower mass, smaller people don’t have to spread around and having their body positioned in one spot is better for their spine. Orthopedists recommend a medium-hard mattress as the best mattress for everyone to purchase.

3. Firm vs. plush: an orthopedist’s perspective

It was already mentioned that a firm mattress makes a good choice for smaller sized people, but a plush mattress is incredibly soft and has lots of cushioning compared to an average mattress. Firm mattresses are good for any person if they are using them for a short time period. However, plusher mattresses are suited for a more comfortable type of sleep. Firm and plush mattresses can be hard on a person’s joints depending on their height and weight. Once again, a person with a bad back should choose a mattress type that is suited toward their weight and particular back pain condition. An innerspring mattress is a hard type of mattress model because of the springs and is an old-fashioned mattress type.

4. What orthopedists think about memory foam mattresses

Most orthopedists will recommend a memory foam mattress because it falls into the category of medium-hard beds. Memory foam will conform to a person’s body and sleeping position, which means that it will adjust to form an ergonomic outline of the body. They will be able to sleep for many days on end while the mattress adjusts to their sleeping patterns. This type of mattress is not for all back-pain sufferers, but it can work wonders for most.