Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. People that have fibromyalgia may also experience extreme fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and increased sensitivity to pain. Women are affected twice as often as men.
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, it’s believed that certain chemicals in the brain are at abnormal levels in people with the condition.
As the quality of your sleep can be significantly affected by fibromyalgia, finding a mattress that relieves pressure points and promotes a restful sleep is essential.
Our guide will include everything you need to know about fibromyalgia, from possible causes and risk factors, to how to choose a mattress if you have the condition. We’ve also included our top picks of the best mattresses for fibromyalgia. Let’s begin.
The Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia: Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Brooklyn Signature
Brooklyn Signature
Provides body-conforming that’s well-suited for people with fibromyalgia.
Why we Picked It
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress is an excellent hybrid that offers gel-infused polyfoam layers and pocketed coil support.
The top layer provides body-conforming that’s well-suited for people with fibromyalgia, while the pocketed coil support ensures there’s enough upward force to prevent misalignment of the spine.
The “TitaniumGel” featured in the bed helps to moderate your body’s temperature throughout the night. This is beneficial to fibromyalgia sleepers who tend to have increased hot and cold sensitivity.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress is offered in three firmness levels so you can decide which is best for you. It comes with a 120-night risk-free trial, a 10-year warranty plus free shipping and returns.
Keep in Mind
The mattress might not hold up that well over time due to its thinner coils. It’s also pretty heavy and can be difficult to move.
In a Nutshell
- Three firmness levels
- 120-night risk-free trial
- TitaniumGel moderates body temperature
Best Value: Layla
Layla
You’d be hard-pressed to find a mattress that offers better value for money.
Why we Picked It
The Layla is a memory foam mattress that features a rather novel twist: each side of the bed has a different firmness setting built in.
One side of the bed is plush and cradling while the other is more supportive and firm. Both sides offer the same pressure relief and cooling properties, which are ideal for people with fibromyalgia.
The mattress is copper-infused, which improves airflow and blood circulation, and it offers excellent motion isolation for couples. The Layla is also completely silent in use.
With free shipping, a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty, you’d be hard-pressed to find a mattress that offers better value for money. That’s why it’s our top pick for this category.
Keep in Mind
The edge support, while adequate, isn’t the best out there. Flipping the mattress onto its other side may prove to be difficult for some people.
In a Nutshell
- Innovative dual firmness options
- Great conforming for pressure and pain relief
- Superb value for money
Best Luxury: Brooklyn Aurora
Brooklyn Aurora
A luxury hybrid mattress offered in three levels of firmness.
Why we Picked It
The Brooklyn Aurora is a luxury hybrid mattress offered in three levels of firmness, and frankly, we love it.
The bed features a top layer of “CopperFlex” foam that provides excellent body contouring for those with fibromyalgia along with effective pressure point relief. Under that is pocketed coil support that provides enough upward force to prevent sinking and misalignment of the spine.
The “TitanCool” cooling technology found within the bed also helps to maintain your body temperature, so it’s an excellent choice for those with increased hot and cold sensitivity.
The Brooklyn Aurora comes with a 120-night trial plus free shipping and returns. If you want luxury, look no further.
Keep in Mind
The Aurora isn’t a cheap mattress by any stretch of the imagination, so if you’re on a budget, it would be best to look elsewhere.
In a Nutshell
- Three levels of firmness
- TitanCool cooling technology
- Excellent pressure point relief
Best for Heavier Sleepers: WinkBed Plus
WinkBed Plus
Undoubtedly an excellent choice for larger sleepers with fibromyalgia.
Why we Picked It
The WinkBed Plus is one of the best mattresses out there when it comes to heavier sleepers. With balanced pressure relief and support, the bed is undoubtedly an excellent choice for larger sleepers with fibromyalgia.
The hybrid bed features a latex layer, a gel foam layer, and pocketed coil support. The memory foam and latex layers provide excellent contouring properties, but there’s also sufficient enough support from the pocketed coils. The high-quality materials inside the bed ensure a longer-than-average lifespan.
WinkBeds offers free shipping, a 120-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty. The Plus is the ideal blend of comfort and support with great extras.
Keep in Mind
The WinkBed Plus may be too firm for lighter sleepers with fibromyalgia, and it isn’t easy to move.
In a Nutshell
- Excellent blend of comfort and support
- Good motion isolation
- Designed for heavier sleepers
How We Chose the Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia
We take extra care to ensure the beds we choose meet a high standard in a variety of crucial areas. From the material quality of the mattress to the edge support, the very best mattresses will meet and often exceed our standards. We look at the following, and you can learn more about our process here.
- Material Quality
- Durability
- Conforming
- Edge Support
- Temperature Neutrality
- Off-gassing
- Motion Isolation
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain and debilitating fatigue. Fibromyalgia affects as many as 4 million Americans (18 and older) and an estimated 3-6% of the world’s total population. It’s more common in women than in men.
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, apart from pain and fatigue, include the following: waking up feeling tired and stiff, headaches, constipation, dizziness, lack of concentration, allergies, irritable bowel, and non-refreshing sleep.
Doctors around the world aren’t entirely sure why some people get fibromyalgia while others don’t; the specific cause is unknown. With that said, possible causes include the following:
- Genes: Doctors believe that fibromyalgia may well run in families. It’s thought that parents can pass on the genes which make you sensitive to pain.
- Gender: We’ve mentioned that the condition is more common in women than men, but why exactly? Doctors think this could be because of the differences in how men and women react to pain. This also includes societal expectations in how each reacts to it, (men may be expected to “tough it out”).
- Physical inactivity: Being physically inactive isn’t good for a variety of reasons, and is a risk factor for numerous different conditions. The same is true with fibromyalgia. Exercising can help to alleviate some of the pain, and may help to prevent it too.
- Depression and anxiety: No proof exists that either depression or anxiety directly cause fibromyalgia. However, people with the condition often have them.
- Trauma: Different types of trauma may cause fibromyalgia. Examples include emotional trauma and mental health disorders. Physical trauma, such as being involved in an accident, may also trigger it.
- Other conditions: Having another painful disease, such as sciatica or arthritis, can raise your chance of developing fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is associated with pain because of the way the body, and specifically the brain, processes pain signals. It has been described as a form of “glitch,” making the body hypersensitive to stimuli. Make no mistake: the pain felt is real, but because it isn’t physical (in nature), there isn’t a simple or easy solution to stop it.
It’s worth mentioning that the pain felt throughout the body may vary and is sometimes more painful than at other times. The location may also change over time.
Fibromyalgia and Sleep
Fibromyalgia can significantly affect your ability to sleep and enjoy a restful night. The consistent pain felt throughout the body can prevent you from being able to fall asleep without being disturbed. Fibromyalgia can cause an alteration in sleep patterns because pain and sleep are inextricably linked.
The condition, unfortunately, is worsened by the fact that sleep deprivation and insomnia can exacerbate pain. In other words: people with fibromyalgia are less likely to sleep well, and a lack of sleep can aggravate pain further—it’s a cruel and vicious cycle. Research has also suggested that people with fibromyalgia have low levels of serotonin. Serotonin leaves you feeling refreshed when you wake up.
Fibromyalgia is also associated with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. These sleeping disorders commonly appear among people with fibromyalgia.
Those with sleep apnea suffer from a blockage in their airway while asleep. People can sleep on their sides to help with this, but if they also have fibromyalgia, sleeping in certain positions could be even more uncomfortable. Sleep apnea is a possible cause of fibromyalgia, too.
People with restless leg syndrome are more likely to have fibromyalgia, and restless leg syndrome can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. They are frequently linked together.
Luckily there is some light at the end of the tunnel: the right choice of mattress can help with fibromyalgia pain, specifically those that offer excellent contouring properties. These beds can considerably help to reduce pressure and promote spinal alignment and restful sleep.
Paired with the right treatment—which can include medication, stress management techniques, therapy, and/or exercise—a restful night’s sleep can provide much-needed relief.
Special Considerations for Sleepers with Fibromyalgia
Aside from your budget, there are numerous other points to consider when picking a mattress. Sleepers with fibromyalgia, in particular, will want to lessen the pain and discomfort in their sleep life. To do that, they will need to think about everything from pressure point relief to the support and firmness their mattress provides.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry about a thing. Below, we’ve detailed all of the critical considerations you need to keep in mind when searching for the best mattress.
Pressure Point Relief
Perhaps the most serious consideration for those with fibromyalgia is the pressure point relief capabilities of the mattress. Pressure points often crop up in spots that support the most weight while sleeping, like hips and shoulders. A mattress that conforms to the sleeper’s body will help alleviate pain for people with fibromyalgia because it contours to the body and helps to relieve pressure points. Memory foam and latex beds usually are the best option here.
Firmness
When it comes to the firmness of a mattress, fibromyalgia sleepers will generally prefer a softer mattress that doesn’t aggravate their pain. We say “generally” for an important reason: the mattress will still need to provide enough firmness to support the sleeper’s body properly. Specifically, this will ensure proper spinal alignment.
Support
When we talk about support, we mean how well a mattress keeps the spine aligned during sleep. The spine features natural curves in an S-shape that need optimal support. A sagging mattress results in inefficient support and can cause pain because the spine is misaligned. What’s more: the resulting backache from sleeping on an unsupported bed would be made far worse for those with fibromyalgia due to their increased pain sensitivity. The right mattress correctly supports the spine, preventing misalignment, and further pain.
Temperature Neutrality
Fibromyalgia sleepers can experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold. That’s why it’s important to make sure you pick a mattress that’s best suited to your personal temperature needs. For those who sleep help hot, innerspring mattresses can offer good airflow. On the other hand, memory foam mattress tend to trap heat. Try to look for mattresses that offer temperature control features, like gel- or copper-infused foam, especially if you opt for a memory foam bed.
Motion Isolation
Waking up in the middle of the night is a frequent occurrence for those with fibromyalgia. Mattresses that transfer motion more easily only add to the problem—you’re more likely to wake up from the movements of your partner. It’s difficult enough to get a restful sleep with the condition. To prevent this, look for a mattress that absorbs motion rather than those that transfer it.
Noise
Along with increased sensitivity to pain and temperature, those with fibromyalgia can also suffer from increased sensitivity to sound. As a result of this, a loud mattress isn’t a good choice. Generally, innerspring mattresses produce more noise than memory foam.
The Best Mattress Types for Sleepers with Fibromyalgia
People with fibromyalgia often prefer memory foam or latex mattresses because of their excellent contouring abilities and softness. With that said, all mattress types offer pros and cons that you should take into consideration.
Below, we’ve listed the four main types of mattress along with their pros and cons so you can get a good idea of the bed that is most suited to you:
| Type of mattress | Pros for sleepers with fibromyalgia | Cons for sleepers with fibromyalgia |
|---|---|---|
| Memory foam | Provides excellent conforming properties for fibromyalgia sleepers Good pressure point relief Next to no noise during use Good at isolating motion for couples | Can retain heat, which isn’t great for fibromyalgia sleepers and their increased sensitivity to it Ease of body movement can be poor in some cases |
| Latex | Conforms well to the body Excellent durability, usually from high-end components found within Next to no noise during use Can provide a cool sleep | Latex mattresses tend to be pricey Can be heavy and difficult to move Off-gassing can occur |
| Innerspring | Many firmness options are available to choose from Can provide a good consistency of support Tend to sleep cooler than other mattress types | Not great at conforming to the body Not very durable, and it could sag more quickly than other types of mattress Poor motion isolation which is bad for couples Can be noisy during use |
| Hybrid | Can offer a combination of good support and pressure point relief for fibromyalgia sleepers May provide a cool sleep Can offer great contouring properties | Often very heavy and difficult to move Heat retention is possible despite cooling capabilities The durability can be poor, primarily if constructed from weaker materials such as low-grade polyfoam |
Other Strategies for Sleepers with Fibromyalgia
Apart from choosing the right mattress, some other strategies and products might help with fibromyalgia pain. From buying the right pillow to physical therapy and stress reduction, we’ve listed some different strategies below for you to consider. Please note that you should always consult your doctor before engaging in any treatment or techniques.
Pillows
While a mattress is vital to counter the symptoms of fibromyalgia, having the right pillow can also have a positive effect on your sleep. Using a maternity pillow, for example, can provide more restful sleep. This works by keeping your hips aligned and provides support by taking the pressure off the lower back. One of the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a pillow is its loft (thickness). Using the right loft can alleviate pain and discomfort, while the wrong loft can actually make things worse. You should always take your weight, mattress firmness and sleeping position into account. Latex and memory foam pillows are popular for those with fibromyalgia as they contour well and help alleviate neck pain.
Mattress Toppers
Mattress toppers are a good idea for those who want to save some money by not paying for a brand new mattress. They can extend the life of your existing mattress while providing additional comfort. Most sleepers tend to prefer a memory foam mattress topper to help with fibromyalgia pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an option for those with fibromyalgia. A physical therapist can help you by encouraging you to stretch and strengthen your body. Other benefits of this therapy can include the ability to restore mobility, relieve pain, and prevent disabilities. The aim is the restoration of overall fitness and better health.
Stress Reduction
Reducing the level of stress in your life can help to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. If you can eliminate the stress triggers in your life, then the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia may be reduced. A simple way to start decreasing your stress is to take more time to relax every day even if this is for a short period. Most people in their daily lives forget how valuable a quick break is. Making sleep and exercise more of a priority are also great ways to reduce your stress levels. Ask yourself: how much time do you dedicate to mindfulness and general well-being in the average week? The answer for most is staggeringly low.
While these strategies may help you to manage your fibromyalgia, you should always talk to a doctor about treatment as well.
Related Resources
If you’d like to know about the different types of mattresses out there, then you can find more of our extensive and independent guides below.
