Best Beds for Side Sleepers and 4 Common Mistakes Side Sleepers Make

The best beds for side sleepers won’t leave you sore in the morning. Yet, many people wake up with stiff necks, tight shoulders, or an aching lower back — all signs that something about their sleeping position or mattress isn’t working for them. Ignoring these signs can lead to chronic pain and affect your overall health and well-being.

If you’re a side sleeper, you’re already sleeping in one of the healthiest positions for spinal alignment — but only if your bed supports you properly. The right mattress and pillow can make the difference between restful recovery and recurring pain.

At Integrative Health and Rehabilitation, we help patients from Denver, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge, CO improve not only their posture while awake but also their posture while they sleep. Our approach to chiropractic care is holistic, focusing on spinal health and overall well-being. Let’s explore how your sleep surface affects your spinal health, which mattresses are best for side sleepers, and why we often recommend the Saatva mattress for comfort and support.

Why Sleeping Position Matters More Than You Think

Your body spends roughly a third of its life in bed. That means your sleeping position directly influences your spine, joints, and muscles — just like your office chair or the way you lift a box.

Chiropractors and sleep specialists often recommend side sleeping because it keeps the spine naturally aligned from head to tailbone. It can reduce snoring, improve circulation, and relieve pressure on the lower back. But when your mattress is too firm or too soft, your body’s natural curves aren’t supported evenly.

• If your mattress is too soft, your hips and shoulders sink too deeply, twisting your spine.
• If it’s too firm, pressure builds on your shoulders and hips, which can lead to numbness or tingling.

Over time, poor spinal alignment during sleep contributes to neck pain, headaches, shoulder tightness, and even lower back stiffness — all common issues we see in our Denver-area chiropractic clinic.

The Science Behind Side Sleeping and Spinal Health

Side sleeping supports the natural S-shaped curvature of your spine, but only if your mattress fills in the gaps between your shoulders, hips, and waist. Without that support, the spine bends in ways that strain muscles and joints overnight.

Several studies confirm that a medium-firm mattress tends to improve sleep quality and reduce musculoskeletal pain in adults with chronic back pain. One randomized trial found that patients who switched from firm mattresses to medium-firm options reported greater comfort and better spinal alignment within just four weeks.¹

When properly aligned:

• Your head should rest in line with your spine (not tilted up or down).
• Your shoulders should sink slightly, but your chest and hips remain level.
• Your knees should be supported with a pillow between them to reduce hip and lumbar rotation.

When those elements line up, you’re not just more comfortable — you’re giving your spine a chance to recover and reset from the day’s activity, which can help prevent chronic pain conditions.

What to Look for in the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Not all mattresses are created equal, and what feels comfortable for one person can cause pain for another. Still, several universal qualities make certain beds better for side sleepers than others.

1. Proper Pressure Relief

The best beds for side sleepers provide contouring — especially around the shoulders and hips. Materials like memory foam, latex foam, or hybrid coil-foam combinations excel at distributing pressure evenly.

If your current mattress leaves your arm tingling or your hip aching, it’s likely too firm or lacks responsive cushioning.

2. Spinal Alignment Support

The ideal mattress keeps your spine neutral while lying on your side. If someone looked at you from behind, your neck and lower back should form a straight line. A sagging mattress or one with uneven support can throw off this alignment, creating muscle imbalances that carry into your waking posture.

3. Temperature Regulation

Side sleepers often press more surface area of their body into the bed, which can trap heat. Look for materials that promote airflow — such as organic cotton covers, innerspring coils, or breathable foam layers. Saatva’s hybrid design is particularly effective in this area.

4. Durability and Non-Toxic Materials

Cheap foams tend to break down faster, leading to permanent indentations that disrupt spinal support. Look for high-density foams, natural latex, or organic cotton, all of which last longer and are free of harmful chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

A sagging mattress equals chronic spinal stress — and no amount of chiropractic adjustment can completely undo what your bed does every night.

Why We Recommend Saatva for Side Sleepers

At our clinic, we often hear the question, “What’s the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain?” After extensive testing and listening to patient feedback, Saatva consistently emerges as a top choice. Its comfort and support, along with its zoned lumbar support and ideal firmness options, can provide you with the reassurance and confidence you need for a good night’s sleep.

Zoned Support for True Spinal Alignment

Saatva’s mattresses feature zoned lumbar support, which means the reinforced center third of the mattress keeps the lower back aligned. For side sleepers, this reduces that “sink and twist” feeling that often causes morning back pain.

Ideal Firmness Options

Saatva’s mattresses provide both contour and stability. Side sleepers typically do best on these comfort levels because they allow the shoulder and hip to sink slightly without collapsing the spine.

Chiropractic and Orthopedic Design

Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, Saatva mattresses are a rare distinction among major mattress companies. The design emphasizes spinal alignment, pressure relief, and durability.²

Sustainable and Non-Toxic

Saatva mattresses are handcrafted in the U.S. with eco-friendly organic cotton, CertiPUR-US® certified foams, and are considered among best beds for side sleepers.

Why Do We Recommend Saatva?

Explore the Saatva Mattress for Side Sleepers and learn how better sleep can improve your posture, mood, and overall health. If you’re in the Denver, Arvada, or Wheat Ridge area, we invite you to visit our clinic for personalized advice on improving your sleep setup.

Don’t overlook the importance of the pillow in side sleeping comfort. Even the best best beds for side sleepers can’t compensate for a poor pillow. For side sleepers, the pillow must be high enough to fill the space between your shoulder and head, keeping your neck level with your spine. This knowledge can keep you informed and attentive to all aspects of your sleep setup.

A pillow that’s too flat can strain your neck, while one that’s too tall pushes your head upward, compressing your cervical spine. We’ve covered this topic in more detail in our companion guide: Best Sleeping Position for Neck Health.

If you’re a side sleeper struggling with neck pain or headaches, in addition to choosing the best beds for side sleepers, we suggest the Therapeutica cervical pillow. It is an ideal pillow for several reason, including it’s versatility as a pillow for both back and side sleepers, five sizes to choose from, and durability.

Common Mistakes Side Sleepers Make (and How to Fix Them)

Many side sleepers unknowingly make small mistakes that lead to chronic discomfort. Here’s how to correct them:

• Mistake #1: Sleeping on an old or sagging mattress.
• Replace your mattress every 7–10 years, or sooner if you notice sagging or discomfort.
• Mistake #2: Skipping a knee pillow.
• A small pillow between your knees keeps your hips and lower back aligned.
• Mistake #3: Using the wrong pillow height.
• Your head should not tilt toward or away from your shoulder.
• Mistake #4: Ignoring morning stiffness.
• If you wake up in pain more than a few days a week, your spine may be misaligned or you haven’t chosen one of the best beds for side sleepers, resulting in poor support.

When Pain Persists: Chiropractic Care Can Help

Choosing the best beds for side sleepers is essential, but if pain persists, your spine might need a little extra help to return to optimal alignment.

At Integrative Health and Rehabilitation, we treat many side sleepers who experience chronic neck or shoulder discomfort even after upgrading their sleep surface. That’s where chiropractic and integrative therapies come in:

• Chiropractic adjustments restore proper joint motion and relieve pressure on irritated nerves.
• Dry needling and acupuncture address muscle tightness and trigger points that disrupt sleep.
• Cold laser and shockwave therapy can reduce inflammation and promote soft tissue healing.

By combining proper sleep ergonomics, the best beds for side sleepers, and personalized care, patients often experience faster recovery, improved sleep quality, and fewer headaches or morning aches.

Small Sleep Changes Can Have Big Health Results

The best beds for side sleepers isn’t just about comfort — it’s also about spinal health. The right mattress and pillow keep your body in alignment for hours each night, allowing your spine to decompress and heal.

If you’ve been waking up sore, it might be time to look beyond pain medications and quick fixes. Start by improving your sleep setup by choosing one of the best beds for side sleepers and let Integrative Health and Rehabilitation address the underlying structural issues that are causing your aches and pains.

Next Step to Choosing the Best Beds for Side Sleepers

Still waking up sore? Schedule a free consultation with Integrative Health and Rehabilitation in Denver and check out the best beds for side sleepers made by Saatva Mattress for Side Sleepers to experience a healthier, more restorative sleep.

References

1. Kovacs, F. M., Abraira, V., Peña, A., Martín-Rodríguez, J. G., Sánchez-Vera, M., & Ferrer, E. (2003). Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. The Lancet, 362(9396), 1599–1604.
2. American Chiropractic Association. (2023). Chiropractic-endorsed mattress program. Available from: https://www.acatoday.org/