by No matter how good your mattress is, you may need to add a layer of cushioning on top of it to make your bed even cozier. For additional support, many people use a mattress topper. Mattress toppers not only make a bed feel more comfortable; they can also help with a wide array of health issues, including upper and lower back pain as well as hip and neck pain. When it comes to choosing a mattress topper to help hip pain, there are many different materials and characteristics to choose from. If you suffer from hip pain, there are a few factors that you should consider to make sure that you choose the right mattress topper for you. But how do you choose a mattress topper to help hip pain?
Which Mattress Topper is the Best for Hip Pain?
To choose a mattress topper that can help with hip pain, you will need to select the right material, thickness, and firmness. Keep in mind that this is an essential step for purchasing the right mattress topper. If you use a topper that does not have features to support your body properly, it may make you even more uncomfortable than you were without a mattress topper. For more detailed information, take a look at our in-depth guide to mattress topper size and thickness and our complete guide to mattress topper benefits and disadvantages as well.
This article will provide some tips and tricks for choosing a mattress topper specifically for relieving hip pain. We will also discuss whether you can use the same mattress topper for treating rheumatoid arthritis, and we will provide some additional information about pillow mattress toppers that can help hip pain.
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What Is a Mattress Topper?
A mattress topper can make your bed more comfortable and provide reliable support for your entire body. Image from Macy’s.A mattress topper is an additional layer of cushioning that is commonly put on top of a mattress to make it more comfortable and supportive.
Mattress toppers work by modifying the properties of your current mattress. For instance, if you want your mattress to be a little bit softer, you can purchase a soft mattress topper (usually made from memory foam, wool, down, or cotton) instead of buying a new mattress. Make sure to also take a look at when to buy a mattress topper instead of a new mattress for more information too. Mattress toppers allow you to refresh your old mattress as well as make a new mattress much cozier without spending too much money. You can also use a mattress topper to increase the height of your existing mattress. You may also find value in our article, how to fix a mattress topper from sliding if you’re having trouble getting your mattress topper to stay put.
Another benefit of mattress toppers is that they are made of different materials and have varying levels of thickness and firmness. As a result, there is a wide variety of mattress toppers to choose from. No matter what your requirements are, you will be able to find the right mattress topper to upgrade your current mattress and support your body while you sleep. You may also find our article on how to choose a mattress topper for back support or a mattress topper to reduce shoulder pain too.
How To Choose a Mattress Topper for Hip Pain
Choosing a mattress topper might seem challenging, but there is nothing to worry about as long as you know how to select the right one. People suffering from hip pain will generally want to add a layer of cushioning to their mattress to improve the quality of their sleep, so they should look for a mattress topper that’s soft but also supportive. For more information about the relationship between sleep quality and hip pain, see this study.
Tip 1. Consult a Doctor
Your doctor will give you personalized recommendations based on your needs.
Tip 2. Analyze your Current Mattress, Why You Get Hip Pain, and Whether a Mattress Topper Will Really Help
It is important to know the type of mattress you currently have in order to select a suitable mattress topper. The reason for this is that these two products work better when they complement each other. Choosing the right mattress topper by considering your mattress’s characteristics will make the topper much more effective for helping hip pain and extending the lifespan of both items. If you do not have a mattress yet, you should buy a mattress first and then select a topper accordingly.
Reasons why your mattress may cause you hip pain
- It’s too firm and causes pressure points when you are side sleeping
- Your spine is misaligned when you are sleeping on the bed
- You get hip pain from flexing your outer leg (ie. it’s not a pressure point, its from leg positioning)
For spine alignment and pressure points, a mattress topper can help. If your problem is over-flexing of your outer leg, a body pillow can help! We’ve discussed how good body pillows help hip pain in our article.
A pillow can prevent your hip from flexing while sleeping. This can lead to back pain. Image from Cleveland Clinic.Tip 3. Determine What Kind of Mattress Topper You Need Based on Your Sleeping Position
Knowing which position you sleep in is important when purchasing a mattress topper because some toppers only support your body in a particular position. If you are a side sleeper, for example, consider buying a soft mattress topper. If you prefer sleeping on your back, a mattress topper that is firm would be the best choice. Finally, if you enjoy sleeping on your stomach, consider purchasing an extra firm mattress topper. Take a look at choosing a mattress topper for a side sleeper too.
Tip 4. Complement Your Analyses by Choosing the Right Thickness, Density, And Material for Your Mattress Topper
Select a mattress topper that’s made of the right material and has the right thickness, firmness, and density for your needs. Your specific sleeping position is important to consider when choosing a mattress topper because a topper’s material, thickness, and firmness can improve your spinal alignment, help with proper weight distribution, and make your body more comfortable in bed. For more information about spinal alignment when sleeping, see this study.
To learn more about how to select the right mattress topper material, thickness, and firmness for hip pain, check out the following sections.
Material
Selecting the right material for your mattress topper is a crucial step because the material a topper is made of usually influences its thickness and firmness. However, you should be sure to take the position you sleep in into account when deciding on the right material for your mattress topper.
Side sleepers suffering from hip pain should use relatively soft mattress toppers, such as ones made from memory foam, wool, and cotton. A soft mattress topper will allow you to change positions during the night without putting too much pressure on your hips. While memory foam, wool, and cotton mattress toppers are all soft and helpful for hip pain, memory foam toppers are ideal because they provide good support for your entire body. Toppers made from wool and cotton are also soft, but they offer less support and aren’t as helpful for hip pain as a result. Depending on how severe your hip pain is, a wool or cotton mattress topper may be sufficient.
Polyester mattress toppers can also be used if you are suffering from hip pain. Polyester is a firmer material than the ones we previously mentioned, so it’s better to choose a topper made of softer material if your hip pain is severe. If you would prefer to have support that is not too soft and not too firm, go with a polyester topper.
Although latex mattress toppers are popular and somewhat expensive due to their quality and durability, they might not be that helpful for hip pain if you sleep on your side. The reason for this is that latex toppers are relatively firm and provide exceptional support. This support can be ideal for stomach sleepers, but sleeping on your side on a latex mattress topper could make your pain even worse.
For a summary of the different types of mattress topper materials and the benefits of each, see the table below.
| Mattress Topper Material | Characteristics of This Material | Example of Mattress Topper Made From This Material | Price |
| Latex | Latex is relatively firm and may not be suitable for side sleepers. It may make hip pain worse when sleeping on your side, but it’s ideal for stomach sleepers. | Link to Amazon | From $249.00 |
| Memory foam | Memory foam is soft and ideal for side sleepers. It can help relieve hip pain and contours perfectly to the body. | Link to Amazon | From $39.99 |
| Wool | Wool is soft and perfect for side sleepers. It helps hip pain but may not be helpful for back pain. | Link to Amazon | From $279.00 |
| Cotton | Cotton is thin but soft, so it can be beneficial for side sleepers. It helps hip pain but may not provide reliable back support. | Link to Amazon | From $69.90 |
| Polyester | Polyester is neither too soft nor too firm. It can help mild hip pain, but it may not be soft enough to help severe hip pain. | Link to Amazon | From $69.90 |
Thickness
Choosing the right mattress topper thickness is also important in order to ensure that your hip pain doesn’t get worse. Generally, it’s a good idea to determine the intensity of your hip pain before deciding how thick you want your mattress topper to be. If your pain is mild, you can go with a thin but soft mattress topper that is 1-2 inches thick. If you suffer from severe hip pain, select a thick mattress topper or one with an extra-thick comfort layer. If your pain is somewhere in the middle, go with a topper that is 3 or 4 inches thick.
For a summary of the different levels of mattress topper thickness, see the table below.
| Mattress Topper Thickness | Benefit of This Thickness | Example of Mattress Topper with This Thickness | Price |
| 1-2 inches | Thin and helpful for mild hip pain. | Link to Amazon | From $42.99 |
| 3 inches | Medium thickness and helpful for moderate hip pain. | Link to Amazon | From $62.99 |
| 4 inches | Thick and helpful for moderate to severe hip pain. | Link to Amazon | From $159.99 |
| 5+ inches | Extra thick and helpful for severe hip pain. | Link to Amazon | From $69.90 |
Firmness and Density
Last but not least, a mattress topper’s firmness and density should also be considered when choosing a topper to help with hip pain. The material that a topper is made from typically influences these characteristics.
Soft- and medium-density mattress toppers are ideal for hip pain, but you will still need to consider the intensity of your pain when choosing a topper. If you suffer from severe hip pain, you should go with a soft or even an extra-soft mattress topper. If your pain is mild to moderate, you can use a topper with medium firmness.
Generally, latex mattress toppers are relatively firm compared to others, meaning that they will not be very helpful for hip pain. The reason for this is that the firmness of the topper can make it even more painful to change positions during the night.
For a summary of the different levels of mattress topper firmness and density, see the table below.
| Mattress Topper Firmness | Benefits of This Firmness | Example of Mattress Topper with This Firmness | Price |
| Soft | Can help moderate to severe hip pain while providing support for the entire body. | Link to Amazon | From $69.99 |
| Medium | Can help mild to moderate hip pain while providing support for your back. | Link to Amazon | From $119.95 |
| Firm | Not helpful for hip pain. | ||
| Extra-firm | Not helpful for hip pain. |
Can a Mattress Topper That Reduces Hip Pain Also Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A mattress topper that reduces hip pain cannot help with rheumatoid arthritis since rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the membranes surrounding your joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can have a significant impact on an individual’s joints and cause a wide range of symptoms linked with the eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and blood vessels (for more information about rheumatoid arthritis, see this article from Healthline). While using a soft mattress topper can help with pressure relief and help you feel more comfortable while sleeping, a mattress topper won’t make much of a difference for rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Will a Pillow Mattress Topper Help Hip Pain?
Pillow mattress toppers can provide great support for your body, even if you suffer from severe hip pain. Image from Amazon.Pillow mattress toppers consist of a regular topper with an additional layer of padding. This pillow-like layer can be made from a wide variety of materials, including latex, memory foam, cotton, wool, and down.
A pillow mattress topper will help hip pain because the extra layer of cushioning will provide extra comfort and support while you sleep.
The construction of pillow mattress toppers is what makes them so helpful for hip pain. However, they are also great for supporting your spine in almost any sleeping position. The soft upper layer of a pillow mattress topper allows you to sink into the topper while the bottom layer remains sturdy and provides reliable support for your entire body.