Is A Waterbed Good For Your Back? Pros, Cons & A Summary of Medical Literature

Believe it or not, waterbeds were invented for the medical field. The first waterbed was invented in 1833 by a physician named Neil Arnott to help patients who had developed bedsores. It was successful because of its ability to relieve pressure on the body. So, if you’re wondering “is a waterbed good for your back?” then the answer is a resounding ‘yes’ for certain types of patients.

Waterbeds are good for the back and can help with muscle tension, pressure points, pressure sores, and back pain. 

We recommend the Saatva mattress (#1 in 2023 and way better than a waterbed for your back)

Later on, waterbeds became more popular in hospitals to help patients whose pain prevented them from sleeping on regular beds. Waterbeds then started to gain popularity and were used as alternatives to regular beds for long-term use.

Despite the medical benefits as explained in this article by the North Tampa Spine Center, many people view sleeping on a waterbed as a luxurious way to sleep, ignoring the medical literature written on the health benefits of sleeping on waterbeds. 

If you are wondering why you should choose a water bed, check out this article from The Waterbed Doctor, a waterbed retailer.

Can A Waterbed Create Back Pain?

Although waterbeds were invented to relieve pain in patients, some types of waterbeds can actually cause back pain. Waterbeds were not designed to be supportive beds. They can relieve certain types of pain and muscle tension, but when it comes to spine alignment, they can lead to problems.  

A waterbed can cause back pain. Some types of waterbeds provide poor support for the spin and can put pressure on the lumbar region, which leads to back pain.

According to this article by Dr. Stefano Sinicropl, a study showed that fifteen percent of people with back pain found relief from sleeping on a waterbed, nine percent found that sleeping on a waterbed increased their back pain. 

Why does this happen? Waterbeds offer a soft sleeping surface that causes the body to sink into the mattress. Sinking too low into the bed increases muscle tension and creates pressure on certain areas, causing pain. 

But it can be hard to determine why some patients find sleeping on hard mattresses like these comfortable while others find sleeping on softer ones like these water mattresses more comfortable. That’s why it’s a good idea to purchase a mattress that has a trial period so that you can try it first to see if it is suitable for your needs. 

If you are experiencing back pain from a water bed, talk to your doctor about using an orthopedic mattress like this instead. If you need help choosing the best orthopedic mattress, check out our guide.

Waterbeds can lead to spine misalignment and result in back pain in some cases. Image source: stlbeds.com.

Are Waterbeds Good For Arthritis?

Arthritis causes inflammation of joints, which requires the patient to sleep on a mattress that reduces pressure on your joints and a waterbed can be suitable. 

Waterbeds can help reduce pain caused by arthritis by helping to relax joints and reduce pressure on the joints.

According to this article by Akva Waterbeds, a waterbed manufacturer, waterbeds have the ability to alleviate joint pain caused by arthritis. The heating option of waterbeds and the soft sleeping surface helps the muscles and joints to relax and provides pain relief. The water also helps with weight distribution, which reduces pressure on your joints.

Waterbeds keep the body supported and in a natural position to reduce pressure build-up in various areas of the body. Image source: The Waterbed Doctor.

Are Waterbeds Good For Side Sleepers?

The term “pressure points” refers to the points of your body that you press into your mattress. For side sleepers, pressure points are in the hip and shoulder. If your mattress doesn’t provide pressure relief to reduce pressure points, it will result in hip and shoulder pain. 

Waterbeds conform to the shape of a resting body and can be good for side sleepers because of the amount of pressure relief they provide. Monitor water levels to maintain support and spinal alignment. 

Waterbeds are one of the best mattresses for pressure relief because they conform to the shape of the sleeper’s body provided they are firm enough. When the body is well supported, the spine takes its natural position starting from the neck to the bottom of the spine, and pressure is reduced while sleeping. 

Waterbeds relieve pressure on the joints which ultimately relieves pain by keeping the spine aligned. Image source: insidebedroom.com.

Waterbed Pros And Cons 

Like any type of mattress, water mattresses have their pros and cons, especially when it comes to how they affect back pain. Below is a list of the pros and cons of waterbeds and back pain. 

Pros of waterbeds include the soothing heat that allows muscles and joints to relax, they conform to the body’s shape, they maintain a natural sleeping position and the wave action has a massaging effect. Cons of waterbeds include the lack of optimum support causing the body to sink too low into the mattress, pain relief may be temporary, and lack of motion control means that the bed moves too much. 

Advantages of Using a Waterbed

1. The Soothing Heat Option Allows the Sleeper’s Muscles and Joints to Relax

One of the best advantages of sleeping on a waterbed is the heating option it offers. Water beds with a heater provide warmth to the whole bed and help the sleeper’s muscles and joints to relax. 

The warmth of the bed helps to soothe your pain and provides relief even if it doesn’t cure the source of the pain. It provides comfort and allows the sleeper to relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep. 

A waterbed with a heater like this one may be a good option for you if you have decided to go ahead and buy one. It may also be a good idea to check out our detailed guide on waterbed costs.

2. They Conform to Your Body’s Shape and Keep You in a Natural Sleeping Position

Another great thing about waterbeds is their ability to contour to the shape of your body. This allows you to stay in a natural sleeping position which reduces the build-up of pressure in various areas of the body. 

If you are a side or back sleeper, pressure is reduced and the usual pain that results from this build-up of pressure is prevented. The spine is kept aligned which reduces back pain. Muscle strain and stress are reduced, and your overall sleeping experience becomes more comfortable. 

3. The Wave Option Creates A Massage

Some waterbeds have a wave setting which causes the water inside the mattress to create waves that massage your body. This setting helps your muscles and joints to relax and provides pain relief. A waterbed also offers a comfortable and relaxing sleep surface by creating a buoyant feeling similar to floating. 

You may also be interested in reading our tips for waterbed maintenance and care to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your waterbed.

Disadvantages of Using a Waterbed

1. Lack of Optimum Support Causes the Bed to Sink Too Low

Although waterbeds can contour to the shape of your body and are great at weight distribution, they offer little when it comes to body support. Water does not provide the same kind of support as coils or sturdy foam in regular mattresses. The lack of support causes the body to sink too low into the mattress which increases pressure on the back and spine for back sleepers, and on the hip and neck for side sleepers. 

This also causes spinal misalignment as the spine cannot remain in its natural position. Ultimately, lack of support will lead to back pain, muscle strain, and an increase in the build-up of pressure points that end up being painful after a long night’s sleep. This article by The Joint Chiropractic is a study that shows that many patients have reported that their back pain was aggravated by sleeping on a waterbed. 

If you do need extra back support, this waterbed offers additional lumbar support.

2. Temporary Relief of Pain Doesn’t Cure the Real Problem

Another drawback of waterbeds is that they only provide temporary relief. For example, the heating option allows the sleeper to sleep comfortably without pain. However, this is not because it has cured your problem, but rather that it has only soothed the pain while sleeping. 

Not taking care of the actual problem can lead to more health issues in the future. If you have been sleeping on a waterbed and feel that it is time to change it for another type of bed, read our article on waterbed removal services to find the best way of disposing of your waterbed.

3. Lack of Motion Control 

One of the most annoying drawbacks of waterbeds is their lack of motion control. While sharing the bed with another person, moving while in bed can create waves that will cause the bed to move when you don’t want it to. Make sure when choosing a waterbed that it has motion control capabilities like this one to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. 

If you are having trouble finding a waterbed, it might be because they’re discontinued. Check out our related article to find out why manufacturers discontinued waterbeds to find out more information. Also, if you do find a waterbed to buy, but you’re worried that it’s too expensive, check out our article comparing air beds and water beds.

You might also be interested in learning if you can use a waterbed on the second floor. Be sure to check out our related article for our opinion! Additionally, if you don’t already, you should learn more about waterbed liability insurance. Our related article will tell you everything you need to know and more.

How To Find The Best Waterbed For Back Problems

To find the best waterbed for back problems, consider the material of the mattress, the way the mattress is constructed, the type of mattress, and the type of mattress – whether it is a semi-wave, full-wave, or wave-free mattress. 

Material 

The material of the bed is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the waterbed. The material will determine whether the waterbed will have most of the cons listed above or not. For instance, the material of the mattress controls the motion of water in the bed. The material of the waterbed can also control the degree of support it provides. 

Waterbeds are usually made of soft polyvinyl chloride PVC. In the past, waterbeds were merely vinyl bags filled with water. Nowadays, waterbeds are made from any of the following materials: layers of fiber, foam, coils, or baffles. Baffles are chambers constructed inside the mattress to reduce motion. These materials are used inside the vinyl bag to create support. Each of these materials can be used independently or they can be combined inside the bed. 

Polyurethane foam is a more common material for waterbeds and it offers the best motion control. However, it is not the most durable material for waterbeds. 

Fiber layers are common in waterbeds because they are the most durable and are great for motion control and support. 

Construction

With regards to construction, water beds can be divided into hard-sided and soft-sided. Hard-sided waterbeds are the original form of early waterbeds. It was a vinyl bag filled with water supported by a rectangular wooden frame. This type of waterbed has little motion control and isn’t often used. 

If you were wondering how a waterbed can be moved check out our instructions on how to drain a waterbed. 

However, soft-sided modern waterbeds make a great choice for comfort, motion control, and support. A soft-sided waterbed is a mattress that contains water surrounded by a sturdy rectangular foam frame that is used on a platform like a regular bed.  

Type

Waterbeds can be divided into three categories: full-wave, semi-wave, and free-wave waterbeds. 

A full-wave waterbed does not consist of baffles. Instead, it contains only water inside the bed. It’s not the best choice when it comes to motion control and support. 

A semi-wave waterbed-like this contains either fibers or baffles or a combination of both, which provides better support and helps to control motion. This is a great option for better quality of sleep. 

A waveless waterbed contains more layers of fibers or baffles to provide better motion control and more support. Both semi-wave and waveless waterbeds are great types to consider when choosing a waterbed.

And if you want some extra support for your back, check out our article on how to choose a mattress topper for back pain support.