If you do not want to read the entire text - which we recommend - you can jump directly to the desired topic by clicking on the following points:
- Does a waterbed help with back pain?
- Can waterbeds really relieve back pain?
- How quickly will I feel a difference after buying a waterbed?
- What needs to be considered for back pain?
- Why is a waterbed so good for our spine?
- Muscle relaxation thanks to soothing warmth
- Waterbed or normal mattress - what other differences are there?
- How do you choose the right sedation level?
- Is the mattress the main cause of back pain?
- How can the water filling quantity affect lying comfort?
- How can the amount of water in the waterbed change?
- Can stomach sleepers sleep in a waterbed?
- Are gel beds better for back pain than waterbeds?
- Is a waterbed suitable for a slipped disc?
- How often do waterbeds need to be vented?
- Is an airbed just as suitable for back pain as a waterbed?
- Achieving the perfect waterbed for back pain
Does a waterbed help with back pain?
We at bellvita are passionate waterbed sleepers and are therefore confident that a waterbed is the right choice for any type of back pain. However, there are a few important things to consider!
What does weightless sleeping mean, and why should it be good against back pain? To answer this question, we have compiled our own experiences and those of our customers below. One thing up front: most of our customers no longer have back pain after deciding on a waterbed.
Can waterbeds actually relieve back pain?
In a waterbed, you feel no pressure points and can move freely while you sleep. Especially at the beginning, you have to find the "right technique" for turning over. But don’t worry — you'll quickly get the hang of it. Thanks to the pressure relief provided by a waterbed, you turn less frequently in your sleep than you would on a conventional mattress. After just a few nights, most waterbed users notice a release of tension in hardened muscles and fascia, and thus a relief of back pain and discomfort.
How quickly will I notice a difference after buying a waterbed?
If you switch from a "regular" mattress to a waterbed, you need to be patient — especially if you've been sleeping on a conventional mattress for years. Back pain eases gradually, and your body needs time to adjust to the new mattress. This adjustment period is crucial for long-term restful sleep. Long-standing back pain won’t disappear overnight — even with a waterbed.
What should be considered for back pain?
The correct water fill level is crucial for restful and pressure-relieving sleep in a waterbed. Your back should be gently supported — not overly supported, but also not sagging. You should not be lying on a "water hill" — a clear sign of too much water in the bed — and you should also not be sagging in the waterbed, which would indicate too little water.
In either case, your sleep will be affected. That’s why it’s important to adjust the water fill level to your specific needs. You should sink in evenly and lie straight. With the right amount of water, the bed optimally supports the natural S-shape of your spine.
The good thing about a waterbed: if you gain weight, you reduce the fill level; if you lose weight, you add more water. Usually, just a few liters of water make a noticeable difference.
Why is a waterbed so good for our spine?
With any mattress, it's ultimately about how well it adapts to pressure points. Thanks to the unique properties of water, the adaptability of a bellvita waterbed is unmatched. The spine and muscles are evenly supported, and pressure on the body is significantly reduced.
The pressure on a bellvita waterbed is much lower compared to a conventional mattress — at bellvita we call this “weightless sleeping.” It leads to faster and deeper relaxation, better regeneration, and extended deep sleep phases.
Muscle relaxation thanks to soothing warmth
An additional advantage of a waterbed is the ability to heat it. Our bellvita waterbeds can be heated from 25 °C to 36 °C. That makes the waterbed pleasantly cool in summer and comfortably warm in winter — and it also delivers constant warmth to your muscles at night, which significantly aids in muscle relaxation. This gentle heat gradually relaxes your back — even deep into the tissues — and supports both regeneration and long-term relaxation.
The temperature of the included heating system should not fall below 25 °C. This would not only be bad for your back, but the waterbed may also begin to “sweat” at lower temperatures. The resulting condensation could lead to mildew stains. Turning off the heater while you're on vacation isn't worthwhile from an energy-saving perspective either, since the waterbed only loses about 1 °C of heat over 24 hours, depending on the room temperature.
Waterbed or regular mattress – what other differences are there?
Unlike traditional mattresses, the lying properties of a bellvita water mattress don’t change over the years. The water you lie on retains its shape indefinitely. Only the fill level needs to be adjusted from time to time.
A conventional mattress should already be replaced after a few years for hygiene reasons alone. On our waterbeds, you’ll sleep just as comfortably and fresh as on the first night — even after years.
How do you choose the right calming level?
The right calming level for you depends on your weight and your sleeping habits. If you've previously slept on a very firm mattress, you'll probably do best with a higher level of wave stabilization. Keep in mind that your body will need time to adjust to a waterbed. Most first-time waterbed users tend to choose higher stabilization levels at the beginning, but sometimes regret not opting for slightly less stabilization after the adjustment period.
Is the mattress the main cause of back pain?
Weightless sleep on a waterbed relieves pressure on your back — only in a waterbed will you experience virtually no pressure points, as the water adapts to your body in nearly every position.
However, a conventional mattress cannot be solely blamed for back pain!
Very often, poor posture over extended periods — especially in sitting positions — and muscle tension are the root causes of back pain. This typically affects the neck and back muscles most severely. A lack of physical activity further intensifies the problem. Immediately heading to the gym to lift weights is certainly not the right solution either.
Sleep deprivation, often chronic due to existing back problems, can further worsen back pain. Your body is no longer able to regenerate during the night. Deep sleep phases become shorter, and you wake up feeling like you’ve been “run over” — with aching muscles and insufficient rest. You may suffer from fatigue and exhaustion.
Our recommendation for back pain: combine regular exercise, physical balance, and healthy, restorative sleep – ideally in a bellvita waterbed.
How can the water fill level affect comfort?
In a waterbed, you sleep weightlessly. The water adjusts perfectly to your body — if it’s properly set up. More or less water in the bed significantly affects comfort. Especially new waterbed users often begin experimenting with the fill level — and that’s a good thing!
If the water level is too low, you’ll feel like you're sagging. If it’s too high, you’ll feel like you're lying on a hill. Both situations reduce comfort. You should lie flat and sink evenly into the bed.
Thanks to the extensive experience of our bellvita installers, we aim to get the water level right during setup. We don’t rely on weight charts or rules of thumb — we listen to your feedback and adjust it for your optimal comfort. Our installers are there to advise, not to dictate. That’s why, in most cases, you’ll continue adjusting the water level based on your personal preferences after the initial fill.
How can the water fill level change in the waterbed?
In the first few weeks, the internal fleece layers inside the water core absorb water completely over time. This "water loss" should be compensated after about two weeks by adding roughly two to five liters of water to restore optimal comfort.
If the comfort of your waterbed changes over time, it’s usually due to the water fill level. Weight gain or loss of the sleeper can also affect comfort, since the water quantity is no longer correctly matched to the body weight.
This is not a disadvantage, but rather an advantage that hardly any standard mattress can offer: perfect individual adjustment to your needs.
Even in a waterbed, water evaporates. The amount depends on the temperature setting, for example. Usually, only a very small amount of water evaporates per year, and this loss is compensated by regularly adding conditioner. Still, in some cases, evaporation can amount to as much as 10 liters per year. You can easily compensate for this loss to maintain comfort.
If you get stuck or need help, we’ll be happy to assist you. As one of the largest waterbed manufacturers in Switzerland, we always offer competent, flexible, and customer-friendly support. It’s worth it! We even offer free in-home visits within six months of purchase — if your location fits within our tour plan — to help you re-adjust your water fill level if needed.
Can stomach sleepers use a waterbed?
To keep it short: absolutely — and not just for stomach sleepers, but for any sleeping position. That’s why it’s important to determine the correct water fill level with our installers while you're in your preferred sleeping position during setup!
What good is it if you lie on your back for the test, but usually sleep on your stomach or side?
By the way, most people wake up in the exact same position they fell asleep in when sleeping on a waterbed. You turn much less than you would on a traditional, usually firmer mattress. If the waterbed is properly adjusted, you’ll experience significantly longer deep sleep phases.
Myth: Waterbeds are bad for stomach sleepers
Some mattress consultants and even waterbed dealers advise stomach sleepers against using a waterbed. The argument is often that the bed gives way in the abdominal area, causing a hollow back which can lead to tension. At bellvita, we consider this a misguided recommendation! If that were true, then overweight back sleepers would also end up with their legs elevated and lying in a hollow back — which they don’t. In fact, waterbeds are particularly well-suited for heavier individuals, since they don’t press their weight into a hard mattress that can cause tension and shorter deep sleep phases. In a waterbed, you sleep almost weightlessly, with no excessive pressure points.
Are gel beds better for back pain than waterbeds?
Most of the benefits of a waterbed also apply to a gel bed. The bellvita gel bed is an alternative to the waterbed that allows for adjustable calming levels even after setup. In general, any “free flow” waterbed — that is, one without built-in wave stabilizers — can be converted into a gel bed. To do this, a special granulate is added to the water core. This forms a gel-like substance, which can be adjusted in firmness — harder or softer — depending on how much granulate is used. Our bellvita installers add exactly the amount you request to achieve your preferred firmness.
The advantage is that the calming level of the gel bed can be adjusted at any time, even afterward. Using a saline solution, the gel mattress can be returned to a more fluid state. This means the viscosity of the bellvita gel mattress can be adjusted again and again, even years later — including after significant weight gain or loss. However, for experienced waterbed users, the firmness of a gel mattress is often too high. The feeling of “floating sleep” is somewhat diminished due to the inertia and firmness of the gel material.
Gel beds and waterbeds – gentle on the spine
Whether gel or water, a good mattress adapts to your spine while still providing sufficient support — without pressure points or excessive force. This significantly helps prevent back issues. Your back will thank you, even after many years, because water as a medium never changes its shape. While a conventional mattress may still look fine or be flipped regularly, it still wears out over time. You sag into it and suffer from back pain, disc discomfort, lower back pain, or even pain in the hip or neck area.
Waterbeds and pillows – shoulder pain
In a well-adjusted waterbed, your shoulders sink in evenly, and the cervical spine remains aligned. But be careful — if you use a pillow that’s too thick or high, the effect may be negated. That’s why most users sleep with small, thin pillows or none at all. Sore shoulders are generally a thing of the past in a waterbed. A mattress that’s too hard can push your shoulders into an unnatural and uncomfortable position, while a waterbed adjusts to your shoulder contours. A waterbed that's well adjusted in terms of water level and your sleep position relieves pressure on your body, your spine, and especially your intervertebral discs. On a mattress that's too firm, these discs can’t be properly supplied with blood.
Is a waterbed suitable for a herniated disc?
Yes, a waterbed is suitable for a herniated disc. We do recommend a high calming level to minimize wave movement. By the way, waterbeds are also highly beneficial for people suffering from rheumatism or osteoarthritis, due to their consistent and soothing warmth.
The well-known phrase “You made your bed, now lie in it” takes on new meaning in a waterbed — perfectly tailored and individually adjustable to your body.
How often do waterbeds need to be vented?
In the first few days after setup, a waterbed must be vented almost daily, as the stabilizing fleece inside the mattress core first needs to soak up water fully.
Some long-time waterbed users even find it relaxing when it occasionally gurgles — but that’s a matter of getting used to it. If there's too much air in the bed, your sleep posture can change and lead to back pain, even with the perfect fill level, because you'll be lying on air instead of water. Every time you refill — even just a little — the bed must be vented again! Over time, the need for venting decreases, but you’ll always have to do it from time to time, even after years.
If your partner mostly sleeps on your side despite a dual system, or if you have children or a pet in the bed, it affects the balance. A waterbed is highly sensitive due to its adjustability and won’t “forgive” a 30 kg shepherd dog or your children jumping in now and then. You have two options: adjust the fill level for everyone, or choose to sleep alone on your own side of the bed.
Is an air bed just as good as a waterbed for back pain?
A few years ago, we developed our own air bed called bellvita bellair, which was patented and registered as a brand. Unfortunately, due to its construction, it never gained market traction. We later realized the reason: air as a medium is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which led to sagging and back pain — even after perfect adjustment. Initially, we tried to counteract this with pressure sensors connected to a pump, and even with special heating systems to stabilize temperature. But ultimately, nothing worked. We couldn’t maintain comfort as consistently as with a waterbed. So we discontinued the bellair project after early testing, concluding that a waterbed is still the best mattress.
The perfect waterbed for back pain – tailored to your needs
As with any piece of furniture that you’ll use for many years, take your time when choosing your new bellvita waterbed — especially the calming level. Try out different options in one of our bellvita outlets and showrooms , and let our bellvita experts provide you with individual, one-on-one advice. You can book an appointment here or call our hotline for assistance. As you already know, your waterbed needs to be properly adjusted for your back pain to truly disappear. We always have several beds with different fill levels and calming stages set up for you. We can simulate different water levels on-site and — if necessary — make adjustments based on your feedback. Feel free to contact us for advice! And don’t forget to check out our bellvita online shop — your ideal waterbed solution may be just a click away!