Quick answer: An adjustable bed lets you raise the
head and foot sections independently, so you can find a “zero gravity”
position that takes pressure off the lumbar spine and evenly distributes
your body weight. Physiotherapists commonly recommend this position for
chronic lower back pain, sciatica, and poor circulation. It isn’t a
cure, but for most people it meaningfully reduces the pressure and
muscle strain that builds up overnight on a flat mattress.
Around 80% of Australians will experience low back pain at some point
in their life, and it peaks between the ages of 35 and 55 (healthdirect).
If you’re one of the many people who wake up stiff, sore, or reaching
for painkillers before you’ve even had breakfast, the position you sleep
in matters — and a flat mattress isn’t always doing you any favours.
This guide breaks down what a zero gravity adjustable bed actually
is, what it can and can’t do for back pain, and how to choose the right
model.
What Is a Zero Gravity
Adjustable Bed?
An electric adjustable bed is a motorised bed base that lets you
raise and lower the head and foot sections independently, usually with a
wired handset or wireless remote. Instead of lying flat, you can angle
your upper body up and your knees slightly bent — the “zero gravity”
position, a term borrowed from the neutral body posture astronauts adopt
during launch, where weight is distributed evenly across the body rather
than concentrated on the lower back.
In practical terms, zero gravity mode:
- Slightly elevates your head and torso
- Raises your knees and legs above heart level
- Removes the strain that a flat lying position puts on your lumbar
spine and hip flexors
Why It Helps With Back Pain
When you lie completely flat, your lower back has to bridge the gap
between your shoulders and hips unsupported, which can compress spinal
discs and strain the muscles around your lumbar spine overnight.
Elevating the knees slightly (as zero gravity mode does) relaxes the hip
flexors and reduces that pull on the lower back, while a mild elevation
of the torso takes pressure off the discs.
This is also why adjustable beds are widely used for:
- Sciatica — reducing pressure on the compressed
nerve that runs from the lower back through the hips and legs - Poor circulation and swollen legs — elevating the
legs above heart level helps fluid drain rather than pool in the lower
limbs - Acid reflux — sleeping with the torso slightly
raised stops stomach acid travelling back up the oesophagus - Snoring and sleep apnoea — an elevated head
position keeps the airway more open - Post-surgical recovery — being able to sit up or
find a supported position without getting out of bed
What an Adjustable Bed Won’t
Do
It’s worth being upfront: an adjustable bed changes the
position you sleep in, not the underlying cause of your pain.
If your back pain is from a herniated disc, arthritis, or an injury, you
should still see a GP or physiotherapist for proper diagnosis and
treatment. Healthdirect recommends seeing a doctor if pain persists
beyond a few weeks, gets worse, or comes with numbness, tingling, or
bladder/bowel changes (healthdirect).
Think of an adjustable bed as a tool that removes one of the daily
aggravating factors — the seven or eight hours you spend lying flat —
rather than a treatment in itself.
Choosing the
Right Adjustable Bed for Back Pain
Not every adjustable bed is built the same. Here’s what actually
matters if back or neck pain is your main concern:
| Feature | Why it matters for back pain |
|---|---|
| True zero gravity preset | A one-touch preset (not just manual head/foot lift) makes it easy to find the same supportive position every night |
| Independent head and foot adjustment | Lets you fine-tune the angle rather than accepting one fixed recline |
| Massage function | Useful for muscle tension and stiffness, not just recovery — look for timed, multi-zone massage |
| Split King / dual adjustment | If you share a bed, each side can be set independently so one partner’s ideal angle doesn’t disturb the other |
| Mattress compatibility | The base needs a mattress designed to flex with it (most memory foam and pocket spring mattresses built for adjustable bases will do this — check before buying a base and mattress separately) |
| Hi-Lo height adjustment | Important for anyone who needs an easier, safer transfer in and out of bed, including many NDIS participants |
At The Back and Neck Bed Shop, our most requested
model for back and neck pain is the Advanced
4000 Series with Zero Gravity — it’s the one our own team and the
physios we work with point to most often for chronic lower back and neck
pain, because the zero gravity preset genuinely decompresses the lumbar
spine rather than just reclining the head. For couples, our Split King
models let each person set their own angle independently, so nobody has
to compromise.
We stock electric adjustable beds from MLILY, Dream Motion, Multiway,
Smart-flex and iFlex, in Double, Queen, King and Split sizes, and
several models are NDIS-approved — as a registered NDIS supplier, we can
help you through the funding process if that applies to you.
How to Try Before You Buy
A bed base is a big investment, and how it feels genuinely varies
person to person. If you’re in Perth, come test the full range —
including the zero gravity preset — in our showroom, or call our bedding
specialists on 1300 349 771 for a recommendation based
on where your pain is and how you sleep. We deliver Australia-wide from
our WA base, so if you can’t make it in, we can still talk you through
the right choice over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an
adjustable bed actually help back pain?
For many people, yes. Elevating the knees and torso slightly (the
zero gravity position) reduces pressure on the lumbar spine and relaxes
the hip flexors, which is why physiotherapists often recommend
adjustable beds for chronic lower back pain and sciatica. It addresses
the position you sleep in rather than the underlying medical
cause, so it works best alongside — not instead of — proper treatment
for ongoing pain.
What angle is
“zero gravity” on an adjustable bed?
There’s no single universal angle — it depends on the bed model and
your body — but zero gravity mode typically raises the torso around
15–30 degrees and the knees slightly higher than the hips, distributing
weight evenly rather than concentrating it on the lower back. Most
adjustable beds with a zero gravity preset find this position
automatically at the touch of one button.
Can I
use my existing mattress on an adjustable bed base?
Only if it’s designed to flex. Most modern memory foam, latex and
pocket spring mattresses built for adjustable bases will work, but very
old, thick innerspring mattresses often won’t bend properly and can be
damaged. Our team can tell you whether your current mattress is
compatible, or recommend a base-and-mattress package.
Are adjustable beds covered
by NDIS?
Several adjustable bed models are NDIS-approved, particularly Hi-Lo
models with height adjustment that make transfers safer. The Back and
Neck Bed Shop is a registered NDIS supplier and can help guide you
through the funding process — call us on 1300 349 771 to discuss your
plan.
How much
does a good adjustable bed cost in Australia?
Prices vary widely based on size, massage functionality and mattress
included, generally ranging from around $2,500 for an entry model up to
$7,000+ for a premium Split King with massage and zero gravity presets.
It’s worth trying a few in person, since the “right” bed depends heavily
on your body weight, sleep position and specific pain points.
Explore our full range of electric
adjustable beds, or read our guides on choosing the best
mattress for back pain and adjustable bed vs mattress
topper: what actually fixes a bad back.