Both designs allow two sleepers to adjust their sides independently on an adjustable base. The difference is how much of the mattress is physically separated.

Fully-Split King:

• Two completely separate mattress halves, head to foot

• Maximum independent adjustability on both sides

• Visible/subtly-feelable center seam runs the full length of the mattress

• Sides can shift apart slightly without proper side supports (included with BackFlex3™ Adjustable Base)

Split-Top® King:

• Only the head portion is split; the foot portion remains one connected piece

• Partners stay on one unified mattress, no full-length seam, no separation

• Independent head adjustment per side (ideal for one partner reading/watching TV while the other lies flat)

• Significant independent foot adjustability is still possible without disturbing a partner, though less than a fully-split king

• Best choice for couples who want adjustability without feeling like they're on separate mattresses

Still unsure which is right for you? Call (800) 667-1969 to speak with a Back Science sleep expert.

Traditional spring mattresses use fiber-filled top layers for comfort and pressure relief. Fiber limits contouring and compresses and mats down over time, reducing support.

Back Science hybrid construction vs. traditional spring:

• Surface: Euro-Stretch bamboo cover + Posture-Flex™ Hypergel comfort layers, no fiber fill, no matting

• Support core: 1,000+ individually wrapped U.S. steel coils (king size) vs. traditional interconnected or open coil systems

• Zoning: Lumbar-Flex™ double lumbar support zone provides targeted spinal support not present in traditional designs

• Durability: No fiber to mat down, backed by a 30-year limited warranty with a 0.75" sag threshold (twice as strong as the 1.5" industry standard)

Key differentiator: The elimination of fiber fill is what enables Back Science's 30-year warranty. The mattress maintains its structural integrity and contouring over time in a way fiber-topped traditional spring mattresses cannot.

Back Science mattresses are hypoallergenic and Greenguard® Gold certified for lowest VOC emissions, addressing both physical allergen accumulation and chemical emissions through distinct, independently verified mechanisms.

Dust mite and allergen resistance:
Traditional quilted, fiber-tufted surfaces create hospitable environments for dust mites — loose fiber traps particulate and provides nesting substrate. Back Science eliminates fiber fill entirely:

• Euro-Stretch bamboo viscose cover with polyester inlay — tightly woven, low-harbor surface

• High-density Posture-Flex™ Hypergel comfort layers — fewer voids for mite colonization vs. fiber

• 1,000+ individually wrapped U.S. steel coils — no organic fiber substrate in the support core

Chemical sensitivities — certifications:

• CertiPUR-US® Certified (BioGreen® foam, USA-manufactured): Tested for the low VOC off-gassing; free from ozone depleters, flame retardants classified as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins (GHS 1A/1B), mercury, lead, and regulated phthalates

• Greenguard Gold Certified (UL Laboratories): More than twice the strict requirements of CertiPUR-US standards. Certified lowest VOC emissions mean less than typical ambient air levels in most environments. Greenguard Gold is the certification standard used for schools and children’s safety.

Key differentiator: Fiber-free construction handles physical allergen resistance. CertiPUR-US + Greenguard Gold independently verify chemical emissions at a level stricter than any other mattress certification on the market.

Back Science mattresses are hand-made to order at the Southern California manufacturing facility. Each mattress ships immediately upon completion.

Typical timeline:

• Production: Average ~2 weeks from order date

• Shipping: 1–5 business days depending on delivery zone

For time-sensitive delivery, contact Back Science directly. Specific delivery windows and rush timelines can often be accommodated:

• Phone: (800) 667-1969

• Email: support@backscience.com

Key differentiator: The production window reflects domestic, made-to-order manufacturing, not mass-produced, pre-built overseas inventory warehoused in shipping containers. The same construction standard that supports the 30-year warranty.

Back Science can accommodate split-firmness configurations two ways: built to order before shipping, or adjusted at home after delivery, both at no charge within the 365-night sleep trial window. One-piece mattresses can also be easily customized for separate firmnesses on each side, no split or dual-mattress format is required.

Built-to-order split firmness:
Before shipment, Back Science can custom-configure each side of the mattress with different comfort and/or support layers. Contact before ordering to specify firmness preferences per side:

• Phone: (800) 667-1969

• Email: support@backscience.com

Post-delivery adjustment using the GripLock™ Modular Cover System:
Every Back Science mattress uses the GripLock™ Modular Cover System: a Euro-Stretch bamboo cover with a side-access zipper that holds layers in place without adhesives or bonding, making them quickly and easily swappable at home. Back Science ships a replacement split-comfort layer configured to each partner's firmness preference at no cost.

365-night trial:
Comfort or firmness adjustments, exchanges, and customizations, including split-firmness reconfigurations, are available free of charge for the full 365-night trial period.

The Back Science mattress was designed and crafted by Dr. Rick Swartzburg, a Chiropractor who was frustrated by the lack of proper spinal support from mattress brands that claimed that their mattresses would help your back pain, but had no objective scientific testing to back their claims.  Back Science is the first mattress to do real scientific alignment measurements in the design and development their mattresses and thanks to their patented pending Lumbar-Flex zoning, they are able to see real scientific data to show that they can actually improve spinal alignment, making it the first mattress designed specifically for back pain sufferers and those that are looking to maintain a healthy spine.

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Back Science mattresses tend to be on the firmer side, with a supportive lift and a more plush surface for contouring and pressure relief. Firmness alone does not equal back support, and proper spinal support requires both firmness and contouring. A mattress that is too hard cannot fill the natural curves of the body, creating pressure points and spinal misalignment over time.

Firmness by model:

• Series 1: Firm

• Series 2: Luxury Firm (On the softer side of firm with better pressure-relief)

• Series 3: Medium Plush

What makes all models supportive regardless of firmness:

• 1,000+ individually wrapped U.S. steel coils (king size)

• Posture-Flex™ Hypergel comfort layers

• Lumbar-Flex™ double lumbar support zone

Common mistake: Back pain sufferers frequently choose excessively hard mattresses, believing firmness equals support. This eliminates the contouring needed to fill the gaps in the body's curves, increases pressure points, and worsens spinal alignment; the opposite of the intended result.

Yes. Back Science has been hand-crafting mattresses for over 25 years using high-quality, USA-made materials, and backs that up with an industry-leading 30-year limited warranty.

What makes the warranty strong:

• Sag threshold: 0.75 inches (half the 1.5-inch industry standard)

• Duration: 30 years (3x the typical 10-year competitor warranty)

• Materials: USA-made, built for long-term structural support

Longevity vs. preference: Some customers choose to replace their mattress every 8–10 years by personal preference. Back Science mattresses are built to maintain proper spinal support well beyond that. The 30-year warranty is a structural guarantee, not a marketing claim.

For Back Science hybrid models, no. Back Science hybrid mattresses are never compressed, rolled, or shipped in a small box. They ship full-size via freight carrier in a box matching the mattress dimensions, because compression and roll-packing compromises coil integrity, edge support, and hypergel layers. Back Science prioritizes material quality over shipping convenience.

Back Science Essentials (all-foam):
The Essentials is the exception — containing no coils or materials that lose integrity under compression, it ships compressed and rolled via standard carrier. This makes it the most economically priced model in the lineup and a good option for those who prefer faster, UPS-style delivery.

Back Science hybrids vs. bed-in-a-box brands: Bed-in-a-box mattresses are engineered around compression shipping constraints, which limits coil count and material quality. Back Science hybrid construction is not subject to those constraints.

Not necessarily, and Back Science founder Dr. Rick Swartzburg has the data to back that up. Testing with hundreds of customers using the Mattress Checker app (a spinal alignment evaluation tool developed by Dr. Swartzburg) has shown that firmer mattresses do not reliably improve spinal alignment and in some cases make it worse.

Why firm doesn't always mean better support:

• For side sleepers, excessive firmness prevents the shoulders from sinking in, forcing the spine out of alignment

• Too-firm mattresses limit contouring, creating pressure points and leaving the body’s natural curves unsupported, resulting in poor spinal alignment

How Back Science addresses this across all models:
Back Science's patented support system includes Lumbar-Flex™ zoning specifically designed to prevent midsection hammocking (the collapse of the lumbar region) regardless of which firmness level you choose.

Bottom line: The correct mattress for back pain is not necessarily the firmest one — it's the one that keeps your specific spine in alignment. Call (800) 667-1969 to speak with a Back Science sleep expert about which model is right for you.

Back Science has a full customer service team available 7 days a week from its Southern California headquarters and manufacturing facility, not a call center or automated system.

Contact options:

• Phone: (800) 667-1969 (toll-free, 7 days a week)

• Email: support@backscience.com

Key differentiator: As opposed to many mattress companies with no physical location and little to no accessible customer support, Back Science operates from a physical Southern California headquarters and manufacturing facility with an in-house team of sleep experts. Phone and email support are staffed by our California headquarters team where the mattresses are designed and built.

Most mattress cooling technology is limited and temporary. Back Science uses a patented airflow cooling system developed by founder Dr. Rick Swartzburg that provides lasting cooling by physically moving heat out of the mattress.

The Back Science Patented Airflow Transfer System™:
Thousands of surface perforations connect to lateral channels running through the mattress core, creating millions of interconnected airflow pathways between the top surface and sides. This allows body heat to escape and cooler air to continuously circulate, with up to 100x more breathability than unventilated mattress materials.

Why many cooling technologies fall short:

• Gel infusions & cooling covers (PCM cooling): Absorb heat on contact but hit capacity quickly, re-emitting heat after a short time. Genuinely helpful for falling asleep, feeling cool-to-the-touch initially, or boosting other cooling technologies; not a lasting solution on its own.

• Copper-infused materials: Distribute heat more evenly across the mattress but provide no mechanism to remove it from the mattress.

• Ventilation holes without connected channels: Common alternative to Back Science's system. Without continuous pathways connecting surface to sides, holes either dead-end against flat foam layers or vent only the lower mattress core, below where body heat typically penetrates.

The key difference: Gel and copper technologies manage heat within the mattress. Back Science's Airflow Transfer System removes heat from the mattress entirely through continuous air circulation.

Yes! even though Back Science is designed with back pain sufferers in mind, its buoyant yet conforming Hypergel surface, as well as the Hybrid Series pocketed individually wrapped 1000 count coil technology with Quantam edge support, makes the Back Science mattresses extremely pressure relieving and ultimately comfortable for all types of sleepers, including those with and without back pain.  

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Actually, Back Science gives the buoyant support of a traditional spring mattress, but it provides more of an even contouring of the bumps and curves of your body that would have in the past only been seen with a memory foam mattress, in order to also provide the pressure relief for all of your muscles and joints.  Traditional mattresses use fiber filling on the top which can be good for pressure relief, but fiber will matt-down over time and it will never contour as well as the smooth and flat Euro-Stretch style cover used with Back Science.  While memory foam mattresses often use that Euro-Stretch type cover that avoids the matting-down of the fiber over time, memory foam can cause too much sinking down into the mattress and therefore, a potential loss of back support.  With its Euro-Stretch type cover, Back Science at first glance will look more like a memory foam mattress, but that is where the similarity stops. Whether you choose one of our Back Science Hybrid mattresses, that include over a thousand count (in king size), individually wrapped U.S. steel coils, or our all foam editions, such as the Back Science™ Essentials, none of our mattresses will let you sink in like you do with memory foam and, instead they produce a much more buoyant support, while providing more pressure relief than a traditional fiber-filled top innerspring mattress can give.

Back Science uses 15-gauge coils in a 1,000+ count, small-diameter, individually wrapped configuration. After 25 years of testing, we've found that higher coil counts with smaller diameters and thinner gauges deliver the best contouring, support, and spinal alignment. Thicker gauges are too rigid to contour to the body's shape, and lower coil counts simply can't provide adequate support.

In order to avoid compromising the coils and edge support for the mattress, they are not able to be crushed flat and shipped compressed like a bed-in-a-box, so they are sent large freight via special carrier in a full-sized mattress box, and the same for the adjustable bases. Smaller items such as pillows are usually sent via ups if ordered alone and arrive within a few days. Larger items such as mattresses and bed foundations usually arrive about 1 to 5 days after they are shipped out from our facility, however, freight shipping times are just an estimate and cannot be guaranteed due to factors beyond our control such as changing weather conditions along the trucks' route. Mattresses are mostly made-to-order and take around 2 weeks for manufacturing unless they are in stock.

For full details on our shipping policy, view full policy/pages/shipping-policy.

Yes. White-glove in-home setup delivery is available for mattress orders with or without matching foundation for $199. This service includes carrying your mattress inside your home, up stairs if needed, and full setup of your mattress and matching foundation or adjustable base if needed.

Back Science wants your mattress to be a long-term solution, not a temporary one. The Back Science 365-Night Sleep Trial is risk-free and covers three escalating resolution options if the mattress isn't perfect for your needs:

1. Free customization (0–365 nights)
If the mattress feels too firm or too soft, Back Science will physically modify and customize it to your exact comfort needs at no cost, no need to ship your mattress. No landfill waste, the mattress is adjusted, not replaced.

2. Free exchange (0–365 nights)
Exchange for a different Back Science model or any of over 30 major brands carried in our headquarters store. No restocking fees, no shipping fees.

3. Full refund (0–120 nights)
Full refund of the mattress within the first 120 nights. No hidden or restocking fees. $199 shipping fee; fee waived for local Southern California customers.

Key differentiators vs. competitors:

• Customization/modification option (most competitors do not offer this)

• Exchange extends to competing brands

• Zero restocking fees, ever.

To learn more, view our Back Science Sleep Trial page.

Yes. The Back Science 30-Year Limited Hybrid Mattress Warranty covers sagging at 0.75 inches: half the 1.5-inch industry standard. That difference matters more than it sounds: many customers waiting to hit the 1.5-inch threshold replace their mattress out of pocket long before ever qualifying for a claim. At 0.75 inches, people often won't even feel the sag yet, meaning Back Science acts while the mattress is still salvageable, not after it's already failed.

What the warranty covers:

• Mattress dips and sagging over time

• Threshold: 0.75 inches (vs. 1.5 inch industry standard)

• Duration: 30 years

What helps the mattress hold up: The Lumbar-Flex™ double interlocking lumbar support zone is designed to resist sagging and maintain support throughout the mattress lifespan.

For full details, view the Back Science 30-Year Limited Warranty page.

Neither — Back Science is its own category. It delivers the buoyant, lifted support of a traditional innerspring mattress. The difference is that Back Science also contours precisely to the curves of your body and relieves pressure across muscles and joints — results that, until now, required accepting the tradeoffs of memory foam to achieve. Back Science gets you those results without using memory foam at all.

vs. Traditional innerspring: Traditional mattresses use fiber-filled tops for pressure relief, but fiber can’t contour as well and compresses and mats down over time, reducing comfort. Back Science uses a Euro-Stretch cover that eliminates fiber matting entirely.

vs. Memory foam: Memory foam uses a similar Euro-Stretch cover aesthetic, but allows excessive sinking that compromises spinal alignment and back support. Back Science’s Hypergel surface does not sink, it contours while maintaining buoyant, lifting support.

Back Science construction:

• Hybrid models: 1,000+ individually wrapped U.S. steel spring coils + hypergel comfort layers

• All-foam models: Back Science Essentials (hypergel + foam, no coils)

• All models: Euro-Stretch bamboo cover, no fiber fill

Net result: Back Science delivers contouring and pressure relief with the support and lift of a quality traditional, without the tradeoffs of either category.

Yes. Back Science offers two financing options:

1. Synchrony Bank — No Interest Financing
Minimum 12-month term. Deffered: no interest if paid on time and in full by end of term. Apply by calling (800) 667-1969.

2. ShopPay Installments
Pay-in-installments option available at online checkout. Interest-free terms may be unavailable depending on the offer; check ShopPay for current terms.

For more information: Synchrony Bank Financing | ShopPay Installments

The Back Science mattress was designed and crafted by Dr. Rick Swartzburg, a Chiropractor who was frustrated by the lack of proper spinal support from mattress brands that claimed that their mattresses would help your back pain, but had no objective scientific testing to back their claims.  Back Science is the first mattress to do real scientific alignment measurements in the design and development their mattresses and thanks to our patented pending Lumbar-Flex™ zoning, they are able to see real scientific data to show that they can actually improve spinal alignment, making it the first mattress designed specifically for back pain sufferers and those that are looking to maintain a healthy spine.

​

Yes! even though Back Science is designed with back pain sufferers in mind, its buoyant yet conforming Hypergel surface, as well as the Hybrid Series pocketed individually wrapped 1000 count coil technology with Quantam edge support, makes the Back Science mattresses extremely pressure relieving and ultimately comfortable for all types of sleepers, including those with and without back pain.  

​

Back Science wants your mattress to be a long-term solution, not a temporary one. The Back Science 365-Night Sleep Trial is risk-free and covers three escalating resolution options if the mattress isn't perfect for your needs:

1. Free customization (0–365 nights)
If the mattress feels too firm or too soft, Back Science will physically modify and customize it to your exact comfort needs at no cost, no need to ship your mattress. No landfill waste, the mattress is adjusted, not replaced.

2. Free exchange (0–365 nights)
Exchange for a different Back Science model or any of over 30 major brands carried in our headquarters store. No restocking fees, no shipping fees.

3. Full refund (0–120 nights)
Full refund of the mattress within the first 120 nights. No hidden or restocking fees. $199 shipping fee; fee waived for local Southern California customers.

Key differentiators vs. competitors:

• Customization/modification option (most competitors do not offer this)

• Exchange extends to competing brands

• Zero restocking fees, ever.

To learn more, view our Back Science Sleep Trial page.

All of our Hybrid Series mattresses do not get compressed and are shipped in a box that is the same size as the mattress dimensions, since we did not want to compromise the quality of the coils, edge supports and gel foams we use by compressing and roll packing a flattened mattress into a small box just for the sake of being able to save on shipping costs.  However, with our all foam Essentials mattress, we are able to ship in a compressed and rolled box, since there are no coils and other types of materials that would lose integrity, thereby making it more economically priced mattress and also offerig an alternative for those who perfer the speed and space saving UPS style shipment.  

The best way is to follow care instructions on the label. Most sheets can be machine washed with warm water and tumble-dried on low heat. Always wash new sheets before their first use.

For cotton sheets, a thread-count between 300 and 400 is ideal for breathability. Higher thread-count sheets feel silkier but cut off airflow and sleep hotter. High-quality sheets should not feel pasty, even at a low thread-count. Bamboo sheets do not have a thread-count, but are natural more breathable than cotton.

Cotton sheets are perfect if you love that classic, soft cotton feel. Low thread-count cotton offers good breathability and comes in a variety of colors, but generally sleeps warmer than bamboo, and can slightly reduce the contour of some mattresses.

Bamboo sheets are the most breathable and stay the coolest at night. They offer a more luxurious, silkier feel that stretches to hug your body. This allows your mattress to contour better, and helps you get the most benefit out of a contouring mattress such as a hybrid, memory foam, or pillow top mattress, but is only available in an off-white natural color.

We recommend replacing your sheets about every 2-3 years or even sooner if they thin out, tear, or lose their feel.

Yes! Massage chairs can help relieve tension, improve circulation, and reduce stiffness in your back, neck, and shoulders. They’re great for relaxation, unqinding, and de-stressing your body at the end of a long day. Consult your doctor if you're worried about if a certain medical medical condition might be affected by a massage chair.

Everyone is different, but many people enjoy 15 - 30 minutes per session, up to as often as every few days. Always be carefuly and listen to your body—too long or too intense can sometimes cause soreness. Consult your doctor if you have a medical condition you're worried might be affected by a massage chair.

A good rule of thumb is to give your massage chair about as much room as a regular recliner chair needs. Many chairs require only about 6 inches of space between the chair and the wall to clear safely, but always check the specs tab on any given model to see space requirements.

While there's no specific timeline, with proper care—regular cleaning, keeping out of direct sunlight, and checking connections—many chairs last 5–10 years or more. Treat your chair well and it'll stick around for the long-haul.

Most modern chairs are surprisingly energy-efficient, usually consuming the same as a small appliance like a lamp. Just plug in, turn on, and let the relaxation magic happen!

While thinking about what's most important to you and finding the chair with the right features to fit your needs and budget can be difficult, we're here to help if you're unsure about which one to choose. Feel free to give us a call at (800) 667-1969 to speak with an expert who can pair you with the right fit. We also highly recommend if you're local to Southern California, stopping by our Agoura Hills factory & showroom to try one out in person and see for yourself how it feels.