I am 5’4, weigh 150 lbs. I have a compressed disc in my lower back and need to use a heating pad for several hours every night. I am a side sleeper having trouble with discomfort in my hip and shoulder on my current latex mattress. I have been told that both memory foam and latex are heat sensitive and will degrade with continued heat applied. I am looking for a hybrid mattress with top layers of something other than a foam product. Any information will be appreciated.
Hey kathyp49,
Welcome to The Mattress Underground 
!
Are you using a smaller, localized heating pad for your lower back area? Any material degradation would depend on how close the heat source is to the latex itself. Most latex layers are located beneath a mattress encasement and sometimes other materials in the ticking, such as cotton, wool, etc., so there would be no direct contact between the heating pad itself and exposed latex. Use of a mattress protector would also provide another layer of protection between the heating pad, the bed linens, the ticking, and latex below. Could you describe how you’re using the heating pad at night during its several hour use time? It sounds as though you are resting on your back for a period of time before changing to your side, and that the heating pad remains on as you sleep?
Which latex mattress do you currently use and how old is it? What firmness is your mattress? If you seek a hybrid mattress with no latex or foams in the comfort layers, models using natural fibers such as cotton or wool could be a better way to go. You may consider trying a natural fiber topper over your current latex mattress before making a purchase of a new mattress, unless your current mattress needs replacing anyway.
Here are several trusted members offering natural fiber toppers:
Let us know how your research is going and hope this helps !
Sensei