People with a bad back can surely understand that when you are on a bad mattress your back tends to bottom out and you feel like you are lying on a marble floor.  This feather bed eliminates the bottoming out and you are able to rest comfortably.  The weight for this item is very good and I don't believe you will find anything out there that has more down and more feathers.  The feathers do not poke you but if this should occur, use a top sheet that has over a 300 thread count.  The feather bed is clean and has no odor to it.  In my humble opinion, this is an superb purchase and well worth the money.  Sweet Dreams......