Need an adjustable mattress due to severe back pain and discomfort causing insonmia. I've narrowed it down maybe you can help.

I like the Temperpedic type mattresses myself. When they first came out I bought a Temperpedic at a rather pricey cost. Over $1,000 for a twin size! I've had chronic lower back pain and insomnia for over 30 years and found relief with this type of material. You can get a 4" mattress topper made out of the viscouse memory foam material. I have two 4" mattress toppers and one 3" mattress topper on my bed. I threw away the original mattress top and kept the box spring. That's 11 inches of this material. I didn't get the 12" mattresses that are available as this stuff is extremely heavy(!) and if I have to turn the mattress or move the bed I just peel off one mattress at a time as each one weighs around 25 lbs each. I get mine off Ebay and save a bundle.

I have slept on both an ajustable air bed and now have a temporpedic-type. The air mattress caused less discomfort and the temporpedic is far heavier.

The air mattress was cold though. Warmth helps me sleep. I have heard people complain that the air-type mattress was uncomfortable too.

Try a mattress topper to see if the memory foam type of bed is helpful. A feather, or feather substitute mattress topper is something to try too. An air mattress on top if your bed gives an approximation of what an air bed will feel like.