A mattress that is too soft will cause you to sink and hurt your back and spine while you sleep. Persistent morning back pain is an indication that your mattress is too soft to firmly support your body.
A mattress that is too soft or too hard, or aged enough to sag can lead to lower back pains. Generally talking, a wide variety of mattresses tend to support your lower back as they maintain just the right amount of pressure and support that your back needs.
Though they can seem more comfortable and luxurious, a soft mattress can actually cause back problems for back and stomach sleepers, and those of a heavier weight. Soft mattresses can also be problematic for bed sharers. The heavier partner may sink further in, making the sleep surface unbalanced.
If you are experiencing pain on your side as a side sleeper, it is likely your mattress is too firm, or does not have enough padding. If you are experiencing lower back pain, chances are your mattress is either too soft, or is broken down in the middle.
If you're a side-sleeper, you need a cushy mattress to relieve pressure on your shoulders and hips. But it shouldn't be too cushy because the gravitational pull will strain your spine. For most side-sleepers, that means choosing a medium-soft to medium mattress.
If you carry weight, sleep on your back, or sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress may help alleviate lower back pain by distributing your body weight more evenly across the mattress. This way, your back isn't curving as much while you sleep.
Body weight
Generally speaking, heavier people prefer firmer mattresses. Soft foams may sink in too much for comfort and adequate support. Conversely, lighter sleepers may sink in less and find firm beds to be uncomfortably hard, so they generally prefer soft to medium firm options.
Soft mattresses, on the other hand, can also be problematic. While a soft mattress that conforms to your body's natural curves may help the joints align favorably, you might also sink in so deeply that your joints twist and become painful during the night.
It can take up to a day to fully reach its decompressed size. But, the good news is that there are ways you can break in your new mattress and speed up the process so that it would feel softer while retaining the overall firmness and benefits.
Generally speaking, foam mattresses provide the best pressure relief and body contouring. If you want pain relief at key pressure points, look for a mattress that gently conforms to your body when you lie down. This allows for your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly.
Initial Back Pain When You Wake up
But if your back is in acute pain when you first wake up and you have to actively stretch to get rid of it, that might be a sign your mattress is doing more harm than good, according to The Joint Chiropractic.
In order to make your mattress firmer, you can try a few things, like getting a firmer mattress topper, flipping your mattress (if it's flippable), or placing plywood between the mattress and the bed frame/box spring.
All mattresses have a breaking-in period. It's usually 30 days, but can go up to 90. The exact amount of time it takes to break in and get used to a new mattress depends on the type of mattress and how different your new mattress is from your old one.
Softer mattresses with plush materials generally wear out faster than firmer options. Thick, soft comfort layers may sag or develop lasting indentations earlier, which can reduce support and lead to discomfort. Firmer beds with thinner comfort layers tend to cost less because they require less material to produce.
Some sleepers can still experience back pain with a memory foam mattress if their body contours to the mattress in a manner where the spine is not properly aligned. In many cases, though, a memory foam mattress may be recommended for back pain.
What firmness of mattresses do hotels use? In most cases, you'll find a medium to a medium-firm mattress in your hotel room. And for a good reason. Medium-firm mattresses are generally good for any type of sleeper or any body type.
We recommend the firm design for side sleepers, as this option provides the most loft to cushion the space between your head and shoulder. For many side sleepers, down pillows tend to sink excessively, and this lack of support often leads to neck pain.
What position do you sleep in? Above all else, this is probably the most important question to answer when considering firmness. Strict side sleepers will typically want something within the 3-6/10 range while back sleepers will want to go with something in the 5-7/10 range.
A memory foam mattress can cause back pain if you don't find the firmness level best suited for you. The ideally firm mattress for your sleep position keeps your spine in neutral alignment while relieving your pressure points. Side sleepers will be most comfortable on a medium, medium-soft, or soft mattress.
If you are a side sleeper, you should look into purchasing a plush or medium mattress. You will need the extra comfort layers to provide pressure relief for your hips and shoulders. Generally, people with a curvier figure need the added cushion found in plush mattresses.
Therefore, the best mattresses for side sleepers are often plush to minimizes discomfort around the shoulders and hips while promoting proper spinal alignment. If you change positions throughout the night, a plush mattress can work in your favor.
Hotels beds are incredibly comfortable thanks to their use of mattress toppers. These can significantly adjust mattress firmness and the quality of your rest. A mattress topper is simply an added layer of cushioning that rests on top of your old mattress and provides support and extra levels of comfort.
However, orthopedic experts are of the opinion that mattresses that are too soft, disrupts the normal curve of your spine. It allows your lower back to cave into the bed while the upper part of the back curves out. This leaves the entire body unbalanced and makes you even more vulnerable to back pain and hip pain.