Waking Up with Stiffness? 10 Signs Your Mattress is Causing Back Pain

Do you constantly wake up with lingering back pain? Or does your back often feel stiff or sore in the morning? Your mattress can be the culprit.

Old, unsupportive, or poor-quality mattresses not only rob you of a good night's rest but can lead to frustrating aches that can hamper your productivity. Infact, it almost turns into an everyday vicious cycle unless you put an end to it.

But how can you actually be sure that your mattress is behind it all? Well, we bring you 10 telltale signs of back pain due to the mattress. Take a look!

10 Signs Your Mattress is Causing Back Pain

These are the warning signs you must look out for you. They can be what’s causing you back pain.

1. Your Mattress Is Old

2. Visible Sagging Spots

3. Doesn’t Offer the Support You Need

4. Morning Stiffness Is a Regular Thing

5. Mattress Feels Too Firm

6. Mattress Feels Too Soft

7. It Is Lumpy

8. A Feeling of Numbness in Pressure Points

9. Constant Tossing and Turning

10.Your Pain Goes Away As Soon As You Are Up

1. Your Mattress Is Old

Not everything old is gold, especially not your mattress. It can be the reason behind your persistent back pain. Now, as per the rule of thumb, the lifespan of a mattress is about 7-10 years. Some superior quality mattresses can last even up to 15 years.

But then, they start losing their structure and are no longer capable of offering the support you deserve.

With age, materials wear out, you may notice sagging and indentations that can misalign your spine and cause discomfort.

So, if you are seeing an increase in morning stiffness or soreness, your mattress may be past its prime. Here, upgrading to a new one is the best option.

2. Visible Sagging Spots

Sagging in a mattress can appear due to a variety of reasons, such as low-quality materials, age, lack of rotation, etc. But if you see visible sagging spots, they can be the reason why you are suffering from everyday back pain.

Sagging is proof that your mattress is losing its structural integrity, especially in areas that bear the most weight, like the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

So, these spots don't fetch you the support you need. It then leads to poor spinal alignment and stress on muscles and joints.

If you are feeling the dips, it's probably a sign to bring home the best mattress for back pain!

3. Doesn’t Offer the Support You Need

Have you seen that soft and plushest mattresses can also cause back pain?

Well, this is because, with comfort, you also need a hefty dose of support. Without it, you will experience pain and discomfort.

Support keeps the spine straight, which is a position it prefers. So, a happy spine keeps the pain away.

This is why using an orthopedic mattress for back painlets you wake up with a smile on your face. Of course, it keeps your shoulders, hips, and back ache-free as well.

4. Morning Stiffness Is a Regular Thing

Sometimes a hectic day at work or undertaking a variety of household chores can lead to stiffness in the morning. That's all part of adulating!

However, if stiffness in the morning has become your everyday companion, then it's time to blame your mattress.

The reason for this can be that your mattress is not able to offer the support you need.

So, when you drift off into a good night's rest, your body may remain in an uncomfortable position. This strains your muscles, joints, and spine, which causes stiffness.

5. Mattress Feels Too Firm

Firmness is good. But does your mattress's firmness suit you?

As you know back pain due to a mattress can also arise when the firmness is not a match.

What happens is that when your mattress is too firm, it can put too much pressure on certain areas of your body, like your hips, shoulders, and lower back.

Also, while your spine prefers a straight alignment, it enjoys a slight dip, which the mattress cannot offer.

Instead, a firm mattress makes you feel uncomfortable and creates pressure points, which cause stiffness and soreness when you wake up.

6. Mattress Feels Too Soft

But what about a soft fluffy mattress? It can look so inviting and cannot be all that bad, right? Well, it can!

An extremely soft mattress means it can cause your body to sink too much. This doesn't offer an ideal spinal alignment and causes back and neck pain. It is especially not recommended if you are a back or a stomach sleeper. Here, a doctor-recommended mattress for back pain can be perfect.

7. It Is Lumpy

This may not be something new but a lumpy mattress is the main reason for back pain.

Forget support, a lumpy mattress can hurt your back. Sometimes, we are so used to a bed that we tend to overlook its shortcomings. So, take a good look at it and feel it through.

Lumps usually form due to wear and tear in certain areas where the material or springs have become uneven or compacted.

These uneven spots create pressure points on your body while you sleep and cause stiffness. Here, you need a comfortable mattress for back pain​like an orthopedic mattress.

8. A Feeling of Numbness in Pressure Points

If you are experiencing numbness for no reason in certain parts of the body, like the shoulders, hips, or back, your mattress may be the reason.

This is because the pressure builds up on specific points for a long period. So, the blood flow to those areas is reduced, which leads to numbness or a tingling sensation.

To avoid back pain due to a mattress, it is always best to opt for something that contours your body properly.

9. Constant Tossing and Turning

Have you forgotten what a good night's rest feels like? Well, if you find yourself constantly tossing and turning, struggling to find that ideal sleep position, your mattress may be the problem.

When a mattress is unable to strike a balance between comfort and support, it can make it hard for the body to relax. That's why you shift positions repeatedly in search of relief.

And, when this restlessness becomes a daily occurrence, it can prevent you from entering deep, restorative sleep. This makes you feel tired, achy, and stiff in the morning.

10. Your Pain Goes Away As Soon As You Are Up

If you wake up and the pain seems to disappear, your back pain is probably due to the mattress. So, while you are lying on the mattress, it’s not providing the right support.

This causes pressure on your joints, muscles, or spine, which results in pain. However, once you get up and move around, the pressure is relieved, and the pain subsides. And, your back pain goes away.

Which Mattress Firmness Is Ideal For Back Pain?

When it comes to mattresses, there are three main firmnesses. So, let’s understand which one is ideal for back pain.

1. Soft

Yes, a soft mattress feels plush and cozy. That said, it can be problamatic for back pain as it lacks sufficient support for the spin.

With a soft mattress you tend to sink in and can disrupt poor spinal alignment. This worsens the back pain. Soft mattresses are best for lighter sleepers or side sleepers who need more contouring.

2. Firm

A firm mattress, true to its name, provides a solid surface. It supports the body without sinking.

This can be a good choice for back pain. But, if you like a slight plushness, it can sometimes feel too rigid, especially for side sleepers.

Firm mattresses are best for stomach or back sleepers who need extra support.

3. Medium-Firm

A medium-firm mattress is often the best option for back pain. Infact, it is also ideal if you want something that's not too firm and not too soft.

A medium-firm mattress strikes a balance between support and comfort and offers enough firmness to keep the spine aligned while still providing some cushioning.

The best part? A medium-firm mattress is suitable for most sleeping positions as it helps reduce pressure points without sacrificing support.

What Should You Do If Your New Mattress Is Causing Back Pain?

If the very new mattress is causing back pain, it's okay. Give it a few days to break in. Your body also needs time to adjust.

Also, make sure that the mattress is placed on a solid foundation for it to do its job well. But even after a few weeks, if your mattress is feeling a little too firm or soft, a mattress topper can help you out.

You can always opt for trial nights to ensure you end up with the right match without the commitment.

A mattress takes at least a month to align with your sleep position and style. And, even after 30 days, if the mattress worsens your back pain, you can exchange it for another option.

Wrapping Up

If your mattress is causing back pain, then it's probably time for a switch. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution here, a mattress that's able to strike the right balance between comfort and support works.

That's not all. Make sure you don't compromise on the quality because according to research, people who slept on cheap mattresses could not see much improvement in pain. And, we don't want that. That's why The Sleep Company brings you a range of orthopedic mattresses designed to eradicate any pain and offer the best sleep of your life.

Wake up pain-free and happy everyday with The Sleep Company!

FAQs

1. What are the common signs that indicate my mattress might be too old?

Here are all the common signs that say your mattress is probably too old. It sags, has lumps, doesn't offer comfort like before, cause’s morning stiffness, and disrupts the sleep cycle.

2. How does mattress firmness affect back pain?

Mattress firmness is associated with spinal alignment. So, if the mattress is too soft, you tend to sink in and this can strain the spine. And if it is too firm, it creates pressure points. A medium firm is always the best fit.

3. What is the ideal mattress type for preventing back pain?

A medium-firm orthopedic mattress that offers the right balance between comfort and support and is made with advanced sleep technology like SmartGrid is what you need to prevent back pain.

4. Can sleeping position influence back pain related to my mattress?

Yes, your sleeping position can affect back pain related to your mattress. Back sleepers need a mattress that supports the spine’s natural curve, side sleepers benefit from a softer surface to cushion pressure points, and stomach sleepers need firmness to avoid lower back strain. Matching mattress firmness to position helps prevent pain.

5. What role does mattress material play in back pain?

Mattress material is responsible for providing different levels of support and pressure relief. For instance, The SmartGrid technology contours the body and offers spinal alignment.

6. How often should I replace my mattress to prevent back pain?

You must replace your mattress every 7 to 10 years or earlier if it is showing signs of aging, such as sagging or lumps.