What is the best way to adjust to a new mattress?

August 24, 2009 4:59 PM

MattressHackingFilter: I recently upgraded from a fairly firm queen sized mattress to a king-sized soft pillow-top (Simmons Beautyrest). While laying down feels noticeably different (and pretty damn comfy), I do wake up with some back pain, most notable a tightness in my upper back and in the shoulders towards the neck. Are there any quick-and-cheap solutions (besides returning it) that can alleviate the pain? Is this just my body adjusting or am I S.O.L.?
posted by miasma to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

This sounds to me like more of an issue with your neck and pillow, although the issue may have been created by the difference in softness of the mattress.

Maybe try a different pillow?
posted by Fleebnork at 5:01 PM on August 24, 2009

Yeah, mix up the pillow situation a bit and see how that works for you.
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:08 PM on August 24, 2009

Soft mattresses are not good for most people's backs because the muscles get stretched more than they should. A firmer mattress keeps everything up and level. If you are determined to have a soft mattress, a friend discovered that a solid supportive bed (with slats or with a center post) helped with the back pain caused by his soft bed.
posted by ohio at 5:12 PM on August 24, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks for the pillow suggestions. More pillows? less pillows? firmer pillows? softer pillows? pillow underneath the back? Between the legs?
posted by miasma at 5:16 PM on August 24, 2009

You could try putting a piece of plywood under the mattress to firm things up.
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:23 PM on August 24, 2009

Do you have a box spring under the mattress, or is it on wooden slats or something? That's an area you can firm up with some plywood, as StickyCarpet suggested.

If it won't cost you anything, the best option would be to exchange the mattress for a firmer one.
posted by orme at 5:45 PM on August 24, 2009

Experienced pillowcase mattress queenhiver: My body ached for a week, then it went away for the absolute best sleep of my life. I use very soft feather pillows that I can bunch up around my neck while listening to the ipod, they are flexible and match the softness that enrobes you with your new toy. Enjoy! It won't last long.
posted by ~Sushma~ at 5:55 PM on August 24, 2009

Response by poster: There's a box spring under the mattress, no frame however.
posted by miasma at 5:58 PM on August 24, 2009

More pillows? less pillows? firmer pillows? softer pillows? pillow underneath the back? Between the legs?

All of them. Obviously not at the same time. The exact anatomical location of your pain suggests that you are possibly maybe using too many pillows. Stick with a single firm pillow for a couple of nights and see if that makes any difference.
posted by turgid dahlia at 9:17 PM on August 24, 2009

I suggest a pillow that supports your neck. You can try a rolled up towel in the bottom of your pillow case or bunch up a soft feather pillow so there is more "stuff" under your neck (my technique!) No matter what anyone tells you, there is no one size fits all solution to getting a comfy sleep. You will have to test out different things.
posted by Gor-ella at 8:45 AM on August 25, 2009