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Why Is My Tempurpedic Mattress Hurting My Back?

Bad support leads to back pain.
Why Is My Tempurpedic Mattress Hurting My Back?
Tom Greenspan
Updated 
December 21, 2022

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The Tempurpedic mattress holds an enviable market position in Northern America, with more or less 30% of the market share. That's a lot of brand equity that will keep Tempurpedic ahead of its competitors. But what about you and your comfort? Is the Temeurpedic working for you?

Back pain that appears out of the blue can be both annoying and perplexing. If nothing has changed in your regular schedule, what could be the source of your back pain? Your mattress might hold the solution.

This article unravels the possibility of your Tempurpedic mattress causing back pain and why it's caused, and what you can do about it. We answer many frequently asked questions providing factual information to help you relieve your back pain.

Let's jump in.

Is my Tempurpedic hurting my back?

The answer is not straightforward due to the number of variables with back pain and the Tempurpedic mattress. Identifying the source of your symptoms might be challenging because there are so many different causes of back pain.

To determine whether your mattress is at fault, there are a few signs to watch out for. When your back discomfort starts giving you the first hint, if your back pain is there when you awaken but goes away after stretching for 15 to 30 minutes, your mattress is likely doing more harm than good.

Additionally, it should be a clue if you notice that you are awakening more frequently or are having trouble falling asleep. The optimal time to change your mattress is every eight years, even if you do not frequently experience back pain.

Is the Tempurpedic mattress the right choice for you?

Finding the ideal mattress can be challenging because everyone has different sleeping habits. Choose a Tempurpedic mattress that is just right—not too hard or too soft. 

You should experience weightlessness while sleeping on the ideal mattress. The pressure points on your body will be pushed if the mattress is overly firm, which will lead to misalignment. In a similar vein, if the bed is overly soft, your body will sink into it while you sleep, resulting in poor posture and potential pain.

Tempurpedic mattresses have a range of mattresses that will suit your body type. Despite the challenging economic times, buying a comfortable mattress should be on the list of priorities. Your mattress is a crucial piece of furniture because you should spend 7-9 hours on it every night. Instead of being frugal and purchasing an incorrect mattress for your body, you can invest in something that will help you sleep better and experience less pain.

Does changing your mattress cause back pain?

It is possible. It is recommended to change your mattress every 8 years. Sleeping on a sagging mattress is clearly bad for your posture, and when you change to a new Tempurpedic mattress, the change in posture is going to be significant.

Back pain can arise from a new mattress.

That's because switching from an old, ineffective mattress to a new, supportive mattress requires some adjustment time. There's a break-in period for new mattresses as well.

Over time, components will soften and adjust to your body after first being rigid.

Your back must become used to a new mattress over time. If you've been using the same mattress for years, your body may be accustomed to it. Therefore, switching to something better for your back may not feel the best initially. The time it takes for your back to become used to a new mattress might range from two to four months.

Because of this, a lot of mattress makers provide at least a 90-day in-home trial. Tempurpedic offers 100 days to become used to the unique qualities of the Tempurpedic mattress. 

This offers you lots of time to break in a new mattress and acclimate your body to a different sleeping surface.

Will a new Tempurpedic mattress improve my back pain?

If you pick the best Tempurpedic mattress for the way you sleep, it can significantly reduce any back pain you may already be experiencing once your anatomy has adjusted to the new mattress.

However, keep in mind that a new mattress isn't necessarily a quick treatment for back pain. If you've been using your present mattress for an extended period, it may take some time for your body to adjust.

It's also crucial to keep in mind that if your back pain was brought on by something other than your old mattresses, such as an injury or a medical condition like arthritis, a new mattress might not fully address the problem.

What are the leading causes of back pain from a mattress?

You may have realized by now that the causes of back pain from a mattress can be many, and even if you have a new mattress, you may not have selected the best mattress for you if it's been purchased online.

Here are some factors that will affect the performance of a new Tempurpedic mattress:

  1. The mattress is too firm. Your neck, hips, shoulders, lower back, and other places could become uncomfortable due to the compression pressures that build up in your joints if your memory foam mattress is too firm.
  2. The mattress doesn’t provide enough support. Make sure your memory foam mattress can support your weight if you weigh more than 230 lbs. If not, you could be better off choosing a hybrid model with a coil-coated foundation for more substantial support and memory foam in the top comfort layer for improved pressure relief.
  3. The mattress is being used with the wrong type of base. You need to check the manufacturer's specifications for the correct base. Using the wrong base will decrease the mattress's performance and could void your warranty.
  4. The mattress doesn’t keep you in good posture (Typical in front sleepers). As a result of the deeper compression provided by memory foam, which is more likely to cause hip misalignment than the thinner and less compressive nature of an upholstered top layer found on a regular spring mattress, the risk of back pain increases when sleeping on your front on a memory foam mattress.
  5. The mattress has not yet adjusted to your body weight and shape. Don't make snap judgments about your new Tempurpedic mattress, as it takes time to adjust to a new mattress. Your mattress will also perform differently in extreme temperatures. If the bedroom is cold, the mattress will initially be firmer, but once your body heat is absorbed into the mattress, the memory foam will become more pliable.

Can you make a Tempurpedic mattress more comfortable?

Yes, Your mattress is sensitive to heat. The ability of this temperature-sensitive mattress to adapt to your body's temperature plays an integral part in how well its surface conforms to it.

When it comes into contact with your body, the surface will change.

A simple solution is to raise the bedroom's temperature by a few degrees. Your mattress will become more malleable and vulnerable to pressure from your weight. As a result, you may always take advantage of this feature to hasten the mattress' break-in period.

If you sleep better in a cool room, don't be afraid to use an electric blanket for ten minutes to soften the memory foam, a hot water bottle will also help make the memory foam more pliable.

Sheets

Overall, how warm your sleeping surface significantly impacts how soft and comfortable a mattress is. As a result, the sheets you choose for your bed might affect how quickly your mattress breaks in. Your sleep will be more comfortable if you use breathable sheets. 

Additionally, absorbent sheets ensure that heat from your body escapes and is transferred to the mattress. As a result, you will have a greater possibility of shaping your body profile to contour to the mattress.

Break it in

Spending those first few nights sleeping on your new mattresses can be challenging. Your sleeping surface will likely feel solid during this period, and you'll experience a number of pressure points as you sleep.

Your new sleep surface won't break in on its own, so you'll have to sleep on it frequently to speed up the process and break in. 

Does the Tempurpedic get softer over time?

There is no gradual softening of Tempurpedic mattresses. Modern mattresses with latex and memory foam have air-filled comfort layers. These layers get stiffer as they get older because air starts to leak out. As a result, your Tempurpedic mattress gets firmer over time.

Final thoughts

Your back is suffering because you need to break in the Tempurpedic mattress, and it can be a challenge sleeping on a firm mattress when you have been accustomed to sleeping on a sagging mattress.

However, within a short time, maybe 2 months, the mattress will start to give slightly, and you will become accustomed to sleeping with an aligned spine, and your back pain should dissipate.

Purchasing the correct mattress for your body weight is vital to get the best support for your spine and pressure points.