I have a firm mattress with a cushiony top.
Bed too firm neck pain.
I too have head neck and shoulder pain and have found that a memory foam pillow with a wave on top helps.
Back sleepers need a firm bed but not too firm.
Stomach sleepers are a whole other animal.
Recent studies suggest that they deliver a great night s sleep and can significantly reduce neck pain sciatica and chronic back pain along with lessening pain symptoms in the joints muscles and bones.
All mattresses will soften over time but if you think there s excess pressure on your shoulder move on to the next bed.
There are all kinds of mattress toppers available that can add additional contouring or pressure relief to the surface of a too firm mattress.
This is by far the simplest way to correct a too firm mattress.
If your mattress is too firm excess pressure on areas like your shoulders hips knees side and back can lead to aches and pains.
But the trend is also supported by proven results.
Mostly the pain emerges from the mattress being too firm thereby preventing the body from proper alignment.
Pillow material mattress toppers can help soften a too firm mattress while thick pads or firm mattress toppers can add some more support.
Memory foam and latex excel and pain relief and prove durable though wool cotton feather and poly foam toppers are also popular as well.
On such a surface only shoulders and pelvis areas are supported while the spine bends downwards causing a very unnatural s shaped curve as seen on illustration b.
Firmness is up to you but if you get too firm of a mattress you can make your existing shoulder pain worse and it can also cause even more neck or back pain.
If your mattress is two sided turn it regularly as this will increase the life of the mattress and ensure you have the best support from it.
The top isn t as soft as a pillow top but soft enough to make the firmness more comfortable.
Some mattress materials like ones made from 100 memory foam can become softer in warmer rooms so try adjusting your thermostat to see if it makes your mattress more to your liking.
Furthermore if the mattress is very soft the body tends to sink thus causing extreme pressure on the spine and neck region.
Avoiding back neck pain in bed.
The neck pain or upper body pain arises from improper neck support.
The hot trends in the mattress industry continue to be the foam latex and advanced air mattress construction.
They should feel well supported throughout their entire body especially in the low back and hip area where their weight will tend to sink in.
A sagging or lumpy mattress could be a factor in neck pain.
The mattress will still be soft but it may feel more supported.