The Mattress Expert

Neck pain on a new mattress

steven of fort worth, writes:
Hi,
We just got a Simmons Beautyrest World Class Spirit(plush) which has latex.  It seems soft and my neck has been hurting though that is work related.  Could this matress contribute to the neck and shoulder problems?  What would you recommend instead?  Thanks!

Hi Steve,
When you get a new mattress, the angle if your body is likely to change. For instance, in an worn mattress, your butt is lower. In that position, you're likely to use a thicker pillow. In a new mattress, with your body more level, that same thicker pillow is likely to throw off your neck's alignment with your spine.
It's usual to need a new pillow after buying a new mattress.

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I'm in need of new mattress

Karen of Newton, writes:
Hi Peter, I know I'm in need of new mattress (it's 10 plus years old) but now I'm experiencing neck and shoulder soreness and "rice krispies" in my neck. Do you think this is due to my pillows or the mattress? I really want the Sealy Beachside but was planning on waiting until I get money back from my tax return. Do you think a latex pillow will help?

Hi Karen. It sounds like arthritis. I have that in my neck also. The key is the pillow. And it's more the thickness of the pillow than the material it's made of. Latex pillows are very comfortable and long lasting. But what you want is to have your neck aligned with your spine as you sleep....like the way it is when you're standing up. A pillow that is too thick or too thin will trow off the alignment. Latex pillows are more pliable. I find that tucking the pillow up into the crock of my neck helps with the alignment and subsequent pain. The Beachside is a great mattress. I just sent one to mom.

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A simmons mattress out the door

Janell of Martinez, writes:
We are looking for a good mattress. We saw two we liked but we are hesitant about spending $4000.00 until we do research. Mancini offered us a Simmons NxG 400, for 3500.00 out the door and another company offered us a Sealy Luxury Series Black Label mattress for 4500.00. Do you know which one will be the better mattress? We both have back and neck pain. We like a mattress medium to hard. More one the medium side. Thank you,

Hi Janell. Neither one is worth the money. You're over spending. And I love that "out the door" expression...like it's worth something.

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You'll find discount pricing on our website: www.ccmattress.com
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Neck pain on a Sealy Posturepedic Reserve plush mattress

Steven of West Orange, writes:
I'm getting alot of neck pain with my Reserve Plush mattress. I weigh 240 so my waist sinks deeper than my shoulders/legs/neck. Would I be better off with a Reserve Firm/Cushioned Firm? Would another brand be better suited to handle my midsection weight? Thanks

Hi Steven. The plush model is not what what I'd recommend for a fellow your size. You would definately be better off with the cushion firm. You may also need to get a new pillow. Neck pain comes mainly from not being aligned with your spine. If your head is too high or too low, the alignment is thrown off. Commonly, people sleep with too many pillows.

Delivery available everywhere in the contiental US.
NO SALES TAX outside of NJ.
You'll find discount pricing on our website: www.ccmattress.com
Voted "Best Mattress Store in New Jersey"
"2007-2008 Neighbor's Choice Award"

Also available:
Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows....Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Mattress Pads
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Upper back pain and from my shoulder to my neck

Cindy of South Milwaukee, writes:
I got my new mattress on Friday and immediately loved the soft snuggly feeling. By day for I'm having upper back pain and from my shoulder to my neck.
I'm a side sleeper with typically my arm stretched out underneath my head. Do you suppose the pain the from the matrress or the feather pillows that flatten out when I sleep. I did have this problem with my previous mattress but it seems pretty bad these past 4 days.
A co-worker told me to give it at least a week. I have 30 days to exchange the mattress for an equivalent or higher cost item.
Thanks, Cindy

Hi Cindy. Take your arm out from under your head. Pull your arm in front of you so that you can touch your other shoulder with that hand. Then take your pillow and pull it into the curve of your neck. Write back and let me know how that works for you.

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Denver Mattress memory foam w/ Swedish coils

Paul of arcola, writes:
We were looking to buy a memory foam mattress and I did some research. I have migraines caused from sore neck muscles after I sleep. I can only sleep in bed on my side and only for about 5-6 hours. Anything longer I am so stiff and sore, a headache will be coming soon if I don't get up. Our old bed is a pillow top king size Sealy and is almost 8 years old and sags like crazy. We went several places and finally ended up at Denver Mattress Co. We tried several bed and like the Lincoln and was under the impression it was a total memory foam mattress. When I got home I jumped online to look for some reviews on this mattress but could not find any. Then I noticed it has Swedish Individually Wrapped Coils under 4" of memory foam. A few places said this would be better for my sore neck problems. I can't blame the salesman, I told him my problems and he pointed us in this direction. I guess my question is will the mattress last and does it sound right for me? What is your review on this mattress? I wish I had found this site before we bought one.
thx, Paul

Hi Paul. The reviews on memory foam as a whole are pretty poor. They aren't very good on Simmons' individually pocketed coils either. The Simmons coils aren't tempered. You'd have to call the Denver people to find out if theirs are.Tempered steel is more resilient.
As far as your neck problem is concerned, that's better addressed with the right pillow. In choosing a mattress, you'll need to be sure that you spine is perfectly aligned and that your neck follows the same alignment.
And what's up with the "Swedish" thing? Buzz words that are non-descript are always a red flag for me.

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Kingsdown mattress causing neck pain

rachel of new york city, writes:
Hi:
two weeks ago I  purchased my 110 lb daughter a kingsdown with a plush top , 605 coils, full size  bed . she has always had backproblems, carries a heavy back pack etc. However, since sleeping on this she has complained of neck pain. The salesman said the problem was that she is using too many pillows, that this bed is softer than the last she had (a simmons backsaver).
She likes my husbands and mine backsaver bed that we have had for over 10 years - it is bouncy, firm but not hard,
The salesman said there is no such similiar bed made anymore.
We looked around the store and spotted the isle manor, no plush top,  785 coil posturpedic, (about the same price)...he suggested we try and get my daughter to sleep on fewer pillows rather than swap out immemediately. The posturpedic is a harder bed. I felt she would be more comfortabe in it...he says no. I also felt that the fabric on the posturpedic seemed less hot.  The salesman kept saying that she would have the same shoulder problems with this bed.  Any thoughts?
thanks for your help.
Rachel

Hi Rachel. Your mattress has an interlocked coil system. The one you bought your daughter has an individually pocketed coil system. Part of the reason her bed feels so soft is the boxspring. If you push down on yours and hers, you'll feel that difference. The Posturepedic isn't exactly the same as what you and your husband have, but it's a lot closer than the Kingsdown. Using the same pillow as before and now sleeping in a much softer mattress is absolutely the reason for her neck pain. A firmer boxspring will help correct your problem. You can test that theory by putting the mattress directly on the floor for a couple of nights.

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A mattress or pillow for chronic neck pain

Janna of Helena, AL, writes:
My 8 year old has been diagnosed with Klippel Feil with a fusion at C6 and c7.  He has chronic neck pain.  Can you recommend a pillow and mattress for neck pain?  I have read your comments that neck pain is mostly addressed with a pillow.  Most of the contoured pillows are built more for adults and not kids.  Any ideas?  Thanks, Janna

Hi Janna,
   At 8 years old, he doesn't weigh enough to make much of a dent in things. That Serta may not need replacing, but only you can tell if that's so.
  The pillow is the key for his neck. You have to consider the way he sleeps. The distance between his head and the bed when on his side needs to be bridged. But while on his back, a pillow that thick will cause pain. It may be necessary to have more than one type. I have arthritis in my neck and use 3 different pillows, depending on my position and how my neck is feeling at the time.
   Latex pillows are very soft, but resilient. Memory foam pillows come standard and contoured. They tend to be firmer...molding to your shape.
   Pillows are tricky to buy because you can't try them properly. This is one of those things that you may have to plug away at until you get the right combination. But I believe that you'll need more than one pillow and a new mattress, by itself, may not help at all.

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Neck pain with my Simmons mattress

Kari of Noblesville, writes:
Here goes,
We had a 2 year old Simmons World Class Ephedra Mattress with 3 1/2 body impressions which Simmons warranted.  We went to the store and tried out a few beds, not wanting body impressions again we opted for the Comfor-pedic Natural.  My husband and I both suffer from lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain.  My husband played alot of football and is now paying the price with only 2 good discs in his back.  Well after 2 days on the Comfor-pedic I had the worst neck pain and ended up in tears, I struggled through chiropractic appointments and am finally feeling better after about 5 weeks. At that time I only had 3 weeks left on my exchange so I opted for another Simmons World Class Roswell Firm pillowtop. What a mistake. After the first night I woke up in extreme back pain and was trying to sleep in a ball to relieve the pressure.  I immediately called the next morning and requested the Comfor-pedic mattress back,even though it was firm and supportive I didn't have the lower back pain, it was by far better that the Simmons and I wasn't going to buy another mattress.  Now what, do I put a topper on the mattress to help with the pressure points, and will this help with the neck pain, and what degree of softness do we want on top of a memory foam mattress? My husband is 6ft 250 lbs and I am 5'10 150 lbs. Thanks so much for your help, Desperate for sleep!!! Kari

Hi Kari. Neck pain is more a pillow issue, more so than a mattress issue. The idea is to keep your neck in line with your spine. A thin pillow works better for a back sleeper and a thicker pillow is better for a side sleeper.

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A pillow for neck DDD

Gary of Washington, DC, writes:
Thanks for all of the mattress advice.
Do you have a pillow recommendation for the following circumstances.  Neck degenerative joint and disc disease, with no herniated discs.  I wake with numb arms nightly from pressure on the nerves.  I've explored all treatments short of surgery with my MD.  I was wondering if a latex pillow would be helpful.  I'm interested to know what you recommend.
Thanks, Gary

Hi Gary, The latex pillow feels soft, but offers support. You can feel the resiliency. Also, it doesn't go flat, like a lot of other types. I've yet to have a customer do anything other than rave about them.

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