What bed do you recommend and why? Let us know! And be sure to include relevant information (like height, weight, exercise history) so others have useful context!
I sleep on my sides, occasionally on my back but used to sleep on my tummy a lot.... terrible for my APT. I had a thick firm-ish futon and I loved it to much. I have a tendency to find that my shoulders hunch forward too, no matter what beds I sleep on these days.
The most amazingly comfortable thing I ever slept on was a thick pile of straw in an old goat shed. It seemed to support every millimetre of my body, almost like it was alive. Straw mattresses used to be a thing.... perhaps we need to try them again?? Thanks for the wonderful video, and everything you are doing.
I struggled with back pain at 16 and 120 pounds and still at 65 and 270 pounds. I am a former fitness trainer in great shape who has lost a lot in fitness from injuries and other life stuff. I have finally settled on a Sleep Number bed since every day is different. I have it softer or firmer depending on my work day, etc. Maybe when I increase my adaptability through fitness this won't be necessary. But right now the mattress variabilty is a sleep saver.
thanks for the video. After decades of sleeping in a bed, I now sleep on the floor, with a thick yoga mat (2-3 inches), a blanket and a towel, only a folded towel as a cushion wehn lying on the side. It's better for my back, cheaper and less difficult to get used to than I expected. Now I love it. I changed because of a slipped disk 6 months ago with severe pain (after 10-20 years of working at PC sitting, sleeping in Bed, driving a car - all the nasty stuff of modern work life). I am 48, weight 171 lbs. After visiting many doctors and physiotherapists the last months, now I am training my body to work as intended again - with your back pain fix. I had no surgery and at least for now, it goes well.
Sleep Number by Select Comfort. I have one in queen for 11 years and just ordered my second in a king after "saving money" buying a memory foam in king. The memory foam one is getting donated less than a year later as soon as my sleep number arrives on 8/23. We spend a lot of our lives in bed, it is not wise to cut corners on bedding and pillows. I've slept on my yoga mat many times and felt fine, but I work hard to keep my body in optimal condition and enjoy resting comfortably. I feel like an ad for select comfort but a 25 year warranty may take the edge off that price! Thanks for the informative video!
thanks for the video, Matt. I can relate to the mattress finding journey. I’m 5’2”, 120lb and a back and side sleeper. My current inexpensive solution: -Ikea medium firm mattress -Ikea mattress topper. -Matt’s Hip muscle strengthening video I know for a fact is all the sitting at work that had my hips crying for months. Thanks for your helpful videos, Matt!
I have some malformed vertebrae, so my back is touchy. I've used a Temperpedic for about 25 years (I'm a few years into my second one). I got the firmest one they have, and I love it! I'm 5'1", 95 lbs and usually a side sleeper, but sometimes on my back--best without a pillow.
We bought a temperpedic bed 15 years ago. Best money every spent! My hubby was having a lot of back issues after waking up. I was pregnant at the time and so uncomfortable in our box spring mattress that I would often sleep on the couch. We decided our mattress wasn’t working for either of us any longer. After much mattress shopping we went for the temperpedic and man did it change our lives. We love it and still maintain it was the best money we ever spent! Forgot to mention that I’m a side and stomach sleeper and my hubby is a back sleeper and it works for both of us.
I'm a 73 year-old, 124 pound female. I was a side sleeper, recently converted to a back sleeper. My bed is a low, simple wood frame with plywood fitted to it, and 2x4's for slats. On top is a 1" firm closed cell, over-sized yoga mat and a soft 2" foam top layer. I need the flatness of it to rest well. I use almost flat pillows or none. I am pretty flexible but very short on muscle from life circumstances, but I can go at it now. One knee is very weak, the contents shift easily and painfully. I don't see that you have a program for knees, I'm hoping that you add one. For now, your youtube videos are helping me a lot. I am seeing a lot of improvement in going up stairs. Going down properly will come with more work. Thank you. You are easy to understand, upbeat, and skillful.
When I visited my son in Japan back in 2006, I was 52 years old and from Canada. Whilst in Japan, we slept on futons on the floor. I remember waking up one night, wanting to turn to my other side (I'm a side sleeper) and when I went to move, I was totally seized up. lol So, I stayed in that position.
Sleep number! I am a poly positional sleeper. 5’8, 180 lbs. My husband and I share a king size bed so we can each pick our own sleep number. We even bought sleep numbers for our married children. Another benefit of the sleep number besides being adjustable is that you don’t have to flip the mattress and easy portability if you move. You can add toppers if you need a little more cushion. Our kids bought higher end ones we still have the same bed from 2003. Don’t deal with potential bedbugs either. It’s air!
thanks Matt, your vids always help and demystify. As a fairly lightweight 'polypositional' sleeper my experience essentially replicates yours: too hard or too soft is no good, better muscular condition means better sleep. I now sleep on an old Asian wooden bed with a medium foam mattress just thick enough to keep my hip bone and shoulder off the wood when lying on my side, using just a small folded rug as pillow. Wake up on back, relaxed, no kinks in neck, no numb hands etc. And of course it is better to be a bit active before bed, rather than dozing in front of some screen or other ....
My Purple was literally life changing. I'm a side or back sleeper usually, sometimes sleep on my stomach, and it has helped get rid of my back pain. No matter what position I'm in it lets me relax and not worry about back pain.
I checked out a Purple this past weekend. I really liked it but it was $3000 and that is out of my budget for a mattress. Who knows, I may change my mind in the future.
I'm a side sleeper because a sleep doctor told me I have sleep apnea when on my back. (I would love to be able to sleep on my back!) I'm also trying to get better at sleeping on the ground because I'm interested in backpacking. Putting a pillow under my torso helps me quite a bit. Then I also have to use two pillows under my head, but my shoulder is more comfortable. I'm 6' 3" at 165 lbs.
Bottoming out on a floor or equivalent underneath is the worst. I would love a massage table or even better a PT table. I could buy some foam and make that if I knew the type of foam. Then I could use a cotton Japanese futon over it for the best. I have had two mattresses, both freecycle finds and both have worked well. I have slept on an old ikea foam mattress (my hips go lower than my shoulder and head) which has been just fine for several years but I thought flatter might be better for my back and upper shoulder hunch. I bought your course. Now I have a really firm cotton futon and that is fine with me. My shoulder makes a dent in it and that seems to be ok too. ME: side-sleeper mostly but sometimes on back with no pillow. Very occasionally prone with one knee up (towards my head) in a frog position. Edited.. but the price at Tulo for the firm mattress I put in another comment would give me a brand new mattress. I am tempted and will call them tomorrow. Thanks for the hint.
Beds....argh. I have been through so many. I am 5'2", ~140lbs, primarily a side sleeper, maybe 20% back sleeper, never stomach, umm don't really exercise, have Lyme disease, thyroid problems and adrenal problems. I also use a 10lb weighted blanket at night which adds to the pressure on the mattress and my muscles. I can also pop my shoulder and hip joints out of socket while just standing, with hardly any effort, so have needed really good support. Used to be in tons of pain from Lyme to the point of not being able to walk, but am doing much better. Soft beds have been horrible for me, as have medium. Firm were ok, but all the mattresses I've used were too hot. I have tried spring (good for a while, then permanent sag), memory foam (not enough support and way too hot), and latex (not enough support, no matter how I arranged the layers). Memory foam was from Amazon, Latex was from Pure Bliss. Just as important to me as the support has been how much the material traps heat. I am a hot sleeper ever since getting infected from a tick. I live in a cool climate with bad winters, and I was still sweating in memory foam, latex less so, but still too hot. I did research and learned about wool. Got a wool topper and it improved. Did some more research and decided to get rid of my mattress. I bought a wood slat platform frame, hardwood plywood, 3 yoga mats, and about 6" of folded wool blankets. I've been sleeping on that for about a year and a half now, and, though not perfect, it's the best I've ever slept on. Some nights aren't comfortable (position-wise) but most nights are. I don't overheat anymore. I can't sleep on anything other than wool now. Wool regulates my body temp where memory foam just traps the heat and creates a sauna. I use two thin-ish buckwheat pillows for under my head, which can easily be changed around if changing to my back.
I almost purchased a tempurpedic bed because of the advertisement, but on studying the way she jumped on the bed was sneaky. On one bed she went down with locked knees hard heels all her weight in a down force, knocking the glass over. On the tempurpedic mattress, she lightly came down with bent knees to take the impact. So I don't trust their product My bed was purchased in 2007, still very comfortable and get a good sleep on it, it's a no turning one, medium to soft, sealy with fitted topper. Thank you for your video, I'm subscribed.
everything you said speaks to my experiences. The best solution I have find is very similar. A firm bed with 3 to 4inch memory foam allows the perfect mix of support without making my hands go numb when I sleep on my side or letting my butt or hips sink too much to cause pain. Eventually we bought a Dream Cloud which took a bit to get used to it because it feels really soft but yet it does fully support us in every position.
I'm 200 lbs and prefer my latex foam firm mattress. I do break down material because of my weight. I paid $750 for mine (eastern king) on Amazon and I will do it again when needed. I'm a back sleeper, but my wife is a side sleeper and she is happy too. A high quality firm inner spring works well for me too. I encourage clients to break the habit of belly sleeping or soft beds. I cannot find a positive attribute of this position structurally. And although it may take some effort, it's worth changing.
Great video! I got all the above problems and I use a CPAP. I'm fairly light guy, 155 lbs. I'm a back and left-side sleeper. I just found your site and been binge watching your videos. I'll be waiting for President's Day for a sale to get a new mattress because I'm a cheap skate too.
I have a super firm mattress with 3 inch memory foam on top. I am 100 lbs and my husband is about 160 lbs. I sleep on my back with a bolster under my knees for sciatica relief and my husband is a side sleeper. The super firm mattress provides good support and stability but the memory foam cushions hips and shoulders. It is perfect for us.
Just found your channel and subscribed. I can’t say enough for Select Comfort beds, they are expensive, but I wouldn’t buy any other bed. My husband is a back sleeper and likes a hard bed, and I am a side and stomach sleeper and like a soft bed. With the Select Comfort bed we both get what we need. For the amount of time we spend in bed it’s the best investment and they have a 25 year warranty.
I sleep on back front side to side and sleep on a spring mattress 1 week and then8 inch foam mattress so I am ok so far on slightly different surfaces but definitely not on hard floor
I switched to a Sleep Number bed as it seemed the closest I could get to the waterbed I'd been using for decades. A poly-positional sleeper over 60 years old, under 5' and under 100 pds, both these options have been comfortable for me.
Pain all over. Lumbar disc issues, fibromyalgia, nerve pain. Currently using a medium firm 8’ memory foam over firm mattress with box springs. Getting up is like climbing out of a blubber pit- a workout in itself! Back sleeper but have to hang my feet off due to pain.many pillows of all sizes and densities. I use them where needed. Also heating pads. I’m thinking a sleep number with topper would be ideal ❤️
Waking up with more aches than i went to sleep with night after night for the past 15 years. Tried countless mattresses at home and in hotels and what seems comfortable for a few nights soon find ways to start causing pain. 6ft 175lb poly sleeper minus back sleep
It took me a long time to find the perfect Mattress, I am 5'9 tall and 132lb. and I hate to feel hot when sleeping,... so after many try outs of all kinds of mattresses with many of them being foam mattresses that make you feel hot in the summer, I found the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora (a hybrid mattress) due to it's cooling capability and softness I just fell in love with it very quickly, since I am a side and back sleeper but you can also get it a Medium or Firm version of it. ....not too expensive either at all plus they give you 120-NIGHT TRIAL!
Excellent information. Just what I needed to hear. I purchased the Saatva HD mattress in February 2024. At first it was comfortable, however, now in late March I’m miserable. I sleep in pain on all sides. I wake up in the middle of the night tossing and turning. Due to lack of good sleep at night I’m sleepy during the day, I have the option to return the mattress but my thoughts are in alignment with you…. I think the problem is ME. How do I fix my back, hip and shoulder pain so that i can sleep soundly in my new $$$ mattress?
We got a 'Sleep on Latex' brand bed, firm version, in 2020. I like it as a back-sleeper - but my snoring has gotten worse and I'm often being prodded to roll onto my side by my partner, which doesn't feel good on my shoulders - so late in 2024, I wish we had a softer mattress.
I'm having such hard time finding a mattress! Too hard and my body aches, too soft and my lower back hurts. Can't find anyone to help me. I'm in Australia. 66, 5ft 2in and 71kg female side sleeper. I LOVE your pillows. They look so comfortable! Can i get those in Australia? Thanks.
After a lot of mattress testing, Aireloom M1 or M2 or Streamline Luxury Firm are best. Absolutely stellar. How do I define best? Highest % of people that will be happy on it. Aireloom Streamline Luxury Firm is best selling Aireloom mattress for last 15 years. Why? Great amount of firmness and softness. Perfection!!!!
I'm on a tuft and needle and while for about a year it was great it is now sagging in the middle (and I don't weigh much). It sucks but through research I've found that all foam no matter the quality or type of foam... all foam breaks down over time. So ugh I guess I have decided to go with whatever ultra cheap medium firm mattress I can find and just keep replacing it as it eventually sags. Recently I got a purple that was on clearance for a remarkable price so the deal alone was hard to say no to. Hopefully it doesn't break down as fast as the tuft and needle. But, wow you are right on about we can sleep on whatever we get used to. It took forever for me to be able to sleep on the tuft and needle and now I can't seem to sleep on the purple and keep going back to the tuft and needle in spite of its sag.
I so get it.. separated shoulder lower 2 disc issue and knee pop latest injury. Bed is too soft. I think a med firm would be good. Almost everyday my lower back hurts. Also a bit of a hump..I never sleep with more than 1 pillow. Not too fluffy. It’s the back shoulder and knee in that order. We have an adjustable bed.. I don’t like it. Had it for 7 years.. it’s rude.. haha
So glad to see your video! It’s time for us to get a good mattress...I think we had our’s for over 20 years...(I think my hubby is cheaper than you are...). I preferred firm mattress but now I have shoulder pains (I sleep mostly on my side) & have arthritis pain all over my body...I notice that our old mattress does not bother me anymore...after watching your video I can understand why (it is no longer firm). But it’s time for us to change the mattress & thank you for your video. If it was not for your video than I would have bought the wrong mattress! Very practical video & love your shorts. Just subscribed to your RUclips.
Great video always informative - now do you have any pillow recommendations for side sleepers. My neck is always stiff when I wake up - can’t seem to find the right pillow
You're welcome! Always happy to help! Just don't get a pillow too thick and high. If it's tweaking your head up it'll probably leave your neck unhappy by morning.
I am having problems with my lower back on my right side, I thought my bed was too soft, I have a thick foam topper on my mattress. I thought that may be the problem, turns out that without the topper I can turn over in bed easier, but my hips hurt much worse, I’m a side sleeper. With the topper my hips hurt a lot less but turning over hurts my back on the right side. It’s a problem for me either way so I sleep with the topper, I like a soft bed.
Why don't they tell you this before you buy a mattress!?!?!? We spent like $2000 on a mattress that felt heavenly in the store but is obviously far too firm for our sleeping styles. Thank you so much for this video!!!
If they told you all this beforehand, you might not have spent $2000...or the next round of dollars you'll be spending on the NEXT bed! Hope you find this info helpful for the next mattress you buy!
I’m side sleeper but also I start off laying in my back sometimes fall asleep on my back tried soft and kept waking up with lower back pain went to firm mattress and now I find it uncomfortable and shoulder issues now I’m stuck with the firm mattress
Love your videos man! If the Tuft and Needle was good with the mattress topper, then why did you change? Did it fail to support over time? Want cooling gel? What made you switch?
6 feet tall, 200lbs ( I have been as heavy as 250 and as light as 170 in the past) My best quality sleep as far as joint pain came from sleeping on a mid-grade air mattress Buy mid-grade I mean it was high enough quality that it didn't leak perceptively from the time I went to sleep to the time I woke up, but it wasn't one of those fancy Sleep Number beds that cost thousands of dollars The second best oddly enough was after umbilical hernia surgery, when I was instructed to sleep with my body propped way way up and on my back I basically used cushionss to put myself in almost the same position you would be in on a recliner, in bed, and woke up pain-free pretty much every day This really makes me wonder if the full-time hammock sleepers are on to something
I've never understood western culture's obsessions with beds. The whole mattress + boxsprings + headboard thing. While I was brought up in this culture, for more than 20 years I've slept on a three or four inch hospital grade foam pad. Maybe it's not for everyone -- but works for me.
If you're fortunate enough to not live with chronic pain then this may be a "first world problem" or "Western culture" thing for you. As someone who's chronic pain then statements like these here are arrogant, snobby, or clueless. Having chronic pain for more than 50 years trying to find a mattress or chair with some amount of comfort is a pain in the butt. Having others give their input is really helpful so we're not spending money on things that don't work. Pain is difficult enough to live with but not being able to sleep comfortably makes it worse. Never getting rest from pain unless massively dosed with pain meds isn't a pleasant way to live, while forcing oneself to push through each day exhausted while in pain is no better. Be grateful for a healthy body that can sleep on any surface. I've had to sleep on couches, floors, chairs, recliners, air mattresses that deflate through the night, bad mattresses, amazingly comfortable mattresses in hotels, water beds, and good mattresses. I love it when I can find a mattress we can afford that works for both of us. The one mattress I really adored was no longer available for sale which was a terrible disappointment. But needing a mattress that causes no pain is not a "first world problem" as I'm sure there are people everywhere who need a good night's sleep on a good mattress. Not everyone is a happy martyr. - The Princess and the Pea
@@zuzuspetals9281 Please read more carefully. I clearly stated: "Maybe it's not for everyone -- but works for me." I' m sorry you suffer from pain; I also suffer from chronic back pain.
I toss between back and side sleeping. When I particularly have back pain, I can't sleep on my medium firm mattress and have to sleep on the floor on my back. Pain goes within 10 minutes rather than sleeping on the plushy mattress all night with pain
Hi there, Question: I'm overweight sleeping on a firm mattress on my back and I have lower back pain. I believe it's because my butt is big and it's distorting the natural alignment of my spine(as if I were standing). It's making it so that my butt is pushing my hip more upward and my lower back area not really touching the bed. Do you think this is the reason why I have back pain?
I just moved, but now I have the opportunity to have my head facing north, wonderful dreams ALL night every night, everything matters trust me. if your in a stage 2 or 3 sleep all night, anything will wake you up and make you move around a lot more. find yourself in a stage 4 deep sleep for 4 hours is all the sleep you will need (saw this experiment once awake for 2 hours sleep for 15 minutes 24/7 after 2 months his art and memory excelled beyond his expectations, not to mention he would automatically fall into a stage 4 sleep minutes after laying down and automatically wake himself up 2 hours later) bonus: for no known reason your body temp will go up 3 to 5% and cause you to wake up at or around 3am to cover yourself up, now that your awake enough, you realize you need to pee 'wide awake at 3am' good book
Definitely working to get a sleep number bed. Although I mostly a side sleeper I prefer firmer mattresses. They get all the kinks out. Plus I'm 6'1 265 lbs. After weeks of being in a hotel with firm mattress I felt so much better. Hotel now has soft beds. I travel a lot so will need to have mattress firmness details with hotel lol.
I ve had really soft temper beds, spring beds with plush pillow tops and super firm spring mattresses. Price ranges from a 400 to like 2500 dollars. Nothing helps me. Eventually they all feel pretty uncomfortable eventually. I m primarily a side sleeper but do roll over to back for parts of night. I ve lifted for 10 yrs regularly. I m in pretty decent physical shape. More muscular than avg person. 6ft 210 lbs around 15% bf. No matter what i buy i get some lvl of back discomfort. Lately i feel my lower back feel tight and so do areas that i assume may be psoas and QL. I roll out of bed everyday and need my foam roller and lacrosse ball.
If you sleep on your side then get a mattress where your shoulders can sink in without any pressure. Then place a pillow under your body, as in under your armpit and just above your hips. This will add extra lift and support to your lower back while letting your shoulders sink into the mattress. Also place a pillow in between your legs when on your side to stop your hips rolling forward. Then you want to rest your top arm on another pillow as if you were spooning someone to stop your torso and shoulder rolling forward. Experiment with different thicknesses to see what gives you relief. An easy option is to roll up a thick duvet and spoon it
You should go to a physical therapist or chiropractor and have them check you out. Most people who lift for any length of time develop imbalances that can throw them off a little (hence needing to foam roll every morning). Also check out Eric Cressey DVD "Assess and Correct."
Time to look at how you train your body. Sounds like a larger variety of different things would go a long way towards building your physical resilience.
@@Uprighthealth yeah. I ve trained in a powerlifting type style of programming for quite a long time. I do multiple major compound lifts 4x a wk. Sqaut 2x, deadlift 2x, bench 3x and then everything else is accessories to hopefully make my compound lifts stronger. I probably have created some imbalances being so narrowly focused in my training for so many years.
Perfect timing. I just started looking for a new mattress. With severe pain conditions and having to spend most of my day in bed because of my chronic illness, I need a comfortable bed that doesn't cause any more pain issues. Speaking of sleep, what do you think of weighted blankets? I was rather sceptical but I've tried some and feel like my nervous system needs less time to relax and fall asleep. I just haven't found the perfect one yet. Also thanks for the time stamps in the description. That is really helpful if you want to go back to the video to find something specific. I wish everybody did that ;-) Best wishes from Germany :)
Hi Mighty, check out my reply. I also have a chronic illness AND I have been using a weighted blanket for 10 years! I can't sleep without it now. What kinds have you tried?
Forgot to mention: when I've used blankets that were too heavy, I have noticed significant muscle pain and alignment issues, both on my current bed and my older mattresses. I now have a lighter weight blanket from shoulder to feet, then another one that is 40" wide across my torso. It causes my pain to have my feet with too much pressure on them all night, but feels great on my torso.
@@Uprighthealth lol. It does hurt after a few days. It's better than my bed tho. Lol. Thanks for the video. Great information as always! You're good people!!!!!
Google Futon John San Diego I have purchased several futons from him , 4 Inch futon is very firm. If you like firm. He also sells them at Koby's Swap Meet in San Diego ... really nice guy. He makes them here in San Diego 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I would suggest sleeping on a firm bed. As firm as your body can handle. I assume that fitter people can sleep on firmer beds. Not sure if this is correct.
What bed do you recommend and why? Let us know! And be sure to include relevant information (like height, weight, exercise history) so others have useful context!
I sleep on my sides, occasionally on my back but used to sleep on my tummy a lot.... terrible for my APT.
I had a thick firm-ish futon and I loved it to much.
I have a tendency to find that my shoulders hunch forward too, no matter what beds I sleep on these days.
@@rachkate76 Gotta get more resilient in those shoulders! :-)
I have slept for 30+ years on my 6' round Yoga mat.
The most amazingly comfortable thing I ever slept on was a thick pile of straw in an old goat shed. It seemed to support every millimetre of my body, almost like it was alive. Straw mattresses used to be a thing.... perhaps we need to try them again?? Thanks for the wonderful video, and everything you are doing.
I struggled with back pain at 16 and 120 pounds and still at 65 and 270 pounds. I am a former fitness trainer in great shape who has lost a lot in fitness from injuries and other life stuff. I have finally settled on a Sleep Number bed since every day is different. I have it softer or firmer depending on my work day, etc. Maybe when I increase my adaptability through fitness this won't be necessary. But right now the mattress variabilty is a sleep saver.
I have one and one side feels lower than the other side and both sides are set to same number. I don’t get it
Cool! Im looking into Sleep Number and Air Pedic for my back pain. Air Pedic was quite impressive!
thanks for the video. After decades of sleeping in a bed, I now sleep on the floor, with a thick yoga mat (2-3 inches), a blanket and a towel, only a folded towel as a cushion wehn lying on the side. It's better for my back, cheaper and less difficult to get used to than I expected. Now I love it. I changed because of a slipped disk 6 months ago with severe pain (after 10-20 years of working at PC sitting, sleeping in Bed, driving a car - all the nasty stuff of modern work life). I am 48, weight 171 lbs. After visiting many doctors and physiotherapists the last months, now I am training my body to work as intended again - with your back pain fix. I had no surgery and at least for now, it goes well.
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Sleep Number by Select Comfort. I have one in queen for 11 years and just ordered my second in a king after "saving money" buying a memory foam in king. The memory foam one is getting donated less than a year later as soon as my sleep number arrives on 8/23. We spend a lot of our lives in bed, it is not wise to cut corners on bedding and pillows.
I've slept on my yoga mat many times and felt fine, but I work hard to keep my body in optimal condition and enjoy resting comfortably. I feel like an ad for select comfort but a 25 year warranty may take the edge off that price!
Thanks for the informative video!
Worth it! I’ve had mine for over 20 years...I love it!
thanks for the video, Matt. I can relate to the mattress finding journey. I’m 5’2”, 120lb and a back and side sleeper. My current inexpensive solution:
-Ikea medium firm mattress
-Ikea mattress topper.
-Matt’s Hip muscle strengthening video
I know for a fact is all the sitting at work that had my hips crying for months.
Thanks for your helpful videos, Matt!
Thanks for sharing!
I have some malformed vertebrae, so my back is touchy. I've used a Temperpedic for about 25 years (I'm a few years into my second one). I got the firmest one they have, and I love it! I'm 5'1", 95 lbs and usually a side sleeper, but sometimes on my back--best without a pillow.
We bought a temperpedic bed 15 years ago. Best money every spent! My hubby was having a lot of back issues after waking up. I was pregnant at the time and so uncomfortable in our box spring mattress that I would often sleep on the couch. We decided our mattress wasn’t working for either of us any longer. After much mattress shopping we went for the temperpedic and man did it change our lives. We love it and still maintain it was the best money we ever spent! Forgot to mention that I’m a side and stomach sleeper and my hubby is a back sleeper and it works for both of us.
What firmness level was that? Soft, medium or firm?
I'm a 73 year-old, 124 pound female. I was a side sleeper, recently converted to a back sleeper. My bed is a low, simple wood frame with plywood fitted to it, and 2x4's for slats. On top is a 1" firm closed cell, over-sized yoga mat and a soft 2" foam top layer. I need the flatness of it to rest well. I use almost flat pillows or none. I am pretty flexible but very short on muscle from life circumstances, but I can go at it now. One knee is very weak, the contents shift easily and painfully. I don't see that you have a program for knees, I'm hoping that you add one. For now, your youtube videos are helping me a lot. I am seeing a lot of improvement in going up stairs. Going down properly will come with more work. Thank you. You are easy to understand, upbeat, and skillful.
When I visited my son in Japan back in 2006, I was 52 years old and from Canada. Whilst in Japan, we slept on futons on the floor. I remember waking up one night, wanting to turn to my other side (I'm a side sleeper) and when I went to move, I was totally seized up. lol So, I stayed in that position.
Sleep number! I am a poly positional sleeper. 5’8, 180 lbs. My husband and I share a king size bed so we can each pick our own sleep number. We even bought sleep numbers for our married children. Another benefit of the sleep number besides being adjustable is that you don’t have to flip the mattress and easy portability if you move. You can add toppers if you need a little more cushion. Our kids bought higher end ones we still have the same bed from 2003. Don’t deal with potential bedbugs either. It’s air!
thanks Matt, your vids always help and demystify. As a fairly lightweight 'polypositional' sleeper my experience essentially replicates yours: too hard or too soft is no good, better muscular condition means better sleep. I now sleep on an old Asian wooden bed with a medium foam mattress just thick enough to keep my hip bone and shoulder off the wood when lying on my side, using just a small folded rug as pillow. Wake up on back, relaxed, no kinks in neck, no numb hands etc. And of course it is better to be a bit active before bed, rather than dozing in front of some screen or other ....
It’s almost like - are you trolling? 😂
My Purple was literally life changing. I'm a side or back sleeper usually, sometimes sleep on my stomach, and it has helped get rid of my back pain.
No matter what position I'm in it lets me relax and not worry about back pain.
I checked out a Purple this past weekend. I really liked it but it was $3000 and that is out of my budget for a mattress. Who knows, I may change my mind in the future.
Is the Matress that’s made of little rubber squares?
I'm a side sleeper because a sleep doctor told me I have sleep apnea when on my back. (I would love to be able to sleep on my back!) I'm also trying to get better at sleeping on the ground because I'm interested in backpacking. Putting a pillow under my torso helps me quite a bit. Then I also have to use two pillows under my head, but my shoulder is more comfortable. I'm 6' 3" at 165 lbs.
Bottoming out on a floor or equivalent underneath is the worst.
I would love a massage table or even better a PT table. I could buy some foam and make that if I knew the type of foam. Then I could use a cotton Japanese futon over it for the best.
I have had two mattresses, both freecycle finds and both have worked well. I have slept on an old ikea foam mattress (my hips go lower than my shoulder and head) which has been just fine for several years but I thought flatter might be better for my back and upper shoulder hunch. I bought your course.
Now I have a really firm cotton futon and that is fine with me. My shoulder makes a dent in it and that seems to be ok too.
ME: side-sleeper mostly but sometimes on back with no pillow. Very occasionally prone with one knee up (towards my head) in a frog position.
Edited.. but the price at Tulo for the firm mattress I put in another comment would give me a brand new mattress. I am tempted and will call them tomorrow. Thanks for the hint.
Beds....argh. I have been through so many. I am 5'2", ~140lbs, primarily a side sleeper, maybe 20% back sleeper, never stomach, umm don't really exercise, have Lyme disease, thyroid problems and adrenal problems. I also use a 10lb weighted blanket at night which adds to the pressure on the mattress and my muscles. I can also pop my shoulder and hip joints out of socket while just standing, with hardly any effort, so have needed really good support. Used to be in tons of pain from Lyme to the point of not being able to walk, but am doing much better. Soft beds have been horrible for me, as have medium. Firm were ok, but all the mattresses I've used were too hot. I have tried spring (good for a while, then permanent sag), memory foam (not enough support and way too hot), and latex (not enough support, no matter how I arranged the layers). Memory foam was from Amazon, Latex was from Pure Bliss. Just as important to me as the support has been how much the material traps heat. I am a hot sleeper ever since getting infected from a tick. I live in a cool climate with bad winters, and I was still sweating in memory foam, latex less so, but still too hot. I did research and learned about wool. Got a wool topper and it improved. Did some more research and decided to get rid of my mattress. I bought a wood slat platform frame, hardwood plywood, 3 yoga mats, and about 6" of folded wool blankets. I've been sleeping on that for about a year and a half now, and, though not perfect, it's the best I've ever slept on. Some nights aren't comfortable (position-wise) but most nights are. I don't overheat anymore. I can't sleep on anything other than wool now. Wool regulates my body temp where memory foam just traps the heat and creates a sauna. I use two thin-ish buckwheat pillows for under my head, which can easily be changed around if changing to my back.
I almost purchased a tempurpedic bed because of the advertisement, but on studying the way she jumped on the bed was sneaky.
On one bed she went down with locked knees hard heels all her weight in a down force, knocking the glass over.
On the tempurpedic mattress, she lightly came down with bent knees to take the impact.
So I don't trust their product
My bed was purchased in 2007, still very comfortable and get a good sleep on it, it's a no turning one, medium to soft, sealy with fitted topper.
Thank you for your video, I'm subscribed.
This is an excellent video. Very descriptive and very helpful to people, that are struggling with what mattress to buy for their particular needs.
everything you said speaks to my experiences. The best solution I have find is very similar. A firm bed with 3 to 4inch memory foam allows the perfect mix of support without making my hands go numb when I sleep on my side or letting my butt or hips sink too much to cause pain. Eventually we bought a Dream Cloud which took a bit to get used to it because it feels really soft but yet it does fully support us in every position.
I'm 200 lbs and prefer my latex foam firm mattress. I do break down material because of my weight. I paid $750 for mine (eastern king) on Amazon and I will do it again when needed. I'm a back sleeper, but my wife is a side sleeper and she is happy too. A high quality firm inner spring works well for me too.
I encourage clients to break the habit of belly sleeping or soft beds. I cannot find a positive attribute of this position structurally. And although it may take some effort, it's worth changing.
Great video! I got all the above problems and I use a CPAP. I'm fairly light guy, 155 lbs. I'm a back and left-side sleeper. I just found your site and been binge watching your videos. I'll be waiting for President's Day for a sale to get a new mattress because I'm a cheap skate too.
I have a super firm mattress with 3 inch memory foam on top. I am 100 lbs and my husband is about 160 lbs. I sleep on my back with a bolster under my knees for sciatica relief and my husband is a side sleeper. The super firm mattress provides good support and stability but the memory foam cushions hips and shoulders. It is perfect for us.
Just found your channel and subscribed. I can’t say enough for Select Comfort beds, they are expensive, but I wouldn’t buy any other bed. My husband is a back sleeper and likes a hard bed, and I am a side and stomach sleeper and like a soft bed. With the Select Comfort bed we both get what we need. For the amount of time we spend in bed it’s the best investment and they have a 25 year warranty.
I sleep on back front side to side and sleep on a spring mattress 1 week and then8 inch foam mattress so I am ok so far on slightly different surfaces but definitely not on hard floor
I switched to a Sleep Number bed as it seemed the closest I could get to the waterbed I'd been using for decades. A poly-positional sleeper over 60 years old, under 5' and under 100 pds, both these options have been comfortable for me.
Pain all over. Lumbar disc issues, fibromyalgia, nerve pain. Currently using a medium firm 8’ memory foam over firm mattress with box springs. Getting up is like climbing out of a blubber pit- a workout in itself!
Back sleeper but have to hang my feet off due to pain.many pillows of all sizes and densities. I use them where needed. Also heating pads.
I’m thinking a sleep number with topper would be ideal ❤️
Waking up with more aches than i went to sleep with night after night for the past 15 years. Tried countless mattresses at home and in hotels and what seems comfortable for a few nights soon find ways to start causing pain. 6ft 175lb poly sleeper minus back sleep
It took me a long time to find the perfect Mattress, I am 5'9 tall and 132lb. and I hate to feel hot when sleeping,... so after many try outs of all kinds of mattresses with many of them being foam mattresses that make you feel hot in the summer, I found the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora (a hybrid mattress) due to it's cooling capability and softness I just fell in love with it very quickly, since I am a side and back sleeper but you can also get it a Medium or Firm version of it. ....not too expensive either at all plus they give you 120-NIGHT TRIAL!
Excellent information. Just what I needed to hear. I purchased the Saatva HD mattress in February 2024. At first it was comfortable, however, now in late March I’m miserable. I sleep in pain on all sides. I wake up in the middle of the night tossing and turning. Due to lack of good sleep at night I’m sleepy during the day, I have the option to return the mattress but my thoughts are in alignment with you…. I think the problem is ME. How do I fix my back, hip and shoulder pain so that i can sleep soundly in my new $$$ mattress?
We got a 'Sleep on Latex' brand bed, firm version, in 2020. I like it as a back-sleeper - but my snoring has gotten worse and I'm often being prodded to roll onto my side by my partner, which doesn't feel good on my shoulders - so late in 2024, I wish we had a softer mattress.
Great info! LOL the ending !
Hey, thank you so much!!! I'm from Russia. And your videos are so helpful to me! Nice work!!!
You're welcome!
Very informative and helful. I especially appreciated the lesson on what firmness of mattresses was best. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Thank you.
I'm having such hard time finding a mattress! Too hard and my body aches, too soft and my lower back hurts. Can't find anyone to help me. I'm in Australia. 66, 5ft 2in and 71kg female side sleeper. I LOVE your pillows. They look so comfortable! Can i get those in Australia? Thanks.
After a lot of mattress testing, Aireloom M1 or M2 or Streamline Luxury Firm are best. Absolutely stellar. How do I define best? Highest % of people that will be happy on it. Aireloom Streamline Luxury Firm is best selling Aireloom mattress for last 15 years. Why? Great amount of firmness and softness. Perfection!!!!
I'm on a tuft and needle and while for about a year it was great it is now sagging in the middle (and I don't weigh much). It sucks but through research I've found that all foam no matter the quality or type of foam... all foam breaks down over time. So ugh I guess I have decided to go with whatever ultra cheap medium firm mattress I can find and just keep replacing it as it eventually sags. Recently I got a purple that was on clearance for a remarkable price so the deal alone was hard to say no to. Hopefully it doesn't break down as fast as the tuft and needle. But, wow you are right on about we can sleep on whatever we get used to. It took forever for me to be able to sleep on the tuft and needle and now I can't seem to sleep on the purple and keep going back to the tuft and needle in spite of its sag.
Hard lesson to learn: nothing lasts forever!
I so get it.. separated shoulder lower 2 disc issue and knee pop latest injury. Bed is too soft. I think a med firm would be good. Almost everyday my lower back hurts. Also a bit of a hump..I never sleep with more than 1 pillow. Not too fluffy. It’s the back shoulder and knee in that order. We have an adjustable bed.. I don’t like it. Had it for 7 years.. it’s rude.. haha
So glad to see your video! It’s time for us to get a good mattress...I think we had our’s for over 20 years...(I think my hubby is cheaper than you are...). I preferred firm mattress but now I have shoulder pains (I sleep mostly on my side) & have arthritis pain all over my body...I notice that our old mattress does not bother me anymore...after watching your video I can understand why (it is no longer firm). But it’s time for us to change the mattress & thank you for your video. If it was not for your video than I would have bought the wrong mattress! Very practical video & love your shorts.
Just subscribed to your RUclips.
Happy to help! Remember to build your body's overall resilience too so your bed choice becomes less of a major issue! 😃
Great video always informative - now do you have any pillow recommendations for side sleepers. My neck is always stiff when I wake up - can’t seem to find the right pillow
You're welcome! Always happy to help! Just don't get a pillow too thick and high. If it's tweaking your head up it'll probably leave your neck unhappy by morning.
I am having problems with my lower back on my right side, I thought my bed was too soft, I have a thick foam topper on my mattress. I thought that may be the problem, turns out that without the topper I can turn over in bed easier, but my hips hurt much worse, I’m a side sleeper. With the topper my hips hurt a lot less but turning over hurts my back on the right side. It’s a problem for me either way so I sleep with the topper, I like a soft bed.
Why don't they tell you this before you buy a mattress!?!?!? We spent like $2000 on a mattress that felt heavenly in the store but is obviously far too firm for our sleeping styles. Thank you so much for this video!!!
If they told you all this beforehand, you might not have spent $2000...or the next round of dollars you'll be spending on the NEXT bed! Hope you find this info helpful for the next mattress you buy!
I’m side sleeper but also I start off laying in my back sometimes fall asleep on my back tried soft and kept waking up with lower back pain went to firm mattress and now I find it uncomfortable and shoulder issues now I’m stuck with the firm mattress
Love your videos man! If the Tuft and Needle was good with the mattress topper, then why did you change? Did it fail to support over time? Want cooling gel? What made you switch?
6 feet tall, 200lbs ( I have been as heavy as 250 and as light as 170 in the past)
My best quality sleep as far as joint pain came from sleeping on a mid-grade air mattress
Buy mid-grade I mean it was high enough quality that it didn't leak perceptively from the time I went to sleep to the time I woke up, but it wasn't one of those fancy Sleep Number beds that cost thousands of dollars
The second best oddly enough was after umbilical hernia surgery, when I was instructed to sleep with my body propped way way up and on my back
I basically used cushionss to put myself in almost the same position you would be in on a recliner, in bed, and woke up pain-free pretty much every day
This really makes me wonder if the full-time hammock sleepers are on to something
If you are a stomach sleeper, ideally you need a breathing hole in your mattress.
Just use a snorkel. 🤿🤣
Looking for either a firm or medium-firm, all-natural (cotton, linen, wool) innerspring mattress. High quality that is. Any suggestions?
I've never understood western culture's obsessions with beds. The whole mattress + boxsprings + headboard thing. While I was brought up in this culture, for more than 20 years I've slept on a three or four inch hospital grade foam pad. Maybe it's not for everyone -- but works for me.
Nice!
There are a lot of things in western culture that seem to revolve around instilling a sense of need for a thing you don't really need...
People have soreness and back pain. First world problem for sure though.
If you're fortunate enough to not live with chronic pain then this may be a "first world problem" or "Western culture" thing for you. As someone who's chronic pain then statements like these here are arrogant, snobby, or clueless. Having chronic pain for more than 50 years trying to find a mattress or chair with some amount of comfort is a pain in the butt. Having others give their input is really helpful so we're not spending money on things that don't work. Pain is difficult enough to live with but not being able to sleep comfortably makes it worse. Never getting rest from pain unless massively dosed with pain meds isn't a pleasant way to live, while forcing oneself to push through each day exhausted while in pain is no better. Be grateful for a healthy body that can sleep on any surface. I've had to sleep on couches, floors, chairs, recliners, air mattresses that deflate through the night, bad mattresses, amazingly comfortable mattresses in hotels, water beds, and good mattresses. I love it when I can find a mattress we can afford that works for both of us. The one mattress I really adored was no longer available for sale which was a terrible disappointment. But needing a mattress that causes no pain is not a "first world problem" as I'm sure there are people everywhere who need a good night's sleep on a good mattress. Not everyone is a happy martyr. - The Princess and the Pea
@@zuzuspetals9281 Please read more carefully. I clearly stated: "Maybe it's not for everyone -- but works for me." I' m sorry you suffer from pain; I also suffer from chronic back pain.
I toss between back and side sleeping. When I particularly have back pain, I can't sleep on my medium firm mattress and have to sleep on the floor on my back. Pain goes within 10 minutes rather than sleeping on the plushy mattress all night with pain
Check out our video on sleeping with anterior tilt. And you're probably going to want to work on your ab strength. :-)
This has been so helpful! Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Great Information ... Thank You 👍🏼👍🏼
You're welcome!
Hi there, Question: I'm overweight sleeping on a firm mattress on my back and I have lower back pain. I believe it's because my butt is big and it's distorting the natural alignment of my spine(as if I were standing). It's making it so that my butt is pushing my hip more upward and my lower back area not really touching the bed. Do you think this is the reason why I have back pain?
Yes…..there should be no gap. Try Aireloom Preferred M1 and M2 and Streamline Firm or my favorite Streamline Luxury Firm.
Thanks, Matt! Do you have any videos on how to keep good positions when we sleep to prevent injury, etc.?
Best Ikea influencer ever! 😂 thanks for the info as always, super helpful
also pls tidy your bedroom
I have those same sheets... cool! Target - 🙂
Thanks Matt, this really helps a lot I appreciate you. A quick question where did you get your comforter from? It looks like a cloud
How do i order tulo mattress?
A few cm thick mat, small pillow and light blanket, perfecto!
I just moved, but now I have the opportunity to have my head facing north, wonderful dreams ALL night every night, everything matters trust me. if your in a stage 2 or 3 sleep all night, anything will wake you up and make you move around a lot more. find yourself in a stage 4 deep sleep for 4 hours is all the sleep you will need (saw this experiment once awake for 2 hours sleep for 15 minutes 24/7 after 2 months his art and memory excelled beyond his expectations, not to mention he would automatically fall into a stage 4 sleep minutes after laying down and automatically wake himself up 2 hours later) bonus: for no known reason your body temp will go up 3 to 5% and cause you to wake up at or around 3am to cover yourself up, now that your awake enough, you realize you need to pee 'wide awake at 3am' good book
How often do you change your mattress?
Great video Matt. Never nude for life!
There are dozens of us. DOZENS!!!
Definitely working to get a sleep number bed. Although I mostly a side sleeper I prefer firmer mattresses. They get all the kinks out. Plus I'm 6'1 265 lbs. After weeks of being in a hotel with firm mattress I felt so much better. Hotel now has soft beds. I travel a lot so will need to have mattress firmness details with hotel lol.
What about someone who has had a spinal fusion?
I ve had really soft temper beds, spring beds with plush pillow tops and super firm spring mattresses. Price ranges from a 400 to like 2500 dollars. Nothing helps me. Eventually they all feel pretty uncomfortable eventually. I m primarily a side sleeper but do roll over to back for parts of night. I ve lifted for 10 yrs regularly. I m in pretty decent physical shape. More muscular than avg person. 6ft 210 lbs around 15% bf. No matter what i buy i get some lvl of back discomfort. Lately i feel my lower back feel tight and so do areas that i assume may be psoas and QL. I roll out of bed everyday and need my foam roller and lacrosse ball.
If you sleep on your side then get a mattress where your shoulders can sink in without any pressure.
Then place a pillow under your body, as in under your armpit and just above your hips. This will add extra lift and support to your lower back while letting your shoulders sink into the mattress.
Also place a pillow in between your legs when on your side to stop your hips rolling forward.
Then you want to rest your top arm on another pillow as if you were spooning someone to stop your torso and shoulder rolling forward.
Experiment with different thicknesses to see what gives you relief. An easy option is to roll up a thick duvet and spoon it
Also look into zoned mattresses, where they have a firmer area for your back and softer area for your shoulders
You should go to a physical therapist or chiropractor and have them check you out. Most people who lift for any length of time develop imbalances that can throw them off a little (hence needing to foam roll every morning). Also check out Eric Cressey DVD "Assess and Correct."
Time to look at how you train your body. Sounds like a larger variety of different things would go a long way towards building your physical resilience.
@@Uprighthealth yeah. I ve trained in a powerlifting type style of programming for quite a long time. I do multiple major compound lifts 4x a wk. Sqaut 2x, deadlift 2x, bench 3x and then everything else is accessories to hopefully make my compound lifts stronger. I probably have created some imbalances being so narrowly focused in my training for so many years.
Jean shorts! - Tobias would be proud 😆
There are dozens of us! DOZENS!
Perfect timing. I just started looking for a new mattress. With severe pain conditions and having to spend most of my day in bed because of my chronic illness, I need a comfortable bed that doesn't cause any more pain issues.
Speaking of sleep, what do you think of weighted blankets? I was rather sceptical but I've tried some and feel like my nervous system needs less time to relax and fall asleep. I just haven't found the perfect one yet.
Also thanks for the time stamps in the description. That is really helpful if you want to go back to the video to find something specific. I wish everybody did that ;-)
Best wishes from Germany :)
Hi Mighty, check out my reply. I also have a chronic illness AND I have been using a weighted blanket for 10 years! I can't sleep without it now. What kinds have you tried?
Forgot to mention: when I've used blankets that were too heavy, I have noticed significant muscle pain and alignment issues, both on my current bed and my older mattresses. I now have a lighter weight blanket from shoulder to feet, then another one that is 40" wide across my torso. It causes my pain to have my feet with too much pressure on them all night, but feels great on my torso.
Listen to this skinny legend, ooh I’m so light! 😂😂😂
Good info as always. Cute lammie.
i like sleep number only bed for me
Your content is amazing. ❤
Came for the info, stayed for the humour too. Awesome breakdown (not of your body though lmao)
I still haven't found the right mattress 😏
Cute sheepy hehe
I love sleeping on the floor
I love napping on the floor - but have yet to get resilient enough to sleep all night on the floor multiple days in a row without being super sore.
@@Uprighthealth lol. It does hurt after a few days. It's better than my bed tho. Lol. Thanks for the video. Great information as always! You're good people!!!!!
Were those… daisy dukes? 😂
Google Futon John San Diego
I have purchased several futons from him , 4 Inch futon is very firm.
If you like firm.
He also sells them at Koby's Swap Meet in San Diego ... really nice guy. He makes them here in San Diego 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
emma colchon
I would suggest sleeping on a firm bed. As firm as your body can handle. I assume that fitter people can sleep on firmer beds. Not sure if this is correct.
The mark up on mattress is equivalent to jewellery. .
I prefer sleeping on nails. Make sure they are galvanized so they don’t rust /don’t want to get tetanus
Soo every bed minus the one with the topper you said was uncomfortable maybe you should spend money on quality
bro clean your feet