Latex mattress *causing* pain?
Oct 17, 2009 9:55 AM
Joined: Mar 1, 2009
Points: 5
So back in March I purchased from FBM a six-inch firm latex mattress and a two-inch medium topper. It was great, and I had no problems whatsoever. About two months ago, however, I went to Costa Rica and injured my lower back surfing. Now, over the last 4-6 weeks or so, I've started having uncomfortable lower back pain after about 7 hours of sleep (very difficult to go past 7 hours no matter how tired I am). It feels almost like muscle aching, and is low down, and covers a wide area -- basically the entire lower back support muscles. (My girlfriend has always had a similar problem in my bed.)

I tried taking off the medium topper, thinking it might harden the bed some and fix the problem. No change. I'm a side sleeper, but I've tried sleeping on my back some and that also yields no noticeable difference.

Any idea what is going on here?
Re: Latex mattress *causing* pain?
Reply #2 Oct 18, 2009 2:56 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
uncfan wrote:
So back in March I purchased from FBM a six-inch firm latex mattress and a two-inch medium topper. It was great, and I had no problems whatsoever. About two months ago, however, I went to Costa Rica and injured my lower back surfing. Now, over the last 4-6 weeks or so, I've started having uncomfortable lower back pain after about 7 hours of sleep (very difficult to go past 7 hours no matter how tired I am). It feels almost like muscle aching, and is low down, and covers a wide area -- basically the entire lower back support muscles. (My girlfriend has always had a similar problem in my bed.)

I tried taking off the medium topper, thinking it might harden the bed some and fix the problem. No change. I'm a side sleeper, but I've tried sleeping on my back some and that also yields no noticeable difference.

Any idea what is going on here?

It could be that you need springs under foam. I tried many many different types of foam and in the end I had to get springs under my foam (and less foam) in order to not have a back ache.

If that is the case, take comfort in knowing that you can buy a low end model mattress with good springs and then add some foam to it for not too much money.

Hopefully it's more it's not that you need springs. Could it be you need something a bit softer, now, not firmer?
Re: Latex mattress *causing* pain?
Reply #3 Oct 18, 2009 11:57 AM
Joined: Sep 21, 2009
Points: 15
UNCfan -

Did you get any treatment for your back injury? If you have lingering issues with soft tissue or misalignment I'm sure they could be exacerbated by most any bed or prolonged periods in any one position (sitting, standing, etc). I would recommend seeing a doc or DC and getting that sorted out before venturing down the rabbit hole of tweaking your mattress. Especially since it was fine before the injury, it seems the injury might actually be the root of your recent problem. Good luck!!

SK