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5 signs your mattress is too firm

25 lutego 2025
Conscious people know that choosing the right mattress is the key to comfortable sleep. Contrary to popular belief, a firm mattress is not always the best solution. Especially if you're already struggling with lower back pain caused by poor positioning. A surface that's too hard can do more harm than good, leading to muscle tension and circulation problems.

If you wake up feeling tired or sore, or experience discomfort during sleep, the culprit might be that overly firm mattress proudly resting on your bed. Your body should be gently contoured by the mattress to maintain the natural curvature of your spine. The consequences of sleeping on a too-firm mattress can be serious.

Back, neck or shoulder pain

One of the most obvious signs that your mattress is too firm is, in most cases, pain in your back, neck, or shoulders—especially right after waking up. When the mattress surface doesn't adapt to the body's natural curves, your spine lacks proper support. As a result, significant muscle tension can persist throughout the night. This often leads to discomfort and pain that may ease during the day.

An overly firm mattress can put strain on the lumbar spine, commonly referred to as the lower back, forcing the muscles to work excessively even while sleeping. This, in turn, can frequently result in chronic tension and pain that make everyday life more difficult.

If you wake up feeling stiff in your neck, shoulders, or back, it may be time to consider replacing your mattress. A model like the Osaka Air mattress, with its dynamic structure made of high-resilience HR foam, provides proper support while minimizing pressure in sensitive areas.

Numbness and tingling in the limbs

Another sign that your mattress is too firm may be a feeling of numbness or tingling in your limbs. A hard mattress surface often causes pressure on nerves and restricted blood circulation, especially in areas that are in direct contact with the bed. These are usually the shoulders, hips, or legs, where symptoms tend to appear first.

While you sleep, your body should be evenly distributed across the mattress surface to avoid excessive pressure on specific areas. If the mattress is too firm, some body parts may be constantly compressed, leading to tissue oxygen deficiency, as well as tingling or numbness.

Mattresses made of high-resilience foam, such as the Osaka Air, reduce pressure risk by evenly distributing body weight. They also ensure excellent air circulation, supporting proper blood flow during sleep.

Trouble falling asleep and restless nights

If you often wake up during the night or struggle to fall asleep, the reason might be an unsuitable mattress. A firm surface can cause discomfort that forces you to frequently change positions in search of comfort. This disrupts your sleep, making it less effective and prevents full regeneration during the night.

Lack of comfort also affects your sleep cycles, especially deep sleep, which is essential for proper recovery of the body, including muscles and the brain. Interrupted sleep leads to daytime fatigue, but also to reduced focus and worsened mood, which shouldn't be underestimated.

Instead of struggling with insomnia, it's worth investing in a mattress that offers proper support while also adjusting to the body’s natural curves—without that sinking feeling. The shamelessly perfect Osaka Air mattress features a flexible structure that promotes proper posture during sleep, significantly reducing discomfort and helping you truly rest.

Feeling stiff after waking up

If you wake up with muscle stiffness, especially in the lower back or neck, it could be a sign that your mattress is too firm and needs replacing. This stiffness results from muscle tension that builds up during the night when the mattress fails to adjust flexibly to your body shape.

An overly firm mattress prevents the spine from maintaining its natural alignment, which places excess strain on the spine as well as nearby muscles and joints. Instead of true rest, your body stays in a state of constant tension throughout the night, resulting in that stiff feeling in the morning.

ONSEN® has created the Osaka Air mattress, specifically designed to support proper spinal alignment during sleep. Thanks to its multi-layered construction made primarily of HR foams, it provides optimal support and eliminates the risk of waking up stiff.

Discomfort when sleeping on your side

First and foremost, it's side sleepers who especially feel the effects of a mattress that's too firm. This position requires the mattress to allow for proper contouring of the hips and shoulders to keep the spine aligned. If the mattress is too hard, the body can't settle into a natural position, leading to significant tension in the lower back and shoulders.

When the mattress doesn't adapt to the body's natural curves, side sleeping can cause unpleasant pain in the hips, neck, or shoulders. Over time, sleeping this way may lead to chronic musculoskeletal issues.

The Osaka Air foam mattress provides ideal support for side sleepers. Its flexible construction allows for body contouring while keeping the spine in the correct position—without the sinking sensation typical of memory foam mattresses.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.

FAQ: 5 Signs your mattress is too firm

How can I tell if my mattress is too firm?

There are a few telltale signs. Most commonly, you'll wake up with back pain, a stiff neck, or a feeling of fatigue despite a full night's sleep. A firm mattress doesn?t allow your body to sink in naturally, so your muscles stay tense and tight all night. It also doesn?t contour to your body shape, which means your spine isn?t properly supported.

How can I check if my mattress is too firm?

Think about whether you wake up with aches or numb limbs, or if you often toss and turn during the night. If you feel like you?re bouncing off the mattress rather than gently sinking into it, that?s a red flag. You can also lie on your back and check if there?s a visible gap between your lower back and the mattress ? this may indicate a lack of support, though it depends on your body type.

How do I know if a mattress is too soft?

A too-soft mattress is the opposite end of the same problem: insufficient support. If you feel like you?re sinking in too deeply, have trouble getting out of bed, or your spine curves unnaturally while lying down, the mattress might be too soft. This can lead to lower back pain and the sensation of "sinking in" while you sleep.

What are the signs of an uncomfortable firm mattress?

A firm mattress can make your sleep feel stiff ? both literally and figuratively. If you constantly need to change positions and feel pressure on your shoulders or hips that causes numbness, the mattress may be too hard. Sleep quality suffers, and instead of waking up refreshed, you start your day annoyed and achy.

Why does everything hurt after sleeping on a firm mattress?

Because your body?s been fighting for comfort all night. A hard mattress creates unnatural tension in your muscles, fails to support the natural curves of your spine, and puts pressure on key areas like the shoulders, hips, and knees. As a result, your muscles feel overworked ? like after a bad workout ? and you wake up sore and stiff.

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