It is time to move on, but to what?

Mattress Talk
1

For the past decade I have been sleeping on a Novaform mattress that I think falls toward the ‘firmer’ end of the spectrum. The mattress has no visible defects (such as sagging) but lately I have had an issue with developing hip pain that wakes me up when I sleep on my side; this pain goes away when I switch to lying on my back. This cycle repeats throughout the night. I also frequently wake up with a sore lower back regardless of sleep position.

The sleep issues, the age of the mattress, and the fact that I lost 40+ pounds since I purchased it tell me it is time to look for something that better suits my current situation. Unfortunately, I live in an area where available options are almost exclusively limited to offerings from national manufacturers. I did visit one local store but the experience was less than satisfactory. I am not averse to purchasing something online (I bought the Novaform without being able to try it) but all the claims and options make it difficult to determine what might be suitable.

I am 66 years old, predominantly a side sleeper, 6’3” tall, and weigh 200 pounds. I do not think I sleep ‘hot’ so foam is not a problem, but I also prefer to ‘sleep on’ rather than ‘sink into’ a mattress. Based on what I have read it seems a hybrid in the medium to medium-firm range might be a reasonable choice but beyond that it is hard to know what to do. I read through the information on this website; very helpful but a bit overwhelming! I am hoping that someone who has had a similar experience or is in a similar situation might be able to provide some guidance.

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Hello Morpheus,

Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround.

It’s tough to figure out exactly which Novafoam mattress you’re using. Most Novafoam mattresses are made with memory foam, but the design and build can vary. You might get a clearer idea of how it’s supporting you if someone could snap a picture of you lying on your side for about 20-30 minutes. This way, you can really see how the mattress is responding to your body.

As we get older, our bodies change, and so do our needs. What felt comfortable five years ago may not feel the same today, thanks to the natural shifts in our bodies over time. Whatever new mattress you decide on, make sure you keep in mind the 4 R’s: Return, Restocking, Refund, and Reputation/Reviews. It’s a bit surprising that you’re not experiencing that sinking feeling with your current Novafoam mattress, but that’s where knowing the exact model you’re using becomes really important.

You would benefit from a hybrid mattress featuring pocketed coils with a medium comfort layer, offering a balance of contouring and support. The pocketed coils are essential as they can provide targeted support to different areas of your body, helping to maintain proper alignment while you sleep. This type of coil system also minimizes motion transfer, which can be particularly helpful if you’re moving around throughout the night due to discomfort.

A medium comfort layer will give you the pressure relief needed for side sleeping, particularly around your hips and shoulders, without compromising your posture. It’s important that the mattress still offers robust support to ensure that your spine stays aligned, alleviating the lower back pain you’ve been experiencing. A mattress with a medium feel strikes a balance between softness and firmness, helping you “sleep on” the surface while avoiding the sinking feeling of a softer mattress.

This combination of contouring and robust support should address both your side sleeping needs and lower back discomfort, offering both comfort and alignment for a better night’s sleep.

Mattresses are a very subjective item, and there is no one answer that will solve a specific person’s issue. There may be a variety of options available, that may work. You just need to understand how mattresses are constructed, then listen to your body talking to you and look for a mattress construction that caters to those needs.

Maverick.