Experts Answer: Why is My New Bed Hurting My Back?

Picture this: you finally upgrade your bed after finding what seems like the perfect mattress — only to wake up with unexpected back pain. I just bought this mattress, so why does it already feel uncomfortable? What am I going to do? Should I return it?

When wondering, “Why is my new bed hurting my back?” it’s common to automatically think that your new mattress is defective; however, the mattress experts at Texas Mattress Makers are here to explain why new mattress back pain can be a normal experience as well as what to expect when breaking in a mattress.

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that we hear regarding new mattresses and back pain.

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Can a new mattress cause back pain?

A new mattress can cause some discomfort in your back, but the reasons may not be what you expect. If your former mattress was low-quality and uncomfortable, a new bed with proper lumbar support might initially feel too firm, causing stiffness or discomfort as your spine realigns during sleep. Often, the mattress isn’t “bad,” it’s just different. 

Is it normal for the back to hurt with a new bed?

Yes, feeling stiffness or soreness in your back after sleeping on a new mattress is normal and usually nothing to worry about. While it might seem counterintuitive, a little discomfort in the first few weeks of sleeping on a brand-new mattress isn’t unusual! Here’s why:

1. Your body is still adjusting to your new mattress. We love to compare sleeping on a new mattress to breaking in a new pair of shoes. Just as you need to walk in new shoes for a while before they adjust to your feet, you need to sleep on your new mattress for a while before your body adjusts and begins to feel comfortable.
2. Your new mattress needs to break in. The components in a new mattress are still in their original, uncompressed state, often resulting in a firmer feel until the mattress has been used and begins to conform to your body. When you continuously sleep on your new bed, the components will begin to soften and mold to your specific body. 

In short, some discomfort is normal with a new mattress. You and your new bed need some time to get used to one another!

How long does it take for your back to get used to a new bed?

While this process may differ from person to person depending on the type of mattress or other personal factors, the mattress industry has a standard “break-in period” for new beds. How long does it take to break in a mattress? On average, it takes about 30-90 nights for your body to adjust to a new mattress completely after continuous use. In this video, mattress expert Rachael and founder Youval explain how the mattress break-in process works.

During this break-in period, the materials gradually conform to your unique body shape and preferred sleep position, helping to reduce pesky new mattress back pain and improve overall comfort. Once broken in, your mattress should feel more comfortable while continuing to properly support your body throughout the night.

Keep in mind that “breaking in” a mattress doesn’t mean the materials are weakening — they’re adapting to your sleep needs. Natural body impressions are part of the process and enhance how well your mattress supports your spine and relieves pressure points.

My new mattress hurts my back. What should I do?

If you’re experiencing new mattress back pain, we recommend waiting at least 30 nights (preferably 60) before reporting a comfort concern. If the pain persists after that initial period, here is what we recommend doing before contacting the mattress company. 

• Walk on the mattress. Want to know our expert trick for how to soften a firm mattress? Adding pressure by walking or crawling on your mattress can open up the cells in the materials and soften the components faster (depending on the type of mattress). Be careful not to jump on the bed or apply excessive pressure, as this can hurt the component’s integrity.
• Check your mattress’s support system. Even the best mattress can’t perform well without proper support. Using a sturdy, compatible foundation helps maintain the mattress’s structure, prevents sagging, and ensures you get the full benefits of its comfort and lumbar support, which is especially important if you’re trying to avoid back pain. 
• Add a mattress topper (temporarily). Do mattress toppers work? Mattress toppers can be a good temporary solution for the first few nights to help add more cushion to your bed. However, mattress toppers should not be used long-term as they can hinder the break-in process.

If, after 60 nights and completing these steps, you are still not satisfied with your mattress, contact your mattress retailer to see what can be done. Here at Texas Mattress Makers, our priority is to ensure each customer brings home a mattress that will provide them with optimal comfort for years to come.

Our 90-Night Comfort Guarantee allows our customers to make any exchanges or comfort modifications if they are still unsatisfied with their new bed after the break-in period has subsided (and before 90 nights). 

Did you know? Customers who have purchased a mattress from our premium Quantum™ Collection get an extended warranty period of 6 months to make any comfort modifications or exchanges!

What is the best mattress for lower back pain?

While other sellers might try to push a single solution, there isn’t one best mattress type for back pain. If you’re looking for a new mattress that will reduce your back pain, you need to figure out which support and comfort component(s) will best suit your body. The comfort components will soothe any aches and pains, while the support mechanisms keep your body suspended on the mattress and maintain spinal alignment for healthier sleep. 

Texas Mattress Makers offers mattresses with a variety of top-performing components that can address back pain, including:

•  Quantum™ Coil: The most supportive coil technology in the industry that houses 200% more coils than the average mattress for unmatched support and responsiveness. 
• Individually-wrapped coils: Because each coil is individually wrapped in its own pocket of fabric, they can independently respond to different areas of your body with more accuracy. 
• Top-tier performance foams: Our High-Resilience (HR) Foam, high-density foam, gel-infused memory foam, and other foam components surpassed industry standards regarding comfort and pressure relief.
• All-natural latex: Known for its buoyancy and incredible pain-relieving properties, latex is a luxurious component that conforms to your spine to keep your back aligned all night long. Texas Mattress Makers uses CertiPUR-US®-certified, all-natural latex made using the Talalay method in our latex mattress components. 

Find Your New (Forever) Mattress at Texas Mattress Makers

At the end of the day, the answer to “Why is my new bed hurting my back?” could be a combination of factors — your previous mattress, your sleep position, or simply not giving your body enough time to adjust. Remember that this is a normal experience for the first few weeks of sleeping on a new bed. If discomfort continues beyond the typical break-in period, don’t ignore it. A mattress should help you feel restored, not sore.

At Texas Mattress Makers, our mattress experts are here to help you find the right balance of comfort and support so you can wake up pain-free — no matter your sleep style. Whether you need better lumbar support, a softer surface, or just more guidance, we’ll work with you to make sure your mattress truly fits.

Visit any of our mattress stores in Houston today to get started. Your back will thank you for it!

More Helpful Articles by Texas Mattress Makers:

• Is Memory Foam Good for Your Back?
• Is a Firm Mattress Better for Your Back?
• Possible Reasons Why Your New Mattress is Too Firm
• Mattress Coils: Do Count and Quality Matter?
• Best Pillow for Back Sleepers