Thanks so much for the additional context about your shoulder. That definitely helps paint a clearer picture. It sounds like the discomfort you’re experiencing is less about the mattress or pillow and more about the long-term wear and tear from martial arts and the aftermath of shoulder surgery. That’s a tough combination, and unfortunately, it’s one that a pillow or mattress might not be able to fully fix.
We’re not medical professionals, so we can’t diagnose or make clinical recommendations, but based on anecdotal feedback from customers over the years, we’ve seen a pattern. When people have shoulder issues especially post-injury or surgery even very soft mattresses can still cause pain when sleeping on the side. It’s not always about pressure relief or alignment at that point. Sometimes, it’s just that the body can’t tolerate that sleeping position anymore, regardless of the surface. It’s incredibly frustrating especially when side sleeping is your go-to.
As for your partner, he sounds like the classic example of the “sleeps on anything” type. We all know someone like that. I’ve heard stories of people sleeping soundly on sagging futons, twenty-year-old innersprings, or even half-deflated air mattresses. It’s impressive. In cases like his, it probably doesn’t make sense to spend big on something ultra-luxurious. Something well-made, decently supportive, and not outrageously expensive is probably all he’ll ever need.
One thing to consider is how our bodies change over time. In our 20s, we might have been able to sleep on the floor, the couch, or even in a car and wake up feeling refreshed. But as we age, that resilience starts to fade. You wake up stiff, sore, or just plain tired from sleeping the “wrong” way. So what worked even a few years ago may not be cutting it now. I’ve heard that from countless people who suddenly find themselves mattress shopping in their 40s or 50s for the first time in a while, wondering why everything suddenly feels too hard, too soft, or just not right.
If you’re still on the hunt for something that actually feels comfortable, one of the best things you can do is head to a few local stores and just try things out. It gives you a frame of reference. You’ll start to notice which types of mattresses feel supportive versus those that feel like they’re cutting off circulation. That information can be incredibly helpful. NYC actually has a lot of options with everything from boutique showrooms to the usual big-box suspects. And if you fall in love with something while shopping locally, we always encourage buying it locally. Supporting local, small businesses is good for the community. If you find something you love, we’re also happy to help if you’re still on the fence.
Feel free to report back with what you try, what you liked, what felt off. We can help interpret those experiences and guide you toward something that might be a better long-term fit. Finding the right mattress is part science, part trial and error, and sometimes just a bit of luck. But we’re here to help however we can.
