I am 5’5" 135lbs. Usually side sleep but sometimes wake up on my back.
I have chronic shoulder and pain and need a bed that won’t make it worse. (I have also tried 5+ different $100+ pillows that people swear by that didnt help me so it is not that.)
I am currently on an old 20 year old bed because my previous foam mattress gave out after just 6 years but they are both terrible.
What specific mattresses will help me?
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Hi Syxvous,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround, we are happy to have you in the community.
It’s relatively easy to offer general mattress suggestions, but making truly helpful recommendations requires understanding what you’ve personally tried, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why. This is especially important given your chronic shoulder pain and your sleep position, as a primarily side sleeper who sometimes wakes on your back. At 5’5" and 135 lbs, you’re not likely to need an especially firm support core, but you do need a mattress that offers substantial support combined with comfort layers that relieve pressure at the shoulders and hips while promoting proper spinal alignment.
A good mattress should support your posture while allowing enough contouring to prevent pressure buildup. Since you’ve already ruled out pillows as a major factor, and you’ve experienced problems with your previous foam mattress breaking down after six years, it’s clear that durability and long-term support are important concerns. I would also like to know a little more about your pillow selection. A pillow that costs north of $100 or even $200 does not make it the right pillow. So, understanding your selections there will be helpful.
In your case, something like a @BackScience mattress could be a strong fit. These are highly customizable and can be modified before, during, and even after the build process to make sure your specific support and comfort needs are met. There are also a number of Trusted Members, including those on forums like The Mattress Underground, who offer similar customizable or modular mattress options that can be adjusted over time, which is particularly helpful when dealing with chronic pain.
In terms of materials, latex, especially Talalay latex, is worth considering because it offers pressure relief and durability without the heat retention that memory (viscoelastic) foam can cause. Polyfoam can be used effectively in small amounts, especially in the comfort layers, but it needs to be high-density to hold up over time. Natural fibers like wool or cotton can help with temperature and moisture regulation, but they won’t provide the same contouring support as foam or latex. Some of these comfort layer materials combined with microcoils in the comfort section, can help bridge the gap of using certain foams that retain heat and make room for that heat to escape without being sent back at the sleeper.
Zoned support systems may also be helpful, particularly if you’re experiencing alignment issues or concentrated shoulder pain, as they can reduce pressure in targeted areas.
It would be helpful to know more about the type of mattress that failed after six years, what aspects of it felt good before it broke down, and whether you’re sensitive to temperature or have any allergies to certain materials. But based on what you’ve shared, a customizable latex hybrid or all-latex mattress with good zoning and a durable support core seems like a solid direction.
There is always some solution that will offer the type of relief you are looking for. Finding it may require a bit more research.
What are your thoughts?
Maverick
Thank you so much for your detailed response!
I have only tried a spring mattress and foam mattress, and I am afraid I never cared about a mattress until I developed these shoulder issues.
So to say what I liked is difficult other than shoulder support falls to the wayside. Longevity is a big plus, but from I have been reading, many mattress don’t seem to last long, though all foam seems to have the shortest life span (happy to be corrected on this if that’s inaccurate). I am sorry that is not helpful.
I know temperature is not a big deal to me.
Some pillows I have tried are the GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow - Standard / Side Sleeper (High Loft) and The Purple Pillow
This one works the best but I hate the cut out in the middle. The brand is “Zoey Sleep” (https://a.co/d/dhzqDBb)
Since you suggested BackScience I took a look at their site. I did not find a latex option, but I may be looking in the wrong place.
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You are correct about @BackScience not using latex in their mattresses. I mentioned them mainly because of their focus on alignment and shoulder/lumbar support, which seemed relevant given your issues. Their mattress designs were created by a Licensed Chiropractic Physician. But if you’re considering latex, it’s definitely worth trying one in person first, as the feel is very different from memory foam, polyfoam, and natural fibers, and more buoyant and responsive rather than contouring. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but they do feel distinct, and that difference can really matter if you’re already dealing with discomfort.
If you do want to explore latex, you might want to look into companies like Engineered Sleep or @DLX. They both offer builds with either latex or foam, and they work more directly with you to customize the mattress, which can be a huge help when you’re not totally sure what you need yet. I recently tested a few @Sleep_EZ latex mattresses and some from @EuropeanSleep, despite my preference being a super firm mattress, I have discovered that I can definitely find comfort on a latex/latex hybrid mattress. My preference is hybrid, but everyone is different.
Yeah, I did not love those cut out side sleeper pillows, I like a traditional shaped pillow. As you can see from my pillow thread, I have a “few” pillows in my collection. I did not like the purple pillow when I tried it in the showroom, so I did not bother buying one, and the Helix pillow did not work great for me in the showroom either, despite Helix making some nice products.
It’s not just about finding a quality or well-made pillow, it’s about finding the one that truly makes you feel comfortable. My pillow journey has taken me from brands and pillows I once raved about to others that eventually surpassed those I used to champion. I am constantly on the hunt for pillow improvement.
I think you still have room to find a pillow that suits you better.
Maverick
Thank you for the other brands to explore! I also appreciate all the info you provided in the pillow thread. Many things to consider!
@BackScience It looks like your series 2 would be the most appropriate, is that right?
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Thanks for the inquiry and I did want to chime in anyway and lend my 20+ years of experience as both a mattress designer and direct conduit in terms of customer support and feedback. @Maverick did a great job of outlining the points to consider and though latex is a wonderful material for adding good support to a mattress, but in our testing, it was not usually supple enough to help with customers that were looking for more shoulder and hip pressure relief. In our testing, we found that the Hypergel we used has a much higher pressure relief and overall customers preferred that to latex when pressure relief was paramount to their decision making process, which is why we did not use latex in the Back Science mattress.
In a case like yours, I would recommend the Back Science Series 3, since it was specifically designed to relieve more pressure for the shoulders and hips, while still offering that extra low back support, thanks to the top-end 1000 count Quantum edge, individual wrapped firmer coil system and combined patent pending Lumbar-Flex technology.
If that is not within your price budget or you want to go over other options, I am more than happy to hop on a call with you and you can reach out to us by visiting our www.BackScience.com site or calling us direct at 800 667-1969.
Thanks!
Rick
Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C.
Founder and Head of Product Development
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Based on your info you really can’t beat an All Talalay latex mattress since it will offer the most pressure relief of any of the foams. I myself have shoulder issues and this is the only thing that keeps me from tossing and turning all night. Talalay is also extremely breathable but will also offer good support. Based on your info I would choose our Adjustable Ultra Plush model with the Firmness choice of Soft and the comfort layer also being soft. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions - #1 Selling Latex Mattress- Adjustable Ultra Plush, Latex Mattresses-Talalay and Dunlop, All Products,
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