Im feeling some pressure in this side arch when I side sleep. Does this mean the mattress is too firm? Anyone else deal with this?
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You mean in between your waist and shoulder?
I guess you could say your waist. The arch above your hips.
What kind of mattress do you have? What’s your height and weight? It does seem like being too firm might be the cause
Hello Nate206.
Welcome back to the Mattress Forum 
Sorry to hear you’re having pain in your side. Is this mattress new? Is the pain new?
Could you also give me a little more information about yourself (lighter weight, tall, etc)?
NikkiTMU
well prob 220 lbs 6’0". FIrm mattress toppers help. Mattress is used but was used lightly. IDK I can get the pressure esp at the end of the day when I first lay down. It’s fine later in the night. Just wondering if anyone else gets that. My hips may be fairly prominenet and boxy. So there is the softer flesh around the hip bone. Maybe it’s normal.
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Nate, I am not certain this can be done, but when I was in San Diego last week, I went to @SDMattressMakers location. I tested every bed in the showroom. There was one mattress that I found super impressive. It was their Cardiff firm. I am 6’ 220 and we like a firm mattress even though my wife is only 5’4 135, it is just our comfort zone. The Cardiff firm is designed a bit differently than other MM beds.
The Cardiff has an amazing deep, thick tufted cover, and to my surprise, even without a sheet or protector on the mattress, you could not feel the tufts at all, and the contouring and support it provided, while feeling the firm support layer doing its job felt incredible.
The tufting cover is made from a tencel stretch knit fabric with joma wool, and an inch of serene foam and and inch of viscoelastic foam. This cover panel was so comfortable, I wanted to take one of these beds home with me. It was so side sleep conforming, but did not feel squishy or mushy, and still had the firm support feel underneath.
I would be curious to find out if they could make a topper or simulated topper out of this cover panel for use on your bed. I never asked about this when I spoke with Pablo after I got home, but it would be worth a shot. I am sure they may have other standard topper solutions, but this could be a solution to your problem, provided the underlying mattress you have is firm enough.
Perhaps this could be the answer. Give them a ring and ask about it.
Maverick
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Thanks Maverick, for the mention.
Yes, after reading Nate206’s post, the biggest issue that it sounds like he’s having is pressure, and that’s what the Cardiff top was designed to address. Funny that you mention it, but yes, we are now going to start offering it as a topper/overlay for those who want to get some of that pressure relieving effect.
I’m curious: what is the support layer in your mattress? does your mattress have coils for the support layer, or is it foam? That can also affect the pressure.
If you’d like more info on the topper or would just like to discuss this, we can jump on a quick phone call.
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It is coil. The mattres is labeled firm. Older model. BIA. The coil layer is firmer which I like and yes I do have a topper on it that helps. IDK about buying another topper atm. What would the topper look like?
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Nate, if you are not looking at a topper at the moment, what type of solution are you looking for?
Are you considering a new mattress altogether?
No. I was wondering if other ppl had this. The mattress will do for now. Im looking into another mattress at a local place.
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From what I read you have a firm one which would hurt your arch.
I understand now. Yes, that can absolutely happen with a mattress that is too firm. The comparison I like to use is a sneaker with a flat innersole. If the shoe doesn’t follow the shape of your foot, particularly the arch, you end up with pressure in places that really shouldn’t be taking much pressure at all.
Same basic thing can happen with your body when you’re side sleeping. Your hip and rib cage are the two areas that are going to make the most contact with the mattress, and there’s naturally a curved area between them. If the mattress is too firm, your hip and ribs can’t sink in enough, so that arch between them is basically left without much support. Your body is then trying to hold that position instead of the mattress supporting it, which can create that pressure or aching feeling around the side of your waist.
So yes, I’ve seen this come up quite a bit with side sleepers. It doesn’t automatically mean the underlying mattress is too firm, but if the pressure is consistently right in that area that is a pretty good indicator. This is not restricted to side sleeping either. Back sleeper can experience this too. Your bottom and upper back by the shoulders also create a natural body curve that needs to be supported, otherwise your body can struggle while lying in that position to maintain the position causing strain on the muscles.
The answer also isn’t necessarily “get the softest mattress you can find.” You want enough give for the hip and rib cage to sink in and enough contouring to fill in that curved area between them, while still keeping your spine supported. Sometimes a softer comfort layer or topper is enough to accomplish that without replacing the whole mattress. Which is why I spoke about the comfort cover panel of the Cardiff, which I personally found quite comfortable, contouring and supporting, along with the quite firm underlying support system of the mattress. My guess is that your underlying support system may be quite firm, but your comfort and cover panel may not be forgiving enough for your comfort preferences. Depending on the age of your mattress, I am not quite certain this calls for a new mattress or a better top layer. That could be a completely different discussion altogether as you would have to evaluation the current mattress, if there is any compromised areas, how old it is, and other factors that would be concerning.
Basically, you want the mattress to conform to your shape rather than making your body conform to the mattress, which is a bit difference than your body simply adjusting to a new mattress.
Hope this helps the thought process.
Maverick
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My body does sink in enough. I mean it’s not that firm it’s not extra firm. It’s not the floor. I havent slept on a mattress that is like that yet where you feel a space under the waist arch. I dont like to sink into the mattress too much. I need firm support. With enough top softness to compensate. I wonder if my upper torso and hips are too heavy comapred to my middle body. I have some foam that I bought on top of the mattress and it does help. I generally stay away from plush mattresses. The mattress I sleep on now is used and a few years old but lightly used and the foam is still in good shape even though the panel foam in the middle is prob gone. I like the support of the mattress compared to my previous one. Im not looking for ppl to solve anything.
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What you’re describing makes a lot of sense. Keep in mind that there’s a difference between firmness, support, and hardness. I need firm support too, and I’ve always liked a flat, firm mattress like my Plank Luxe. But now that I’m 66, I’ve come to appreciate having a firm support layer with a slightly more forgiving comfort layer on top.
That became especially clear last year when I injured my back. The injury was severe enough that I needed some additional softness and contouring around my back, butt, and hips, so I added this half-wedge softer Talalay topper from @EuropeanSleep. It made a big difference while I was recovering.
Once my injury healed, I was able to go back to the flatter feel of the Plank Luxe. Now, as a bit of a precaution, and to add some contouring that the mattress itself doesn’t fully provide, I have a 3" Talalay topper, 36–38 ILD, on top of the Plank Luxe. It gives me the firm support I want while adding just enough pressure relief and contouring to make it more comfortable.
At this point, I may consider changing off to the Cardiff or BB ThermoBalance.
TY for the replies. All great info. Just curious, you would buy the firm version of the Cardiff or thermobalance?
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I would only buy the Firm version of either for us. I have the firm version of the Thermobalance Elite in my guestroom in a full sized. It has that firm old Sterns and Foster feel. I think it is better made than the S&F’s of today though. My wife loves the TBE when she goes in the guestroom to read her kindle and occasionally falls asleep. I would probably consider the TBE LX Firm. The Cardiff’s cover/panel is a bit more contouring as the tufts are quite “puffy”. I really did like them, and anyone who says they can feel the tufts or the rosettes, well, lets just say, I did not feel them at all.