Hi Mom,
There is more information about Saatva mattresses in post #2 here and in post #1 here and the rest of the topic and a forum search on Saatva (you can just click the link) will bring up more comments and feedback about them as well. The first post in the simplified choice topic would also be well worth reading as well.
While Saatva would be a “better than average” quality/value choice compared to many of the mainstream mattresses made by the major manufacturers (which I would avoid completely) … some of the materials they are using are less durable than I would be comfortable with and for most people they wouldn’t be in the same “quality/value” range as many of the other options that use higher quality and more durable materials that most of the members here would know about as a result of the information on this site. I would also be cautious about making a purchase based on some of “marketing exaggerations” on their site.
While it’s not possible to “diagnose” mattress comfort issues on a forum with any certainty because there are too many unique unknowns, variables, and complexities involved that can affect how each person sleeps on a mattress in terms of “comfort” and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your Personal preferences) or any “symptoms” they experience … there is more about the most common symptoms that people may experience when they sleep on a mattress and the most likely (although not the only) reasons for them in post #2 here.
The most common (but not the only) reason for lower back pain is a mattress that is too soft. Head and neck issues may also be related to the pillow you are using as well and it’s very common that you may need a new pillow with a different profile when you buy a new mattress to keep your head and neck in good alignment in all your sleeping positions.
Unfortunately I’m not a health professional so I can’t speak to any medical conditions you may experience. It’s certainly possible that it could be connected to the pain and discomfort you are experiencing on your mattress but of course there is no way for me to know for certain and it may be a good idea to check with your health provider so that they can rule out any possible physical causes for these symptoms.
If the pain and discomfort goes away when you sleep on a different mattress then of course the odds would be higher that it’s mattress related.
In theory … it’s also possible that you could be sensitive to some of the materials in the mattress. The only reliable way to to assess the “safety” of different materials in more general terms is based on lab tests and the certifications they have for harmful substances and VOC’s so that you have some assurance than the VOC’s are below the testing limits for the certification (see post #2 here for more information about some of the more reliable “safety” certifications). If the materials in a mattress or the mattress itself has a reliable “safety” certification then for most people they would certainly be “safe enough”.
Saatva is on the CertiPUR-Us list here so they would certainly be “safe enough” and wouldn’t be a cause for concern for most people but it’s possible that some people may be more sensitive to certain materials that most people would be fine with even if they are certified.
ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: certipur.us/for-consumers/find-products/
While it may be more information than you are looking for … there is a lot more information in post #2 here and the more detailed posts and information it links to about safe, natural, organic, “chemical free”, and “green” mattresses and mattress materials that can help sort through some of the marketing information and terminology that you will encounter in the industry and can help you differentiate between them and answer “how safe is safe enough for me” that can help each person decide on the types of materials they are most comfortable having in their mattress or on the certifications that may be important to them. These types of issues are complex and are generally specific to each person and their individual sensitivities, circumstances, criteria, beliefs, and lifestyle choices.
The good news is that you had the foresight to purchase a mattress that has a good return policy which only costs you the price of shipping which can be an important part of the “value” of an online purchase where the only way to know for certain whether it will be a good “match” for you in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP (or at least a “good enough” match) will be based on your own personal experience.
If you decide to return it and buy another mattress then the first place to start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice … and perhaps more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort” and PPP that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
If you are looking at online options then the mattress shopping tutorial also includes several links to lists of many of the better online options I’m aware of (in the optional online step) that include many different types and categories of mattresses in a wide range of budgets, firmness levels, and with different return/exchange policies that may also be worth considering.
If you are also considering local choices that you can test in person before a purchase then if you let me know your city or zip code I’d also be happy to let you know about the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in your area as well.
Phoenix