What Are Pressure Points?

Pressure points are the areas of your body that bear the most weight when you're lying down, such as your shoulders, hips, and sometimes knees or heels, depending on how you sleep. When a mattress is too firm, these spots on your body encounter too much pressure, which restricts blood flow and causes discomfort. When this happens, you could wake up with sore shoulders, numb hips, or that stiff feeling like you slept on the floor.

A mattress that relieves pressure points lets those heavier and wider parts of your body sink in slightly while keeping your spine in alignment. Side sleepers need more cushioning at their shoulders and hips because those body parts jut out more. Back sleepers need support under the lower back to prevent their bodies from sagging. Stomach sleepers (Pro Tip: most experts don't recommend sleeping on your stomach) need a firmer surface to keep their hips from sinking too far. The goal is to distribute your weight evenly across the mattress, so no single area is holding all the load.

When it comes to pressure points, the materials in your mattress matter A LOT. Memory foam contours closely, but it can sleep hot and will start to break down in the first 1-2 years. Natural latex is responsive - it cushions pressure points but bounces back quickly, so you don't feel stuck. Hybrid mattresses (often referred to as innerspring mattresses) feature both support coils and a comfort layer (like latex or wool) and are known to provide both the support you need to keep your spine in alignment and cushion to alleviate pain in your pressure points.

If your mattress is too firm, you could add a mattress topper to the top of your mattress.  In most cases, a mattress topper will provide instant relief, transforming an uncomfortable bed to one that feels great.

Ultimately, if you frequently wake up with aches in specific spots, the issue is likely that your mattress doesn't have enough cushion on your pressure points. Which means, it's probably time to purchase a new mattress.  When shopping for a new mattress, test several mattresses by lying in your usual sleep position for at least 10-15 minutes. If you feel pinching or discomfort, move on.  The perfect mattress (for you) does exist... take your time, and you'll find the right one.

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