Is Your Mattress Causing Back Pain? What Chiropractors Look For

Back Pain in Warwick, Rhode Island: Could Your Mattress Be the Hidden Cause?

If you wake up in the morning feeling stiff, sore, or tight — but start feeling better as the day goes on — your mattress may be contributing to your back pain.

At Enos Chiropractic Center in Warwick, Rhode Island, Dr. Jamie Enos often evaluates patients who are doing everything “right” during the day, yet continue to experience persistent back or neck discomfort. In many cases, the issue isn’t just posture or activity levels — it’s what’s happening during the 6–8 hours spent sleeping.

Before assuming you need a new mattress, it’s important to understand what chiropractors actually look for and how sleep surfaces impact spinal health.

Why Your Mattress Matters for Spinal Alignment

Your spine is designed to maintain natural curves — even while you sleep. A mattress that is too soft, too firm, or uneven can disrupt those curves, placing stress on discs, joints, and surrounding muscles.

When the spine is unsupported for several hours at a time, muscles remain activated to stabilize the body. This can lead to morning stiffness, low back pain, neck tightness, or even headaches.

Over time, poor sleep support may contribute to chronic irritation of spinal structures.

Signs Your Mattress May Be Contributing to Back Pain

• You wake up with stiffness that improves after moving around
• Your pain is worse in the morning than at night
• You feel pressure points in your hips or shoulders
• Your mattress visibly sags or dips in the middle
• You sleep better in hotels or other beds

If any of these sound familiar, your mattress may be playing a role.

What Dr. Jamie Enos Evaluates During an Exam

When patients in Warwick visit Enos Chiropractic Center with recurring back pain, Dr. Jamie Enos evaluates more than just the spine itself. He looks at:

• Postural alignment
• Spinal mobility
• Muscle imbalances
• Disc involvement
• Sleep habits and positioning

Understanding how you sleep — side, back, stomach — and how your mattress supports you helps determine whether the issue is mechanical strain, disc irritation, or muscular compensation.

Too Soft vs. Too Firm: Which Is Worse?

There isn’t a universal “best mattress” for everyone. However:

• Mattresses that are too soft allow the hips and torso to sink excessively, increasing stress on the lumbar spine.
• Mattresses that are too firm may create pressure points and prevent natural spinal contouring.

In general, medium-firm mattresses tend to provide balanced support for many adults, but the right choice depends on body type, sleeping position, and existing spinal conditions.

How Sleeping Position Affects Back Pain

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is common and can be healthy — but without proper support under the waist and neck, it may cause rotational stress on the spine.

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping typically distributes weight evenly but requires adequate lumbar support to maintain the spine’s natural curve.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping often places stress on the neck and lower back due to prolonged extension and rotation.

In many cases, small changes — such as pillow positioning or lumbar support adjustments — can significantly reduce strain.

When It’s Not the Mattress

Sometimes the mattress isn’t the root problem. Disc irritation, joint restriction, muscular imbalance, or nerve compression can all mimic mattress-related discomfort.

If pain persists regardless of sleep surface changes, a professional evaluation is important to identify the true cause.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

At Enos Chiropractic Center in Warwick, RI, care is focused on restoring proper spinal mechanics rather than simply masking pain. Treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Therapeutic exercise
• Soft tissue therapy
• Spinal decompression when appropriate

Addressing joint restriction or disc stress often reduces the morning pain patients assume is caused solely by their mattress.

When Should You Schedule an Evaluation?

Consider booking an appointment if:

• Morning stiffness lasts longer than 30–60 minutes
• Pain radiates into the legs or arms
• You wake up multiple times due to discomfort
• Changing mattresses hasn’t solved the issue

Wake Up Feeling Rested — Not Restricted

Sleep should restore your body — not aggravate it. If you’re waking up with recurring back or neck pain in Warwick, Rhode Island, identifying the underlying cause can make a significant difference.

If you’re unsure whether your mattress is contributing to your discomfort, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jamie Enos at Enos Chiropractic Center to receive a thorough evaluation and personalized recommendations.