The cited research does not settle whether a spring mattress can cause back pain; it says back pain can have many causes, and a mattress is not always the cause. Check the base: a solid foundation or bunkie board will typically make a mattress feel firmer. Leesa recommends at least 30 nights to break in a new mattress, while back pain often improves on its own within a few weeks.
Spring-based mattresses tend to be more responsive than all-foam beds, making it easier to move around in bed.
The NHS says back pain can have many causes, and it is not always obvious what causes it. Back pain often improves on its own within a few weeks.
Tom's Guide says lumps, bumps, or sagging in a new mattress might indicate a manufacturing issue that should be covered by its warranty.
If a mattress feels too firm, check its base: a solid foundation or bunkie board will typically make the mattress feel firmer.
Pocketed and connected coils differ in motion isolation and surface tilt.
| Coil type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Pocketed coils | Compress individually and perform much better at motion isolation than traditional interconnected coils |
| Connected coils | Cause the mattress surface to tilt if one sleeper is heavier than the other |
Hybrid mattresses combine a coil support core with a thick comfort system usually made from polyfoam, memory foam, microcoils, or latex. Foam or latex comfort layers can further mitigate motion transfer.
For a mattress that feels too firm, Tom's Guide suggests a thick memory foam topper.
A mattress support core can consist of coils, polyfoam, latex foam, or air chambers.
Sagging in a new mattress might indicate a manufacturing issue, Tom's Guide says.
Check the base: a solid foundation, such as a platform or bunkie board, will typically make a mattress feel firmer.
Leesa and Brooklyn Bedding give different break-in periods, and Leesa also states a trial length.
| Brand | Break-in and trial |
|---|---|
| Leesa | At least 30 nights to break in; a 365-night trial, with returns from night 31 through night 365 |
| Brooklyn Bedding | Typically around 30-45 nights for break-in |
A thick memory foam mattress topper is suggested for a mattress that feels too firm. Check the support too: a solid foundation or bunkie board will typically make the mattress feel firmer.
The NHS says back pain very rarely can be a sign of a serious problem such as a broken bone, cancer, or infection.
Watch for back pain that does not improve after treating it at home for a few weeks.
The cited brand guidance does not establish whether a new spring mattress feels uncomfortable at first, so check the maker's break-in guidance for that mattress. Leesa recommends at least 30 nights for a new mattress to break in. Brooklyn Bedding says its mattresses typically take around 30-45 nights to break in and for the body to adjust.
Leesa recommends at least 30 nights to break in a mattress, with returns available from night 31 through night 365 of its trial. Brooklyn Bedding says mattress break-in and body adjustment typically take around 30-45 nights. Check Leesa's terms: its 365-night trial applies to the first 2 mattress purchases per household and shipping/billing address.
We read 6 published pages from 5 sites (NHS, tomsguide.com, support.leesa.com, Sleep Foundation and 1 more), checked in October 2026. Every sentence in the answers above cites one of them; the offer card at the end names its own source. This page reports published sources only; we did not test mattresses in person.