Tempur-Pedic Complaints – Is Tempur-Pedic Mattress Causing Back Pain?

Who is Tempur-Pedic?

Tempur-Pedic is the name of a big brand in the world of mattress manufacturing. Tempur-Pedic International Inc. began in the early nineties. Its concept was simple: to create bedding out of NASA’s research. Its bedding incorporated the material designed to make the cushions of aircraft seating.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses were first built in Sweden but quickly found their way to the USA. The company used a then-innovative blend of fabrics to create some of the first memory foams in mattress manufacturing history.

Of course, years down the line, we know more about memory foam and how to put it to the best use. That doesn’t matter to the thousands of consumers already in receipt of a Tempur-Pedic mattress, though. Consumers have taken to the internet to voice concerns over their purchase, and it’s high time we addressed them.

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What makes a Tempur-Pedic mattress so Special?

Asides from being one of the trailblazers in terms of memory foam mattress making, other reasons make Tempur-Pedic mattresses stand out. They are noiseless, for example, with no springs or creaking to bother you in the night.

Tempur-Pedic Mattress Benefits

Some of the other benefits of sleeping on a Tempur-Pedic mattress include:

Motion Reduction:  these memory foam mattresses can isolate movement, soaking it up and dispersing it throughout the mattress. If a tossing and turning partner always wakes you, a Tempur-Pedic will help.

Pressure Point Relief:  Tempur-Pedic is proud of the pressure point relief system brought about by the strength and flexibility of its mattresses.

Body Molding:  the materials used will cradle the body in a cocoon-like embrace. This allows for a better night’s sleep for anyone except the stomach sleeper, who will likely need extra support.

There is a wide choice of price points and mattresses to suit most clients.

Pain Relief:  Pressure point alleviation results in pain relief in the hips, upper and lower back, and shoulders.

Durability of Construction: these are beds that are built to last. Many consumers report having their Tempur-Pedic mattress for as long as 15 years (Chicago Tribune).

Comfort and Warmth: Tempur-Pedic has some seriously comfortable mattresses that can keep you warm all night long.

There are other reasons why consumers admire Tempur-Pedic, but we think we have covered the basics. They are a reputable brand with excellent sleep trials and who regularly run great value deals. They still retain that mid-range to high-end mattress distinction, so you know your product will be fantastic.

Can Tempur-Pedic Mattresses Cause Back Pain?

Yes, Tempur-Pedic mattresses can cause back pain, especially for stomach sleepers. The full foam beds are comfortable, but the lack of structure can hurt those who need a firmer mattress.

Also Read: Consumer Reports 10 Best Mattresses for back pain relief

Back pain is the number one complaint reviewers have with a Tempur-Pedic mattress. Usually, this pain comes on within the first few nights of sleeping on the new bed. As time passes, however, the pain usually fades. This is just your body getting used to the new materials.

If you are a stomach sleeper, opting for the firmest mattress rating might help overcome support issues. You can also try getting a firmer mattress topper, hoping that it helps take away some of the pain.

Many Tempur-Pedic first-time consumers get the back pains associated with their mattresses because they aren’t used to sleeping on this type of material. Once the body accustoms to it, you shouldn’t notice any pain whatsoever.

The body can take up to thirty days to adjust to any given new mattress. This is why mattress sellers often advise us to give it a fortnight before sending it back. If you are still unconvinced after the whole thirty-day period, then you should probably replace your new mattress. This hardly ever happens.

How to tell if your Mattress is the Source of your Pain?

Even though you might believe the pain comes from a new mattress or a worn-out mattress, it might not be coming from there at all. Eliminate other potential sources of pain first before you go calling your new mattress provider to come and take it away.

Is your bed frame sound? Do you sit at a computer or desk at work? Among other things, too much or too little exercise can cause back pain. You can get pains in your shoulder region from stress and tension, from working too hard, and for many other reasons.

Have a long, hard think about what might be causing your back pain, then eliminate these points, one by one. Only when the mattress is all you have left unaccounted for can you assume that your mattress is the source of your pain.

Other Common Tempur-Pedic Mattress Complaints

Unfortunately for the CEOs at Tempur-Pedic International Inc, back pain isn’t the only issue consumers report among their mattresses. There is a complete list of other Tempur-Pedic complaints customers regularly write about.

We tried to address them in the categories below. Don’t forget that you can always contact us for more information, should you still require guidance.

1. The Complaint: Tempur-Pedic Mattresses have Temperature Regulation Issues

A common complaint about any memory foam mattress is the sleeping temperature. Tempur-Pedic beds traditionally sleep hot. This makes the particular blend of memory foam fabrics a difficult choice for those that sleep hot.
One saving grace is the choice of mattresses. If you go into the purchase knowing that you are a hot sleeper, a Tempur-Breeze mattress might be an excellent alternative for you. It’s bigger, better, and up to 8 degrees cooler than any of the other mattresses so that hot sleepers can rest in comfort.

The Fix: Invest in a cooling gel-infused memory foam mattress protector

If you have already bought your Tempur-Pedic mattress and are regularly kept awake by the heat of the fabric, then don’t give up hope just yet. There are plenty of cooling gel-infused memory foam mattress toppers that can help you out.

Tempur-Pedic makes a cooling mattress topper for just this purpose. The Tempur-Pedic Adapt+ cooling mattress topper was voted one of the best cooling mattress toppers of 2020 by the Sleep Foundation. It is guaranteed to make a hot sleep cooler, providing you with relief from a clammy mattress.

2. The Complaint: My Old Tempur-Pedic is too Noisy

This is another complaint we hear all too often. The older the mattress, the noisier it is likely to be. If it has springs, this can be a significant source of insomnia for an otherwise happy couple. Although Tempur-Pedic mattresses are traditionally quieter than most, the old early models get a little noisy in their old age.

Since your Tempur-Pedic mattress can last you up to 15 years, you will start to notice the signs of wear and tear. A bed of this quality ought to be silent, so when it does make noise, it’s generally a sign that the mattress is reaching the end of its product life cycle. Like it or not, it’s time to start afresh.

Before you go ahead and press reset on your mattress, however, make sure that’s genuinely what is bothering you. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the bed and everything wrong with the bed frame that supports it.

The Fix: It’s Time to Upgrade that Mattress

Shopping for a new mattress is the only way to fix this issue. If your mattress is still under warranty, send it back. If it isn’t, it’s time to invest in a new one or some earplugs. Adding a mattress protector before your sheets might absorb some of the stray sounds in the meantime.

If you are in the market for an upgrade but love your Tempur-Pedic, then we suggest upgrading to a newer model.
If you need a new base, instead, then consider the Smart Base adjustable frame. This nifty piece of machinery fits all the Tempur-Pedic mattresses. It responds instantly to snoring by raising the head area so that the snorer’s head elevates. In turn, this gives everyone a quieter night’s sleep. You can find a list of cheaper alternatives here.

3. The Complaint: It’s not firm enough/too firm

This complaint isn’t confined to Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Bear in mind that a new bed will take an entire fortnight to ‘break in’ before you get a natural feel of the sleep it can give you. There are mattress providers who won’t even allow you to return the bed before thirty days of sleep trial have passed.

If you routinely have this problem, we advise you to shop around before buying a new mattress. Go to different stores and try out mattresses so that you can see which firmness rating suits you. It might be that working out which type of sleeper you are helps you to work out what firmness rating you need.

The Fix: Take Advantage of Sleep Trials

If you don’t know how hard you like a mattress to be, then be sure to take advantage of sleep trials to find out. The industry-standard sleep trial time is a period of 100 nights. This lets you try out a mattress over more than a single season, so you can see if it is hot or cold enough.

Use sleep trials, try out different beds, but be wary that a returned mattress usually ends up never being resold. Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-day sleep trial, which is a little less than the industry standard. It promises that 95% of all clients decide to keep their mattresses. If you are still unsatisfied after 30 days on a Tempur-Pedic, you can return it using their dedicated returns department.

The third fix for this problem is to switch to another Tempur-Pedic mattress. The company sells hybrid mattresses nowadays. These blend the softness and contouring of a Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress with the bonus of pocketed coil springs. A Hybrid bed from this brand is about as comfortable as a mattress can be.

4. The Complaint: My Tempur-Pedic mattress is Moldy

This usually only happens to older or budget model memory foam mattresses. Those sold by big brand names like Tempur-Pedic tend to have all the modern manufacturing tricks of the trade to get air circulation going. However, if you have an older memory foam mattress, mold is a real possibility.

If air can’t flow beneath you while you sleep, two things are going to happen. You are going to sleep too hot, and you are going to risk mold in the mattress. Nobody wants to breathe in mold spores all night long, so a moldy mattress needs fixing. It is usually caused by moisture coming off your body when you sleep but could be down to spills that haven’t dried out correctly.

The Fix: Air it out, spray liquid soap, disinfect, and dry

You can sanitize your mattress to get rid of mold spores. This process starts with some spray disinfectant and liquid soap. Once cleaned, place the bed outdoors to dry off in the sunshine. You mustn’t leave it out overnight as you don’t want to attract bugs. Try to keep the mattress off the ground when drying.

Once properly dried, your Tempur-Pedic mattress should be mold-free and back to total health. You can purchase de-humidifying boxes for your bedroom to stop this from happening again. It would be best if you also considered a newer model of Tempur-Pedic mattress. The newer models have cooling technology worked into the design.

5. The Complaint: My Memory foam Tempur-Pedic Mattress is Sagging

A sagging mattress is no fun for anybody. It usually indicates a defective product, a bed that has aged poorly, or – most common of all – an unsupportive foundation.

If you need a new base, buying from the same place you purchased your mattress is a safe way to ensure your bed measures up. If you need a new base, you will notice that the previous one doesn’t quite fit the size of your current mattress, or you will see that it sags around the middle area.

Also Read: Saatva Mattress Complaints – Do Saatva Mattresses Sag?

The Fix: Get a better bed frame for your mattress

Replacing the bedframe will make your mattresses last longer. Tempur-Pedic sells some of its own Tempur-Adapt. In particular, it has a bed frame that responds to snoring instantly, a remote-controlled mechanical bedframe, and many other adjustable options for you to choose from.

Once you have replaced your bed frame, you should notice that your mattress is no longer sagging in the middle. If it is, then check to see if it is still in warranty. If it is, then call up for a replacement. If it isn’t, you may have to upgrade to a better model and start again.

6. The Complaint: My Brand New Tempur-Pedic Mattress Stinks

If your old mattress smells terrible, it’s probably mold. Air out your bed after good disinfection and cleaning, as described above.

If your mattress is new, then you need to give it a few days before your mattress adjusts to the smell of your home. It is common knowledge that a new mattress gives off a sort of chemical scent. This process is so widely recognized that firms such as CertiPUR-US exist to test the chemical scents to ensure they aren’t harmful to consumers.

The Fix: Give it some time

Your mattress is going through a process called “off-gassing.” This means it is releasing some of the smells of the factory and of the materials used to make it. It shouldn’t last more than a week and should be barely noticeable once you add a mattress protector and fresh sheets.

There is an additional fix for this issue. If you are worried about a new mattress smelling too strongly, look out for that CertiPUR-US certificate. This means it has been thoroughly tested to ensure the bed is entirely safe. Even if it smells a little, a CertiPUR-US mattress doesn’t give off anything toxic. All Tempur-Pedic mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified.

7. The Complaint: The cost of Tempur-Pedic mattresses

Murmurs are going around the mattress manufacturers marketplace that Tempur-Pedic mattresses are on the expensive side. They do fall into the mid-range mattress quality category, so you shouldn’t expect them to be cheap.

Yes, the Tempur-Pedic will cost more than the average mattress. This is due to their superior quality, excellent warranties and guarantees, the several layers of patented foam included, and various other factors. If you wish to indulge in their Breeze Collection, you could find yourself paying high-end mattress prices of around $4,000.
Rest assured that this price pays for the high quality that you receive. When you have slept on a Tempur-Pedic mattress, 95% of you won’t go back to anything else.

The Fix: Try scaling down a size

You can save money on a mattress by buying a size smaller, using any online discount codes you can get a hold of, and by shopping in May. This is the time of year when mattresses are most often on sale.

You could search online for Tempur-Pedic discount codes, too. You can find these at specialist discount code online stores by joining the company mailing list or following influencers associated with the chosen brand.
A third fix for a pricy mattress is to contact the store directly and ask them for a discount. Maybe they have returned mattresses that have only seen light use? Perhaps they have last year’s models tucked away in a storage facility somewhere? If you don’t ask, you might never find out.

8. The Complaint: My Tempur-Pedic mattress feels like memory foam

There are lots of us that don’t like the feel of memory foam on our skin. Foam has a distinctive feel to it, with the catch of rubber and the sponginess of a sofa. Tempur-Pedic mattresses are a patented blend of memory foam materials. This makes for a distinctive feel that some patrons just don’t like.

Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot of ways we can force you to like memory foam. Asides from hypnotism, you could try changing the sheets with gloves on.

The Fix: Use a mattress protector between you and the mattress

If you place layers between you and the foam, you won’t feel the memory foam catching beneath you. This means setting a mattress protector over the mattress’s top layer, then putting the sheets over it. You could even try adding a comfortable mattress topper. Tempur-Pedic has a whole range of them for you to choose from.

9. The Complaint: You can’t turn it

Memory foam beds are usually built with a top and a bottom. Unlike the old sprung mattresses that you would flip every few months, a foam bed doesn’t need turning. While you might think this isn’t a problem at all, clients used to traditional mattresses may feel uncomfortable with a one-sided model.

The belief is that a mattress that doesn’t get flipped doesn’t get even wear. While we don’t disagree, this method of thinking started back in the days of the old spring mattress. Since these would often bust a spring if you forgot to flip it, this thinking made sense.

Memory foam mattresses like those by Tempur-Pedic don’t need flipping because there aren’t any springs included.

The Fix: Rotate, don’t flip

If you feel that you are wearing a human-shaped dent into the mattress, rotate it from top to toe. This will reduce and evenly spread the wear. It’s an ideal solution for those who fear not turning their mattress since moving things around will make you feel more comfortable.

10. The Complaint: They are harder to move around

The Tempur-Pedic mattress range is difficult to maneuver into position. They are cumbersome and heavy, and even handles on the side for carrying can’t take away from the fact that they are challenging to move around.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses are memory foam cut into layers and shapes. This means they are heavy – and the bigger, the heavier. The thicker the bed, the more layers.

The Fix: Move with two people

Because of how heavy a Tempur-Pedic mattress is, you should only try to move it around if there are two of you. Have the delivery drivers bring it into your home and place it on your bed frame on your behalf. From then on, try only to rotate it if there are two of you to do the lifting.

Other Notable Tempur-Pedic Mattress Details

Tempur-Pedic has a vast customer care department. If you aren’t entirely satisfied with your new mattress, they actively encourage you to get in touch with them to sort it out. There are mixed reviews of their mattresses all over the internet. We put this down to a combination of factors, including the tendency towards mold and the initial off-gassing smell.

Reviewers note that Tempur-Pedic provides a naturally anti-microbial memory foam, which is cool to the touch. While other foams are hot and clammy, the Tempur-Pedic has been based on NASA technology. The rubber latex they contain helps repel bacteria, even if it is occasionally prone to holding onto moisture.

What Types of Mattress does Tempur-Pedic Sell?

Tempur-Pedic released several mattresses over the years. We are confident that they will be adding even more to their broad range in the years to come. At the time of writing, here are some of the choices in mattress offered by this renowned brand:

• The Tempur-Cloud – their extra soft mattress
• The Tempur-Adapt – a hybrid mattress option, which contains coiled springs
• The Tempur-ProAdapt – an advancement on the last, with added allergen resistance.
• The Tempur-LuxeAdapt – the luxury version of the previous two models, with both allergen resistance and hybrid qualities.
• The Tempur-ProBreeze contains the features of all of the above, with added cooling of up to 8 degrees.

All come with a 90-night sleep trial and a ten-year mattress guarantee. The warranty protects against defects in the product, provided that the owner has treated the mattress well.

FAQs about Tempur-Pedic Mattress Complaints

We do our best to answer your questions. Check the category below to see if we have already answered yours.

Q: Is Tempur-Pedic worth the money?
A: Tempur-Pedic mattress will always be worth the money. This is partially due to the shelf life, which could be anything up to 15 years. It is also due to their durability of the design. Tempur-Pedic has had decades to perfect its mattresses, and they are great value for the price you pay.

Q: Is Tempur-Pedic Toxic?
A: Tempur-Pedic are not toxic. Each of the mattresses has the CertiPUR-US seal of approval, guaranteeing that they are not releasing any toxic fumes into the atmosphere while you sleep. Although they may smell a little initially, this scent is harmless and should pass in as few as three days.

Q: How long will my Tempur-Pedic mattress last?
A: Your mattress from Tempur-Pedic ought to last you up to 15 years. However, it would help if you took good care of it, keep it on a supportive base, and air it out once in a while on a dry afternoon. You should sanitize your mattress once in a while and always use a mattress protector before putting the sheets on.

Q: What’s so special about Tempur-Pedic?
A: Tempur-Pedic mattresses are renowned for contouring to your form and cradling your body. They mold to your shape, provide pressure point relief all over the body, and are suitable for all sleeper types.

Q: Why is Tempur-Pedic bad?
A: Tempur-Pedic isn’t a bad brand, though this is a misconception fueled by the fact that they can cause lower back pain. To avoid lower back pain, choose a high firmness rating to give you better support. You can also add a mattress topper to help you out.

Tempur-Pedic Mattress Complaints Answered

We hope we have managed to answer some of your questions about this market leader in mattress manufacturing. Tempur-Pedic is one of the best brands in the mattress business, and a good mattress from this company should last you well over a decade.

The Tempur-Pedic mattresses come with a long sleep trial, a great shelf life, and the promise of a great night’s sleep. Despite the complaints outlined in this article, Tempur-Pedic is an astounding mattress seller with the customer’s best interests at heart.

What’s our verdict?

That most complaints about this brand can be mitigated with time and understanding. The value and quality of the product go well beyond the expected to elevate this mid-range mattress manufacturer to a high-end position. Our verdict is that you could do much worse than a Tempur-Pedic mattress. And if it stinks? It’s probably only temporary.