Managing Pain or Discomfort

Quick answer: If you wake up sore or uncomfortable, your Sleep Number® setting may need a small adjustment. Try changing your setting by 5–10 points, sleep at that setting for a few nights, and check your pillow, sleep position, and Responsive Air® settings.

Aches, stiffness, or pressure points can happen while your body adjusts to a new mattress or a new setting. They can also happen if your sleep needs change over time. This guide can help you make small changes to improve comfort, support, and alignment.

IMPORTANT: Sleep Number can help with comfort and bed settings, but we cannot diagnose or treat pain. Talk to your doctor if you have chronic pain, severe pain, pain after an injury or surgery, or trouble sleeping.

Start with your Sleep Number setting

If you found your setting in a store, it may not feel the same at home. Your room, base position, pillow, sleep position, and mattress model can all change how your bed feels.

1. Lie in your normal sleep position.
2. Choose the side of the bed you sleep on.
3. Adjust your setting until your body feels supported and pressure points feel more relaxed.
4. Stay at that setting for a few nights before changing it again.

If you wake up sore, should you go higher or lower?

• If you feel like you are sinking too much: Try increasing your setting by 5–10 points for more support.
• If you feel pressure on your hips, shoulders, or back: Try lowering your setting by 5–10 points for more cushioning.
• If you are not sure: Make one small change and sleep on it for a few nights. Changing too much at once can make it harder to know what helped.

Check your comfort and alignment

Good alignment means your head, neck, shoulders, hips, and spine feel supported in your normal sleep position. If your body feels twisted, your hips sink too far, or your shoulders feel squeezed, your setting or pillow may need to change.

• Side sleepers: Watch for shoulder or hip pressure. A slightly lower setting may add cushioning.
• Back sleepers: Watch for lower back support. A slightly higher setting may help keep your hips from sinking too far.
• Combination sleepers: Choose the setting that feels best in the position you use most often.
• Neck or shoulder discomfort: Check pillow height. A pillow that is too high or too low can affect neck alignment.

Give each change time to work

Your body may need time to adjust, especially if you are new to your bed or changing settings after several nights of discomfort. Try one setting change at a time, then sleep at that setting for a few nights before changing it again.

Turn on Responsive Air® if your bed has it

Responsive Air helps your smart bed maintain your Sleep Number setting as you move during the night. If your bed has Responsive Air, make sure it is turned on for your side of the bed. Responsive Air can be controlled separately for each side.

What else can affect comfort?

• Your pillow: Pillow height and shape can affect neck, shoulder, and back comfort.
• Base position: Raising your head or feet can change how pressure is distributed.
• Room temperature: Temperature changes can affect how air feels in the mattress.
• Pets or a sleep partner: Extra weight or movement can change how your side feels.
• New or changing pain: Pain from illness, injury, surgery, or a medical condition may need care beyond bed adjustments.

When to contact us

If you are still not comfortable after trying small setting changes for a few nights, we can help. Contact Sleep Number if your bed feels too firm or too soft at every setting, you feel like the mattress is sinking, Responsive Air is not working as expected, or you are still uncomfortable after 30 nights.

FAQs

Why am I sore after sleeping on my Sleep Number bed?
You may need a different Sleep Number setting, more time to adjust, a different pillow, or a different base position. Start with a small setting change of 5–10 points.

How long should I try a new setting?
Try each setting for a few nights before changing it again, unless the setting causes strong discomfort.

What if every setting feels uncomfortable?
Contact Sleep Number for help checking your bed, settings, and comfort options. If your pain is severe or ongoing, contact your doctor.

Can Sleep Number recommend a setting for my pain, height, or weight?
There is not one setting that works for everyone. Your best setting depends on your body, sleep position, pillow, and comfort preference.