A soft mattress can cause joint and back pain as the body sinks into the mattress making the spine adopt an unnatural position. An unforgiving hard mattress can also create pain as the body lies on top twisting the spine and putting pressure on the hips and shoulders. The mattress should give way a little under the pressure from the shoulders, hips, and pelvis so that the spine is kept in its natural state. The best solution therefore is a mattress that will contour to your shape, allowing your hips and shoulders to sink in comfortably. This combination can easily be obtained using a medium to firm mattress to support your body AND an overlay such as the Body Huggar mattress overlay or the Memory Mattress Topper would be ideal.