I am waking up with a stiff back, stiff neck and headaches almost very
morning. My arms are sometimes numb during the night.

I have a new (one year old) firm mattress, which my doctor stated was
good for stiff backs and I have tried feather, memory foam, soft and
firm pillows without success.

Question: Do I need a new mattress and/or pillow? If I need a new
mattress, what style, model, brand and firmness of mattress would
alleviate these symthoms without costing a fortune? If I need a new
pillow, which brand, style firmess would alleviate these symthoms?
Please provide internt links to the recommended brands.

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Clarification of Question by bajadude-ga on 12 Mar 2006 14:45 PST

Recommended mattress should not create noise from "intimate
relations". I found comments that the select comfort air mattress' had
this unexpected negative aspect during my unsuccessful search for a
solution.

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Request for Question Clarification by alanna-ga on 09 Apr 2006 15:03 PDT

Have you considered that it may not be your mattress or pillow? 
Perhaps you suffer from a pinched nerve in the neck region?  Have you
ruled this out?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/armnumb.shtml

http://www.umm.edu/spinecenter/education/cervical_radiculopathy.html

The BEST bed I have ever slept in was on a recent trip to
Pennsylvania. The Sheraton Hotel had a "Sweet Sleeper" bed which felt
like I was floating on a cloud. As one who wakes up almost every night
with something hurting, and with a husband who has had one hip
operation and is awaiting another - we were both impressed with such a
good night's sleep. We are thinking of purchasing one. If you can find
a place to test one out, give it a try and see what you think.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=sweet_sleeper

Have you tried a latex mattress?  A good latex mattress will provide
the pressure relief properties you would receive from memory foam, but
it bounces back immediately and has no memory.  You can find good
latex mattresses at http://www.memoryfoamfurniture.com