Tips for Choosing the Best Mattress for Sciatica Pain

Sciatica is, unfortunately, a fairly common back condition and can occur in people of all ages. If you're pregnant, here's a big bummer: in the third trimester of pregnancy, it's not uncommon for a mom-to-be heavy with a child to suffer from sciatica pain for the first time. And sleepers with sciatica can attest that it negatively impacts their sleep quality.

If you suffer from sciatica, you may find your sleep position can make the pain flair or become even worse. Sleepers with sciatica should always make sure to check their mattress's condition and consider its age. It's also possible that your doctor may suggest a new mattress. This article discusses sciatica symptoms and offers some guidance for finding the best mattress for sciatica. Let's dig in.

What Is Sciatica Pain?

Sciatica pain isn't your everyday backache. Sciatic pain is caused by impingement of the sciatic nerve—the largest nerve in the body—which is why the pain radiates from the low back down through the buttocks and the legs. 

Arthritis, an injury, narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis), a bulging or partially herniated disc, and piriformis syndrome, which can mimic sciatica symptoms, can cause sciatica pain.

Sciatica is a common syndrome. In fact, one out of every four older Americans has been diagnosed with it at one time or another. But this is not to say that younger adults can't have the issue. Many people start experiencing some spinal issues in their thirties. And certain activities can aggravate sciatica, including sitting at a desk all day. Cycling and running can also lead to sciatica if the hamstrings and the piriformis muscle aren't properly stretched.

Sometimes along with the pain, sciatica can also cause numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the affected leg. Coughing, twisting, or bending may aggravate the pain. So can lifting heavy items.

Analgesics, ice packs, heating pads, deep tissue massage, and spinal manipulation can help reduce or temporarily reduce sciatic pain. However, most doctors agree that sciatic sufferers should consider changing up their mattresses to ease their sciatica symptoms.

While sciatica usually isn't chronic, it can recur again, especially if it's caused by a bulging disc in the spine. A typical case of sciatica will resolve in between four to six weeks, but until it resolves, sciatica pain can be nearly disabling. 

Certain yoga poses can help with sciatica pain, especially the reclining pigeon pose, which helps open your hips and releases your piriformis muscle. Be cautious, though, and work with your physical therapist on other stretches and exercises that are effective for sciatica.

What Type of Mattress Is Best for Sciatica?

The best mattress for sciatica depends on several things, such as your sleeping position, your need for pressure relief, and your budget.

Many people find that a memory foam mattress provides pressure relief and good support. After all, NASA scientists created memory foam to cushion its test pilots during flights, and it was also used for astronauts. Today, memory foam is used in everything from football helmets to shoes.

Leesa's memory foam mattresses offer all the benefits of foam, but without the negative environmental impact. Leesa's foam is GREENGUARD Certified, meaning it has been scientifically proven to meet rigorous third-party chemical emission standards. This helps reduce indoor air pollution and chemical exposure. That means Leesa's memory foam is better for you and everyone in your family.

What Mattress Firmness Is Best for Sciatica?

Some doctors have suggested medium-firm innerspring mattresses are the best mattresses for sciatica, but a 2008 British study found memory foam mattresses were better. Leesa's memory foam layers offer good support. Plus, it provides a pillow-like hug and pressure relief that's the signature of memory foam. Both Leesa's all-memory foam mattresses and our hybrid mattresses are ranked as medium-firm.

Can a Bad Mattress Cause Sciatica?

If you're waking up with an achy neck or shoulders, or if you've had your mattress for over eight or ten years, your mattress is probably making your sciatica worse. It's especially important for back sleepers suffering from sciatica to find the right mattress to relieve pressure points and maintain proper spinal alignment. But, sleepers who favor any position experience pain relief sleeping on Leesa's mattresses.

Best Sleep Positions for Sciatica

Everybody has their preferred sleeping position, even if you change it sometime during the night. But some sleeping positions are better for people with sciatica than others. It’s important to sleep in positions that evenly distribute your body weight and keep your spine aligned.

Back Sleepers

If you're a back sleeper, you're going to want a medium-firm mattress to keep your spine straight and aligned. One big tip for back sleepers: you may find some relief by tucking a pillow under your knees. Doing so helps your hip flexors relax and takes the pressure off of your lower back. 

Side Sleepers

Many sleep experts recommend sleeping on your left side to open up your lungs and relieve back pain. If you're a side sleeper, your preferred sleeping position is probably ideal for someone with sciatica, but you will need to find a mattress offering pressure relief. For a side sleeper with sciatica, placing a pillow between your knees can help make you more comfortable. Consider using a memory foam pillow, or augment your sleep with a body pillow.

Worst Sleep Position for Sciatica

If you have sciatica or any other form of low back pain, there's one sleeping position you should avoid. It may be your comfy place, but if you're struggling with sciatica pain and other symptoms, like tingling or numbness, avoid this position.

Stomach sleepers

Of all the sleeping positions, stomach sleeping is often the worst for lower back and neck pain. If you can't train yourself to sleep in a different position, you will need a mattress offering pressure relief. That's where the magic of memory foam comes in. Whether you choose an all-foam mattress, or a hybrid mattress combining innerspring support with memory foam pressure relief, Leesa can help you choose the right mattress for you.

Get Your Mattress for Sciatica Pain Delivered 

Whether you're shopping for an all-memory foam mattress, or a hybrid mattress combining the support of innerspring and the heavenly pressure relief of memory foam, you'll find the best mattress for sciatica by shopping with Leesa. We offer free delivery, removal of your existing mattress, and a 100-night free trial.

Try the Leesa difference yourself. Test our mattresses at our partners, West Elm or Pottery Barn, then head back home and get your favorite Leesa mattress and accessories directly from us. Each Leesa mattress is built to order, not lying around in a warehouse collecting dust. While you're at it, check out our Leesa pillows and other accessories such as linens and duvets. Whatever you do, choose your best mattress for sciatica today.

FAQs

Can a pillow help sciatica?