Best Mattress for Sciatica Pain – 2023 Reviews

Sciatica is a type of pain that results from pressure exerted on the sciatic nerve. It can feel like a shooting pain that extends from the lower back down into the leg or even the feet, often on only one side of the body.

Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying condition or injury. It's most commonly caused by a herniated disc, but can be caused by anything that places pressure on the sciatic nerve, including bone spurs, tumors, misaligned posture, and other issues.

Most people treat sciatica with physical therapy and pain medication, but having a quality bed can also help alleviate the symptoms.

People struggling with sciatica usually have trouble sleeping because they find most sleep positions very uncomfortable. This can go on for a long time, causing sleep deprivation and even pressure buildup due to uncomfortable sleep. In some cases, the sciatica symptoms even worsen over time if your bed doesn’t help alleviate the pain. One way to help the issue is to get a new mattress that fits your needs or adjust the old one using a new mattress topper.

Edge support is important for couples and single individuals who prefer spreading across their beds. Without proper edge support, you’re likely to feel as though you’re rolling off the bed when sitting or lying near the edge. On the other hand, good edge support will keep the perimeter sturdy.

Hybrid and innerspring mattresses usually have reliable edge support, some of which even have reinforced perimeters with thicker-gauge coils along the edges. However, memory foam models can also have higher-density foam in the border, helping to keep the edges from collapsing.

One of the most important things to seek out when buying a new mattress to help manage your nerve pain is durability. Remember, if your spine is out of alignment, it can make your sciatica worse and even trigger episodes.

If your mattress loses support, sags, or develops indentations prematurely, you may have to invest in a new bed or topper sooner than you anticipated. However, it can be a challenge to know in advance which beds will be the most durable. After all, most beds feel fantastic for the first several months. The challenge is finding one that will last for years.

Many people think that you could make an educated case about the durability of the bed based on the length of the warranty. Naturally, it makes sense that a company that stands behind their product would offer the longest warranty period.

However, you’ll need to read the fine print before making that judgment. Many companies require there to be such a significant indentation to grant a warranty claim that you’d sleep uncomfortably for months before the indent would be enough to satisfy a claim.

Luckily, our top mattress picks all put a heavy emphasis on durability. We know how important this factor is, so keep a lookout for that in your search.

You’ve probably read a lot of mattress reviews talking about pressure relief. So, what is it, and why is it important?

When we lie down, especially on our sides, the heavier and denser parts of our bodies sink into the mattress. This is typically our shoulders and hips. A mattress should allow for these parts of our bodies to settle in comfortably and keep our spine in a straight line. A mattress with inadequate pressure relief may cause our bodies to sink in at inappropriate angles, misaligning our spine and further exacerbating nerve pain.

The types of beds that perform best in this category tend to be either pure memory or a hybrid with memory foam layers. Latex also works well. The reason for this is that foam tends to contour better to your body, allowing it to maintain spinal integrity.

Read more: Best Mattress for Hip and Shoulders

When you’re in pain, it can be tempting to seek out something soft to provide immediate relief. However, this would be a mistake because a bed that is too soft will cause you to sink too deeply into the surface, throwing off your alignment.

On the other hand, you may have heard that sleeping on a firm bed is good for you. The problem with a too-hard bed is that your hips and shoulders don’t get adequate pressure relief. Instead of dropping into a natural position with a cradling support system, they’ll stay flat, which puts your pelvic bone in a raised position. The result is pressure on your lower back, and you guessed it, more sciatic pain.

Consider exploring our picks for the best mattresses for back pain. 

Sciatica can sometimes make it difficult to move, more so after lying in one position for several hours. This is where a responsive mattress can come in handy, helping you change positions or get out of bed without as much effort.

Responsive beds are mattresses that are quick to respond to movement or pressure. This is usually provided by buoyant materials. In most cases, hybrid, innerspring, and latex mattresses are more responsive than memory foam beds.

Material quality is always important to look at as it can determine the bed’s durability and longevity. A bed made from high-quality materials is likely to last longer than a mattress made from low-quality materials. Plus, high-quality materials give off a more luxurious and comfortable feel that may be better for alleviating your sciatica symptoms.

Keep in mind that material quality can often affect the price, so those with the best materials are usually also the most expensive. However, this usually means you won’t have to invest in a new bed as quickly.

Mattresses are available at a range of prices, so you can easily find one that suits your budget. The difference in price is usually due to a series of factors like materials, mattress height, size, and features like cooling, edge support, and motion isolation.

People with sciatica should focus on a durable and comfortable bed, but this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to get one. In fact, some of the best mattresses for sciatica are on the more affordable side, but make sure to consider other factors before making a decision.

Trial and warranty are crucial to look at when buying a new mattress, especially if you want a quality investment. A good trial should last at least a month, although many brands offer roughly 100 nights to a full year. Those struggling with sciatica should look for a long-lasting trial that allows them to test the bed in different positions to see if it helps ease the pain and pressure caused by the condition.

The warranty is also important as it can indicate the overall quality of the mattress. Most brands offer at least a year, although many others feature 10 or 20 years and in some cases, a lifetime deal.

As you know, there are multiple mattress types, some of which may help sciatica better than others. Although many factors affect how a bed feels, some types are more responsive, comfortable, and long-lasting than others.

Hybrid mattresses are highly versatile thanks to their many comfort layers and sturdy support systems. The support comes from coils that are usually individually wrapped for additional motion isolation.

These beds are breathable and cooling because the coils allow plenty of airflow, making these a good option for hot sleepers. In addition, hybrids can be responsive, which helps people with sciatica move around the bed. Hybrids are also highly comfortable as they have multiple comfort layers and at least one transition layer before the coils.

Innerspring mattresses have coils much like hybrids, but they don’t have as many comfort layers. In most cases, they have only one foam layer above the coils, which is why they’re also thinner than hybrids.

Some people with sciatica may find these beds comfortable, but this also depends on their body weight. Innerspring models are typically not the best for heavy folks because they don't have a tall profile, so you may sink too deeply into the construction, which can throw your spine out of alignment.

If you experience regular nerve pain, sleeping on your side is typically the best position, with some caveats. Side sleepers are still susceptible to a twisting of the lower back if they sleep with one leg in front of the other.

So, if you do lie on your side, you can try putting a pillow between your knees to coax your spine back into alignment. Side sleeping is also comfortable for a lot of people, regardless of whether you have nerve pain or not.

Get More Info: How to Properly Sleep On Your Side

Sleeping on your back can be helpful, but it’s going to depend on a few factors. Remember, sleeping flat on your back can flex the lower portion of your spine, which can cause pain in your lumbar region.

If you do sleep on your back, consider putting a cushion under your knees to provide ample support and encourage your spine to stay in the right position. This can be a pillow (the same you use for side sleeping), or you can roll a towel and place under your them. That way you can customize it each night depending on how you feel.

One word of caution: If you snore or have sleep apnea, you should probably sleep on your side instead. As always, it's best to talk to a doctor about serious conditions.

Being pregnant can cause many of the same symptoms of sciatica. So, if you’re pregnant and you already have this condition, it can be even worse.

The best advice we’ve found for easing sciatic pain during pregnancy is to invest in a body pillow. There are a few types we recommend, depending on what your exact need is:

• Full body pillow: A total-body cushion that you can snuggle up against for support from head to toe. Many of the full body versions can be repurposed and work well as a wedge or can be wrapped around you while sitting up.
  

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• Side sleeper pillow: This type of pillow looks like a dumbbell and offers support at your lower back and belly because you rest your side body into the middle groove. The pillow can also be folded and placed between your knees, or you can prop it underneath for when you sleep on your back.
  

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• Knee pillow: Sometimes you need just a little bit of help to get your hips in place. Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can make things just right.

View Our Full Guides: Best Mattresses for Pregnancy and Best Pregnancy Pillows

If your bed is too firm or it is losing its support, a mattress topper can be a life saver. They’re dramatically less expensive than buying a whole new bed.

Memory foam toppers are among the best materials. You can pick one that is suitable for your unique needs, with most being between 2 and 4 inches thick. Some have a removable, machine-washable cover and are hypoallergenic. If you tend to sleep hot during the night, look for brands that have gel infusions, which should help you stay cool.

Check Out Our Full Guide: Best Mattress Toppers

Whether your nerve pain is minimal or severe, sleeping on a poor-quality mattress will almost certainly make your symptoms worse. If your bed is too hard, too soft, or provides inadequate support, you’ll be more likely to have nerve pain.

Also, we already know that getting a good night of sleep is one of the best things we can do for our overall health. If we’re not sleeping well during the night because of a terrible mattress, that’s also going to affect how we feel and how well our bodies can adapt to conditions ranging from the flu to sciatica.

Elevating your knees can take pressure off of your low back, reducing and potentially eliminating sciatic pain. One of the best ways to get your knees raised is to follow these easy steps:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent slightly toward the ceiling. Your heels and rear end should still be flat on the bed.
2. Slide a pillow under your knees. It should close the gap between your knees and the bed. Add more if needed.
3. Keep experimenting until you find the setup that is just right for you.

There is nothing like a warm bath or a soak in a hot tub to relax you right before bed. Not only does it serve as a nighttime ritual that can signal your body to produce the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, but it can also help relax the muscles around the nerves. Bonus points for adding aromatherapy or essential oils like lavender to inspire tranquility.

Sometimes you may need that extra support or just the right angle to put us in the right position to get comfortable and relieve nerve pressure. Putting an additional pillow between or under your knees could yield excellent results. Further, a full-body pillow can provide the exact amount of contouring and support you need if you sleep on your side, particularly if you’re pregnant.

When you’re dealing with something like sciatic nerve pain, you need all the help you can get when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep. We’ve found that having a bedtime routine signals your body that it’s time for bed and can help make you sleepy.

Whether it’s a warm bath like we mentioned earlier, a cup of herbal tea, or a few minutes with your favorite book, having a routine you follow each night can help you sleep better.

There are multiple stretches you can do before bed that could help prevent sciatic pain from waking you at night or bothering you in the morning. Most of them involve opening up your hips, which relieves pressure and encourages blood flow.

The most effective stretch some people have found to date is called Pigeon pose. The reason Pigeon pose is many people's favorite is that it stretches something called the tiny piriformis muscle. When this becomes inflamed, it puts undue pressure on the sciatic nerve, so keeping this muscle in tip-top shape is one of the best things you can do to combat nerve pain. Pigeon pose can be a miracle worker for a whole host of other back problems, especially in the lower back.

Interested in exploring further? Read our guide to Stretching Before Bed.

People with sciatica should look for a comfortable bed that offers a balance of support and comfort. These beds are usually the best at keeping the spine aligned and preventing your hips and shoulders from sinking too deeply into the mattress construction. All mattress types can help alleviate pain and pressure caused by sciatica, but make sure the one you choose offers good lumbar support and is comfortable in sensitive areas.

A bad mattress is unlikely to cause sciatica, but it can trigger symptoms and feel uncomfortable the longer you use it. For this reason, it’s helpful to ensure you have a great mattress that helps tackle your sciatic pain.

Firm mattresses are typically better at keeping the body in alignment, which means your spine is more likely to stay straight. However, the best mattress firmness depends on many factors, like the sleep position you prefer and your body weight.

A firmer bed should feel better for sciatica and lower back pain, but only if you usually sleep on your back and stomach. Side sleepers may prefer a slightly softer bed that contours the pressure points.

When you lie down, your spine has a tendency to compress, especially if you’re not sleeping on a quality mattress. If the position you’re lying in puts the spine at any angle other than straight, it’s going to make the pain worse.

This issue is similar to the question above about sciatica being worse while lying down. Again, if you’re sleeping in a position that puts pressure on your nerves, you’ll feel a lot worse first thing in the morning than you would during the course of the day. Your spine has been at a suboptimal angle for hours, naturally making the pain worse.

There are anecdotal stories from people who have found relief from sleeping on the floor. Others are skeptical of this technique.

More than likely, the people who recommend sleeping on the floor suggest that because the mattress they have is sagging and unsupportive, making the floor a more viable option. We’ve outlined a lot of solutions to minimize nerve pain, so we strongly encourage you to try the other tips and consult a doctor before resorting to sleeping on the floor.