Best Mattresses for Sciatica
Looking for an ideal mattress to relieve sciatica pain? You have come to the right place. Read our guide and unbiased mattress reviews on best mattresses for sciatica.
Looking for an ideal mattress to relieve sciatica pain? You have come to the right place. Read our guide and unbiased mattress reviews on best mattresses for sciatica.
Sciatica is characterized by the pain caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often caused by degeneration of an intervertebral disk. The pain radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve and affects the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, usually only on one side of the body. In rarer occasions, pain can be experienced on both sides. A herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) is typically the cause of compression and what leads to this medical condition. The affected leg is inflamed, followed by pain and often some numbness. Aches in affected body parts can range from infrequent to constant. Most cases of this affliction are resolved with non-operative treatments in a few weeks. People who are suffering from more severe cases of sciatica might be candidates for surgery.
The most common cause of Sciatica is a herniated disc that pinches the sciatic nerve in the spinal cord or when the spinal canal narrows and compresses that cord. More rarely, the nerve can be damaged by a disease such as diabetes or compressed by a tumor. Additional common causes of sciatica include:
While there are many different factors which can cause sciatica, the mattress you are using is one element which can exacerbate sciatica. Sleeping on a bed that doesn’t suit you can worsen your spinal condition leading to nerve pain. These symptoms can intensify overnight
There are several useful ways to prevent back problems or alleviate them if you are already in pain. We recommend the following:
Using a seat with efficient lower back support, armrests, and a swivel base is essential. Consider placing a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its standard curve. Keep your knees and hips level.
Rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time if you are standing for long periods. Moreover, let your lower extremities do the work when you lift something heavy.
Move straight up and down. Bend only at the knees and keep your back straight. Hold the load close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. If the object is hefty, find a lifting partner.
To keep your back healthy, pay particular attention to your core muscles – the muscles in your abdomen and lower back are essential for proper posture and alignment. Exercising them regularly will keep them active and durable. Ask your doctor to recommend specific activities.
Located in the lower portion of the spinal cord, the sciatic nerve is the largest one in the human body. The sciatic nerve attaches to nerve endings in the lower limbs and extends through the glutes. If it gets irritated or pinched it can cause severe pain that often disturbs peaceful sleep at night.
Finding relief can be quite difficult, and often, physicians prescribe painkillers or offer surgical intervention for more severe cases.
Changing your mattress may be another option for relieving your symptoms without any potential side effects. You might not realize it, but the well-being of your spinal cord is significantly affected by what you choose to sleep on.
Every night, when you lay on a low-quality or flat mattress, it eventually causes damage to your spine and the surrounding nerves and muscles – including your sciatic nerve.
The right mattress, on the other hand, can relieve lower back pain by applying just the right amount of pressure to certain points on your back and reduce pain as you sleep.
A quality mattress will provide the support your back needs to wake up in the morning pain-free. In order to alleviate pain caused by sciatica, you have to sleep on a firmer surface.
Physical therapy, exercises, medications, and muscle relaxers are among some of the most common treatments for sciatica. Changing your mattress can also help to alleviate the symptoms of sciatica
Check out this year’s best mattresses that will help you sleep better and forget about your back problems.
Do you sleep on your stomach? Are you suffering from hip and shoulder pain after you wake up in the morning? What about night sweats? If you’re dealing with any of these issues, then you might need a new mattress.
Nectar mattress is an affordable investment for your bedroom that offers five layers of comfort and customization for your body. It also has cooling features that direct heat away from your body. Featuring both standard and gel memory foam it will provide comfortable sleep while also aligning your spine which is perfect if you lie on your back or sideways. Compared to other memory foam mattresses this one is considerably cheaper with the same quality.
Being a little on the firmer end of the medium spectrum, it will provide an excellent sleeping solution for those who carry a lot of weight. Couples will find this mattress to their liking as well, because of its lack of motion transfer and noise reduction when bearing weight.
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If you can’t get used to one type of mattress and would like your bed to change its firmness every night, then Layla is a perfect choice. This copper infused mattress is flippable which means that you have two options: it’s “medium soft” on one side, and “firm” on the other.
Each side is colored differently so you can tell them apart easily. If your back needs a different level of firmness now and then, this is the right model for you.
Further confirming its quality is the reduction of motion transfer which will let you sleep undisturbed even next to someone who frequently moves in bed. For those who like to lie or sit on the edge of the bed, edge support is excellent.
Layla mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial, so you can try it out and decide if it is right for you. If your experience is not satisfactory, in addition to receiving a full refund, the seller will let you choose a local charity that you can send this model to and make someone else happy.
Moreover, the product is made in the USA, and, when you choose Affirm at checkout, you could qualify for a payment plan for as low as $42 per month with an introductory 0% interest rate. You will also get a lifetime warranty.
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Purple Innovations company has recently updated its well known Purple Mattress calling it simply “The New Purple Mattress.” The difference lies in the ability to choose the thickness of its Smart Comfort Grid™. While the previous version had a 2-inch layer, now you can decide between 2, 3, or 4 inches. This means that the thicker the layer is, the softer the bed is going to feel.
The founding brothers of Purple have created a mattress that’s genuinely revolutionary, using over 30 years of combined experience with advanced aerospace technology and cushion manufacturing. The secret lies in their patented Smart Comfort Grid™, which is scientifically engineered to intelligently flex under your pressure points while gently supporting the rest of your body. Simply put, it will adapt to and support your natural body shape providing the proper spinal alignment while giving you the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had. It doesn’t matter whether you are stomach, back or side sleeper; this model will feel amazing just the same.
The Smart Comfort Grid™ also has good motion isolation, allowing you to rest uninterruptedly even if the person sleeping next to you moves continuously.
Unlike latex and memory foam mattresses which trap body heat, this mattress has a temperature-neutral, open grid design that allows the cooling airflow, preventing you from sweating.
This revolutionary design is made from high-quality Hyper-Elastic Polymer, which makes the Purple Mattress built to last. It’s ultra-durable, non-toxic, and it never breaks down.
On top of that, Responsive Support Coils add years of durability to your bed. In case you are suffering from allergies, they have also thought of that, as it features hypoallergenic materials that prevent any allergy-affecting microorganisms like dust mites, bacteria, and fungus from penetrating your mattress.
In addition to free shipping, your New Purple mattress will come with White Glove delivery, meaning it will be personally delivered to your doorstep. The delivery team can also throw away your old one if you want, free of charge.
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Winner of 2019’s most comfortable mattress award, Puffy is one of a kind sleeping experience for any sleeper type. There are two different models to choose from: Puffy and Puffy Lux.
The regular version of this memory foam mattress consists of three layers, each with a unique design, created to improve ensure you are well rested every night. First one is Puffy’s Cooling Cloud™ gel-infused foam with excellent airflow that minimizes overheating while you lie in it. Comfortable and sublimely soft with slow response to pressure, it will adapt to your body shape conveniently. The second layer is an exceptional ClimateComfort™ foam that has advanced temperature & humidity-resistant materials which will help you sleep peacefully even with climate fluctuations. Its bottom layer is 6 inches of Firm Core Support foam that provides just the right amount of firmness so your spine can be aligned in the healthiest way. The total height of this mattress is 10 inches.
The Puffy Lux version adds one more layer which is why it is a bit more expensive than the original. In addition to two layers that Puffy has, Lux model has 2 inches Body Adapting Dual Cloud foam in between which brings even more comfort, and it measures 12 inches in height.
This mattress will satisfy every type of sleeper. Layers specifically designed to help your spine stay in the proper position will also ease your sciatic pain.
If you are sleeping next to someone, Puffy isolates motion, so you don’t feel any movement.
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Produced by the Saatva brands the Loom & Leaf is one of a kind mattress featuring high-density memory foam and handcrafted layers that are made with your best interest at heart.
The mattress comes in two different comfort levels. The Relaxed Firm is the most popular model because it suits every type of sleepers. On the other hand, the Firm model is made for those who like their beds a little firmer. This option is best for those who prefer sleeping on their back or stomach.
Loom & Leaf has multiple layers, each one handcrafted. The cover is made from organic cotton that is quilted with soft foam granting extra comfort. Beneath it is the cooling layer that has their very own Spinal Zone gel as well as breathable foam that will keep you cool and your spine aligned. Next part is made of premium eco-friendly foam that weighs 5 pounds and has natural coolness without off-gassing. Last but not least is multi-layer breathable support providing further cooling and comfort.
All this adds up to supportive and conforming feel that will relieve your pressure points causing pain-free, enjoyable sleep.
If you are still not sure about this mattress, there are more than 15000 five star reviews to reassure you that this is the right choice. On top of that Saatva has been ranked number 68 out of 100 most promising companies by Forbes magazine.
Active sleepers will also appreciate Loom & Leaf as it has excellent movement absorption.
You will receive this mattress with free White Glove delivery, meaning that they will send someone to bring it to you, uncompressed, set it up, and if you so wish, get rid of your old one. There is a 120-day trial period, and if you decide that it is not for you, you will get a full refund minus 99$ transportation cost. Saatva grants 15-year warranty which is better than the industry standard of 10 years.
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WinkBeds is an online mattress brand that tried hard to deliver something that will be perfect for everyone. With multiple firmness options and an exclusive model designed specifically for heavier people, you won’t need to look further for a high-quality, affordable mattress. Combining plush pillow top with pocketed support coils and microcoils, WinkBed is a hybrid model that will provide you with unmatched comfort.
WinkBed contains four handcrafted layers made to sleep cool and keep your body relaxed throughout the night. An eco-friendly, all-natural cover is made of Tencel, material that contains eucalyptus wood cellulose that gives this product lightness and breathability.
Just beneath lies Euro Pillow Top, a layer made from gel-infused foam that disperses heat, moving it away from your body. The rest of the mattress is imbued with so-called microcoils that help relieve pressure as well as preventing too much sinkage. It will also reduce your back pain letting you rest, especially if you are suffering from sciatica. This part is called LumbarLayer, and WinkBeds guarantees that it will help you by reducing unwanted stress and tension.
The company offers three options to choose from in their original WinkBed. They come in different firmness levels which are: Soft (Medium soft), Luxury Firm (Medium, this is the most popular one), and Firmer (Medium firm).
WinkBed Plus is a new model made with heavyweight sleepers in mind. It has the addition of latex foam that serves as a durable layer positioned directly underneath the cover, and offers some immediate lift, meaning that you will get extra support from this part, enhancing comfort even more.
Are you a stomach, side or back sleeper? No matter the position you sleep in, there is a WinkBed just for you!
As proof that this seller is confident with their products, upon purchase you will receive a 120-night trial period and a full replacement lifetime guarantee. Furthermore, if you happen not to like it, they will grant you a full refund with a free pick-up. You can even keep it until you buy a new one! If you change your mind after a few years and decide you would like a different model, it will be replaced for just 50% of the current price.
If you want the mattress delivered to you uncompressed, a team of people will be sent and set it up for a small free. They will also help you get rid of the old one.
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Brooklyn Bedding Aurora is a hybrid mattress that has an emphasis on keeping you cool and comfortable. Its combination of multiple levels of foam and coils result in a sleep that is guaranteed to be peaceful and relaxing. Every layer is designed to conform to pressure points and reduce back pain which is perfect if you have problems with sciatica.
Brooklyn Bedding offers three firmness levels; soft (3.5), medium (5.5), and firm (7.5), so there is an option for every sleeper type.
The top part of Aurora is all about keeping you cool. There is even science involved. They have deduced that the average skin temperature is 91 degrees, but the optimal sleep temperature is 88. To help your body reach 88 degrees, the top layer is infused with TitanCool™, a patented phase change molecule. It pairs with CopperFlex™ that adds copper to this layer helping it promote an antibacterial sleeping environment.
Next part consists of 2 inches of hyper-elastic foam, named TitanFlex™, featuring immediate response technology that causes the bed to adjust to your body every time you move. Compared to latex foam, it is more durable and breathable. The transition layer is made of 1-inch gel memory foam that helps reduce motion transfer.
The most substantial part of this bed is the support center made of 8 inches of pocketed coils that are responsible for the support and bounce of the mattress. They also help in motion isolation because they are individually wrapped. Furthermore, by creating space in the mattress for improved airflow, they provide Aurora with additional temperature regulation and cooling.
With a total of 13 ½ inches, it might be a bit heavier than usual so you may want to have some help setting it up. Unfortunately, White Glove delivery is not provided but comes to your door via the bed-in-a-box system, free of charge. It has a standard warranty period of 10 years and a 120-night trial. Full refund is available during this period, and if you think this mattress is not for you, they will pick it up for free.
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Each one of these superb mattresses has characteristics that are suitable for someone who has back pains or just wants to improve their posture and keep their spine in good condition. If you want your bed to help you with sciatica specifically, perhaps one of the better options is the Nectar mattress. With its two supportive base layers, and exceedingly comfortable and contouring memory foam it will relieve your pressure points making you forget about your sciatica problems.
Co-founder of Counting Sheep and Sleepaholic