People are entitled to get a good night’s sleep at night. This is the only way for our cells to regenerate themselves and repair the damaged tissues and the lost cells. This goes most especially if they are suffering from a certain kind of body condition. Sciatica is a condition where you won’t be able to walk or use your left leg properly. Getting yourself positioned when you sleep is a little bit difficult. Because there is a certain nerve that is being pinched that caused sciatica.
If you want to get a good night’s sleep, you need to get yourself the best mattress for sciatica. This way, you will be able to sleep in any position that you want. We have reviewed over fifty different mattresses and made a choice of the top 5 that we think could help you have a good night’s sleep.
Best Mattress for Sciatica for 2023
Best Price Mattress
The Best Price Mattress is another kind of memory foam mattress that is perfect for any kind of sleeper. There are three different kinds of foam in this mattress. You will have a gel-infused memory foam that is responsible for its cooling features. It has the ability to regulate the temperature in the mattress, allowing you to have a good night’s sleep. And the memory foam can help keep your body in proper alignment.
Most especially on your spine. The next layer is ventilated comfort foam. It supports the gel-infused memory foam so that you will be able to have extra cushioning whenever you lie down. It is ventilation that releases the heat that is trapped in the mattress. And finally, the high-density base holds both foams together and keeps them in their place. One way to prolong the lifespan of this mattress is to use a bed sheet that is made with 100% pure cotton.
This is to protect the comfortable poly jacquard cover. Even though the cover of this mattress is soft, it is good to add something more to make everything more comfortable to sleep on.
Perfect Cloud Elegance Memory Foam Mattress
One of the most popular mattresses that can be used by people who are suffering from a certain kind of body pain is the Perfect Cloud Elegance Memory Foam Mattress. It is a memory foam mattress that has the ability to contour the body properly according to the way a certain body is shaped. Memory foam is known for its pressure relief feature. This is to allow your joints to be free and keep them from squishing.
And if you are worried about your warm environment, this mattress can help you sleep cool because the memory foam has a 2-inch layer of Gel-Pro memory foam. This way, you will be able to sleep on a cool and comfortable mattress. It also has a premium knit cover that can help prolong the lifespan of your mattress and make sure that the money you spent on it will be worth it. Another great thing about this mattress is that it is perfect for all kinds of sleepers because it has an immediate response. Its plush will always go back immediately to the way it should be.
Signature Sleep Memoir Memory Foam Mattress
Signature Sleep is known for its environmentally friendly materials. And one of their popular mattresses s the Signature Sleep Memoir Memory Foam Mattress. It is a lightweight kind of mattress that can help minimize the pressure on the joints of the body. This is to give you the right amount of support that your body needs, even if you toss and turn whenever you sleep. The memory foam adapts easily according to your natural body shape.
This is to align your body properly so that the blood flow will be able to run smoothly in your body and allow the cells to repair what is damaged. And if you are suffering from a certain joint or body pain, this mattress can help relieve the pain while you sleep. Thanks to its memory foam, you will be able to get a good night’s sleep.
Sleep Innovations Marley Memory Foam Mattress
Sleep Innovations has different kinds of mattresses that are made for different kinds of sleepers. And their Marley Memory Foam Mattress is designed for people who are consistently having body pain. If you are having difficulty sleeping comfortably with your sciatica, this mattress is one of the greatest that you can have. It is only made with two layers of foam.
The first layer is made with Sure Temperature Memory Foam. It cushions your body and contours the shape of your body whenever you lie on it, allowing the natural shape of your body to fall on the surface of the mattress. And the great thing is that you will not feel any warmth because it regulates the temperature allowing you to have a cooler sleep. And the base layer is the Support Plus Foam that balances the memory foam on top and keeps your spine well-aligned.
This way, you will have a medium-firm feel on your mattress. The breathability of this mattress allows you to get better and cooler sleep at night. And with the help of the Deluxe Quilted Cover, the surface is smoother and softer than the other kinds of mattresses. Even if you don’t have a mattress cover, you will be able to feel its comfort.
Nod by Tuft & Needle
Tuft & Needle is one popular mattress brand that formulates its own foams to deliver its best products. One of the popular mattresses that they sell is the Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress. It is made with responsive foam that allows you to sleep in whatever position you want. And even if you are in a different position every night, you will be able to get a good night’s sleep because of the support that it delivers.
It is not just ordinary memory foam that they are using. They developed their own kind of memory foam that can give more support and elasticity. And you don’t have to turn your air conditioner to its coolest temperature because this mattress is made with a foam that cools your body and regulates the heat that is trapped inside. It keeps on the surface of the mattress so that your body is well-supported and aligned unlike the other kinds of mattresses where you will feel that you are sinking.
This Tuft & Needle is a combination of a soft and firm surface for you to sleep on a well-supported and at the same time comfortable mattress.
How to find a mattress for sciatica: Buyers Guide
Spinal support
One of the first things that you need to think about before buying a mattress is the proper spinal support that it can give you. If you are suffering from sciatica, it is understandable that your spine is not properly aligned. This is the reason why you need a mattress that can help realign your spine even if you are lying down. There are different sleeping positions that a person does when asleep. And since each and every one of us is unique, find a mattress that suits your sleeping style and at the same time supports your spine. You will then get a good night’s sleep even if you have sciatica.
Firmness
The firmness level that you should look for must match the level of pain that you are suffering. Because there are different pain levels that a person feels if they have sciatica. Having a too soft or too firm mattress is sometimes inadvisable. You need to have yourself checked to know which level you are at so that you will be able to know what firmness level of a mattress you will get.
Durability
Since we are already spending for our comfort, find a mattress that can last long. You will be able to get a good night’s sleep and at the same time enjoy the comfort of our mattress for a long time. There are a lot of mattress companies that offer at least 5 years to 10 years of warranty.
This is to test how durable their products are and how long they will last even without torture use. Since you are a customer, if there is a tear or a factory defect on your mattress, have it replaced or contact the mattress company to have it fixed. But most of the time, they will replace it so that you will be able to enjoy the comfort of their mattress.
Must adapt to an adjustable base
Moving with sciatic pain is pretty difficult. Getting on and off the bed is even sometimes impossible. This is due to the excruciating pain that you feel. This is the reason why some bed of people who are suffering from sciatica is a little bit inclined. This way, it will be easier for them to sit and get off their beds.
Find a mattress that can adjust easily and adapt to an adjustable mattress foundation. These mattress foundations are commonly used in hospitals or for people who are already bedridden. But if you want to have one of your own, you can always purchase one so that you will be able to have a comfortable sleep and for you to be independent whenever you get on or off the bed.
Can be used as a hospital or it has to be clinically tested
An adjustable mattress is recommended for persons with sciatica, as was indicated at the beginning of this article. These mattresses should meet the same standards as those found in medical facilities. Or, better yet, it has been proven to be safe for use by persons with sciatica in clinical trials. Check the label of your desired mattress for certification. Check into the veracity of what your mattress is claiming, too.
Take advantage of the free trials
It is popular that most mattress companies offer free trials. Upon your purchase of the mattress that you chose, you can always take advantage of their free trials. Because you can’t go to the store and lie on the mattress of your choice and feel the way it works. It takes days, months, or sometimes at least a year to assess whether the mattress is the one for you or not. The least number of days that a mattress company can give you is 30 days.
Some mattress companies even offer 100 days of a free trial. If you are satisfied with the mattress within the trial period, you can keep the mattress. But if you are not satisfied, you can always have it replaced with a different mattress under the same company or request a refund. This is for them to better their service to all of their customers.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a pinch nerve pain that affects one leg or both. This sciatic nerve is found on the lumbar spine. If the disc between the spine is being squished, the spinal disc that is protruding compresses or squishes the sciatic nerve. And even if it is just a tiny nerve, it has a huge effect and impact on the legs. The effects will vary on how the sciatic nerve is being compressed.
Symptoms
- Numbness of the leg
- Back pain
- Difficulty in walking
- Numbness after hours of sitting
Causes of sciatica
- Herniated spinal disc
the Herniated disc is where the sciatic nerve is being pinched, which causes the pain. The reason why you get to feel the pain at the back of your leg or on your lower back
- Age
As we age, our body has this tendency to fade. Our health declines most, especially if we are not taking care of ourselves. The bones in our body tend to tremble, and they get brittle. And if this happens, there is a tendency that we will have sciatica.
- Accidents that lead to the breaking of the spinal disc
Breaking of the spinal disc will always lead to a herniated spinal disc. This is where the bones of our spine can no longer handle.
Ways to prevent sciatica
- Position yourself properly when you lift
One of the most common reasons why a lot of people suffer from sciatica is because of their way of lifting heavy objects. If you are one of those people who doesn’t know the biomechanics of the body, you are doing most of your daily activities in the wrong position. One of which is carrying or lifting something heavy from the ground. Instead of squatting and lifting, what most people do is bend over and use their back as a lever to lift the object.
And if this happens on a snap, their backs tend to stress and it will lead to sciatica. The proper way of lifting something from the lower surface is to bend both knees and use the power of the legs instead of the back. Because the muscles on the legs are bigger and stronger than the back and the arms.
- Avoid bad and unhealthy habits
Bad and unhealthy habits consist of smoking, drinking, sleeping late, and a sedentary lifestyle. Changing these habits can help prevent you from getting sciatica. These bad habits, can ruin a lot of your tissues and cells which can lead to sciatica.
Drinking, smoking, sleeping late, and being couch potato is never option in life. These are just temporary happiness that deteriorates and slowly ruins your health. A lot of people are abusing this because they can’t feel it now. But it will later appear in the later part of life.
- Keep a healthy lifestyle
One way in prolonging your life is to keep a healthy lifestyle. Avoiding stress is also one of the major keys to keeping yourself healthy. Because it has a domino effect that can deteriorate your health. By simply eating the right kinds of foods and doing something physical for at least 30 minutes a day, you are already starting to transition yourself into living a healthy lifestyle. And if your overall health condition is good, the different kinds of illnesses and diseases will be prevented.
And one of them is sciatica. Even though it is caused by a pinched nerve, living a healthy lifestyle has something to do with preventing it from happening. Keeping the bones healthy by having the right amount of calcium is one way of preventing sciatica. It is also one way of keeping your entire body healthy.
- Be in a good posture all the time
Slouching is a bad position that can affect your health. It can also cause sciatica, especially for people who are working for hours behind their desks. There are different kinds of products that can help you sit properly. Keeping your back upright and your spine aligned is one way in preventing sciatica. The stress on your lower back is caused by a long period of slouching. If you are uncomfortable with an upright position, you can always place a pillow on your back and lean on it.
This can make you feel comfortable and at the same time support your back and keep your body in a healthy position. There are a lot of advantages if you keep yourself in an upright position. Your blood flow will be well-distributed, the oxygen in your blood is consistent, and your lower back is not stressed.
- Do not sit for a long period of time
Sitting for a long period of time stresses your lumbar spine. And this is the area where your sciatic nerve is found. In a seated position, your lumbar spine is close to the flat surface where you are seated. Most of your weight is anchored there. If you sit for more than an hour, you will first feel slight numbness in your back, butt, and legs. If you will not move, your sciatic nerve is slowly being pinched. And if you still did not move, there is a huge tendency that your sciatic nerve is pinched harder.
And this will make it difficult for you to move. It is advisable for you to stand every 30 minutes and stretch your lower back and legs. This way your nerves will be able to breathe and blood flow will be able to pass through your legs normally. There are no veins and nerve endings that are folded which can cause the delay of the blood flow.
- Be safe and aware of your surroundings
When we walk, it is understandable to be aware of our surroundings. This is to prevent us from any kinds of accidents, most especially the most fatal kinds of accidents. A simple trip has a tendency to cause sciatica. It will also depend on the way our body reacts to how we keep ourselves safe.
Because there are times our reactions will lead to a wrong position. Being extra careful whenever we go out of the house is one way of preventing different kinds of accidents that can cause sciatica.
Can sciatica be caused by a bad mattress?
Since sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve in the spinal area, sleeping on a terrible mattress will only make problems worse. A mattress with a saggy middle might put extra pressure on your spine and other joints. An old, lumpy bed might be a contributing factor in developing sciatica in certain people. It takes years of sleeping on a worn mattress before you start to feel the effects, but you should be prepared for them. If your mattress is sagging or losing its shape, it’s time to get rid of it and replace it. In order to avoid future health problems, it is preferable to spend money on preventative measures now.
Conclusion
Sciatic pain is one of the most painful things that you might experience. And if you already have one, it is best to invest in a mattress that can help relieve your sciatic pain and get a good night’s sleep. There are a lot of mattresses to choose from and there are different ways to prevent sciatic pain from happening again. Just live a healthy lifestyle and sleep on a mattress that is comfortable and at the same time relieves your pain.
Resources:
- https://putnams.co.uk/blogs/news/case-study-sciatic-back-pain-cushion-pillow
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-type-of-mattress-is-best-for-people-with-low-back-pain
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API