Best mattress for sciatica pain sufferers

There are several different factors that cause sciatica, but there’s one particular factor that can exacerbate the condition – no matter the source: your mattress!

On old or unsupportive mattress can worsen the condition of your spine over time leading to nerve pain.  A bad mattress can actually make your pain and symptoms worse overnight.  If sciatica pain is preventing you from getting the sleep you need, or if your pain is worse while you are in bed it is time to consider a new mattress.  You shouldn’t have to suffer through another long night of restless sleep.  We have done the heavy lifting for you and we’ve found the best mattresses for sciatica sufferers.


We asked our research team to compare notes and develop a list of mattresses that are appropriate for people experiencing sciatica nerve pain.  The research team narrowed it down to a small list of favorites.  We ended up with three recommendations to showcase in this review.  Each of them offers a good fit for different budgets, sleeping positions, and comfort preferences.  When you’ve found the one that appeals most to you, our links will take you directly to Amazon where you can buy or read the reviews for yourself.

We will introduce you to our three recommendations with in-depth reviews.  We have also included a quick guide to shopping for mattresses when you are dealing with the pain and discomfort of sciatica.  You’ll know exactly what to look for, even if you opt for a mattress not contained in this review.

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain when the sciatic never is either pinched or irritated. Along with the uncomfortable pain it causes, you might also experience symptoms including numbness, tingling, or other abnormal sensations that are common with nerve conditions.

These nerve conditions can be the result of spinal issues such as a slipped disc, a herniated disc, or general spinal degradation.  All of the issues listed can be the result of or be exacerbated by, a sleeping surface that does not adequately distribute pressure off of the hips and lower back.  They can also be aggravated by a sleeping surface that causes an unnatural curvature in the spine. You should seriously consider sciatica pillows if you sit down on an office chair for long periods of time.

If you have a mattress that is too firm or too soft, it may be the cause of your sciatica symptoms.  An incompatible mattress can also prevent you from recovering from muscle strain throughout the day, and will inevitably exacerbate your pain.

You definitely need to find a mattress that relieves back and hip pressure and aligns your spine.

How to select the mattress for sciatica chronic pain

You definitely want two things from your mattress and we list them below.

Pressure relief

When you suffer from any acute pain disorder, your first priority is to reduce or eliminate the pain. You do this by addressing the things you have some degree of control over. First, you want to relief from pressure in the top layers of your mattress. If you’re a back sleeper that is sleeping on an old, firm mattress; you may be experiencing chronic lumbar pain. This will ultimately contribute to your spinal issues and sciatica. You need a mattress that gives your hips the opportunity to sink slightly into the cushion to relieve some pressure. If a mattress is too firm, your hips will stay above the surface of the bed causing lumbar curvature and a misaligned spine. To avoid that, you should buy a mattress that allows some contouring at the hips. It should also be springy enough to support the lumbar region at the same time. Both memory foam and latex materials tend to be the best for this. Side sleepers need a cushion that allows contouring at the hips and shoulders. It needs to be slightly deeper than a back sleeper because the pressure is all being applied to one side of the body. The goal is to keep the spine straight and aligned with a sleeping surface that contours at the pressure points but remains supportive through the lumbar and thoracic regions.

Spinal Alignment

It seems intuitive that since you’re experiencing pain, a super soft mattress will probably relieve most of the pressure causing the pain. However, pressure relief is as much about spinal alignment as it is about the cushion. If your pain symptoms are the result of spinal issues, you need to focus on finding a mattress that maintains spinal alignment keeping your body straight and long, rather than curved and crunched. We recommend to people suffering from sciatica pain they stick with medium-firm or firm beds. Some side sleepers need a mattress on the medium side of firm, but you should avoid medium-soft and soft cushion support. Finding a level of comfort according to your sleeping position may be difficult but look for something that allows your spine to curve naturally.

Other factors you should consider when you shop for a mattress

  • Low emission, natural, and non-toxic foam components
  • Generous comfort guarantee periods with in-home trials and full refunds if you’re not satisfied
  • Extended warranty coverage

Listed below are some of the mattress models that address the common issues associated with Sciatica.

Best Mattresses for Sciatica

Sleep Innovations Shiloh 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress

If you are prone to allergies this is probably the mattress you should consider first. The memory foam used to make this mattress is antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites – a known allergen. You won’t find any bacteria or allergens in or on this mattress; they just can live in this environment. When you’re sleeping in and on a healthier climate, the quality of your sleep will surely improve. The Sleep Innovations Shiloh mattress has a medium soft to medium firm feel. This firmness level is going to appeal to most people and deliver an amazing head-to-toe comfort that will keep you sleeping through anything.

The Shiloh is fully supportive of your entire body. You will not have any build up of pressure points and it will keep your spine properly aligned. Your spine needs to be aligned with deep and restorative sleep.

It is especially difficult to be disturbed or awakened by your partner when you have a condition that causes so much pain. The Shiloh 12” thick mattress was crafted to eliminate motion transfer. It has proprietary base foam at its foundation that provides deep compression support and eliminates motion transfer.This mattress remains consistently cool throughout the night.

The technology this mattress uses is called open cell technology. This gives the mattress a unique ability to circulate hot air out of the mattress and fresh air into the mattress. As cool air is drawn in through the sides of the mattress, it displaces the warm air underneath your body helping to maintain a comfortable temperature at the surface of the mattress.

Pros

  • Good for every sleeping position
  • Delivers head-to-toe comfort
  • Open cell technology enhances temperature regulation
  • Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
  • It maintains the firmness level for the duration of ownership

Cons

  • Heavy and requires help to move
  • Might be too firm for some people


Eco Terra Natural Latex and Coil Spring Luxury Hybrid Mattress

Our highest-quality recommendation for people suffering from sciatica is the EcoTerra 11 inch luxury latex mattress. This is a premium mattress that offers a hybrid construction. This mattress strikes the perfect balance between comfort and support for your spinal conditions. We love how this bed combines the motion-isolation of foam, the support of springs, and has the responsiveness and buoyancy of latex. It truly is ideal for side sleepers and back sleepers who seek ultimate comfort.

Advantages

The hybrid construction delivers the best of several design materials. The top layer is a generous layer of latex foam. This layer is responsible for responding quickly and conforming to your body like memory foam. It does so without the quicksand feeling most foam beds experience. It has spring and responsiveness to pressure which is perfect for supporting your torso and spine to appropriately align your spine. It relieves pressure without completely collapsing. Latex is a popular material that retains its springiness and provides support longer than synthetic foams can.

The bulk of this mattress consists of independently-wrapped coil springs. These springs are made from sturdy steel, and provide the spinal support you need to recover from nerve pain! Since the springs are independent of one another, they adapt to the different curves of your body to provide custom support. They are not linked together which prevents sagging in the middle most innerspring mattresses are plagued by. We also love that EcoTerra has crafted this bed to provide excellent edge support. They use higher-gauge springs on the edges of the sleep surface to make it easier enter and exit the bed.

Reviewers love this responsive and adaptive mattress. It won’t sink or squish like traditional memory foam. They also appreciated a bed that feels like solid latex without the cost. Buyers also report feeling firmly supported in every sleeping position. They consistently note feeling like the mattress was adapting to their body shape for a contouring sensation. This mattress has the perfect construction and materials to support people with sciatica pain and other spinal issues.

The Eco Terra is environmentally friendly, easy on your lungs, and good for your spine! Synthetic mattresses have off-gassinghemical fumes, but natural latex only has a faint, non-chemical scent that quickly dissipates. The fabric lining is made from certified organic cotton, and the latex is entirely plant-based.  Similar to the Tuft & Needle, the EcoTerra is made in the USA. It’s covered by a 10-year, industry standard warranty, and a 30-day return policy.

Latex and coil-wrapped springs are more durable than memory foam or synthetic materials. The manufacturer estimates this mattress will remain comfortable and firm up to 25% longer than foam mattresses! Judging by the reviewers’ comments, the Eco Terra mattress is living up to that claim.

Cons

This mattress is expensive. You can expect to pay a luxury price because this is a luxury mattress. It provides a premium level of comfort, but it is still much cheaper than the average big box store bed. You should go into this arrangement knowing that this is an investment, not a small purchase.

It is softer than the Tuft & Needle mattress. That could be either a pro or a con depending on your preferences. The EcoTerra is more comfortable for side sleepers than the Tuft & Needle is, but people sleeping in either position give the mattress high praise. The EcoTerra is definitely firmer than average, but if you’re all about firm support, you should opt for the Tuft & Needle mattress.


 Tuft & Needle

Tuft & Needle is one of the most popular brands on the market right now. This mattress is not just for people with chronic pain caused by sciatica. It is also great for people with spinal issues like scoliosis too. It is ideal for relieving the symptoms associated with spinal conditions and nerve pain because it is firm and supportive. It has a comfort layer much thicker than the average mattress. It is made from proprietary foams that provide the support you need while adding the springy qualities of latex. Surprisingly this mattress is delivered at a reasonable price and addresses heat retention issues that plague most foam mattresses. This is a fantastic midrange option for most people, especially back sleepers and people that may be heavier than average!

Advantages:

The Tuft & Needle is decidedly firm; much more so than the other mattresses listed here. It lies in the medium-firm range. This is a more supportive option for most back sleepers who have sciatica or scoliosis. It’s also a good option for heavier than average people who generally find that medium mattresses do not support the curvature of their spine and causes discomfort.

This mattress is made from a combination of foams that come together to offer the best features of latex, memory foam, and traditional PU foam materials. The bottom layer is 7 inches thick and is made from supportive foam keeping your spine from experiencing excessive pressure that can exacerbate your condition. The top layer is 3 inches thick and is a blend of comfort foam infused with cooling gel. This layer is highly responsive and adapts quickly like memory foam. It is bouncier than memory foam, which helps if you have to reposition during the night. The additional bounce also aids in supporting your torso and lumbar regions while relieving pressure point build up. Since the materials are proprietary, we are not sure what the foams consist of, but whatever Tuft & Needle is doing, they’re doing it right!

Reviewers of the Tuft & Needle mattress find this bed to be extremely comfortable. Quite a few reviewers with sciatica-related pain reported near-instant relief from pain and pressure on this bed. As their bodies got used to the feel of the surface of this bed, their situations improved further. If you love firm support, as many with sciatica do, this should be a great option for you!

Even though we don’t know the formula for the foams, all of the foams are CertiPur US certified, they are made in the USA, and are bonded with OEKO-TEX adhesives. We love that Tuft & Needle has achieved fireproofing without chemical flame retardants! They instead use a fabric “fire sock” which wraps around the whole mattress to deliver a healthier protection.
Of the three recommendations here, this one sleeps the coolest. The comfort layer has gel infused into the foam. It also has charcoal integrated into the material to help dissipate heat, sweat, and resist odor.

This mattress comes with a 100 day comfort guarantee. That’s just about three times longer than our other recommendations! Along with the trial period, you’ll enjoy a 10-year, industry standard warranty.

Tuft & Needle has outstanding reviews and ratings for customer service and customer satisfaction. In the rare instances that customers experienced issues or didn’t find this mattress comfortable, they all report hassle-free returns, refunds, and replacements. It is truly rare to find a company that stands behind their products like Tuft & Needle does. When you’re already dealing with medical costs and pain related to your spinal condition, customer service can go a long way towards satisfaction. It is hard to risk a big mattress purchase without being sure the company will go out of its way to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Disadvantages

Some people find this mattress is just too firm. In response to some of these complaints, Tuft & Needle adjusted the mattress and made it a little softer. It is now more compatible with side sleepers. Most customers enjoy and appreciate the adjustment, but some people still prefer a very firm mattress like the original version.

A few customers reported receiving mattresses that expanded abnormally. They expanded unevenly, or with a stronger off-gassing chemical odor than expected. These cases were rare though, and Tuft & Needle was quick to respond by offering replacements and refunds. The vast majority of customers who describe an initial issue, go on to award 5 stars to the company for the quality of the replacement mattress they received and the customer service they received.
As we mentioned earlier, sciatica is usually a symptom of a larger issue which is actually a structural condition. Some of these spinal structural issues include things like disc problems, and spinal misalignment.


  Which one is the best for sciatica?

The Sleep Innovations mattress is the best choice for people shopping for a new mattress on a budget. It’s half the price of the Tuft & Needle, and 1/3 the price of the EcoTerra. It does not sleep as cool as some of the other mattresses, but its construction makes it as comfortable and supportive as the other choices. It will provide all the key comfort elements you need for relief from sciatica nerve pain at a very low price. However, this is not the most durable mattress. Don’t expect this to last more than a few years. It might not be a great choice if you are a side sleeper.

The Tuft & Needle is an excellent midrange option for people who sleep in all positions. It’s got all of the Sleep Innovations’ support with some extra depth for side sleepers to be comfortable all night long. We love the firm and responsive comfort foam layer infused with cooling gel. We also love the extra bounciness. It’s the ideal choice for sciatica sufferers if you can afford something of better quality. Remember, this is definitely a firm mattress. If you’re not prepared to go beyond medium-firm, you should not choose this one. You need to go with the EcoTerra if you’re not into the super firm feel. The EcoTerra is more durable and will likely last much longer because of the spring and latex construction. You should give the Tuft & Needle a shot if it appeals to you at all because it has a great return policy.

The EcoTerra is the best overall in practically every category. It is the most durable of the three, and it combines the best of both the traditional and modern mattress-making techniques. It is soft enough to appeal to just about everyone, and the springs and resilient latex give it adequate support for your spine to reduce sciatica symptoms. This is a luxury mattress and it is priced as such. If you can afford it, you will not be disappointed.

 

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