Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Whether it feels like a tingling numbness or radiating pain, sciatica can be seriously uncomfortable. Of course, your doctor should always be your first stop when diagnosing and treating this kind of pain. But if you’re wondering how your choice of mattress can affect your experience of sciatica, read on.
The best mattresses for sciatic pain feel medium-firm, encourage a neutral spinal alignment, and support the lower back and hips without sacrificing too much cushion. Fortunately, my team and I have tested several beds that meet these standards.
What’s the Best Mattress for Sciatica?
The Saatva Classic is at the top of our list because of its dedicated lumbar-support features and luxury feel. From the firmer quilting on the cover to a specialized “spinal wire” embedded among its springs, the elements of this bed keep your lower back lifted—a must for anyone with sciatic pain.
Best Mattresses for Sciatic Pain
- Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Back Pain and Sciatica
- Helix Dusk Luxe – Best Luxury Mattress for Sciatica
- WinkBed – Best Hybrid Mattress For Sciatica
- DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Sciatica
- Nolah Signature – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Sciatica
- Bear Star Hybrid – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Sciatica
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Affordable Mattress for Sciatica
- Titan Plus Mattress – Best Mattress for Heavy People with Sciatica
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Sciatica
My Video Review of The Best Beds for Sciatica
Compare the Best Mattresses for Sciatica
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| Saatva Mattress | Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Titan Plus | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 8/10 | Multiple firmness options |
| Material | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | 15-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free white glove delivery | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Best For | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Stomach Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Side Sleepers, Back Pain | Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Couples, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors |
How We Chose the Best Beds for Sciatic Pain
My team and I test beds in person at Sleep Advisor’s studio. We award beds points (typically out of 5) across different performance categories, including support, pressure relief, motion isolation, and more.
Because a bed will feel different to different body types, we always have a lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight person test the mattress and report their experience. We also switch between sleeping positions to see how well the bed accommodates each one.
For this roundup, we asked Dr. Raj Dasgupta for his input on the most important mattress qualities for sleepers with sciatic pain. We then used his advice and our testing notes to compile the beds that best met the following criteria: lots of lower back support, consistent pressure relief, and a medium firmness level.
What We Want to See in a Mattress for Sciatica
Support for the Lower Back and Hips
Sciatic pain typically affects the area between the lower back and leg on one side. To prevent it from worsening, a bed should buoy your lumbar spine and hips, rather than letting them sink in.
This kind of support does two things: it elevates the part of your body most related to sciatic pain, and it helps to align your entire spine, preventing uneven sinkage that could cause even more discomfort.
All of the beds on this list received a 5 out of 5 score for support from our testers. We also chose multiple beds with features dedicated to lower back support, such as zoned innerspring units.
Medium Firmness
If you’re dealing with sciatica, a bed that’s too soft will cause you to sink unevenly into its layers, compromising your spinal alignment. A bed that’s too firm, on the other hand, may feel too brick-like and uncomfortable.
For this list, we picked beds that straddle the line between soft and hard. None of them were ranked below a 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale (1 being exceptionally plush, 10 being rock-solid).
Additionally, because some people with sciatica actually prefer a level, firm surface, we also included a couple mattress options that go up to a 7.5 on the firmness scale.
Decent Pressure Relief
Even if you have a medium-firm or firm bed, you’ll still want it to relieve pressure around sensitive parts of your body. For people with sciatica, this aspect helps to balance out the high degree of support they need. The beds below were all given at least a 3.5 out of 5 in the pressure relief category after testing.
Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Back Pain and Sciatica
The Advisor Says: The Saatva Classic is the gold standard for lower-back support, strong edges, and customizable luxury. It’s not the softest or most motion-isolating bed out there, but it’s a dependable, bouncy hybrid that consistently impresses our testers with its two coil units.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Saatva Classic
At Sleep Advisor, the Saatva Classic almost always remains top of mind when we’re discussing back pain. This luxury innerspring bed has several features that focus on the lumbar region alone, and our testers tend to love it.
“I [have] to shout out the tons of lumbar support,” said Stuart. “If you need a mattress that’s got your back, you need the Saatva Classic.”
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
My midsection felt perfectly lifted on this bed, a hopeful endorsement for sleepers who are dealing with sciatica symptoms (and for stomach sleepers like me). The first coil unit is constructed to be firmer under the low back, and a “spinal wire” placed amidst the coils of the second unit also braces this region.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“There’s nice cushioning from the pillow top, and I feel very supported from the top pocket coil layer especially. That layer has a softer approach than the sturdier coil unit below.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic rates 4.8 stars out of 5 on Saatva’s website. One negative aspect customers found with the Saatva Classic mattress is that it may feel too firm for some users, while a notable advantage is its high-quality materials, providing durability and support.
Want more info? Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review or check out our best mattresses for back pain.
Helix Dusk Luxe – Best Luxury Mattress for Sciatica
The Advisor Says: Helix designed their Dusk line to provide the necessary support most back sleepers need, and we think they delivered—especially with their higher-end model. If you’re a back sleeper looking for a luxury mattress with added cooling features, benefits for couples, and an overall comfy feel, check out the Dusk Luxe.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Helix Dusk Luxe
The Dusk Luxe is an upgraded version of the Helix Dusk bed, and it retains that medium-firm feel while boasting luxurious add-ons: 2 more inches of height, a pillow top cover, and zoned lumbar support.
Even with that plush surface, the support came through in spades during testing. Loren and I awarded it perfect 5 out of 5 scores for both support and pressure relief.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
Helix’s Dusk models are built for back and stomach sleepers, with a middle-of-the-road firmness that straddles the line between soft and solid. That feel should be a good fit for sleepers with sciatica—it keeps the spine lifted while alleviating pressure.
Also, the extra pushback under the lumbar region from the zoned coils should be an especially good defense against sciatic pain.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Not discounting the other lines by any means, but I always love it when I test out one of these Helix Luxe mattresses.”
Julia, Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the Helix Dusk Luxe
The Helix Dusk rates 4.5 out of 5 on Helix’s website. Customers appreciate the Helix Dusk mattress for its customizable features, but some have found that the edge support could be better, affecting those who use the entire mattress surface.
Want to see more? Check out our full Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review or explore our picks for the best luxury mattresses.
WinkBed – Best Hybrid Mattress For Sciatica
The Advisor Says: Our testers often compare the WinkBed to a luxury hotel mattress, which is no surprise given its handcrafted touches and elegant hybrid design. It’s also one of the most customizable beds out there, with a firmness level for every body type.
Our Thoughts After Testing the WinkBed
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress that immediately impressed our reviewers with its combination of sturdiness and comfort features. While its Euro-style pillow top feels cloud-like beneath sensitive pressure points, its zoned coil unit gives extra attention and support to the lower back.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
A neutral spinal alignment is crucial for sleepers with sciatica, and we think they’ll be fond of this bed’s robust, handcrafted construction. The zoned coils play a big role in enhancing lumbar support, but they’re assisted by the bed’s proprietary LumbarLayer™: a strip of foam that stretches across the middle segment of the mattress, where your lower back should rest.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The coils provide airflow and solid support that helps keep the spine aligned when I roll onto my back.”
Sean, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the WinkBed
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. One drawback of the WinkBed mattress is that it might be too expensive for budget-conscious shoppers, but overall it offers excellent durability and customizable firmness options.
Need more details? Check out our in-depth Winkbed mattress review or check out our picks for the best hybrid mattresses.
DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers with Sciatica
The Advisor Says: The DreamCloud is a pleasantly supportive hybrid that really appealed to the stomach sleepers on our testing team (though it proved itself capable of aligning spines in every position). Its affordable price and couple-friendly features have made it a mainstay of the bed-in-a-box scene.
Our Thoughts After Testing the DreamCloud
The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress with a medium-firm feel that’s ideal for back sleepers. Its upper comfort layers give a light amount of cushioning, but the star of the show is the supportive coil unit that keeps you reliably on top of (rather than sinking into) the bed.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
For people with sciatica, the feeling of lift beneath your lower back is crucial. It should help keep your spine aligned and prevent you from sinking into weird angles that contribute to back, hip, or leg pain. The coils in this bed aren’t zoned, but it’s so supportive overall that I didn’t notice.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“No matter what sleep position I chose—side, stomach, back—I felt supported in each one.”
Julia, Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the DreamCloud
The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars among customers on its site. One potential downside of the DreamCloud Original mattress is its weight, making it challenging to move or rotate, but it offers excellent support and comfort for those who prefer a medium-firm feel.
Curious about this bed? Read our full DreamCloud mattress review or peruse our lineup of the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Nolah Signature – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Sciatica
The Advisor Says: We recommend the Nolah Signature for sleepers looking for a foam bed that has a soft but accommodating firmness. It also runs cooler than most foam beds, and has enough pressure relief to cradle sensitive joints.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Nolah Signature
The Nolah Signature is an all-foam bed that mixes soothing softness with a supportive core. As one of the plushest beds in this roundup, it’s geared toward side sleepers, who need lots of cradling around their sharper joints.
Its not-so-secret ingredient? AirFoam™, a proprietary material that Nolah claims is far more effective at pressure relief and cooling than traditional foams.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
This might be a slightly softer mattress—we gave it a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale—but that doesn’t mean it won’t give sleepers with sciatica the reliable foundation that they need. Another one of our testers, Liz, found it to be “completely supportive as well as plush.”
Lightweight sleepers and exclusive side sleepers should be a good match; heavier folks with sciatica will probably want the support features of a hybrid bed, though.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“When sleeping on my slide, I love this bed. It’s like a dream. It’s going to excel for side sleepers who want pressure relief in their shoulders and hips.”
Emma Mattei, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Nolah Signature
The Nolah Signature gets a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website. One potential drawback of the Nolah Signature mattress is its limited firmness options, but it excels in providing exceptional pressure relief and a cooling sleep experience.
Want to find out more details? Check out our in-depth Nolah Signature mattress review or browse the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Bear Star Hybrid – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Sciatica
The Advisor Says: The Bear Star Hybrid touts an enviable medium-firm feel that should appeal to a swath of mattress shoppers, including couples with different preferences looking to “compromise.” We gave this hybrid perfect scores in pressure relief, support, and motion transfer.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Bear Star Hybrid
According to Stuart, The Bear Star Hybrid’s medium-firm feel is likely to please the average sleeper.
This neutral firmness is also one of the safest bets for people who switch positions during the night, as well as couples with slightly mismatched comfort preferences.
For an extra fee, you can add a performance textile called Celliant® to the cover. In small studies, Celliant® has been shown to boost localized bloodflow. Its makers claim that it can help your body recover after an active day or workout, and it may even improve the quality of your sleep.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
If you’re a combination sleeper with sciatica, you’ll need a medium-firm mattress with a well-balanced ratio of support to cradling. This bed is versatile enough to accommodate multiple sleeping positions comfortably, rather than privileging just one of them. You should be able to switch from your back to your side to your stomach without issue.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“I found that the Bear Star mattress has a medium-firm feel. The responsive comfort foam offers exceptional pressure relief and support, adapting to all sleeping positions.”
Stuart Petty, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Bear Star Hybrid
Coming in at approximately 4.5 out of 5 stars on Bear’s site, a potential downside customers noted of the Bear Star Hybrid mattress is that some users may find it too firm, but it is praised for its strong support and cooling properties, promoting a comfortable sleep environment.
Want more details? Read our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review or browse our list of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Affordable Mattress for Sciatica
The Advisor Says: For shoppers on a budget, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is one of the top hybrids we recommend. It’s simultaneously soft and bouncy, with three firmness options and decent cooling power.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
This mattress is an affordably priced hybrid (hence the name) that pairs a lot of bounce with a surprisingly cushy top. It’s available in three firmness levels, and my team and I tested the Medium model.
For all the softness of its upper layers, it provided awesome spine alignment and support. As Emma put it, “It almost feels like the bed is lifting me up.”
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
This mattress held my and my fellow tester’s spines perfectly straight, which is essential if you want to avoid worsening sciatic pain. On my back, I noticed that the cushion around my hips was supported by a pleasantly buoyant feeling from the coils beneath, and that’s exactly how you want your lumbar spine to feel.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The lack of pressure buildup is pretty remarkable, and there is no beating how lightweight you feel lying atop the mattress.”
Julia, Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
On Brooklyn Bedding’s website, the Brooklyn Signature has 4.7 out of 5 stars. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress receives praise from customers for its versatility with different firmness options, but some have mentioned that it may produce slight noise when bearing weight.
Looking to learn more? Check out our complete Signature Hybrid mattress review or discover the best affordable mattresses.
Titan Plus Mattress – Best Mattress for Heavy People with Sciatica
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding created the Titan Plus to cater to heavier shoppers looking for a bed that truly met their needs, and we believe they’ve delivered. Consider buying the Titan Plus if you’re looking for a comfortably supportive mattress with added benefits like cooling and bounce.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Titan Plus
Engineered to meet the needs of larger bodies, the Titan Plus is an excellent mattress if you crave all-around support.
Our heavyweight testers loved it, and our lighter and average-weight testers were very happy with the spinal alignment it provided.
We gave it a 5 out of 5 for support and a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief, as it feels noticeably more “lifting” than cushiony.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
Plus-sized sleepers with sciatica will need more support and durability from a mattress than petite folks. Their bed should simultaneously resist sagging and provide enough pushback to keep them feeling pleasantly lifted.
The Titan Plus was designed to meet these qualifications, and our two plus-size testers rated it highly. Spencer remarked that his lower back felt especially supported, without any uncomfortable sinkage.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“Unlike many mattresses that I have tried, my weight is evenly distributed over this surface and I feel extremely comfortable.”
Patrick, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Customer Reviews of the Titan Plus
Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers find the Titan Plus mattress to offer exceptional durability and support, but some mention that it might be too firm for those who prefer a softer feel.
Curious to know more? See our full Titan Plus review or check out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Sciatica
The Advisor Says: We’re constantly calling this mattress one of the firmest in the online market, and if you don’t believe us, try it for yourself! It offers both a classic firm and extra-firm feel in its flippable design, alongside posture-aligning support. Bonus points for good marks in performance for cooling, bounce, and couples.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Plank Firm
Inspired by the firmer sleeping mats commonly found in Asia, the Plank Firm very clearly prioritizes rock-solid support. It’s a bit of a niche product—it really is quite firm, and many people would prefer a softer feel to their bed—but we like that the brand is unafraid to market it as such.
My spine was totally aligned on this mattress, even if I longed for just a bit of cushion on the extra-firm side.
How Can It Help with Sciatic Pain?
If you’re coping with sciatica and already know that you prefer a firmer mattress, the Plank Firm is a strong contender. Its dual-sided model should provide a reliable, secure-feeling surface for sleepers with sciatic pain, who benefit from a bed that steadfastly refuses to sink—especially beneath the lower back.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“This bed is primarily for average- and plus-size back and side sleepers. It has really awesome lift and responsiveness for the lower back and moving around.”
Julia, Lead Product Tester
Customer Reviews of the Plank Firm
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm mattress for its exceptional firmness, but some have found it to be too rigid for their comfort preferences.
Intrigued? Read our full Plank Firm mattress review or browse our list of the best firm mattresses.
Other Mattresses We Tested
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Product
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How Can a Mattress Help with Sciatica?
The right mattress will not be able to “cure” your sciatica, but it can absolutely make a big difference in terms of comfort and sleep quality. A mattress can help with sciatic pain by keeping your spine aligned and taking pressure off your lumbar region (the lower back) and hips.
By the same token, a low-quality mattress that doesn’t provide this degree of support may worsen your sciatica symptoms.
“A mattress can contribute to your sciatic pain if it’s too hard, lacks support, or isn’t reliev[ing] pressure points.”
Dr. Raj Dasgupta
What to Look for in a Mattress If You Have Sciatica: Key Considerations
Support and Spine Alignment
People with sciatica benefit from a bed that keeps the curve of their spine in a natural, neutral position. The bed should have enough support that you don’t sink too much in one area—especially around the lower back. This is the most important factor to shop for if you’re dealing with sciatic pain, so we made sure to solely highlight beds that excel in this area.
One of the best ways to ensure proper spinal alignment is by getting a mattress with zoned support. This term means that different sections of the mattress will have different levels of pushback. Some “zones” will feel more supportive and give lots of lift, while others will feel more cushioning.
If you have sciatica, looking for a bed with an extra-supportive lumbar zone is a good idea. Many hybrid beds have zoned spring units that up the resistance in this key region.
A mattress may have foam layers that focus on the lumbar spine, as well. The Saatva Classic and the WinkBed, for example, both have zoned innerspring layers as well as a strip of foam meant to give a the lumbar spine a helpful lift.
Firmness
When you’re in pain, it can be tempting to seek out a soft surface to provide immediate relief. However, a bed that’s too soft can cause you to sink into its layers unevenly, throwing off your spinal alignment.
On the other hand, you don’t want to sleep on a bed that feels like a rock—you probably won’t get enough pressure relief. A mattress that’s too firm might also put added pressure on your lower back, which can lead to worse sciatic pain.
When you’re contending with sciatica, a quality medium-firm mattress is what you want. It should balance support and pressure relief in a ratio that feels good to you, preventing excess sinkage as well as pressure buildup around the lower back.
We rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 feeling like a giant cotton ball and 10 feeling like a concrete slab. Sleepers with sciatica will want to focus on beds that fall in the 5-7 range.
If you enjoy a firmer surface—maybe you’ve even tried sleeping on the floor to find relief?—then you can go slightly above this range into 7.5-8.5 territory. We included firm mattresses like the Plank Firm on the above roundup for these folks.
Pressure Relief
When we lie down, some parts of our bodies sink into the mattress more than others. Typically, they’re our hardworking joints, such as the shoulders and hips. A mattress should cradle these sensitive spots comfortably without sacrificing overall spinal alignment.
Without enough pressure relief, you may wake up sore in these high-pressure areas. If you have sciatica, you definitely don’t want to add new aches and pains to the roster.
So, even though support should take priority, don’t discount pressure relief while you shop. The beds we selected for this page all have decent to stellar pressure relief in addition to awesome support.
Read more: Best Mattress for Hip Pain and Best Mattresses for Pressure Relief
Advice from a Medical Expert
As we picked out the best mattresses for sciatic pain, we consulted Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a quadruple board-certified physician. He gave the following advice:
“To get some relief from your mattress for sciatic pain, look for a mattress that’s not too hard or too soft (a medium-firm mattress) and that supports your back and hips to ease these common pressure points.”
Type of Mattress
To achieve the right combination of support and pressure relief for offsetting sciatic pain, you’ll want to take a close look at what’s inside your mattress. Hybrid beds are the best at balancing these elements, but certain all-foam options can work, too.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are highly versatile thanks to multiple upper layers of foam and a sturdy innerspring support system. They’re our top recommendation for people with sciatica, because they mix responsiveness, pressure relief, and spine-aligning lift.
They’re also highly customizable: regardless of your body type, primary sleeping position, and preferred firmness, you can find a hybrid bed that fits your needs.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam beds can also be a good choice for people with sciatica.
The key thing to remember is that the base layers should be highly dense and supportive—you don’t want your lower back to sink too much. Steer clear of all-foam beds that are advertised as very plush.
Latex Mattresses
Latex beds can be hybrid mattresses or all-foam mattesses; they’re defined by the fact that they use latex foam in their construction.
This foam is springy as well as pressure-relieving, and it can certainly help with sciatic pain as long as the mattress’s base support system is strong enough.
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses consist of a coil unit without many comfort layers on top. They tend to be thin and lack both the zoned support and newer foams of modern beds, so we don’t recommend them for people with sciatica.
Your Weight and Body Type
How much you weigh can affect how soft or hard a mattress feels, as well as how likely you are to experience sciatica. Heavier people are more likely to have sciatica because added weight can increase stress on your spine.1
For plus-size folks, a firmer mattress helps with spinal alignment and support. Conversely, lightweight people should seek a softer bed, as this will allow them to sink in a bit more and discourage pressure from building up around the sciatic nerve. Average-weight sleepers with sciatica should stick to a mid-range mattress firmness.
Read more: Best Beds for Heavy People.
Edge Support
is important for couples and single individuals who spread out a lot while they sleep. It can also be essential for people with limited mobility (caused by sciatica or other conditions) who need sturdy edges to help them get in and out of bed.
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.
Responsiveness
Sciatica can sometimes make it difficult to move, especially after lying in one position for several hours or when you want to be intimate with your partner. This is where a responsive mattress can come in handy.
Responsive beds are are quick to respond to movement or pressure, and often feel bouncy. The springiness from their coils and/or foams can help you change positions or get out of bed without as much effort.
What Causes Sciatica?
Importantly, sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself, but a symptom of an underlying condition or injury that’s placing pressure on the sciatic nerve.2 This nerve is the largest in your body, extending from your lower back down each of your legs.
Sciatic pain commonly stems from a herniated disc.3 It can also be caused by spinal stenosis, bone spurs, pelvic injury, tumors, and other issues.
Looking for a bed that can help with a specific back problem?
What’s the Best Sleeping Position for Sciatica?
Sleeping on your back tends to be beneficial for people with sciatic or general back pain. This sleeping position is thought to be the most conducive to a neutral spinal alignment and even distribution of body weight.
If you sleep on your side, then keeping spine alignment in mind is crucial. Consider placing a pillow between your knees and ask yourself if any part of you feels like it’s sinking too deep into the bed.4
Sleeping on your stomach isn’t recommended. This position places the most strain on the lower back and increases the likelihood that your lumbar spine and hips will lay low in the mattress, disrupting your spinal alignment.
If you’re a dedicated stomach sleeper and can’t get to sleep in any other position, try putting a pillow beneath your hips and don’t use a lofty one for your head. This arrangement will up your odds of having a neutral spine while you snooze.
How to Sleep with Sciatica: More Tips
- Invest in a great mattress. Whether your nerve pain is minimal or severe, sleeping on a poor-quality mattress may make your symptoms worse.
- Elevate your knees. Elevating your knees can take pressure off of your lower back, helping reduce sciatic pain. You can slide a pillow under your knees, or just bend them so they’re pointing upward as you lie on your back.
- Take a hot bath before bed. This nighttime ritual can signal your brain to produce the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. it can also help relax the muscles around the nerves.
- Use your pillows wisely. Putting an additional pillow between or under your knees can help alleviate sciatic pain. Furthermore, hugging a full-body pillow can make sleeping on your side more comfortable.
- Develop a nightly routine. Having a relaxing bedtime routine primes your body for sleep. Whether it’s a meditation session, a cup of herbal tea, or a few minutes with your favorite book, any practice that calms your mind can help you sleep better.
- Stretch before bed. There are multiple stretches you can do before bed that could help prevent sciatic pain. Most of them involve opening up your hips, which relieves pressure and encourages blood flow.
- Stay active during the day. Reclining too much during the day can exacerbate sciatic pain. Instead, try to go for regular walks and engage in some fun (doctor-approved) exercise.5
The Best Mattresses for Sciatic Pain: Price Comparison Chart
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Saatva Classic | Back Pain | $1,995 | Saatva Classic Mattress Review |
| Helix Dusk Luxe | Luxury | $1,949 | Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress Review |
| WinkBed | Hybrid | $1,799 | Winkbed Mattress Review |
| DreamCloud | Back Sleepers | $1,332 | DreamCloud Mattress Review |
| Nolah Signature | Side Sleepers | $1,599 | Nolah Signature Mattress Review |
| Bear Star Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | $1,998 | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Affordable | $1,249 | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Titan Plus Mattress | Heavy People | $1,249 | Titan Plus Mattress Review |
| Plank Firm | Firm | $1,249 | Plank Firm Mattress Review |
Mattress for Sciatica FAQs
Which mattress type is best for sciatica?
Hybrid beds are usually the best at keeping the spine aligned and preventing your lower back from sinking too deeply into the mattress construction. Certain memory foam mattresses may help alleviate sciatic pain, as well.
Can a mattress cause sciatica?
A bad mattress is unlikely to cause sciatica, but it can absolutely trigger symptoms. For this reason, it’s helpful to have a mattress you know will reliably support your lower back.
Is a firm mattress good for sciatica?
Firm and medium-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 for your sciatic pain depends on many factors, including the sleep position you prefer and your body weight.
A firmer bed may feel better for sciatica and lower back pain, but only if you usually sleep on your back or stomach. Side sleepers may prefer a slightly softer bed that contours around pressure points.
Why is my sciatica worse when I lie down?
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 typically going to make sciatic pain worse.
Why is my sciatic pain worse in the morning?
If you’re sleeping in a position that puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, your spine will be at a suboptimal angle for hours. This can result in severe discomfort when you wake up in the morning.
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Back Sleeper
References:
- “Sciatica”. Mayo Clinic. Last modified September 13, 2022
- “Sciatica”. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Last modified August 2021.
- Davis, David., Maini, Kushagra., Vasudevan, Arvind. “Sciatica”. National Library of Medicine. Last modified May 2022.
- “How to Get Better Sleep With Sciatica Pain”. Cleveland Clinic. 2021.
- “The do’s and don’ts of sciatica”. Ohio State University. 2022.