Best Mattress for Sciatica (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Sciatica refers to the pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. The pain can radiate from your low back into your glutes and extend to the foot, and is one of the most common and misunderstood types of pain. Sciatica is often confused with lower back pain, but sciatica can travel down to your hips and legs depending on its severity.

The best mattress for this supports the body and aligns the spine. In our guide we share our favorite mattress options for sciatica on the market today and discuss what those with sciatica should look for in an ideal mattress.

The Amerisleep AS2 mattress is a medium-firm mattress. The layers include Bio-Pur® foam, Affinity with HIVE® technology, and Bio-Core®, complete with a mattress cover made of a lightweight, breathable fabric. The AS2 is rated Amerisleep’s best mattress for back pain and sciatica, with customers noting how their pain has become more manageable since switching beds.

This mattress is also covered by a 20-year warranty. The first 10 years of the warranty will fully cover repairs or replacements. The last 10 years are prorated, meaning the customer will pay a percentage of repair or replacement costs.

How Lying Down Feels

The Amerisleep AS2 medium-firm mattress is made to facilitate healthy spinal alignment. Verywell Health even calls it the best mattress for back pain. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, the AS2 is perfect for you.

While a firmer bed, the Amerisleep AS2 features a plush and breathable cover crafted from a unique fiber blend that shares qualities with Celliant, which a material known for its exceptional energy transfer properties.

Here is what some of the thousands of reviews said about the Amerisleep AS3 firmness for back sleepers. While most are satisfied, some say the firmness doesn’t last:

Me: My husband & I have both had surgeries – him – his hip – me MAJOR back surgery & these mattresses are so incredibly comfortable and give great support without being too firm — no pressure points anywhere – just the right amount of softness — they’re great!

Shan: Place where we regularly sleep on the mattress sides have basically collapsed without any firmness/support. Middle of bed still very firm. Loved the bed when we first got it, but now buying a different bed 8 months later.

Marcos: I’ve had memory foam and standard mattresses previously, this is one of the best mattresses I’ve used. At 65, I need a firm mattress that doesn’t get out of shape.

Inside the Mattress

The top layer contains 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, a  plant-based memory foam that is more breathable and more responsive than traditional memory foam. The open-cell structure of Bio-Pur® wicks away heat while you’re sleeping to give you a cooler night’s rest.

The Affinity layer with HIVE® technology is an ergonomic transition foam. This layer is what makes the Amerisleep AS2 one of the best mattresses for sciatica. It contains a 5-zone support system made of hundreds of hexagonal-shaped segments. The 2-inch Affinity layer helps your body get the stability it needs and gives you a weightless sensation that can have sciatic nerve pressure relief.

The last layer is the Bio-Core®— 7 inches of eco-friendly, high-density foam built that prevents sagging.

The Amerisleep AS2 mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial. If you want to return the mattress after the adjustment period, you can contact Amerisleep and they will give you a full refund.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Heavy People

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS2 Mattress

The Zoma Start is the best mattress at this thickness overall because it has so many different things going for it. It’s a performance mattress designed for physically active people. It’s got tons of cooling technologies. It boasts a highly affordable price. And it’s durable and versatile. This means it has something for just about everyone.

How Lying Down Feels

Lying down on the Zoma Start, the first thing you’ll notice is that they are highly responsive for all-foam mattresses. This is all thanks to the layer of bouncy Reactiv™ transition foam that springs back as soon as you move and offers dynamic support.

This medium mattress also offers tons of versatility for all kinds of sleepers. It is on the more supportive end of a medium feel. So it can accommodate some back sleepers and virtually all combo sleepers at once. This is perfect for combo sleepers who tend to favor their backs. It also is a good fit for those who suffer from back pain.

Back sleepers love the Zoma Start. Here is what some had to say:

Asia R: I got this mattress for myself and one for my mom. It’s probably the most supportive bed I’ve owned. My mom also mentioned it’s helped with her back aches.

Geena R: It is definitely a medium firm mattress with minimal sinkage just for your pressure points and I would say it benefits back sleeper the most. I move a lot in my sleep and I haven’t had any trouble moving or any of my limbs falling asleep from the firmness.

Zac: My wife has a bad back and searched tirelessly for a good mattress that didn’t break the bank. So glad we found Zoma. We sleep SO well and the customer service has been incredible.

Inside the Mattress

The Zoma Start starts off with a cooling, ventilated cover that breathes all night to wick away heat and sweat. This cover works with the gel memory foam comfort layer to ensure your sleep surface stays cool all night. The gel memory foam also offers a high degree of compression and pressure relief to ensure you get the contouring you need.

Underneath the comfort layer, you’ll find a bouncy transition layer made of Reactiv™ foam. This layer offers buoyancy and dynamic support. It also springs back as soon as you move to ensure that the sleep surface does not have issues with body impressions or slow response time.

Finally, a layer of highly durable base foam ensures there is no sinkage in this mattress. It keeps you lifted onto the sleep surface and provides total spinal alignment. Best of all, this base foam layer increases the durability of the entire mattress.

You can expect it to fight sagging and soft spot development for at least 10 years. That means it will last just as long as many more expensive mattresses.

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Start Mattress

The Nolah Original 10” mattress features a medium feel and is loved by side sleepers with chronic pain. Nolah’s CertiPUR-US® certified AirFoam™ creates a plush sleep surface to fill in the large gaps between the sleeper and the mattress for excellent pressure relief.

The Nolah Original 10” mattress comes with a 120-day sleep trial and requires customers to keep the mattress for at least 30 days before issuing a refund. The mattress includes a lifetime warranty, covering any manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1 inch.

How Lying Down Feels

Nolah’s special AirFoam™ has a cushioning, responsive feel—similar to traditional memory foam, AirFoam™ conforms to the body, pressure relief points without trapping heat or making the sleeper feel stuck inside the mattress. The mattress is also encased in soft, natural viscose material to wick away moisture.

Based on customer feedback, the Original 10” helped relieve their bodily pain and made it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Here is what others had to say:

Myrna E: I bought this for my guest room just before Christmas. Its so comfy that I haven’t slept in my own bed since! Clearly, it’s time to order a second one for myself.

Margareta M: In retrospect maybe I should have gone for the 12″ mattress. This mattress is softer than I anticipated; however, I’ve slept better and longer on Nolah 10 than I had on any I’ve owned in the past 10 years.

James: My daughter has back issues going from a standard bed to this has made a world of difference. For the price this beats the other big brands.

Inside the Mattress

The Tencel™ cover is soft and breathable. This breathable material will keep moisture at bay, promoting a cool and dry sleep.

The 2-inch AirFoam™ layer targets pressure relief in the shoulders and hips, reducing aches and pains while keeping you cool thanks to its advanced open-cell construction. This foam layer cradles the body and provides full support. Nolah also features variations of AirFoam™ in their other beds, the Signature 12” and Evolution 15”.

The 1-inch high-resilience foam promotes durability and provides a responsive bounce, making it easier to switch sleep positions and prevent sleepers from feeling “stuck”— another important feature to combat sciatica nerve pain. Lastly, the 7-inch breathable base is made from high-density foam to provide support and reinforce the top layers.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide

The Saatva Classic mattress is another ideal option if you frequently deal with a stiff back and want a better night’s sleep. Aside from the bed’s targeted back support, you also get the excellent value the mattress offers you.

The Saatva Classic mattress comes with a free in-home setup as part of its delivery. The mattress also comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The feel of the Saatva Classic depends on the firmness you choose, with the soft option quick to provide a touch of cloudlike comfort while the firmer options still feel supportive, even with the 3-inch thick pillow top. The cotton fabric feels gentle against the skin, with supportive foam and coils ensuring comfort.

Reviewers of the Saatva mattress had mixed feelings on this mattress for back sleeping. Here are some reviews:

Kara K: Delivery was so much faster than expected, came in about a week of ordering! Love the white glove delivery service. The mattress is unfortunately too firm for us. We got the luxury firm, the most popular middle firmness version. It is definitely one of the firmest mattresses I have ever laid on. My husband and I are side, Read more about review stating Luxury Firm is Too firmback and stomach sleepers. This is not comfortable for side or stomach sleepers…back sleeping ONLY!

Lindsey: This mattress did not work for me. It was too firm for my back and I have had to go in a different direction to be able to sleep comfortably. The reason I am giving this mattress a higher rating is because of their customer service.

Bert: Having issues with lower back and shoulders, I opted for the Plush Soft. If I sleep on my back with CPAP (sleep apnea), the mattress is wonderfully comfortable.

Inside the Mattress

At the top, the Saatva Classic mattress features the brand’s exclusive luxury Euro pillow top system. This pillow top is made from foam that is able to provide a cushioning effect, without making you feel like you are sinking into the mattress. Organic cotton covers the surface, and this fabric is treated with a botanical compound that ensures microbes don’t settle inside the mattress.

The memory foam underneath the pillow top has active wire support to target the back area, minimizing the chances of misalignment. The density of the foam ensures durable, lasting support night after night.

The pillow top layer is followed by a dual coil system, going beyond merely adequate levels of support to create a highly responsive mattress. The transition is a pocketed coil system for motion isolation and high amounts of reactivity. These coils are also zoned for added support under the back area.

This ensures you get support on top of the bed, but without causing the bed to feel hard. At the base of the Saatva Classic Mattress, a standard spring system is also used. This makes the mattress more durable and adds further support.

The mattress is also able to offer excellent edge support with its sturdy foam rails. This provides a larger surface to sleep on, making it an excellent mattress for couples too.

Spindle takes a unique approach to mattress design by shipping the mattress in layers that are then assembled at home by the customer. On the one hand, it’s more work for the customer. On the other, you get a custom-built mattress based on your comfort preferences.

Besides, many customers say that with the help of customer services and the how-to videos on Spindle’s website, it’s easy to assemble the layers to suit your preferences.

Spindle offers a 365-day comfort adjustment, which is their sleep trial period. They recommend a 60-day break-in period—if you don’t like the mattress, it can be returned. However, Spindle may also suggest changing the order of the layers to adjust the firmness level.

Spindle’s mattresses also come with a 10-year warranty that covers indentations over 0.75 inches, but it also has a 25-year comfort renewal program—you can contact Spindle and they’ll replace layers that have lost their comfort. However, the replacement layers come with a fee.

How Lying Down Feels

Because of the adjustable design to the Spindle Organic Latex Mattress, there’s no one way for the bed to feel. It can be soft or firm, depending on how you arrange the three latex layers. Regardless of firmness, the breathable latex and airy cotton and wool coverings ensure you’ll stay cool all night long.

Spindle is a medium firm mattress that has had great reviews so far as well:

Jenna H: There was no adjustment period. It was instant relief. I kept waking up, actually, because I was so comfortable.

Bassel: I am glad I have invested in this mattress. Now my back feels well supported sleeping on it after switching from a memory foam mattress. I got the medium firm mattress.

Deborah T: I love this bed. I was so worried because I couldn’t test it, but was not disappointed in anything. Lots of support with a soft top layer. Awesome.

Inside the Mattress

Spindle uses Dunlop latex that’s OEKO-TEX, GOLS, and Rainforest Alliance Certified:

• The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification means that the entire mattress has been tested and found free of harmful levels of chemicals and emissions.
• The GOLS certification means the latex foam is at least 95 percent organic.
• The Rainforest Alliance certification has to do with the sustainability of the rubber trees where the sap for the latex is harvested.

The mattress contains three individual foam layers, with firm, medium, and soft feels. The order in which the layers are assembled affects the final firmness and feel of the mattress. In its standard order, the bed is a medium-firm mattress, but it can be firmer or softer as needed. Spindle even lets you order the layers in a certain arrangement, so the mattress arrives with your desired firmness.

Wrapped around the mattress is a zippable cotton cover with GOTS-certified fibers, with wool padding underneath that’s also certified organic. These materials work to maintain a cool, cozy temperature by pulling away heat and sweat. The wool also serves as a natural flame-resistant barrier.

The Bear Mattress is a medium-firm mattress. Foam layers support your spine while allowing you to adjust to any sleep position. By reducing pressure off areas along the sciatic nerve branch in the spine, the Bear mattress helps minimize sciatic nerve pain. Customers say they sleep better than ever—if not a little too well—since the Bear Mattress helps their pain so much.

The Bear mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial— Bear recommends trying it for 30 days before making the decision to return. If you’re not satisfied, they will arrange a free pick-up and process your refund. The mattress also includes a 10-year warranty, covering sagging greater than 1 inch and manufacturing defects that could cause the memory foam to crack.

How Lying Down Feels

Side sleepers may find the Bear Mattress too firm, but back and stomach sleepers will find this mattress greatly rejuvenating. For a softer bed, consider Bear’s Hybrid or Pro models.

While traditional memory foam can feel too soft and retain heat, the Bear implements cooling Celliant® technology to pull heat away from your body in the Bear Original, along with the two other beds they offer. You’re less likely to wake up feeling hot when sleeping on the Bear Mattress. At the same time, the foam layers conform to your body weight, pressure relief points for a pain-free rest.

While Bear Mattress does not have as much of a long of a track record of reviews as some of our other mattresses, we found plenty offering their thoughts, here are a few:

Doug D: I’ve slept on BEAR’S Original — Hybrid for a month. I’ve got my aches and pains, but some are now less. I don’t toss & turn nearly as much. I’ll never looking back on my number bed – ugh! This bear gets more rest in my new “den.” I’m very glad I didn’t get a mattress thicker than the 10″ this comes in.

Kelly A: Bed was of good quality, but more firm than medium-firm for my partner and I (back/side sleeper; side/stomach sleeper). Return process went pretty smoothly. Would recommend for those looking for a nice firm mattress!

Cynthis S: Great for growing athletic teenager! My growing son loves and he’s sleeping much better

Inside the Mattress

The breathable polyester mattress cover uses FDA-determined Celliant® technology to improve your blood circulation, by transforming body heat into infrared energy. Bear also features this technology in their two other beds, the Bear Pro and Bear Hybrid.

The 2-inch layer of graphite-gel memory foam pulls heat away to keep you cool as you sleep. The 3-inch responsive transition foam layer contours to the body weight to relieve pressure points, which is especially helpful for those with sciatica who often move during the night.

The base of the mattress is a 5-inch high-density support foam, adding durability while reinforcing the top layers of the mattress.

The Tuft & Needle Original has a medium-firm feel with two layers of foam catered to any sleep position. This mattress contains T&N Adaptive® foam—an open-cell foam designed to adjust to the body, relieving pressure points.

The Original Tuft and Needle mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial— if you decide to return your mattress, Tuft & Needle will pick up the mattress and issue a refund. The mattress includes a 10-year warranty, covering manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 0.75 inches.

How Lying Down Feels

As our top recommendation for a medium-firm mattress, the Tuft & Needle is best for buyers who enjoy gentle support that promotes recovery. However, some side sleepers may find the surface too unyielding, particularly if they’re a lightweight sleeper.

Generally, people who buy mattresses for back pain and sciatica, they are doing so because they are happy with it for themselves. With Tuft & Needle, this is no exception:

KB722: We bought our first T&N bed in 2017 and immediately fell in love. We still have it 6 years later and it’s survived 3 moves with no issue! We rotate every ~6 months just to keep it fresh. Best night of sleep ever. We loved our mattress so much that when it was time to upgrade our guest room we had to get another T&N. Our guests have raved about it as well!

Tracy B: This is our second mattress from Tuft and Needle and it’s just as wonderful as the first one. This purchase is for our guest room and our guest said it’s perfect!

Johnni: So nice, bought it twice. Loved it so much, bought it for our guest room

Inside the Mattress

Next to the T&N Original is the T&N Mint and Hybrid. They contain the same Adaptive® foam as the Original, but have more luxurious designs and softer feels.

The top layer contains 3 inches of T&N Adaptive® foam, a graphite-gel infused poly-foam more responsive than traditional memory foam. Graphite-gel pulls heat away from the body, keeping sleepers cool. T&N Adaptive® foam provides a balance of pressure point relief and comfort, perfect for sciatica patients.

The high-density, 7-inch poly-foam base layer provides lasting support without sagging.

The Avocado Green Mattress is an 11-inch medium-firm mattress designed to target pressure relief. This mattress contains organic cotton, organic wool, and natural Dunlop latex, with an ergonomic support layer of pocketed coils specifically targeting pressure points for sciatic pain relief. Customers love the Avocado Green Mattress for soothing their aches and pains, helping them stay cool, and for not emitting any odors like some mattresses can.

The Avocado Green Mattress comes with a one-year sleep trial and a 25-year warranty. If you are unsatisfied, Avocado will arrange to pick up the mattress. The 25-year warranty covers defects in material and/or workmanship. The warranty is only valid if the mattress box has been opened within two weeks of receiving it.

How Lying Down Feels

The Avocado Green mattress is a hybrid mattress made with latex foam and innerspring coils—so you get the contouring of foam but a slight bounce from the spring coils. For a more luxury firm feel, you can opt to add a European-style topper to the Avocado Green mattress, giving the comfort layer a full 5 inches of plush latex foam.

Avocado Green is typically a highly regarded mattress, however, for back sleepers, reviews are mixed:

Shannon B: It’s better than the 12 year old mattress that we were sleeping on, but only marginally. Expected a bit more comfort for the money, honestly. It traps way more heat than I thought a hybrid would. Good if you are a back sleeper, but not as good if you are a side sleeper.

Thomas B: Purchased a built in pillow top because a mattress and separate pillow top were not available, which we have a set. This is not comfortable an hurts my back.

Lorraine: I’ve slept on my Avacado Green only 4 nights and I loved it immediately. I’m mostly back sleeper with shoulder and hip pain. I sometimes swich to my side which when it feels a bit too firm. Fortunately, I bought a topper a few years ago for my previous mattress so adding that to my Avacado has made all the difference.

Inside the Mattress

For side sleepers or people who prefer a little extra cushioning, the Avocado Green Mattress comes with an optional pillow top for an added fee. The pillow top variation of the mattress has a medium feel and, unlike mattress toppers, the pillow top is sewn directly onto the mattress and won’t slip out of place.

The Avocado Green Mattress will keep your back aligned and ease pressure points thanks to its 2-inch layer of Dunlop latex. Dunlop latex also draws heat away from the body and makes it easier to switch sleep positions each night.

8 inches of pocketed coils are arranged into  5 support zones, providing cushioning for the shoulders and hips and firm support for the head, back, and legs. Pocketed coils reduce motion transfer and provide more bounce to the bed. A 1-inch Dunlop latex foam forms the base layer.

The Purple Mattress is a medium-firm mattress built to encourage spinal alignment. With the support of advanced Purple Grid™, the Purple Mattress provides relief for sciatic pain. The Purple Mattress was Purple’s flagship model, but they now offer the Hybrid and Hybrid Premier mattresses as well.

The Purple Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial with a required minimum of 21 nights. All Purple mattresses are covered by a 10-year warranty, which covers any defects due to workmanship or materials, plus sagging over 1 inch.

How Lying Down Feels

The SoftFlex mattress cover and the grid-like comfort layer creates a responsive surface with a medium feel. This gives the surface a bouncy feel, as the material is quick to flex under the body and snap back into shape.

We surveyed hundreds of people on what they thought about the Purple Mattress, here is what some had to say:

Michael J: We’ve had our original Purple mattress for over a month but knew the first night we made the right decision.

Marilyn J: The mattress, sheets and mattress cover have been just okay. I was hoping for better – my sleep has not improved and I still have muscle soreness when I wake up.

Thomas P: I have had the best sleep do my life on this mattress, I am sure every other review says the same but it is true. There are some issues with the mattress, but it is just the both gritty, but other than the minuscule problems it is a great mattress.

Inside the Mattress

The 2-inch Purple Grid™ contours to your body, offering support without feeling too firm. The material sinks under pressure, while open channels provide optimal airflow for pressure relief and cooling. A 3.5-inch transitional layer of poly-foam aligns the spine and prevents deep sinkage. The 4-inch poly-foam base evenly supports the body without sinking and reinforces the top layers.

Customers note how the Purple Mattress has a healthy amount of bounce, unlike some other all-foam beds. They also mention how the Purple Grid™ is excellent for soothing pain, with some reviewers noting how the bed greatly improves their muscle recovery time.

Those who want a cooling and durable queen for an even cooler price should consider the GhostBed Classic. This mattress features a combination of perforated latex and gel memory foam that works double-time to keep your mattress cool as a cucumber.

How Lying Down Feels

This mattress features multiple cooling technologies to make it both breathable and thermoconductive. So the first thing you’ll notice when lying down on it is its amazing cool-touch feel. This cool feel won’t dissipate as the night wears on, so you won’t have to worry about overheating while you sleep.

You’ll also notice the responsiveness of the Classic. This is thanks to its aerated latex foam comfort layer. Latex is extremely springy, so it bounces back underneath your body as soon as you move. That’s perfect for active sleepers who like to toss and turn.

As with many other value mattresses, the GhostBed gets raving reviews:

Joshua H: Perfect level of firmness and comfort. A little less cooling than preferred, but still much better than other pure foam mattresses I’ve tried. Overall very satisfied with the price and comfort level.

Shawn M: About 30 days in and so far I really like our ghost bed. I needed a firm mattress, but didn’t want it to be rock hard. We topped ours with a thinner, good quality pillow top cover, and the combination is great! We also love that it’s made in the USA.

Paige W: Amazing Quality For The Price! When I decided to upgrade to a King mattress, I did a TON or research on the best mattress companies. My biggest concerns were fiberglass, longevity, and warranty. The communication was phenomenal and the shipping was so fast! The mattress is a true medium-firm.

Inside the Mattress

The first layer of the GhostBed Classic is its plush cover. The smooth and soft cover offers a smooth and breathable feel for maximum comfort.

The aerated latex comfort layer comes next. This non-allergenic latex features tiny holes throughout its surface to ensure warm air travels out and cool air travels in throughout the night. So you never have to worry about waking up in a sweat.

Next, a gel memory foam transition layer helps provide even more contouring than the latex foam alone. It also offers a buffer between your body and the high-density support foam below. The gel memory foam is thermoconductive, so it helps draw heat away from your body to ensure ideal temperature regulation throughout the mattress.

Finally, the high-density support foam offers lots of lift and support. It will fight sinkage to keep you lifted onto the sleep surface without sacrificing contouring or pressure relief. It also offers incredible durability, which is why the Classic comes with a 20-year warranty.

Best Mattresses for Sciatica Highlights and Comparison

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a sharp pain along the sciatic nerve which travels to the lower back, hips, and legs, possibly followed by numbness and weakness in the affected areas. Sciatica occurs on either one side of the body or rarely on both sides. Sciatica can be treated through medication, chiropractic, physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgery.

Douglas Krebs, DC, FACO, Cert MDT of Chicago Spine and Sports states that “Although many people consider any leg pain coming from the low back as sciatica, it is in fact only leg pain along the back of the leg that can extend into the foot.  Front of the leg pain can be attributed to the femoral nerve which from a treatment perspective would be approached differently.”

Common sources of sciatica include:

• Herniated discs:  also known as slipped or ruptured discs. A herniated disc occurs when an injury causes a disc in the spine to bulge resulting in pain. A herniated disc can cause sciatica if it’s in contact with the sciatic nerve.
• Bone spurs: also known as exostosis. Bone spurs are irregular bone formations on the bone’s surface. A bone spur on the spine can lead to sciatica.
• Spinal stenosis: occurs through the narrowing of the spinal cavity which contains the spinal cord, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Lateral canal stenosis: occurs through the narrowing of the area that a nerve root exits the spinal canal.

Other sources of sciatica include:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Occupation

What Sciatica Sufferers Should Look for in a Mattress

Sleepers with sciatica need a specific mattress with pressure relief and cooling properties to combat pain. Potential shoppers should look at mattress type, preferred sleep position, cooling features, and what sleep trials, warranties, and return policies are offered when choosing their best mattress.

Mattress Type

The type of mattress you choose can impact how you sleep, especially if you have sciatica. Sciatica patients need a mattress to evenly support the body and relieve pressure points, reducing pain and inflammation.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are an excellent choice for sciatica. Memory foam contours to the natural curves of the body, relieving pressure points with a hug-like sensation. Memory foam mattresses provide sciatica patients with a more supportive sleep surface to keep the spine in neutral alignment with great motion isolation, which means fewer sleep disruptions.

A memory foam mattress contains a comfort layer of memory foam and a support layer of high-density foam.

Innerspring Mattress

Many people grew up sleeping on an innerspring mattress. Innerspring mattresses are more responsive than memory foam mattresses, allowing for easier movement. This type of mattress provides cooling through the open structure of its coiled support layer with reinforced edge support. While this seems appealing, innerspring mattresses are not a good choice for those with sciatica— an innerspring mattress offers little pressure relief and less motion isolation.

A typical innerspring mattress contains a thin comfort layer of foam or fiberfill, usually in the form of a pillow top, and a support layer of steel coils.

Latex Mattress

Latex foam comes in two forms— synthetic and natural. Synthetic latex is made through a chemical process, while natural latex is made from rubber tree sap. Similar to memory foam, latex contours to the body to relieve pressure points, but is more responsive, allowing for easier movement at night. A latex mattress is more expensive because of its natural material.

Latex mattresses are another great choice for sciatica patients because of their excellent pressure relief and cooling properties that may reduce inflammation and pain.

A latex mattress contains a comfort layer of latex and a support layer of either latex or high-density foam.

Hybrid Mattress

A hybrid mattress combines the best of memory foam and innersprings into one perfect mattress— customers get the pressure relief and motion isolation from memory foam and the responsive bounce and edge support of innersprings, also great features for relieving sciatic pain. However, hybrid mattresses also have drawbacks, including less pressure relief and motion isolation because of the coiled support layer and more risk of overheating from the memory foam comfort layer. Hybrid mattresses are heavy and come at a higher price point because of the amount of materials they contain.

A hybrid mattress contains a comfort layer at least 2 inches thick of memory foam and a support layer of pocketed coils.

Sleeping Position

The position you favor the most should reflect the type of mattress you choose. Each sleep position requires a certain feel to balance comfort and support— ultimately, a sleep surface should keep the spine in alignment.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is one of the healthiest sleep positions. It provides better breathing, reduces acid reflux, and minimizes pressure on vital organs. Side sleepers leave larger gaps between their body and the mattress— the best mattresses for side sleepers fill those gaps and align the spine.

Back Sleeping

Back sleeping is the most beneficial sleep position for those with sciatica because of the spine’s direct contact with the sleep surface. Back sleepers should look for a medium to firm mattress to support the back without heavy sinking and relieve pressure points.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping is the least common and least healthy sleep position. Stomach sleepers have a higher risk of neck strain and lower back pain— neck strain from twisting the head to breathe and lower back pain from gravity forcing the spine to straighten. If you sleep on your stomach, we highly recommend switching to another sleep position, especially if you suffer from sciatica because of the amount of pressure placed on the spine.

If you’re determined to continue sleeping on your stomach, look for a medium-firm to firm mattress to keep the body resting on top of the sleep surface. Also, placing a thin pillow under the hips can give additional support and better align the spine.

Cooling Features

A mattress with cooling features is beneficial to someone with sciatica because it pulls heat away from the body, reducing inflammation and improving sleep quality. Cooling features are found in the mattress layers, whether through structure or added components such as gel, charcoal, graphite, or copper.

Foam

• Plant-based memory foam: Some plant-based foams partially replace the petroleum in memory foam with plant oils for a breathable, eco-friendly foam with little to no off-gassing odor.
• Gel memory foam: Gel absorbs and evenly disperse body heat.
• Open-cell technology: Involves injecting additional air into the foam to create larger air pockets improves circulation.
• Convoluted foam and ventilation holes: Convoluted, or egg-crate shape foam and ventilation holes allow for better airflow.
• Graphite/copper infusions: Designed to pull heat away from the body.

Coil

• Open structure: Evenly-spaced coils allow for better airflow inside the mattress.

Sleep Trials, Warranties, and Return Policies

Sleep trials, warranties, and return policies are assurances to the customer of a sound purchase. Always read the fine print of each policy before committing to a purchase, and beware of mattresses that lack a sleep trial and warranty.

Sleep Trial

Sleep trials allow customers to try out a new mattress within the comfort of their own home. Most sleep trials last between 90 to 120 nights. If the customer isn’t satisfied with the mattress, the company will usually issue a full refund.

Warranty

A warranty protects the mattress from manufacturing flaws, defects, and sagging greater than 1 inch (measurement varies depending on the brand). Most mattresses come with a standard 10-year warranty.

Return Policy

If a sleep trial isn’t offered, take a look at the return policy. It takes around 30 days for the body to adjust to a new sleep surface— the same amount of time a return policy lasts. If not happy with the mattress, the customer can return it for a full refund.

Other Things to Consider

Is a memory foam mattress good for sciatica?

Memory foam mattresses are a great option for sciatica— reacting to heat and pressure, memory foam contours to the body’s natural curves to relieve pressure points and reduce pain. Memory foam is also known for its excellent motion isolation.

Which side should you sleep on with sciatica?

The effects of sciatica differ for each person, but the best sleep position is the back. Lying on your back puts your spine in direct contact with the mattress, naturally aligning the spine and relieving pressure points.

Can a bad mattress cause sciatica?

Mattresses cannot cause sciatica, but they can make already-existing sciatica pain worse. Lumpy and unsupportive mattresses cannot properly support the body, often causing you to sleep in unhealthy positions. A mattress that’s firm enough to keep you lifted can ease discomfort and help you get better rest.

Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress?

Usually, the best mattresses for back pain are medium-firm or medium in firmness, as overly soft and overly firm beds can exacerbate sciatica pain.  Choosing the right firmness really depends on body type, though, so it’s important to find a bed that’s supportive enough to keep you lifted in a healthy position. Beds that allow the hips to sink can cause discomfort.

What mattress do doctors recommend for sciatica pain?

Different doctors recommend different mattresses to different patients—there is no singular “bed for sciatica pain” because we all have unique needs. If you’ve struggled to find a comfortable mattress, your doctor can certainly provide a recommendation; however, that recommendation will be based on your sleeping style, your body type, and your frequency and severity of sciatica pain.

Conclusion

The best mattress for sciatica should target pressure point areas, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs, reducing pain and improving sleep. Pain levels differ depending on the severity of sciatica. It’s important to buy a mattress offering support where you need it the most. Your choice of mattress will set you on the path towards quality sleep.