If you suffer from sciatica, you know the pain that comes along with the condition can make sleeping comfortably quite the challenge. Since your sciatic nerve runs from the lower back, through the hips and the buttocks, down to the heels of your feet, it's no joke when the pain strikes. Our team at Sleepopolis understands this struggle, and that's why I created this guide. Here are my top picks to help you find the best mattress for sciatica.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Disclaimer:<\/strong> The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative, but shouldn\u2019t replace advice or treatment from a medical professional. If you experience chronic pain or discomfort while sleeping, it\u2019s best to consult a healthcare professional.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Helix sells a lot of different hybrid mattresses in a box, and has both a standard line and luxe line for each model. I think the Luxe line is the way to go for sciatica sufferers because, no matter which model you choose, it has a pillow top layer over its memory foam<\/strong>. For my top pick for lower back pain, I specifically recommend the Helix Dusk Luxe, as its medium firmness works for a lot of different sleepers. When lying down on its surface, the pillow top gave me some added plushness and pressure relief. I also think hybrid mattresses can be helpful for lower back pain because they offer the springy support that helps keep your spine aligned. After all, my pressure map lit up with blue in the lumbar region for back sleeping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Several customers found Helix's 30-second Sleep Quiz to be extremely helpful in deciding which hybrid worked for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> For more on the Helix Luxe line, check out our full Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review. You can also peruse our roundup of the best mattresses of 2024<\/a> for more choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Memory foam beds are historically known for their ability to help alleviate pain, and the Nectar is no exception. I think this mattress is the best foam option for sciatica because it blends both comfort and support. Its construction consists of three separate foam layers, with memory foam up top to provide pain relief, and firmer high-density foam at the bottom to provide spinal support and prevent the sleeper from sinking too far into the material. I definitely got more of an \"on top\" of the bed feel, rather than feeling \"in\" the mattress. A layer of dynamic response foam sits in the middle to help transition you between the other two layers. My pressure map test showed especially great results for the back-sleeping position; those with sciatica should find a lot of relief on this mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n There are over 52,000 reviews of the Nectar on the brand's website (and counting). It has an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. You can actually search specific words in the reviews, and when typing in \"sciatica\", 87 customer testimonials come up that praise how the bed alleviates pain associated with this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> And you can read the full Nectar review<\/a> for our full testing results, or see some more choices on our best memory foam mattress<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone looking to soothe their sciatic nerve while still feeling supported should definitely consider the WinkBed. Built with a combination of springs and foams, it has a pillow top and memory foam comfort layer that provided me with some nice pressure relief at the lower back. At the bottom of the mattress, a tall support layer of pocketed coils gave me a slight lift. The coils are zoned, meaning they're able to give different areas of the back different levels of support<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I put each mattress through a host of tests, but one of the tests most helpful for this roundup is my pressure map test. This involves me spreading out a pressure mat across the mattress surface and using it to track areas of pressure buildup. Results show on a graphic that lights my silhouette in different colors: red and orange for high pressure, yellow for moderate pressure, and green and blue for low pressure. In the case of the WinkBed Luxury Firm, I saw lots of blue and a bit of green in the back-sleeping position, indicating low pressure buildup. This should come in handy for those with sciatica, as the comfort layer should fill in the lumbar region and ease tension at the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Shoppers with joint pain and back pain seem to find that the WinkBed helps alleviate their discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> You can also get more details in our full WinkBed mattress review<\/a>, and see some other choices on our best hybrid mattresses<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nolah Evolution has not one, but two comfort layers<\/strong>, meaning it offers pressure relief for anyone living with lower back pain. In terms of material, one layer is made of a proprietary material called AirFoamIce \u2014 the brand\u2019s version of memory foam that also has a graphite infusion for extra cooling. I received immediate pressure relief while lying down, all while feeling supported from a layer of coils at the bottom. The springs even have an additional edge support system, allowing you to spread out across the entire mattress without feeling like you\u2019re going to fall off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I put the Nolah Evolution through my pressure map test, and not surprisingly, I found some wonderful pressure relief in the back sleeping positions (almost all blue). When switching to my side, I found more than sufficient pressure relief as well. Folks should feel cushioned and relieved from sciatica pain on this mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Shoppers find that the zoned support on the Nolah Evolution helps distribute their bodyweight comfortably. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to evolve your sleep experience? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> You can also check out our full Nolah Evolution mattress review<\/a> for more info.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might want a firm mattress if you're a stomach sleeper, as firm mattresses are great for keeping the hips elevated. Or you might want one if you sleep on your back and don't want to feel as though you're sinking into your bed. Fortunately, a firmer mattress can also help sleepers with sciatica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We'd like to point these folks toward the Plank Firm, an all-foam bed with a flippable design <\/strong>from Brooklyn Bedding. Per its name, this is meant to be one of the firmest beds out there, with both a Firm side and an Ultra Firm side. When lying down on the Plank, I felt extremely supported. In terms of exact firmness, I scored the Firm side a 7.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale and the Ultra Firm side an 8.5 out of 10. I also found it to work for a number of heavy sleepers, as well as average weight sleepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n There are almost 3,000 reviews on Plank's company site, and these firm mattress lovers seem to adore how the Plank Firm provides continual support throughout the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? <\/span>Click here to get the best deal<\/a>. You can also read our Plank Firm mattress review<\/a> for more information, or check out other options on our best firm mattress<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Saatva is considered a luxury innerspring bed<\/strong> built with a coil-on-coil construction, meaning it has two layers of springs: a layer of larger steel coils below and a layer of smaller, individually wrapped coils above. When testing out the mattress, I felt these individually wrapped coils moving with my body, giving me pressure relief where I most needed it. The bed also has a layer of memory foam between its coil layers, which gave me extra relief at the lower back to help alleviate sciatica. During testing, I tried the pressure map test on the Luxury Firm version (firmer than the Plush Soft, softer than the Firm). I found overall good results for an innerspring bed. There was some moderate pressure building up at the lower back while back sleeping. And I noticed moderate pressure at my hip and shoulder while resting on my side. For extra pressure relief, I recommend trying the Plush Soft version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Customers highly value Saatva's free white glove delivery. Saatva will help remove your old mattress and set up your new model, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>. You can also learn more in the full <\/span>Saatva mattress review<\/span><\/a>, or if you\u2019re still searching for the perfect bed, check out our roundup of the <\/span>best <\/span>innerspring mattresses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because heavy sleepers put more pressure on a mattress than lightweight or average weight sleepers, they usually need a bed with more firmness and support, especially if they struggle with lower back pain. They should find just that in the Titan Plus, a luxury hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding designed specifically for larger body types over 250 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The construction of the Titan Plus consists of sturdy yet cushioning foams up top, with a tall layer of innerspring coils at the bottom. When I tested it out, I found that it offered me the support people with sciatica need<\/strong>, but also provided some pressure relief, thanks to its comfort layer of Titanflex foam. This is a proprietary material that simultaneously offers contouring and responsiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n A lot of shoppers believe the Titan Plus to be an incredibly supportive and quality mattress for the price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> Interested in learning more? Read our full Titan Plus mattress review<\/a>, or if you want some more options, check out our page of the best mattresses for heavy people<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to their active lifestyles, athletes are often subject to pain in the lower back and sciatic nerve. But they might find the relief they\u2019re looking for in the Bear Elite Hybrid. I found that this mattress gave me the proper amount of contouring and pressure relief, all while creating support with a bottom layer of pocketed coils. But its real standout feature is the optional cover (available for a fee) made of Celliant<\/a>, a material that some recent research suggests<\/a> may assist with blood flow and muscle recovery after a long workout or sporting match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of pressure relief, I found some promising results for the Bear Elite Hybrid. My pressure map graphic presented an entirely blue silhouette in the back-sleeping position, showing this should be a solid match for back sleeping and sciatica. When resting on my sides, I saw the slightest bit of green at the shoulder and hip, so folks with pain in this position should find comfort as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Many side and back combination sleepers find comfort in both positions, and find it easy to move around at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to hibernate on the Bear Elite Hybrid? Click here to get the best deal.<\/a><\/span> You can also learn more in our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review<\/a>, or check out our options on our best mattress for athletes<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three most important factors when looking for a mattress for couples are firmness, cooling, and edge support. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid excels in all of these areas. I found that it had a medium firmness that gave me a blend of comfort and support<\/strong>, the edge support was strong, and that the mattress's support layer of individually encased coils left plenty of room for airflow. But I also found it to be a good option for sleepers experiencing back pain and sciatica. They may get just enough contouring from the quilted top and memory foam layer while also getting a lift from the coils. Both of these factors help soothe the sciatic nerve and keep the spine in a neutral alignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Couples make up a lot of the 10,000+ reviews on the Signature Hybrid's page, and many of them have great things to say about the motion isolation and overall support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> You can also read our Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review<\/a> for more information, or check out other options on our best mattress for couples<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you not only live with lower back pain or sciatica, but you also tend to overheat while sleeping, it's a good idea to opt for a mattress that's cooling. The last thing sleepers with pain need is to wake up sweating in the middle of the night. I think the Birch Luxe is great for back pain because it has a firmer, supportive feel, but good pressure relief around the lower back due to its comfort layer of natural latex. Simultaneously, the zoned coils provided me with adequate firmness in the right places<\/strong>. And as the luxury version of the standard Birch, it has plenty of opulent touches such as a cover made of organic cotton, cashmere, and wool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Reviewers found the Birch Luxe to sleep cool enough to keep them at a comfortable temperature throughout the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to purchase? Click here to get the best deal<\/a>.<\/span> For more information, head on over to our main Birch Luxe mattress review<\/a>. You can also see more options for hot sleepers on our best cooling mattress<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve gone over my picks, let\u2019s chat a bit about sciatica. For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to pain, burning, or prickling sensation along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down either one or both legs. The most common cause<\/a> is a herniated disk pressing against the nerve, activating a pain response from the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve never experienced the pain before, it can feel like a tingling numbness or burning that can range in intensity from mild to excruciating. Though uncomfortable, it is treatable, either by medication, surgery, or more conservative measures like physical therapy. One way to mitigate sciatic irritation is to invest in a highly supportive mattress, which lifts the hips in alignment with the shoulders and helps provide uniform pressure relief across the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n One way to mitigate sciatic irritation is to invest in a good mattress with features that can help alleviate your pain. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what traits you should be seeking out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As important as support is when finding the best mattress for sciatica and lower back pain, it should also offer some pressure relief. This can be accomplished with soft foams implemented into the construction, even if there\u2019s a layer of springs. Most hybrid mattresses use a combination of foam and coils to strike the delicate balance between comfort and support so I recommend them highly for sciatic pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I test for pressure relief by using a pressure map to tell me where the pressure points of each mattress are. We lay the pressure reading mat onto each mattress we're testing and our testers rotate through all sleeping positions to give us accurate readings. When looking at the pressure map, to read it best, green and blue means the mattress is great at relieving pressure and red and yellow are parts of the body that would not be supported as well. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n While the right firmness<\/a> is always going to depend on a sleeper\u2019s individual preference, I recommend that folks dealing with lower back pain look for something medium firm or higher. When I test mattresses, I place each mattress on our firmness scale that ranges from 1 to 10, 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest mattress I have ever tested. For context, the industry standard for medium firm is 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why most of the mattresses on this list are at least medium firm or come with several different firmness options available. If you prefer a soft mattress, I don\u2019t recommend going lower than a 6 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. However for anyone dealing with sciatica pain, I recommend looking at a mattress above a 7 on the firmness scale<\/strong> to keep your back, hips and lower back lifted and your spine aligned. The only exception to this is if you are a side sleeper, who needs a bit more cushioning in their shoulders and hips, go for a true medium-firm (6.5) mattress<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sleepers who suffer from lower back pain<\/a> and sciatica will want to look for a highly supportive mattress, which lifts the hips in alignment with the shoulders and evenly distributes your weight across the bed's surface. Generally, hybrid and innerspring mattresses tend to be more supportive than all-foam mattresses, although there are certainly exceptions to the rule. When testing out a bed\u2019s support, see how far you\u2019re sinking into the bed. You don\u2019t want to feel like you\u2019re being swallowed up or bottoming out. Memory foam mattresses are the mattress type that might hurt you more than help you. Their foam, hugging nature, although relieve pressure points, for someone suffering from sciatica, allow your body to suck in too much and misaligned your spine, back and hips causing significantly more pain and tension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Side sleeping is perhaps the best sleeping position for sciatica, because it helps alleviate pressure buildup at your lower back. To really cushion those joints, I recommend a softer mattress that specializes in pressure relief, this is the only sleeping position I recommend a softer mattress for sciatica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I recognize that sometimes, it's impossible to stray from your normal sleeping position. If you're a devoted back-sleeper, search for a mattress with a medium firmness that elevates the hips but also cushions them. You don't want a mattress that is too firm and will hurt your lower back, however, a mattress too soft will get your spine and hips out of alignment causing tension and pressure in your lower back. Strict stomach-sleepers will need a much firmer mattress that helps the body stay lifted throughout the night. I recommend looking at mattresses that score above a 7 on our mattress firmness scale, as this will keep your hips lifted and your spine in alignment. Back pain can be alleviated or prevented simply by having the right mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For additional information, check out our Guide to Better Sleep Posture<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Lightweight sleepers<\/a> under 130 pounds typically fare best on a mattress with a softer feel. They don't require quite as much support as heavier sleepers, so a soft mattress can still provide a good balance of durability and comfort for them. Average-weight sleepers typically do well on mattresses that are set at a medium-firm firmness, and heavier sleepers typically need a firmer, more supportive mattress, since they compress more of the mattress layers and need to keep their bodies aligned. The Mayo Clinic<\/a> states that sciatica most impacts overweight sleepers, as these folks experience additional strain on their backs from being overweight. To remedy this, the Mayo Clinic recommends staying active, making sure to stand throughout the day, and keeping a straight spine while sitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Mattresses for Sciatica 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best Mattress for Sciatica 2024 \u2013 Our Video Roundup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare the Best Mattresses For <\/b>Sciatica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
What I Look For In The Best Mattresses For <\/b>Sciatica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Helix Dusk Luxe<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Overall Mattress for Sciatica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Helix Dusk Luxe <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Helix Dusk Luxe<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nectar<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Memory Foam Mattress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Nectar <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Nectar<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WinkBed<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Hybrid Mattress For Sciatica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the WinkBed <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the WinkBed<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nolah Evolution<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best for Pressure Relief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Nolah Evolution <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Nolah Evolution<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank Firm<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Firm Mattress for <\/b>Sciatica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Plank Firm <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the <\/strong>Plank Firm Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Saatva<\/b><\/a><\/b> \u2013 Best <\/b>Innerspring Mattress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Saatva <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Saatva<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Titan Plus<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Titan Plus <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Titan Plus<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bear Elite Hybrid<\/strong><\/a><\/b> \u2013 Best Mattress for Muscle Recovery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid <\/strong>Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Mattress for Couples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/b>Birch Luxe<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expert Opinion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Customers Say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros of the Birch Luxe<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of the Birch Luxe<\/strong> Mattress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is Sciatica?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What to Look for In a Mattress for Sciatica<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pressure Relief<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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