What Is The Best Sleep Position For Someone With Sciatica
People with sciatica should try to avoid putting pressure on the sciatic nerve in their lower back.
Some people may find that avoiding sleeping on their stomachs helps reduce sciatica pain, especially if they have a soft or unsupportive mattress. A person can sink into an unsupportive mattress, putting more pressure in the nerves on their back.
If a persons sciatica symptoms do not improve after using a new mattress, it may be time to see a doctor.
Other treatments are available for sciatica, such as pain medications, physical therapy, or surgery.
A person should consider discussing the particular benefits and risks of each of these treatments with a healthcare professional.
Is A Firm Or Soft Bed Best For Sciatica
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 depends on many factors, like the sleep position you prefer and your body weight.
A firmer bed should feel better for sciatica and lower back pain, but only if you usually sleep on your back and stomach. Side sleepers may prefer a slightly softer bed that contours the pressure points.
What Is The Correct Mattress Firmness
A mattress with a medium firmness is the most popular choice for mattresses. Thats the reason the majority of top mattresses range from 7 to 8 in terms of their firmness .
But mattresses arent perfect. Firmness and comfort are affected by various variables, including your height, weight as and your sleep habits as well as the extent to which you feel pain like in your hips or back. Thus, ones experience on an mattress could differ from the experience of a different person.
This is why we employ several different people who evaluate our mattress. It is it is also the reason why we read thousands of reviews by our customers. Be aware of this when taking note of the firmness gauge that is a scale ranging from one to 10, as it is possible for the mattress to be slightly firmer or softer than what we tested.
There are some general guidelines to help you decide which mattress firmness youre most comfortable
1. Take note of your sleeping position
Back sleepers usually require a mattress that is moderately firm. This will give a neutral spine alignment and also helping to support hips and shoulders. If the mattress becomes too soft, those who lie on their backs might feel their spine create an unnatural U which can create tension. If your mattress is too hard, the natural curve of S of your spine isnt properly supported.
2. Take into consideration your bodys weight
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Finding The Right Mattress For Sciatica Patients
Before you purchase the first mattress you see, youll need to consider a few mattress characteristics that could either help or hurt your condition. For instance, those with sciatica will want a bed with optimal pressure relief and little motion transfer with this in mind, an innerspring mattress would be a poor choice.
You Have An Adjustable Bed
Memory foam mattresses work well with adjustable beds because the foam easily bends into shape whilst still providing a comfortable sleeping surface that can take the pressure away from your muscles, bones, and joints.
Adjustable beds are an excellent option if you have back pain because you can adjust the angle of the upper and lower sections of the bed to the exact point where your weight is distributed in a way that reduces any discomfort that you may have.
Many high-quality adjustable beds have a zero gravity setting that allows you to be in a V sit position so that the pressure is removed from your lower back.
Raising the upper section of the bed can also help you to get in and out of bed if you have mobility issues, as well as being able to aid with better breathing to reduce snoring and also alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux.
An adjustable bed is an excellent investment if you have conditions like GERD, sleep apnea, COPD, blocked sinuses, back pain, or mobility issues.
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Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding has amazing products that are sold at very affordable prices. This mattress is extremely high-quality and a great option for combination sleepers.
Good news: you dont have to empty your entire wallet if you want a great mattress for lower back pain. Brooklyn Bedding owns their own factory, so they can cut out the middleman and offer an excellent value for a high-quality mattress, such as the Signature Hybrid. During sales, a Queen can go for under $1,000. The Signature Hybrid model has three firmnesses: Soft, Medium, and Firm, so you can choose the amount of comfort and support thats best-suited for your lower back pain. We like the Medium version, since it offers a balanced feel ideal for back pain relief.
The Hunt For The Best Mattress For Sciatica
There isnt necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution for every customer who comes through the door. But when someone is having problems with their sciatica pain at night or just lower back pain in general, we like to have them try the Tempur-Pedic TEMPURPro Adapt series.
The TEMPUR-Pro Adapt series has four different mattresses in the lineup: a soft mattress, a medium mattress, a medium hybrid, and a firm.
The soft, medium, and firm options are all-foam mattresses, whereas the hybrid mattress has a coil support system in addition to its foam layers. The top layer in each model is a comfort layer made of highly adaptable TEMPUR® material. Beneath that layer is a pressure relief support layer that helps promote healthy spinal alignment while taking pressure off your lower back.
The medium hybrid has the same top comfort and support layers, but beneath the foam layers there is also an individually pocketed coil system that gives the mattress a more traditional bounce.
Like most mattress brands, Tempur-Pedic makes their mattresses in different firmness levels but Tempur-Pedic mattresses are also rated by the adaptability of the foam. Adaptability means the more advanced TEMPUR-material within the mattress, the more the foam is going to customize its shape to your body and then the more pressure relief youre going to feel.
Now we explain exactly what makes Tempur-Pedic our go-to recommendation for sciatica pain relief.
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Is Gel Memory Foam Good For Your Back
In 2011, gel memory foam mattresses were introduced in the market. It immediately gained popularity because of the extra level of support and comfort it offers. This type of memory foam mattress can conform to your body and distribute your weight equally across the mattress to achieve a floating effect.
Although this mattress is ideal for people with back pain problems, its heat retention technology traps heat. As a result, you feel overheated while sleeping on a gel memory foam. The discomfort can trigger your back pain and other health conditions.
Sleeping Better With Sciatic Nerve Pain
If youre dealing with sciatic pain, sleeping soundly can be a struggle. Thankfully, there are plenty of firmness options and mattress types available to meet your needs. Pay special attention to mattresses that offer motion isolation, pressure relief, and a breathable, soft top layer for cushioning. Youll soon be on your way to a good nights sleep!
About the author
McKenzie Hyde is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and a full-time writer focused on sleep health and the mattress industry. She currently writes articles on a variety of topics, ranging from sleep hygiene to the newest trends in the mattress and bedding industry. Just some of the topics she has covered include best sleep practices for students, the consequences of going without sleep, and choosing the right bed if you suffer from back pain. McKenzie Hyde holds a Master of Arts degree from Utah State University where she studied literature and writing. While there, she taught argumentative writing and wrote a variety of articles and analyses for literary and academic journals.
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What Mattresses Are Produced From In The Usa
There are many top mattress manufacturers in America and some might be familiar with. Saatva is one of the most famous, and is known for its premium mattresses here in the USA available for purchase.
The time for delivery could be longer than three weeks, contingent on the Saatva that you choose to purchase. If you want to be sure that youre purchasing the top mattress produced from America, USA, Saatva should be your top choice.
Saatva is a bit more expensive however, with prices ranging from $887 and over $4,400. There are other mattresses manufactured from the USA that are worth a look. These comprise Nolah Sleep, a Colorado manufacturer of mattresses, which produces hybrid mattresses as well as memory foam. Nolah mattresses are priced between $529 and $1,799 which makes it cheaper than Saatva.
GhostBed mattresses are produced in the USA and Canada. The family-owned company introduced its first mattress that was wrapped in 2015. However, it has a long and successful history that spans several years. The main focus is coolness in GhostBed mattresses. The prices vary between $627 to $2,490 based on the current sales deals currently running.
Heres a complete list of mattresses that are made in the USA:
Other Sleep Accessories To Prevent Or Relieve Back Pain
There are some changes in lifestyle that help maintain your spines neutral alignment, thus preventing back pain. First, avoid lifting heavy things. We also suggest using ergonomic furniture for a healthy posture, regularly exercising, and getting quality sleep to boost spinal health and keep back pain at bay.
A rejuvenating sleep can have a long-term positive impact on your back pain. It can prevent some of the causes that trigger back pain. In cases of existing back pain, quality sleep can help. Your bed plays the most crucial role in facilitating good sleep.
Other sleep accessories such as pillows, adjustable beds, and mattress toppers complement your mattress to enhance sleep quality. After all, when sleeping with back pain, its important to get a full nights rest however you can.
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What Makes Tempurpedic Mattresses So Good For Sciatica
Tempur-Pedic uses a proprietary material called TEMPUR-material. Think of this as advanced memory foam. Lets explain what we mean by advanced memory foam.
Imagine that you pushed your hand into a memory foam mattress. The mattress will conform to your hands shape. And when you pull your hand away, your hands outline will remain for a few seconds before the mattress bounces back to its former shape. Thats the memory of memory foam working. The memory foam adapted to your shape and your body weight .
TEMPUR-material is highly advanced because it adapts to your weight, shape, and your body’s temperature. This benefits you because TEMPUR-material is highly adaptable on a more molecular level. As you lay on a Tempur-Pedic mattress it starts contouring to your body more completely than a traditional memory foam mattress, providing you with exceptional comfort and support where you need it most.
Why? Because the TEMPUR-material is absorbing the pressure you’re pushing into the bed.
Another way to think of this is astronauts in a space shuttle. Tempur-Pedic has an out-of-this-world origin story: its original advanced foam was made to work as the seat padding on space shuttles. The idea was that as an astronaut was hurtled through Earth’s atmosphere, TEMPUR-material would absorb the G-forces being applied to their body.
Elevate Your Sleeping Experience with an Adjustable Base
But even the best mattress needs help fighting gravity.
Best Memory Foam Mattress For Sciatica: Zoma Mattress
- Price: $499-$1198
The Zoma Mattress is a budget-friendly memory foam mattress built to support athletes. Consisting of only three layers of memory foam, its simple design and flexible nature allows it to be used with a variety of frames and bed bases, without sacrificing support to vital pressure points.
A thick, high-density foam base anchors the Zoma Mattress, providing an excellent platform to build and rest upon. This bottom layer absorbs most of the bodys pressure, allowing the uppermost two layers to contour to the sleeper and provide comfort and relief to common pressure areas, such as the head, shoulders, and hips.
This mattress has a firmness level of medium, which is the ideal level for back and side sleepers. The dense, supportive layers of memory foam in the Zoma Mattress absorb pressure, reducing motion transfer between partners.
Interested customers should be aware that each Zoma Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
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Youre Using The Wrong Base
If youve just bought a new memory foam mattress and plonked it on your existing base then a lack of compatibility might be causing subtle sagging thats leading to your back pain.
Youll typically find that memory foam mattresses dont do as well on slatted bases unless the gaps between the slats are no more than 3-4 inches.
This is because spaces that are too wide may allow the foam to push through the gaps and undermine the support.
Solution Use a Compatible Base
You need to check the warranty or the manufacturers guidelines for the mattress that youre going to buy to find out which bases are compatible with your memory foam mattresses.
Be wary of 3rd party sellers that claim you can use any base.
If you buy directly from the manufacturers website, you can often bundle in a compatible base to avoid issues with sagging and voiding of the warranty.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Memory Foam
Gromer says that memory foam products may retain body heat, which could make them less comfortable in warm weather. However, Arand has not heard this complaint from her patients. “In our culture, most people can adjust their thermostats or blankets for the appropriate season,” Arand says.
When new, memory foam can produce an odd chemical smell — a phenomenon called offgassing. To minimize this problem, the Sleep Products Safety Council, a sleep products trade group, recommends airing out the mattress or pad for at least 24 hours before putting sheets on it. “If you follow directions, the smell dissipates quickly,” Arand says, “But I’ve never heard of anyone having reactions to it.”
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Best For Couples: Winkbed
Made of four layers, this hybrid mattress combines memory foam and springs to support your lower back. The memory foam is infused with gel to reduce motion, making it perfect for couples.
If you sleep hot, you’ll appreciate the Tencel outer layer, which allows airflow thanks to its breathable and lightweight composition.
You and your partner can test the waters for 120 days, and if you decide you’re not satisfied, the brand will refund you 100 percent of your money.
“Try WinkBed for an adjustable mattress that allows both you and your partner to get a great night’s sleep,” Dr. Agarwal says.
âBuy it:â WinkBed.com âPrice:â $849 to $1,749
Best Budget Hybrid For Sciatica: Vaya Hybrid
Although the Vaya Hybrid has a different base, the top layer features the same plush comfort foam as their all-foam model. This material immediately responds to pressure to keep the joint cushioned and protected from pressure points even as you change positions throughout the night.
Warranty
Unlike Vayas original model, their hybrid mattress has a pocketed spring coil base. Each coil is triple wrapped in soft yet durable material for added comfort and pressure relief. Different than traditional innerspring coils, pocketed coils move independently of one another for more accurate contouring and less motion transfer.
Vayas comfort foam is soft and conforming, but it also has a slight bounce to gently lift the hips so the spine remains in alignment with the shoulders. This layer keeps those with sciatica comfortable and supported throughout the night.
The Vaya Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial so you can test out the bed and make sure its right for you. It also comes with a 10-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects, such as sags and indents deeper than .75 inches.
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Can A Mattress Cause Back Pain 11 Warning Signs
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Can a mattress cause back pain? If you constantly wake up with a stiff, sore back, you may wonder if your mattress is the culprit.
If your mattress is old, isnt a good match for your body, or is otherwise not ideal for supporting your favorite sleep position, it could be contributing to back pain. Lets take a look at some signs that your mattress may be a factor.
Brentwood Homes Cypress Memory Foam Mattress
The Brentwood Homes Cypress Memory Foam Mattress offers relief from back pain at an affordable price. It also comes in two heightsa Classic 11-inch model or 13-inch Luxe. Back sleepers will probably prefer the Classic while side sleepers may opt for the extra cushioning of the Luxe.
A two-inch, charcoal-infused top layer both cools and contours to the sleeper, cushioning any painful areas. The two-layer Classic then has a high-density support core. The Luxe, however, has an additional two-inch layer of memory foam, providing extra pressure relief. The cradling feel of the Cypress Luxe works well for sleepers with back pain who like to sink into the mattress.
Brentwood Homes offers a 1-year sleep trial with a required 30-day break-in period. They also provide a 25-year warranty that covers defects and indentations over two inches.
Brentwood Homes Cypress Memory Foam Mattress Highlights
- Two thickness options that accommodate back and side sleepers
- Memory foam layers offer cushioning and pressure relief at high pressure points
- Luxe allows you to sleep in rather than on the mattress
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