The Best Mattresses For Sciatica

 

Sciatica is one of those frustrating ailments that constantly nags away at you, affecting your life day and night and leaving you exhausted.  

The good news is that a supportive mattress can relieve sciatica pain at night by keeping your hips and lower back in proper alignment, where your lower spine and hips sink slightly into the mattress to create a subtle curve.

The best mattresses for sciatica have a thick, foam comfort layer to relieve pressure and promote alignment and excellent motion isolation so your partner’s movements don’t jolt your body and cause those horrible shooting pains.

Best mattress technology for sciatica relief

We recommend a pocket spring mattress with a memory foam comfort layer for sciatica (see our recommendations below). This combination offers the best motion isolation and support alongside a plush top comfort layer that relieves pressure on your hips.

Pocket springs move independently to isolate motion transfer between sleep partners, preventing your partner’s movements from disturbing your side of the bed and ensuring your lower back and hips remain adequately supported throughout the night.

Memory foam, especially softer types, cradles your body’s pressure points to relieve aches and pains. As you lie on a memory foam mattress, your weight causes the foam to soften and mould to your body’s unique curves. This cushioning effect helps keep your hips and shoulders lifted to maintain proper spinal alignment.

Memory foam is the best mattress material for absorbing motion, helping you stay comfortable when your partner changes positions at night. Aim for at least 2-3 inches of memory foam in the comfort layer for ample pressure relief.

Your favourite sleep position is key.

If you get the best sciatica relief sleeping on your back, a medium-firm mattress is best to provide an ideal balance of cushioning and support.

If you’re a side sleeper and weigh less than 190 lbs, get a medium mattress – medium mattresses compress more, helping relieve pressure when you sleep on your side (a firmer mattress is no good in this scenario).

Front sleepers need a firmer mattress, either firm or medium firm. Beware of medium-soft mattresses because these don’t have adequate support for sciatica.

Whichever firmness is best for you, give your body time to adjust to your new mattress’s feel and talk to your doctor about other sciatica treatments that may complement your new sleep setup.

Mattress recommendations from our experts

Silentnight Torino 1000 pocket spring mattress (medium firm)

Pictured: 1000 Individual Pocket Springs, Body moulding memory foam for ultimate pressure relief. Available from Bedstar (£448 for a double)

The Silentnight Torino is an excellent choice for sciatica sufferers, with 1000 responsive pocket springs and a pressure-relieving layer of body-moulding memory foam. The advanced spring system provides zoned support to align the spine, while the memory foam cushions the hips and shoulders. Reduced motion transfer lets you rest easy if your partner moves. The knitted cover is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic.

Giltedge Sirocco 2000 pocket spring mattress (medium firm)

With 2000 responsive pocket springs and a generous layer of body-contouring memory foam, the Giltedge Sirocco delivers comfort and support for sciatica sufferers. The pocket springs provide exceptional spinal alignment while minimising partner disturbance. The memory foam cradles pressure points, cushioning your shoulders and hips. The knitted cover is cool-to-the-touch, breathable and hypoallergenic.

Pictured: Giltedge Beds Sirocco Mattress, Pocket Spring system incorporating 2000 springs for total comfort and zoned support. Available from Bedstar (£498 for a double)

Shire Pennine Pillowtop 1000 pocket spring mattress (medium)

Pictured: Shire Beds Pennine Pillowtop 1000 pocket spring mattress, with memory foam layer. Available from Bedstar (£498 for a double)

The Shire Pennine Pillowtop comforts you with its sumptuous pillowtop layer above 1000 responsive pocket springs. Below the springs, a generous 5cm layer of body-moulding memory foam provides cushioning pressure relief while minimising motion transfer. The soft, breathable Egyptian cotton cover completes the indulgent feel. This medium mattress brings welcome relief to sciatica sufferers needing comfort with support.

Giltedge Geneva 3000 Pocket Spring Mattress (medium)

Pictured: Giltedge Beds Geneva 3000 pocket spring mattress, advanced Flotech Memory Gel pillow top layer. Available from Bedstar (£648 for a double)

The Giltedge Geneva mattress delivers luxurious comfort for sciatica relief. Its pillowtop surface contains responsive memory gel foam that moulds to your body’s contours. Below, 3000 pocket springs provide exceptional support and spinal alignment. The gel-infused foam boosts airflow to keep you cool, while also minimising motion transfer. With medium firmness, this mattress cradles pressure points for pain-free comfort.

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