The 6 Best Mattresses for Sciatica

Having back pain can prevent you from getting good shut-eye, especially if that pain is associated with sciatica.

Sciatica is the inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which branches out to the back through the hips, buttocks and legs, according to Deepti Agarwal, MD, a board-certified pain medicine doctor and director of interventional and integrative pain management at Case Integrative Health.

"Sciatica can interfere with sleep," Dr. Agarwal says. "As you move throughout the night, changes in your spine position can exacerbate the pain you're experiencing."

That's why it's important to invest in a quality mattress, which can support the natural alignment of your spine and prevent further irritation of the sciatic nerve, she explains.

With so many mattress options on the market, it can be hard to narrow them down, so we rounded up the best mattresses for sciatica.

We spoke with Dr. Agarwal, who specializes in pain management, who explained the most important attributes in a mattress for sciatica. Our top picks are based on her criteria, including:

• Type of mattress
• Firmness
• Comfort
• Cost

Find more information on how we choose and cover products.

There are three main types of mattresses: gel, memory foam and hybrid.

Gel-infused mattresses are constructed with pods that allow for a more breathable, supportive and motion-reducing sleep. Memory foam mattresses contour to the shape of your body and curvature of your spine to relieve pressure and pain. Lastly, hybrid mattresses combine foam and springs to offer back support and lift your spine.

Any of these materials can support your spine if you're sleeping with sciatica.

From soft to extra firm, there are a number of firmness levels to choose from. For people with sciatica specifically, Dr. Agarwal recommends a medium-firm mattress.

This level of firmness "will keep your pelvis and spine in alignment while ensuring that you get a comfortable night's sleep."

She adds that medium-firm mattresses can take pressure off the sciatic nerve.

Because the sciatic nerve branches out to the hips, buttocks and legs, the best sleeping position will depend on the root cause of your sciatica. Talk to your doctor to figure out which part of the sciatic nerve is affected.

There is not just one sleep position that can exacerbate or relieve sciatica pain. Dr. Agarwal recommends experimenting with sleep positions to see what works best for you.