When combating sciatica, two things matter – proper treatment and the right mattress. Well, choosing the right mattress is all about practicality and forethought, backed by research.
Sciatica is a painful condition associated with the sciatic nerve. It occurs when the nerve is impeded due to a herniated disk, bone intrusion, or tapered spine. The sufferer experiences pain in the lower back, hips, and buttocks, usually only on one side of the body. Numbness, weakness, or inflammation in the affected leg is also experienced in severe cases.
As a sufferer, what’s your top of mind solution for sciatica? Medication or surgical procedure, we presume. Have you heard of therapeutic mattresses for sciatica? They are designed to provide the right support and comfort for sound sleep and quick recovery. An inappropriate mattress for your condition can escalate the pain and complicate the issue, often irreparably.
When in the market for the best mattress for sciatica, the thumb rule is to research well and choose wisely.
Sounds difficult? Not when you apply a few proven strategies mentioned below–
Pressure relief is the key:
Sciatica aggravates with the pressure the sleeping surface exerts. You are better off with a mattress that relieves pressure from your shoulders and hips. These body parts are heavier and easily sink into the mattress. They need to adjust in the mattress comfortably to keep the spine perfectly aligned. In lack of proper pressure relief, these parts sink in inappropriately, leading to misaligned spine and exacerbated sciatic nerve pain. On the pressure relief front, pure memory performs the best. Latex and hybrid with layers of memory foam are also a safe bet.
Neither too firm, nor too soft:
Mattress firmness should also be a consideration if you are keen on maintaining spinal integrity while enjoying pressure relief. When in pain, it’s just human to be tempted by an ultra-soft hospital bed mattress for instant relief. But ultra-soft mattresses allow you to sink in too deep, causing spine misalignment. On the other hand, hard beds are a traditional choice for a sound sleep. But they don’t perform well in terms of pressure relief. The surface is too rigid to support a natural sleeping position. Often, your pelvic bone is mispositioned, causing pressure on the lumbar. The result is obvious, aggravated sciatic pain and sleepless nights. The thumb rule is to prefer a mattress that’s soft enough to relieve pressure and hard enough to cradle the spine.
Isolate the motion:
The condition causes pain and restlessness, leading to frequent tossing and turning in the bed. In severe cases, the sufferer experiences a constant urge to urinate, resulting in frequent visits to the bathroom. The one sharing bed with a sciatic sufferer is at the receiving end of it all. His/her sleep is disturbed every time you induce a movement. The best mattress for sciatica should be equipped with motion isolation capabilities. Memory foam mattresses deaden every movement you cause, allowing a sound sleep for your sleeping partner. Some innerspring mattresses featuring covered coils also offer similar benefits.
Long live the longevity:
A hospital bed mattress is a serious investment. You’ll be keen on making the most of it. The memory foam lasts for a decade under normal conditions and proper care. The same for innerspring is 5 years. A less durable mattress will not just make you bleed money in repairs and replacements but also intensifies your sciatic pain. Why? Well, mattresses that lose their integrity and shape over a period cannot support your spine the way it should. So, enquire about the product warranty beforehand. Also, read the fine print, as the devil is in the details.
