Understanding Innerspring Mattress for Sciatica

10 min readAug 25, 2023

August 25, 2023

Authored By

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain, numbness or tingling in the lower back, hips and legs due to compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. It can affect your sleep quality and comfort, especially if you have a mattress that does not provide adequate support and pressure relief for your spine and joints.

Best Mattress For sciatica — Innerspring, Hybrid and more

Saatva RX

The first luxury mattress specially designed for sleepers with chronic back & joint conditions

Shop At Saatva.com

Rated : ★★★★★

Saatva Classic

Approved By chiropractors and designed for people with Back pain and Joint issues. Excellent Support and Pressure Relief.

Shop At Saatva.com

Rated : ★★★★★

Plushbeds Botanical Bliss

The Only Latex Hybrid mattress approved by chiropractors for Back and Joint Pain. Best Reviews

Shop Plushbeds

Rated : ★★★★★

Puffy Mattress

Recommended by Doctors and approved by chiropractors, The Puffy mattress is perfect for Arthritis relief

Shop At Puffy.com

Rated : ★★★★★

Sonu Sleep Mattress

Mattress designed for side sleepers. Effective for people with Arthritis in Shoulders and Neck.

Explore Options

Rated : ★★★★☆

In this article, we will explore how innerspring mattresses can help or hinder your sciatica symptoms, and what features to look for when choosing one. We will also recommend the Saatva Classic Mattress as one of the best innerspring mattresses for sciatica, and explain how it can benefit you with its unique design and features.

What are Innerspring Mattresses?

Innerspring mattresses are one of the oldest and most popular types of mattresses. They use metal coils or springs of different shapes and sizes to provide support and bounce. The coils are usually covered with a layer of padding or comfort material, such as foam, latex, cotton or wool.

Innerspring mattresses have some advantages over other types of mattresses, such as:

They are generally more affordable and widely available than other types of mattresses.
They offer good airflow and breathability, which can help regulate your body temperature and prevent overheating.
They have a responsive feel that can make it easy to move around and change positions on the bed.
They can offer good edge support, which can make it easier to get in and out of bed.

However, innerspring mattresses also have some drawbacks, such as:

They can be noisy and prone to squeaking or creaking due to the metal coils.
They can sag or lose their shape over time due to wear and tear of the coils.
They can transfer motion easily, which can disturb your partner if you toss and turn at night.
They can lack pressure relief and contouring, which can cause pressure points and misalignment of your spine.

How Can Innerspring Mattresses Affect Sciatica?

Saatva Classic

Approved By chiropractors and designed for people with Back pain and Joint issues. Excellent Support and Pressure Relief.

Shop At Saatva.com

Rated : ★★★★★

The type of mattress you sleep on can have a significant impact on your sciatica symptoms. A mattress that is too firm or too soft can worsen your pain and discomfort by creating pressure points or allowing your spine to sag out of alignment. A mattress that is too hot or too cold can also affect your blood circulation and nerve function.

In general, people with sciatica need a mattress that offers a balance of support and pressure relief. Support refers to how well the mattress keeps your spine in a neutral position and prevents excessive sinkage. Pressure relief refers to how well the mattress conforms to your body shape and distributes your weight evenly.

Innerspring mattresses can vary widely in their level of support and pressure relief depending on the type, number, gauge and arrangement of the coils, as well as the quality and thickness of the comfort layer. Some innerspring mattresses may be too firm or too bouncy for people with sciatica, while others may be too soft or too saggy.

Therefore, it is important to consider the following factors when choosing an innerspring mattress for sciatica:

Firmness: The firmness of a mattress is subjective and depends on your personal preference, body weight, shape and sleeping position. However, most people with sciatica tend to prefer a medium-firm to firm mattress that offers enough support without being too hard or stiff. A medium-firm to firm mattress can help maintain proper spinal alignment and prevent excessive pressure on your lower back, hips and legs.
Coil Type: There are different types of coils used in innerspring mattresses, such as Bonnell, offset, continuous, pocketed or micro-coils. Each type has its own pros and cons in terms of durability, motion isolation, noise reduction and contouring. For people with sciatica, pocketed coils are usually recommended because they offer more individualized support and pressure relief than other types of coils. Pocketed coils are wrapped in fabric or foam and move independently from each other, which means they can adapt to your body shape better and reduce motion transfer.
Coil Count: The coil count refers to the number of coils used in an innerspring mattress. Generally speaking, a higher coil count means a more supportive and durable mattress. However, coil count is not the only factor that determines the quality of an innerspring mattress. The gauge (thickness) and arrangement (zone) of the coils also matter. For people with sciatica, a coil count of at least 600 for a queen size mattress is recommended. A higher gauge (thinner) coil can offer more flexibility and contouring, while a lower gauge (thicker) coil can offer more durability and support. A zoned coil system can also provide more targeted support and pressure relief for different parts of your body.
Comfort Layer: The comfort layer is the top layer of an innerspring mattress that provides cushioning and softness. The comfort layer can be made of different materials, such as foam, latex, cotton, wool or silk. The thickness and quality of the comfort layer can affect the pressure relief and contouring of an innerspring mattress. For people with sciatica, a comfort layer of at least 2 inches thick is recommended. A thicker comfort layer can offer more pressure relief and cradling for your hips and shoulders, while a thinner comfort layer can offer more support and firmness for your lower back. The type of material can also affect the breathability, temperature regulation and durability of the comfort layer.

Why Choose the Saatva Classic Mattress for Sciatica?

Saatva Classic

Approved By chiropractors and designed for people with Back pain and Joint issues. Excellent Support and Pressure Relief.

Shop At Saatva.com

Rated : ★★★★★

The Saatva Classic Mattress is one of the best innerspring mattresses for sciatica because it offers a combination of luxury, comfort, support and pressure relief that can suit any sleep preference and style. It is a hybrid mattress that combines two layers of coils with a plush Euro pillow top and a memory foam layer.

The Saatva Classic Mattress has the following features that make it ideal for people with sciatica:

Customizable Firmness and Height: The Saatva Classic Mattress comes in three firmness levels: Plush Soft (3/10), Luxury Firm (5–7/10) and Firm (8/10). You can choose the firmness level that matches your body weight, shape and sleeping position. The Plush Soft option is best for side sleepers who need more cushioning and pressure relief for their hips and shoulders. The Luxury Firm option is best for back and stomach sleepers who need more support and alignment for their lower back. The Firm option is best for heavier sleepers who need more durability and firmness to prevent sagging. The Saatva Classic Mattress also comes in two heights: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches. You can choose the height that suits your bed frame and aesthetic preference.
Luxurious Plush Euro Pillow Top: The Saatva Classic Mattress has a 3-inch Euro pillow top that provides a luxurious feel and extra comfort for your body. The Euro pillow top is made of organic cotton that is naturally breathable and hypoallergenic. It is also treated with Guardin®, a botanical antimicrobial treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. The Euro pillow top has Lumbar Zone® quilting that gives you more support in the center third of the mattress where you need it most.
Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire: The Saatva Classic Mattress has a patented Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire that helps to keep your spine in healthy alignment no matter how you sleep. The Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire is a high-density memory foam layer that offers excellent pressure-point relief and enhanced lower back support in the middle of the mattress where most of your body weight is concentrated.
Responsive Dual-Coil Design: The Saatva Classic Mattress has a responsive dual-coil design that cradles your body and prevents sagging. The dual-coil design consists of two layers of coils: 884 Lumbar Zone® pocketed coils made from durable 14.5-gauge recycled steel, and 416 tempered steel support coils made from 13-gauge recycled steel. The pocketed coils are stronger and firmer in the center third of the mattress where you need it most, while the support coils provide stability and durability for the whole mattress. The dual-coil design also allows more airflow throughout the mattress to help disperse body heat.

How to Accessorize Your Saatva Classic Mattress for Sciatica?

Saatva Classic

Approved By chiropractors and designed for people with Back pain and Joint issues. Excellent Support and Pressure Relief.

Shop At Saatva.com

Rated : ★★★★★

To enhance your comfort and sleep quality on your Saatva Classic Mattress, you may want to consider adding some accessories that can help with your sciatica symptoms. Here are some suggestions:

Pillows: Choosing the right pillow can make a big difference for your neck and head alignment, which can affect your sciatica pain. You may want to choose a pillow that matches your sleeping position and firmness preference. For example, side sleepers may need a thicker and firmer pillow to fill the gap between their head and shoulder, while back and stomach sleepers may need a thinner and softer pillow to keep their head and neck in a neutral position. You may also want to choose a pillow that is made of natural or organic materials, such as cotton, wool or latex, to avoid allergens and chemicals that can irritate your skin or respiratory system.
Mattress Topper: Adding a mattress topper can change the feel and comfort of your mattress without replacing it. A mattress topper is a thin layer of padding that you place on top of your mattress. You may want to add a mattress topper if you find your mattress too firm or too soft for your liking, or if you want to add more cushioning or support for your body. A mattress topper can also extend the lifespan of your mattress by protecting it from stains, spills and wear and tear. You may want to choose a mattress topper that is made of natural or organic materials, such as cotton, wool or latex, to avoid allergens and chemicals that can irritate your skin or respiratory system.
Bedding: Choosing the right bedding can also affect your sleep quality and comfort. You may want to choose bedding that is made of natural or organic materials, such as cotton, bamboo or silk, to promote breathability and temperature regulation. You may also want to choose bedding that is soft, smooth and gentle on your skin, such as sateen or percale sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases. You may also want to choose bedding that is easy to wash and maintain, such as machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant fabrics.

Conclusion

Saatva Classic

Approved By chiropractors and designed for people with Back pain and Joint issues. Excellent Support and Pressure Relief.

Shop At Saatva.com

Rated : ★★★★★

Sciatica can be a painful and frustrating condition that can affect your sleep quality and comfort. Choosing the right mattress can help you alleviate your sciatica symptoms and improve your sleep experience. Innerspring mattresses can offer some benefits for people with sciatica, such as affordability, breathability, responsiveness and edge support. However, they can also have some drawbacks, such as noise, sagging, motion transfer and lack of pressure relief.

The Saatva Classic Mattress is one of the best innerspring mattresses for sciatica because it offers a balance of luxury, comfort, support and pressure relief that can suit any sleep preference and style. It is a hybrid mattress that combines two layers of coils with a plush Euro pillow top and a memory foam layer. It comes in three firmness levels and two heights that you can customize according to your body weight, shape and sleeping position. It also has some unique features that make it ideal for people with sciatica, such as Lumbar Zone® quilting, Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire and a responsive dual-coil design.

To enhance your comfort and sleep quality on your Saatva Classic Mattress, you may also want to consider adding some accessories that can help with your sciatica symptoms, such as pillows, mattress toppers and bedding. By choosing the right mattress and accessories for your sciatica condition, you can enjoy more nights of restorative sleep and less pain and discomfort.