While it’s unlikely that a mattress is the root cause of sciatic nerve pain, a bad mattress can certainly exacerbate the problem. An unsupportive sleeping surface often contributes to the discomfort and may even make your symptoms worse. Your spine needs plenty of support, and if you don’t have a good mattress, it’s easy for those sciatic nerve roots to become compressed. In general, if you’re a back sleeper, you want a firm mattress that encourages spinal alignment. For side sleepers, you may want to go a little softer but still find a mattress that supports your hips and shoulders. And for tummy sleepers, a medium-firm mattress can offer adequate support, though it’s a good idea to sleep with a pillow or foam pad tucked under your stomach. The secret to taming sciatica is to support your spine — especially your lower back — and a firm mattress is best suited for this task. If you think your soft foam mattress might be causing your back pain, pay attention to when your pain is most acute. If it’s bothersome when you first wake up, but goes away after some light stretching or after a few minutes of regular activity, that’s a good sign that your mattress may be the culprit. If you find yourself tossing and turning during the night, struggling to stay comfortable, that may also be a clue that the foam layer of your mattress isn’t providing enough back support. If you are sleeping on an older mattress, keep in mind that the average mattress lifespan is about 10 years. It makes sense to invest in a new mattress that provides the level of support and pressure relief you need. Changing your mattress may actually do wonders for alleviating your pain. You can check out plenty of mattress reviews to get an idea of which type might work best for you — and don’t forget that Purple mattresses are great for alleviating sciatica nerve pain. Shop Mattresses It can be very difficult to sleep well when you suffer from sciatic issues. You’re ready to go to sleep, but your sciatica symptoms are just getting started. Fortunately, you don’t have to let nerve pain keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. While you may not be able to make sciatic pain go away completely, you can often lessen the symptoms enough to get a good night’s sleep. If you follow the tips here and sleep on a supportive, high-quality mattress, you’ll be on your way to a restful sleep free from pain.