Most of you have heard of sciatica, but how many of you know exactly what it is and what causes it? According to the dictionary, sciatica is “pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disc”.
Sciatica occurs when the roots of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine are irritated. Other common causes are pregnancy, muscle spasms, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar spinal stenosis.
Pain from sciatica originates in the spine and radiates down the leg and usually only affects one side of the body. It can be very painful with medication and physiotherapy being common treatments. The pain is often worse during the night and you might find that you are often waking up with sciatica pain. This is often because when you sleep in certain positions, like the fetal position, the nerves in your back are pinched further, which is painful.
We are going to look at how to relieve sciatica pain while sleeping as well as the best sleeping position for sciatica.
Does sleeping with a pillow between your legs help sciatica?
Yes, sleeping with a pillow between your legs can help with sciatica. If you do find this position comfortable, make sure you are using a proper orthopedic pillow like the ComfiLife Pillow. This pillow fits comfortably between your knees and won’t move around while you sleep, ensuring you have the right support.
Sleeping with a pillow underneath your knees has been proven to help alleviate the pain associated with sciatica. Elevating your knees takes the pressure off your back and eases the pain you experience while sleeping with sciatica. Avoid lying on your side and curling up too much, even with a pillow between your legs, this can aggravate your pain. Some people with sciatica opt to sleep on the floor because it is really firm and this can offer relief from pain.
If you do want to sleep with a pillow under your knees, look for a good quality wedge cushion. These pillows have been designed to help with sciatica and as a result, provide the correct type of support in the right places.
The InteVision Wedge pillow is a great option if you are looking for a knee pillow that will help to elevate your legs and ease pain from sciatica. This pillow helps the spine to relax which results in sciatica relief.
Xtra-Comfort also have a great wedge pillow that can be folded in four different ways depending on your needs. This makes it a versatile wedge pillow that can be used under your knees while you are in bed, behind your back as a seat wedge and as a sleeping pillow. It is a firm pillow that helps to release pain in your back. If you are looking for comfortable ways to sleep with sciatica, you need to add this pillow to your shopping trolley.
While you are looking for the perfect pillow for sciatica, consider changing your sleeping pillow to make sure that you are also getting the right support for your neck and spine. The Elite Rest Memory Foam Contour Pillow offers you therapeutic support for your head, neck, shoulders, and spine. It is a good all bed pillow for all types of sleeping positions.
What about pain relief while sitting down?
People who suffer from sciatica can find sitting for extended periods painful. Figuring out how to sit comfortably with sciatica is as important as learning how to sleep with sciatica. Investing in a good chair pillow for back pain will help to make sure you sit comfortably throughout the day.
Desk Jockey has a great pillow for lower back pain. You can use it as a seat pillow or as a car seat back support to ensure you have support for your back throughout the day. If you have an office job that requires you to sit for extended periods, you need proper lower back support for your chair, even if you do not suffer from sciatica.
Another contender for the best seat cushion is the Purple Cushion. This is a butt cushion that you add to your chair to help with your posture and pain. It doesn’t look like much but it is a firm but comfortable cushion for your chair.
If you are looking for the best car seat cushion, take a look at the Aylio Coccyx Seat Cushion. If you are sitting for long periods in your car, this shape cushion will help to make sure your time in the car is pain-free and comfortable. You can also use this cushion on your chair for added support.
Living with sciatica can be extremely painful and uncomfortable as it affects every area of your life. Sleeping is painful, sitting at your desk is uncomfortable, driving can also be a struggle. Even if you opt for pain medication and physiotherapy treatment you still need support while you are sleeping and sitting. Adding an orthopedic cushion while you are in bed can ease a lot of the pain you are experiencing and a good seat cushion will keep you supported at the office and in your car. You don’t have to suffer continuously, there are ways to help deal with the pain you are experiencing as a result of sciatica.
