For most patients, the disc will repair itself naturally, and the
main challenge is to avoid re-injury. While avoiding strenuous activity
is recommended, ceasing all activity merely encourages muscle atrophy,
exposing the spine to further injury.
Many sciatica patients have found that a memory foam mattress can be
a powerful tool to aid the healing process. Because of the unique
characteristics of memory foam, this type of mattress allows the spine
to remain in alignment while the patient is asleep. A conventional
mattress doesn't support the spine in the same way that memory foam
does, resulting in improper alignment. For a patient with sciatica, this
misalignment can cause a slowdown in the healing process, by placing
undue pressure on already injured discs.
Another benefit that sciatica patients can gain from memory foam is
related to a phenomenon called pressure point arousal. Pressure point
arousal occurs when circulation is reduced in body parts that bear the
weight of a sleeping individual. This circulation loss causes
discomfort, prompting the sleeper to shift in their bed. Because these
movements are not fully conscious, they are often awkward, and can
actually cause re-injury to a recovering disc. By reducing this "tossing
and turning" at night, the spine is less likely to be re-injured. The
body is usually capable of repairing itself, but sciatica patients must
take the necessary steps to help their body do so in a timely manner.
