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.
