Tips for Sleeping With Sciatica Pain

Trying to get a good night’s sleep when you’re dealing with sciatica pain can feel almost impossible. That deep, burning ache or sharp shooting pain along the lower back, hip, or leg often intensifies when you lie down, making it hard to rest or stay asleep. Many patients wonder why sciatica seems to get worse at night, and the answer usually has to do with inflammation, body positioning, and lack of movement. Fortunately, there are a few effective strategies for sleeping with sciatica more comfortably, and chiropractic care can play a key role in long-term relief.

Tips for Sleeping With Sciatica Pain

Picking the Right Position

Your sleep position can either reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve or make it worse. For most people, lying on your back with a pillow under the knees or on your side with a pillow between the legs can help keep the spine aligned and reduce irritation. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it can twist the spine and increase tension in the lower back and hips.

Why Sciatica Symptoms Can Spike at Night

If you’ve noticed that sciatic pain gets worse at night, you're not alone. When we rest, circulation tends to slow and inflammation can build up around irritated nerve roots. You’re also more likely to notice discomfort when there are fewer distractions. Stiffness from inactivity can add to the problem, especially if your mattress lacks proper support or your pillow doesn’t help maintain neutral alignment in your neck and spine.

Small Changes, Big Impact

A few minor adjustments can make sleeping through sciatica pain much easier. Try gentle stretches before bed to loosen tight muscles. Use a heating pad on the lower back to improve blood flow and reduce tension before lying down. Make sure your mattress isn’t too soft or too firm—something that supports the natural curve of your spine is ideal. Even keeping your knees slightly elevated while lying on your back can take pressure off the sciatic nerve.

Chiropractic Can Help You Sleep Better

While home strategies can help reduce discomfort temporarily, they don’t address the root cause. Chiropractic adjustments target misalignments in the spine and pelvis that often contribute to sciatica pain. By restoring balance and improving mobility, chiropractic care helps reduce inflammation and nerve irritation so you can sleep more soundly and wake up with less pain.

If sciatic pain is disrupting your rest at night, it’s time to take action. Schedule an appointment with Williamsburg Chiropractic in Brooklyn, NY, to find out how targeted chiropractic care can help you sleep better and heal faster.