Sciatica Relief during Pregnancy

Being pregnant is surely a very "different" experience not only in terms of having someone in your tummy but mainly cause of all the related discomforts that are a part and parcel of being pregnant. Pregnancy back pain is very common in women, for which sciatica might be the cause. Sciatic nerve is a long nerve which runs across from lower back through the back of the legs and feet and mainly responsible for sensation in these parts. Sciatica is the inflammation of this nerve, due to pressure on the back as a result of the growing uterus as well as any injury and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Sciatic pain is not directly related to pregnancy but could just be a coincidence with damage to spinal disc followed by pressure on the nerve and the resulting swelling. But, in case you are suffering from sciatic pain when being pregnant, then the treatment options during pregnancy will help you getting sciatica relief. Let's take a look at the symptoms first.

Symptoms

• Numbness of legs or feet
• Tingling sensation in legs and back
• Like pins and needles pricking in the lower back or legs
• Burning sensation in the lower back or buttocks
• Pain in the legs, lower back and particularly the pelvic region

Dealing with Sciatica During Pregnancy

Treatment

• You are lucky, if the symptoms run away on their own, which sadly, is not the case for many pregnant females. In case the pain persists, go in for a musculoskeletal physiotherapy which will help lessen the pain and thus the symptoms.
• Manual therapy including massage to the affected areas can work best. Ask your partner to do that for you.
• The most important treatment measures are the sciatica pain exercises during pregnancy especially pelvic floor exercises and stretching exercises for the abdominal and the back muscles.
• Go in for the chiropractic care and acupuncture techniques to relieve extreme sciatica pain.
• You could also go in for a therapeutic bath which involves the addition of 1-2 kg of Epsom salt to hot water (400 degree C) in a water tub to let it dissolve followed by laying inside under the supervision of a therapeutic bath specialist. This bath is suitable only for the first three months of pregnancy and advised rarely.

Self Help Tips

• Make use of hot or cold pack bags for applying onto the painful areas for some time.
• Use soft shoes or chappals while walking since they relieve the pressure on your spine. Avoid heavy lifting again for the same reason.
• Be mobile and active and avoid sitting in one place for a long time.
• Make sure you do all the pregnancy exercises and yoga cause that's the best way to keep yourself fit and healthy.
• Make use of soft cushions whenever you sleep or sit. Prefer sleeping side-ways.
• Some physicians recommend use of belly belts which help support the back and abdomen.

Exercises

The best way to treat sciatica during pregnancy is to indulge yourself in exercises to release nerve pain and give sciatica relief.

• Swimming
• Walking
• Light aerobics
• Stationary bike riding
• Squats

Exercise #1
Sit in a chair with straight back. Keep your left ankle on your right knee and bend forward and hold yourself in that position for few seconds. Repeat the same for the other leg too. This will improve flexibility of your hip muscles.

Exercise #2
Bend each leg side ways, at a time one, keeping them 2 feet apart from each other. These are best exercises for leg pain.

Exercise #3
Sit on the floor with feet together, toes matching and straight back. Keep your hands on your knees and try to press knees closer to the floor.

I hope you'll get a sigh of relief now that you know the treatment measures for sciatica. Sciatica relief exercises during pregnancy are easy to follow so make sure you do them. In case of severe pain, consult your doctor. You can't take risks in this phase so do take care of yourself. See you!