How can I get relief from my sciatica?

Question

I am 16 wks pregnant and have horrible sciatic nerve pain on both sides. It is especially painful when I go to bed. The moment I lay down, both nerves feel as though they are being cut!
My doctor's nurses suggest I lay on my left side when lying down, but that's the side that hurts the worst.
It just pretty much hurts on both sides as well as flat on my back. And of course I can't lay on my stomach. Any advice?

Answer 1

For my sciatica, the midwife recommended sitting upright and placing one leg on the other knee and then having someone push down on the leg until you get a good stretch deep where the sciatic nerve runs. It's good to have a helper so you can stay seated with your back as straight as possible while they gently push down on that bent leg. Repeat with the other side. You can also do this exercise alone in bed while you're propped up. Just cross the leg over and push down on it yourself as far as you can while keeping your back straight.

It will not make it totally disappear but may alleviate it. I have found also that doing "cat stretches" with my back while on all fours sometimes gets my baby in a different position and that will temporarily take some pressure off the nerve.

If you are comfortable with chiropractors, they have treatments for pregnancy related sciatica. I have never tried this route myself and with this third pregnancy my sciatica is only mild.

Best of luck with this. I know it can be debilitating sometimes.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Pelvic rocking is an excellent exercise and can be done sitting, standing or lying down. Just rock your pelvis back and forth. If you are on the floor, push the small of your back into the floor and then relax. Do a Kegel at the same time. Hold for five seconds and relax. As long as your back is directed toward the floor and the lumbar curve is pushed into the floor, you can do most exercises safely.

You can get a lot more information about treating sciatica during pregnancy at http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pfirsttri/0,,midwife_3p64,00.html

good luck!

Answer 4

The baby is more than likely pressing on the sciatic (or psycho, as I like to call it) nerve. While you probably won't be able to completely alleviate it, try lying flat on your back on the floor or other solid, flat area. Start with your legs stretched out and then pull your knees up as close to your chest as you can. Depending on how much your belly is getting in the way, you may want to pull your legs to the side of your belly instead. You can use your arms to help pull your knees up. Hold the position for a slow count of 10 and then slowly return your legs to a stretched out position. Repeat at least 5 times, more if you can tolerate it.

You can also do cat stretches by getting onto your hands and knees and rounding your back as far as you can tolerate. Hold the position for a slow count of 10 and then return to a relaxed postion. Repeat at least 5 more time, more if you can tolerate it.

Also, talk with your physcian. If he/she doesn't have an issue, try getting into a pool about chest deep. This will help get some of your weight off of your spine and may allow you to relax a little.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Oh Toots, I really do feel for you. I have Sciatica, but I'm a dude, and don't have to worry about taking pain relievers like a pregnant woman. I normally have a couple shots of black Velvet before bed to help with the pain... Have you tried a heating pad on the backs of your legs?

Answer 6

I have sciatica as well, but not related to pregnancy. I have found that taking a daily dose of Glucosamine and MSM is excellent in helping to not only reduce the symptoms, but also in preventing them from coming back. Of course, talk to your doctor before taking anything because I am not sure if there are precautions for pregnancy for those supplements.

But stretching exercises that strengthen your back are also very helpful.

Hope that helps :)

Answer 7

I developed this when I was pregnant too. Try sleeping on your side with your leg over a pillow or a bunched up quilt. What works the best always is a massage from your husband, make sure he starts at the small of your back, then works his way down your legs.

Answer 8

Go get a massage. It helps *SO* much with the aches and pains of pregnancy, helps you learn to relax for labor and will balance your body which will make labor easier.

Consider seeing a chiropractor.

Get an exercise ball (or birth ball....same thing) and spend time sitting on it every day. It can really help with sciatic pain.

Answer 9

i find advil liquigels more effective for sciatica. Arching back like a cat eases low back pain for me.

Answer 10

Sometimes a massage does help, but sometimes it doesn't. Going for a walk in the mornings always seems to help me. The sad thing is, you may just have to deal with it until baby's born. Ask your doc. He will tell you the same thing.