Is this Sciatica?

Question

I woke up this morning with searing pain in my left hip that radiated down my leg and into the small of my back. I was lying on my left side when I woke up and immediately rolled over onto my back with my knees bent which alleviated most of the pain. It hasn't really hurt all day except for a dull ache. I also had quite a few "twitches" in my left knee over the last week. I'm 23 weeks pregnant, and have heard that sciatica can be a problem during pregnancy. I have a doctor appointment next week, but would like to know if anyone here thinks this sounds like sciatica? Do you know what the common treatments are for it? Or do I just have to live with the pain?

Answer 1

It is certainly quite possible. First, sciatica is not a specific diagnosis. It refers to a set of symptoms related to irritation of the sciatic nerve. The next question would be...what is causing irritation of the nerve? It could be a lumbar disc herniation, rotation of the pelvis due to loosening of the ligaments around the sacroiliac joint (pregnant women secrete a hormone called relaxin which does this), tightness of the piriformis muscle...

I suggest getting in to see a physical therapist who has experience with women with prenatal backpain.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Use a chiropractor who uses an activator or wedges (avoiding problems with conditions).
Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, (if this does not do it you probably need a chiropractor as well) you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 4

Having had four children I know what you are talking about. You probably do have sciatica, caused by the extra weight you are carrying. Once you have the baby I'm sure you'll be fine. To relieve the pain now try geting on your hands and knees on the floor or bed. This takes the pressure off your back. Do this as needed through out the day.