Pregnancy Sciatica
Sciatica during pregnancy? Help is available
Welcome to Our Family Chiropractor. We look forward to helping you address symptoms of sciatica (nerve pain) experienced when pregnant. We offer you a tailored and personal approach to chiropractic care.
You can visit us at our family-based chiropractic clinic at Suite 6/17 Surf Rd, Cronulla NSW 2230 (open in Google Maps).
If you have never experienced it, sciatica during pregnancy can come as quite a shock. If you’re currently dealing with sciatica or you’d simply like to know more about it, read on to find out.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve — which is the longest nerve in your body and runs from your lower back all the way down your legs — becomes compressed or irritated. This can happen for a number of reasons, but one of the most common causes is pregnancy.
As your baby grows, they can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in your lower back, hips, and legs.
While pregnancy sciatica can be extremely painful, there are ways to manage and reduce your pain.
Sciatica symptoms during pregnancy
Sciatica during pregnancy causes nerve pain which is often felt in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. This can lead to irritation of the sciatic nerve, causing intense pain in the buttocks and branching down the back of the legs to the ankles and feet.
In addition to dull, throbbing pain, symptoms may include tingling or burning sensations, muscular weakness, and difficulty moving the affected area. This pain usually occurs on one side of the body and may be worsened by standing or sitting for long periods of time.
In severe cases, women may experience difficulty walking or even bladder and bowel control problems.
Sciatica treatment in pregnancy
Rest, gentle pregnancy sciatica stretches, walking, yoga, and regular prenatal massage can all provide relief from sciatica pregnancy pain. It’s also important to maintain good posture and avoid lifting heavy objects. Additionally, some women find relief from sciatica pregnancy through swimming, water therapy, heat or ice therapy, or acupuncture.
In some cases, over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may be recommended after consulting with a doctor. In severe cases where other treatments haven’t been effective, doctors may consider steroid injections or surgery as options for sciatica treatment during pregnancy.
Chiropractor for pregnancy sciatica
By targeting the root cause of sciatica — primarily misalignments in the spine — a chiropractor can help ease muscle tension, improve nerve function, and enhance overall alignment. In addition, regular chiropractic adjustments can help pregnant women maintain good posture, promoting overall comfort during pregnancy.
Chiropractors are also trained to perform sciatica pregnancy massages, which can provide relief through the targeting of muscles that may be contributing to sciatic pain.
Finally, chiropractic care during pregnancy has also been shown to reduce labour time and discomfort during delivery.
Sciatica and Pregnancy – FAQs
What are some pregnancy sciatica stretches?
A popular stretch for sciatica amongst pregnant women is the seated piriformis stretch.
- Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Put your left ankle on your right knee.
- Keeping a straight back, lean forward until you feel a stretch through your buttocks. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
- Repeat throughout the day.
Other stretches, exercises and treatments can also help pregnancy sciatica. Everyone is unique and the the best approach for you may not be the same as for someone else.
Is sciatica pregnancy massage useful?
Pregnancy massage could be helpful for sciatica, depending on the cause.
Having a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your sciatica is our recommended initial step. If Sciatica is resulting from misaligned joints in your spine or pelvis, then Chiropractic care if often indicated.
How to relieve sciatica in pregnancy
With quickly changing biomechanics in pregnancy, the best way to relieve sciatica is to help take away any extra unnecessary stress building up in the body.
An assessment will help us determine where the stress in your body is coming from, which is causing the presentation of sciatica and the best way to address it. Our clinical experience tells us that using a combination of modalities specific to the client often achieves best results.
Related articles:
- Is it safe to visit a chiropractor when pregnant?
- Tummy time and why it’s important for your baby
- Back pain experienced when pregnant
Why Choose Us?
Care for your family
Start Chiropractic Care with a Complimentary 15 Minute Consultation.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of sciatica pregnancy, we offer you natural treatment options that can significantly improve your health and well-being.
We are looking forward to helping you with your pregnancy and overall health goals, and providing you with safe, gentle, and effective Chiropractic care.
Dr. Kerry Falzon (Chiropractor) is a highly experienced health professional who enjoys serving all age groups in our community. Dr. Kerry offers you over a decade’s worth of experience helping newborns, pregnancy, mums, dads, grandparents & athletes.
Dr. Kerry Falzon (Chiropractor) is the principal chiropractor and founder of Our Family Chiropractor. Kerry studied a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science degree and followed this up with a Master of Chiropractic. Kerry has a passion for natural healthcare, particularly helping her clients achieve optimal nervous system health and spinal function. Areas of clinical interest include care for pregnant women, paediatric care, newborns, mums, dads, grandparents & athletes.
