Pregnancy is a magical time for many women, but it can also be a source of discomfort and pain. Sciatic nerve pain is a common issue faced by pregnant women as the baby grows bigger and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. This can cause shooting pains and numbness in the lower back and legs, making it difficult to get through the day. Fortunately, there are several stretches that can help relieve sciatic nerve pain and make pregnancy less uncomfortable. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of sciatic nerve pain and discuss how pregnant women can use specific stretches to reduce their discomfort and manage their pain. We’ll also provide links to helpful resources that can provide further information and advice.
Why does sciatica occur during pregnancy?
Your joints may become loose as pregnancy hormones circulate throughout your body. Other muscles around your hips and pelvis will compensate if they can’t support your weight, and they’ll frequently spasm. These spasms may increase pressure on the sciatic nerve, which could result in tightness. This causes sciatic symptoms, such as leg pain that is shooting.
How does physical therapy relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy?
Unlike muscles, you canât stretch nerves. Theyâre like pieces of rope. To give the nerve mobility when they are tight in one place, you must loosen them in other places. â.
Simply put, you must loosen the nerve to immediately relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy. Â From there, itâs important to strengthen the surrounding muscles. Your body can make room for and adapt to the increased load of pregnancy with the help of your core, glutes, pelvic girdle, and pelvic floor muscles being strengthened. Physical therapy can assist most women in stabilizing their joints after pregnancy hormones have loosened them. Within the first 7–14 days, there will be immediate relief from sciatic nerve pain, and it will continue to get better. If the pain does not subside after 4 weeks, it is time to reevaluate the course of treatment.
Pilates Exercises for Sciatica in Pregnancy
It may be a shooting, sharp pain or a deep, dull pain. Sciatic pain can range from mild to severe. It often goes away with treatment.
You will experience intermittent shooting and burning pain that usually only affects one side. You might experience pain in your lower back, your thigh, and the back of your leg all the way to your foot.
Problems with the lumbar spine, such as a bulging or herniated disc, frequently result in sciatica.
Sciatic-like symptoms are common with low back pain in pregnancy.
Muscle tension and unstable joints can also be the source of sciatic symptoms. Pregnancy-related sciatic pain is frequently brought on by sacroiliac (SI) joint issues and pain in the pelvic region.
Your babys weight can also add to SI joint trouble or piriformis syndrome because it puts extra pressure on your pelvis and hip joints. Also, the position of your baby can add pressure to your sciatic nerve.
If you have ruled out medical causes of your sciatica but are still in pain, it’s possible that you don’t have any of the typical risk factors. Here are some possible triggers for sciatica.
Throughout your pregnancy, you will likely gain weight, which is normal. Being extremely overweight is not ideal because doing so adds to the pressure on your sciatic nerve. Your risk of developing sciatica increases with your level of weight.
Wearing high heels and un-cushioned shoes can trigger sciatica. Walking can cause ground forces to move up your lower extremity and into your back and hip structures.
Do you put things in your back pocket? If so, it may irritate your piriformis muscle if you sit for an extended period of time with it there. When this happens, the sciatic nerve may also become pressured.
FAQ
How do you massage a sciatic nerve while pregnant?
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Should I stretch if my sciatic nerve hurts?