By
Nicole Galan
Nicole Galan
Reviewed
by Valinda Riggins Nwadike
by Valinda Riggins Nwadike
Causes
| Symptoms | Stretches | Gentle exercise | Massage | Other remedies | Medical
treatment | Diagnosis | Risk factors | Prevention | Outlook
| Symptoms | Stretches | Gentle exercise | Massage | Other remedies | Medical
treatment | Diagnosis | Risk factors | Prevention | Outlook
Sciatica is one cause of back
pain during pregnancy. People can relieve the symptoms using stretches, gentle
massage, and other remedies.
pain during pregnancy. People can relieve the symptoms using stretches, gentle
massage, and other remedies.
Low back pain is one of the
most common complaints during pregnancy, affecting more than two-thirds of
women.
most common complaints during pregnancy, affecting more than two-thirds of
women.
Sciatica is pain that irritation
of the sciatic nerve causes. The main symptom is shooting pain that starts in
the low back and radiates down the leg.
of the sciatic nerve causes. The main symptom is shooting pain that starts in
the low back and radiates down the leg.
Sciatica is one of the less
common causes of back pain during pregnancy. Sciatica is more likely to arise
during the later stages when the fetus is large.
common causes of back pain during pregnancy. Sciatica is more likely to arise
during the later stages when the fetus is large.
In this article, we look at
the causes of sciatica during pregnancy, its symptoms, and ways to relieve this
nerve-related pain during pregnancy with stretches, massage, and other
remedies.
the causes of sciatica during pregnancy, its symptoms, and ways to relieve this
nerve-related pain during pregnancy with stretches, massage, and other
remedies.
Causes
Sciatica is a symptom of
another problem rather than a condition in itself.
another problem rather than a condition in itself.
The sciatic nerve is a large
nerve that branches off the spinal cord in the low back and runs through the
buttocks and down the legs. This nerve helps the lower part of the back, legs,
and feet to feel sensations, such as pressure, pain, and temperature.
nerve that branches off the spinal cord in the low back and runs through the
buttocks and down the legs. This nerve helps the lower part of the back, legs,
and feet to feel sensations, such as pressure, pain, and temperature.
During pregnancy, sciatica can
arise if the growing uterus and fetus put pressure on the sciatic nerve,
causing inflammation, irritation, and pain.
arise if the growing uterus and fetus put pressure on the sciatic nerve,
causing inflammation, irritation, and pain.
Less often, people may
experience sciatica because of a slipped disc in the spine. Also, a spasm of
the piriformis muscle deep in the buttocks can irritate the nerve and cause
sciatica.
experience sciatica because of a slipped disc in the spine. Also, a spasm of
the piriformis muscle deep in the buttocks can irritate the nerve and cause
sciatica.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of
sciatica is pain in the low back, buttocks, and legs. It can start in the low
back and radiate down into the legs.
sciatica is pain in the low back, buttocks, and legs. It can start in the low
back and radiate down into the legs.
Other symptoms doctors
associate with sciatica include:
associate with sciatica include:
- leg pain
- poor bladder control
- numbness, tingling, or pins
and needles in the legs - weakness of the low back or
legs - burning sensation in the lower
extremities - pain that worsens with
coughing, moving, or sneezing
Women experiencing these
symptoms during pregnancy should mention it at their next doctor’s appointment.
symptoms during pregnancy should mention it at their next doctor’s appointment.
People can usually relieve the
pain they connect to sciatica with some simple home remedies. In most cases,
the pain will go away on its own within a few weeks.
pain they connect to sciatica with some simple home remedies. In most cases,
the pain will go away on its own within a few weeks.
Stretches
Light stretches in the back
region are a great way to loosen up tight muscles and relieve pain from
sciatica.
region are a great way to loosen up tight muscles and relieve pain from
sciatica.
The American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women avoid exercises that
involve lying on their back. This is because when in this position the uterus
presses against a large vein that leads to the heart.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women avoid exercises that
involve lying on their back. This is because when in this position the uterus
presses against a large vein that leads to the heart.
Try these stretches each day
to relieve sciatica pain within a few weeks:
to relieve sciatica pain within a few weeks:
1. Seated piriformis stretch
The piriformis muscle is deep
in the glutes, or muscles of the buttocks. Spasms in these muscles can cause
sciatica pain. This stretch can help ease muscle tightness and reduce spasms.
in the glutes, or muscles of the buttocks. Spasms in these muscles can cause
sciatica pain. This stretch can help ease muscle tightness and reduce spasms.
To do the seated piriformis
stretch:
stretch:
- Sit on a chair with feet flat
on the ground. - Lift the left leg and place
the foot on the opposite knee. - Lean forward slowly, keeping
the back straight, until you feel a stretch in the low back and glutes. - Hold the stretch for 30
seconds. - Repeat the move with the right
leg.
2. Child’s Pose
Child’s Pose is a popular yoga
position for people who are pregnant. This simple, restful pose will stretch
the muscles in the lower part of the back and can help ease hip and leg pain.
position for people who are pregnant. This simple, restful pose will stretch
the muscles in the lower part of the back and can help ease hip and leg pain.
To do Child’s Pose:
- Kneel on a soft surface or
yoga mat. - Touch the big toes together and
spread the knees apart to make room for the belly. - Sit with the back straight.
- Inhaling, reach the arms above
the head. - Exhaling, reach the arms
forward and place the palms on the ground. - Sit back, bringing the bottom
towards the heels. - Keep taking deep breaths,
stretching the arms forward a little more with each breath, feeling the stretch
in the low back and shoulders. - Walk the hands back slowly and
return to a kneeling position.
3. Standing hamstring stretch
Stretching the hamstrings,
which are the large muscles along the backs of the thighs, can release tension
in the back, legs, and glutes. This stretch will help keep flexibility in the
muscles around the sciatic nerve.
which are the large muscles along the backs of the thighs, can release tension
in the back, legs, and glutes. This stretch will help keep flexibility in the
muscles around the sciatic nerve.
To do the standing hamstring
stretch:
stretch:
- Stand upright with both feet
on the ground. - Raise the left leg and place
it on a stable object, with the leg straight and the toes pointing towards the
ceiling. - Gently bend forward to stretch
the hamstring muscle. - Hold the position for 30
seconds. - Gently place the foot back on
the floor. - Repeat the stretch with the
right leg.
4. Kneeling lunges
Kneeling lunges work by
loosening the muscles in the hips. This can ease pressure on the nerves and the
muscles surrounding the hips, including the back and leg muscles.
loosening the muscles in the hips. This can ease pressure on the nerves and the
muscles surrounding the hips, including the back and leg muscles.
To do the kneeling lunge:
- Kneel on a soft surface or
yoga mat. - Step the left foot in front so
that the thigh is parallel with the ground. - Exhaling, shift your body
weight forward to feel a stretch in the hip and the leg. - Hold the stetch for 30
seconds. - Repeat the move with the right
foot.
Gentle
exercise
exercise
Doing gentle exercises during
pregnancy can strengthen the abdominal and back muscles to reduce the risk of
further pregnancy-related back pain.
pregnancy can strengthen the abdominal and back muscles to reduce the risk of
further pregnancy-related back pain.
People with sciatica can speak
to a doctor before doing specific exercises to ensure they are safe.
to a doctor before doing specific exercises to ensure they are safe.
Brisk walking, stationary
cycling, yoga, and swimming are good options. Swimming can be especially
beneficial for people who have pain in their lower back, as the buoyancy of the
water can relieve pressure on the joints and muscles.
cycling, yoga, and swimming are good options. Swimming can be especially
beneficial for people who have pain in their lower back, as the buoyancy of the
water can relieve pressure on the joints and muscles.
Learn more about how to
exercise safely during pregnancy here.
exercise safely during pregnancy here.
Massage
Gentle massage over the lower
section of the back can help to relieve inflammation and discomfort around the
sciatic nerve. A person should ensure their massage only involves light strokes
and stops if it feels too strong or painful.
section of the back can help to relieve inflammation and discomfort around the
sciatic nerve. A person should ensure their massage only involves light strokes
and stops if it feels too strong or painful.
When finding a masseuse, it is
best to choose one who specializes in pregnancy massage or has experience in this
area.
best to choose one who specializes in pregnancy massage or has experience in this
area.
People can also try
self-massage at home using a tennis ball. In the early stages of pregnancy, try
lying on the floor with a tennis ball under the lower part of the back, and
rolling it gently around.
self-massage at home using a tennis ball. In the early stages of pregnancy, try
lying on the floor with a tennis ball under the lower part of the back, and
rolling it gently around.
In the later stages of
pregnancy, lean back against a wall or chair support with the tennis ball
between your back and the wall.
pregnancy, lean back against a wall or chair support with the tennis ball
between your back and the wall.
Other
remedies
remedies
In addition to massage and
stretching, there are other things that people can do at home to prevent or
manage sciatica during pregnancy, including:
stretching, there are other things that people can do at home to prevent or
manage sciatica during pregnancy, including:
- Avoid sitting for long periods
by standing up and walking periodically. - Use heat packs on the low back
or buttocks. - Take a warm bath.
- Take over-the-counter pain
relievers, such as acetaminophen. - Use a foam roller on the
buttocks and lower legs. People can choose between foam roller brands online. - Keep good posture when
sitting, especially at a computer. Try placing a support pillow at the back of
the chair.
Medical treatment
If home remedies are not
improving pain associated with sciatica, a doctor may recommend steroid
injections or a nerve block to help reduce the pain.
improving pain associated with sciatica, a doctor may recommend steroid
injections or a nerve block to help reduce the pain.
Doctors can recommend more
advanced and surgical treatments for sciatica, but these are not usually
appropriate during pregnancy. If the pain persists after the baby is born, a
person can talk to their doctor about treatment options.
advanced and surgical treatments for sciatica, but these are not usually
appropriate during pregnancy. If the pain persists after the baby is born, a
person can talk to their doctor about treatment options.
Diagnosis
Low back pain is common during
pregnancy. Sciatica pain is less common, however. A doctor can help work out
the cause of this type of back pain.
pregnancy. Sciatica pain is less common, however. A doctor can help work out
the cause of this type of back pain.
The doctor will first ask
about a person’s history and do a physical exam. They may ask about the type of
pain, what makes it better or worse, when it started, and about any other
symptoms.
about a person’s history and do a physical exam. They may ask about the type of
pain, what makes it better or worse, when it started, and about any other
symptoms.
As part of the physical exam,
a doctor may feel the painful area on the back or legs, or ask the woman to
perform certain maneuvers, such as walking, squatting, or raising a straight
leg. This helps to determine which nerve the pregnancy might be affecting.
a doctor may feel the painful area on the back or legs, or ask the woman to
perform certain maneuvers, such as walking, squatting, or raising a straight
leg. This helps to determine which nerve the pregnancy might be affecting.
Sometimes, doctors may ask for
diagnostic testing to gain more information or rule out other more serious
causes of the pain.
diagnostic testing to gain more information or rule out other more serious
causes of the pain.
Imaging tests to help diagnose
low back pain can include:
low back pain can include:
- MRI scans
- X-rays
- CT scans
Risk factors
Besides pregnancy, people who
are overweight or obese may also be at risk of developing sciatica from
increased pressure on the back and spine.
are overweight or obese may also be at risk of developing sciatica from
increased pressure on the back and spine.
Other people at risk for
sciatica include:
sciatica include:
- people who sit for long
periods - people who have jobs or do
activities that cause a lot of twisting or heavy lifting - people who are older
Prevention
There is no real way to
prevent sciatica. Avoiding too much time spent sitting or in the same position
can help, as can maintaining a healthy weight.
prevent sciatica. Avoiding too much time spent sitting or in the same position
can help, as can maintaining a healthy weight.
Also, protecting the back
through regular stretching and exercise, and avoiding lifting with the back,
are important.
through regular stretching and exercise, and avoiding lifting with the back,
are important.
Outlook
Sciatica, though
uncomfortable, usually resolves within a few weeks. People can treat sciatica
at home during their pregnancy.
uncomfortable, usually resolves within a few weeks. People can treat sciatica
at home during their pregnancy.
If home remedies are not
working, it is important to mention symptoms to the doctor in case a person
needs further tests or more specialized treatment to improve their symptoms.
working, it is important to mention symptoms to the doctor in case a person
needs further tests or more specialized treatment to improve their symptoms.
SOURCE:
MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.