Please Help Sciatica? what can i do.......

[Mum2OneAndBump]

I am 26 weeks pregnant and i have had sciatica since i was 17, obviously not badly since then but it comes and goes.
I have got it severly down my left bum cheek and the top bit of the back of my leg, it is agony, i can hardly walk, i can not even sit still or ie down cause it is still hurts even when its still and resting. It feels like it needs to do a big click i know its the nerve but it really does feel stuck.

What can i do to ease it, going to try and really hot bath but i just can not stand this its really making me cry/upset

Some yoga positions really helped me.

One was lying with my bum against the wall on a cushion with my legs stretched up against the wall.

or

I would go on all fours and rock forwards and backwards or walk on all fours a couple of steps forward and backwards.

On all fours lie across my birth ball rocking.

Message withdrawn

Sciatica where you have it is usually caused by a trapped nerve in the lower back - therefore any exercises that stretch out the lower back will be good.

You are looking for things that make a rounded lower back - so the cat - down on all fours and round your back and stretch upwards until you look like a cat.

Try not to stick your bump out (not easy I know) as this arches the back which pinches the nerve!

soapbox - will remember that one!

Lovecloud i would love to try those positions but i honestly can hardly move, my leg and foot on the left side has gone freezing cold and its feels numb, i think i should go and get in that hot bath

Ok - if its that bad then buy an exercise ball (fitness ball - you can get them from Argos) and just slump forwards over the ball and dangle there for a while! That should open out your spine a bit.

The ball is excellent for labour too!

Take a paracetamol and go swimming, regular stretching of the lower back muscles does bizarrely help. Also do some exercises whilst lying down on a supportive surface, bring one leg up, as far as bump will allow, and then reach it over towards the opposite pelvis. repeat with other leg. Takes a bit of practise, but does help with the stretching. I would recommend an osteopath too.

I was always told to avoid Osteopaths as they are 'unqualified' a physiotherapist is apparently perfectly well qualified to deal with backs!

But may or may not be true???

try changing your shoes to a higher or lower heel than you normally wear. I was having horrible problems, read this advice on some site or other, bought new shoes with a slight heel and stopped wearing my dead flat sandals. The sciatica went immediatley. While it sounds like you've got it much worse it might help.

E

Well had a very hot bath and it has helped to ease it, even know i cryed my way up the stairs and ds (3 yrs) bless him said hold my hand mummy i can help you

I like the idea of the big ball thats sounds great thanks soapbox i will purhcase one of them and see how i get on!

Funny you say about the shoes because just lately i have been wearing flat shoes as i was told in my last pregnancy that if i had a bad back do not wear high shoes not sure if this is true?

I did have physio a few times when i was first diagnosed with sciatica and it did help but i asked when i was pregnant with ds and the doctor said i could not have whilst pregnant is this true?

And just to add i do intend to start a pregnancy class in the water so i hope this may help too!

Tonight i think dp is gonna have to massage my lower back and see how i get on but thanks for the great advice its sure worth trying anything at this stage

Oh no Mum21+!!

I had sciatica (non-pregnant and a chiropractor sorted it out for me for once and (almost) all. I had a twinge in late pregnancy (I know you appreciate what I mean when I say a twinge) and he sorted it out (on his proper pregnant ladies couch with hole for bump!).

If you can find a way to get the money together, go and see a reputable chiropractor. Tell them if needs be you have only a set amount of money and see what they say.

From my experience it is worth every penny.

Where abouts are you?

A chiropractor worked when I had sciatica.

osteopath definitely

Ask your midwife for a referral to the physiotherapist - they are trained to treat sciatica in pregnancy.

Sorry everyone i went to bed and have just found my thread again, thanks for all the info, it has been better since but it does all seem to be middle lower back and down left side of bum and top of leg at the moment. I am due to see my midwife for my 28 week check so i am going to speak to her about it then, as i know it has eased now but it is still there if you know what i mean?

It seems to be alot worse when i lie in bed still or sit for a certain amount of time.

I really do need to get it sorted its been nearly 7yrs now, obviously not constant there but it comes ands goes and really does cause me pain.