Anyone else suffering from sciatica?

[Picante]

It's so painful. I can't walk further than the corner shop. I can't go swimming as apparently that will make it worse. I'm turning into a blob!

I'm waiting for a referral to a physio by my gp but is there anything else I can do?

I'm 22 weeks btw.

Oh I know how you feel... I had this with my last pregnancy... Get them to check for SPD... could be the start of it

xx

Actually some people find swimming helps their sciatica as the water can be soothing and takes some strain off of the muscles supporting your lower back. It is one of those things that you would have to try some simple exercises with and see if it helps you or not.

A few other things you could try:

• using a birth ball...avoid spreading your legs too wide and hold onto a chair for support...rocking back and forth/side to side, you may find a position or motion that provides some relief...you can also place the birth ball up against a wall, and stand facing away from it as you lean back against it with the ball right where the discomfort is while rocking side to side.
• sitting backwards in straightback chair that has no arms....put a pillow in front to lean against the backrest...this allows for a gentle stretch of your lower back
• have partner use counter pressure....off the sides of your back bone, very low on your lower back, continual steady pressure is applied with the heels of the hands....I do this often in labour...an alternative to this is moving hands out a bit further, just behind the hip bones, and gently pressing heels of hands towards each other with steady pressure
• warmth or ice packs might help as well

also try getting one of those pelvic support belts - they work when not pg so will probably work well when pg too - there are special ones for pg.

birth/gym ball = excellent idea - strengthens core muscles which can contribute to sciatica.

You could try seeing an osteopath - mine helped me enormously (but then I have been seeing him for 11 years all in, pre, peri and post pg) - there must be ones who specialise in pg women.

If you normally do yoga then gently yoga would probably help - if you don't normally do it, now is not the time to start.

There is a leg-swinging exercise you could try as well - you need to stand on a step, sideways on, with something to hold onto. Stand on your non-sciatic leg, and swing your sciatic leg back and forward in a straight line, as far as you can in each direction without needing to tilt your pelvis or back. This can help to release the sacro-iliac joint tightness and help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.

I find when I have sciatica the most comfortable position for me is the child position as it stretches my lower back see here

You dont need to wait for a referral from your GP as you are pregnant, you can self refer, ask your midwife.

Are you at work? My work bought me a back rest thing for my chair that really helped a lot.

You have my sympathy.

I had it when pg with DS and unfortunately I still suffer 5 years on (sorry!) Or as the doc called it mechanical joint sacro-illiac problems. Or summit like that!!

It's so uncomfortable, but I was encouraged to go to the pool, to do gently movements in the water.

Also had tubi grip that went over the whole of my hips, like a very mini-skirt! It was really tight but helped a great deal. Unfortunately I was carrying DS in 2003 - the hottest summer since the '76 heatwave, so it mainly stayed on the bedroom floor!

Also, sleep with a pillow between your legs. I found having something to seperate my legs and hold my upper leg in line with the hip helped immensly.

I feel for you

thanks for that link trixy - have just tried that to see if it helps ongoing sciatic pain.

I was given exercises by the physio which helped.

Luckily my sciatica didn't last long when I was pregnant, hpefully yours won't either.

I had sciatica before being pg, it didn't get any worse being pg but I suffered afterwards with bf'ing and now with lifting DS.

Thanks guys. I'm seeing a chiropractor who works more like an osteopath so he's quite gentle, and I've found a very gentle pregnancy yoga class. Will try swimming as well.

Check if your chiropractor is trained in the Webster technique....can be beneficial later in pregnancy. Hope you find some relief!

If it makes you feel better mine was at its worst between about 22 and 26 weeks. It never went completely (although it was at its best right at the end) but it did get to a liveable with stage. My GP also told me to take paracetamol because that can help to release it.

Try to find a good thai massage therapist, I am in Doncaster if you need one and a former midwife... otherwise go to the Embody website for a Qualified Registered Therapist neer you

thats Near... you... if they have not done massage for a pregnant woman it is ok to do the massage in the side position but ensure that your tummy is supported by a pillow and that you are comfortable, you can always get them to contact me for advice on Thai Massage in Pregnancy... if you are on your back they need to make sure you have a wedge under the mat on the left side to releiv epressure from the Aorta.... check out my website if you would like further info/advice at lanna-thai.co.uk.
It is fantastic for helping the birthing process as it entails Thai Yoga moves and stretches and loosens up... epsecially around the pelvic area...one lady I looked after all the way through her pregnancy with a lot of stiffness joints muscles and back ache ... and she had a fab easy birth... coincidence... she didnt think so