When does sciatica in pregnancy start

Unfortunately, many women suffer from sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy. This is most likely due to an pre-existing lumbo-pelvic problem that is exacerbated by the added physical stress of pregnancy. Even if this is your first time with sciatica pain, your problem is likely due to a pre-existing postural asymmetry.

Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy

During pregnancy your body releases more of the hormone called progesterone in order to increase ligament laxity. This process helps to support the growing baby, but puts additional strain on your joints. The additional strain on asymmetrical postures will wear on the joints unevenly and create muscle tension and the unbearable sciatic pain many women experience during pregnancy.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is increasingly more common, because of its high level of success without the use of drugs or surgery. This is important because pregnant women aim to avoid drugs and surgery as it might threaten the health of the unborn baby.

Some chiropractors are trained specifically in Webster’s Technique, which was developed address a pregnant women’s pelvis. Webster's technique focuses on adjusting the sacrum in order to better align the pelvis. In addition to helping the birthing process, Webster’s Technique may help to reduce sciatic pain during pregnancy – even as early as the first trimester!

Do You have Chiropractic Questions?

Pregnancy related Sciatica Pain isn’t the most common symptom to develop in the first trimester, but it does happen. So, what should you do if you start to develop sciatica pain first trimester? You could ignore the pain, try to work through the pain or seek gentle Chiropractic Care.

Dr. Geoff Huls is willing to schedule a free phone consultation to answer any questions you may have before you schedule your appointment. Call 520.989.3338 and ask for a free phone consultation today!

Treatments for sciatic pain during pregnancy include massage, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. Self-treatment of sciatic pain during pregnancy includes exercises to help stretch the muscles of the leg, buttocks, and hip to decrease the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Some people also find nonweight-bearing exercises, such as swimming, to be helpful. This is because the water helps to support the weight of your baby.

Try these five stretches to help ease sciatic pain and discomfort during your pregnancy.

1. Seated piriformis stretch

The piriformis muscle is deep in the buttocks. When tight, it can irritate the sciatic nerve. This stretch will help relieve tightness in the muscle. This can help decrease sciatic pain.

Equipment needed: none

Target muscle: piriformis

1. Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the ground.
2. If your left side is affected, put your left ankle on your right knee.
3. Keeping a straight back, lean forward until you feel a stretch through your buttocks.
4. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat throughout the day.

2. Table stretch

This feels great during pregnancy. It helps stretch the muscles of the back, buttocks, and the back of the legs.

Equipment needed: table

Target muscles: low back, spinal stabilizers, hamstrings

1. Stand facing a table with your feet slightly wider than your hips.
2. Lean forward with your hands on the table. Keep your arms straight and your back flat.
3. Pull your hips away from the table until you feel a nice stretch in the lower back and back of the legs.
4. You can also move your hips side to side to increase the stretch in the lower back and hips.
5. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat twice a day.

3. Pigeon Pose

This popular yoga pose helps relieve sciatic-like pain during pregnancy. With a few small changes, it can be practiced comfortably while pregnant.

Equipment needed: rolled-up towel or yoga block

Target muscles: hip rotators and flexors

1. Get on your hands and knees on the floor.
2. Slide your right knee forward so it’s between your hands.
3. Slide your left leg back, keeping your foot on the floor.
4. Place the rolled towel or a yoga block under your right hip. This will make the stretch easier and allow room for your belly.
5. Lean forward over your right leg. Slowly lower yourself toward the ground, putting a pillow under your head and arms for support.
6. Hold for 1 minute. Repeat on other side. Repeat a few times throughout the day.

4. Hip flexor stretch

The hip flexors are the muscles along the front of the hip that help move the leg forward during movements like walking. Many women have tight hip flexors during pregnancy. This can affect pelvic alignment and posture, causing pain.

Equipment needed: none

Target muscles: hip flexors

1. Kneel on the floor on your hands and knees.
2. Step one foot in front of you so that your hip and knee are at a 90-degree angle.
3. Shift your weight forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your back hip and leg.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on other side.

5. Glute and hamstring foam rolling

A foam roller is an inexpensive piece of equipment you can use to help massage your muscles. Foam rolling is a great way to soothe and relax tight muscles that may be contributing to increased pain. The roller acts like a mini massage for tight muscles and connective tissue.

Equipment needed: foam roller

Target muscles: hamstrings, calf muscles, glutes, piriformis

1. Place a foam roller on the ground.
2. Sit on the foam roller, supporting yourself with your hands behind you.
3. Cross one foot over the other knee into a “figure 4” position.
4. Slowly move your body back and forth over the foam roller until you find a tender spot.
5. Continue this movement over the sore area for 30 to 60 seconds.
6. Slowly move over the foam roller until you find another tender area. As in step 5, continue over the area for 30 to 60 seconds.
7. Repeat on other side.

Lumbar radiculopathy, commonly called sciatica, is a term that describes symptoms of pain, numbness, and/or weakness that originate in the lower back and radiate along the sciatic nerve into the buttock, thigh, and leg, sometimes including the foot. Sciatica is uncommon in pregnancy and usually does not occur as a result of the growing fetus or bodily changes that take place at the time. However, the symptoms may be experienced due to other underlying medical conditions.

Sciatica pain is fairly common during pregnancy. Watch: Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video

Read on to learn how sciatica may occur in pregnancy, common types of pregnancy-related pain that may mimic sciatica, and tips for effective sciatica relief while pregnant.

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Symptoms of sciatica

Sciatica is typically characterized by a shooting, searing pain that travels down the buttock into the thigh and leg, sometimes including the foot. The symptoms almost always occur on one side at a time. The affected leg may feel heavy and weak.

Read more about Sciatica Symptoms

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When a pregnant woman experiences sciatica, it is most likely due to a herniated disc in her lower spine that affects the spinal nerve roots. This occurrence is rare and may take place in one in 10,000 (less than 1%) pregnancies.1

While a herniated disc itself may not develop because of the pregnancy, research suggests that this condition is higher in pregnant women above 30 years of age,1 which is a common age group for herniated disc problems.2

See Lumbar Herniated Disc: Causes and Risk Factors

Posterior pelvic pain may mimic sciatica in pregnancy

A common type of pregnancy-related pain—posterior pelvic pain (pelvic girdle pain) may cause symptoms that are similar to sciatica. Posterior pelvic pain is common during pregnancy and may affect up to 76% of pregnant women. This pain may also be experienced up to 2 years after childbirth in 5% to 8.5% of new mothers.3

• In posterior pelvic pain, a stabbing, dull, shooting, and/or burning pain may be felt in the posterior pelvic area.
• The pain may extend into the buttock and radiate to the groin and back of the thigh.
• This pain, unlike sciatica, is often impossible to locate precisely and may change in type or area(s) affected as the pregnancy progresses.3

The exact cause of posterior pelvic pain is not well understood and the pain may result due to hormonal, metabolic, or other biomechanical changes that occur during pregnancy.

Tips to relieve sciatica during pregnancy

Several home treatments can help relieve sciatica symptoms while pregnant. As a general rule, any new treatment, including oral or topical medication, must be discussed with a doctor before use to reduce the risk of side effects to the growing fetus.

Use heat and ice therapy

When sciatica is acute, ice therapy may help numb the pain and relieve symptoms immediately. Ice therapy works by decreasing pain signals and reducing blood flow and helps relieve inflammation.

For chronic or recurring sciatica, try heat therapy. Application of heat helps dilate blood vessels, improve blood and nutrient flow, and reduce muscular soreness, aiding in the healing process.

See Should I Use Ice or Heat for My Lower Back Pain?

Perform pregnancy-safe stretches and exercises

Several stretching and strengthening exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy. Talk to your physical therapist or doctor about starting a home-based exercise program appropriate for your stage of pregnancy.

Exercise helps promote and support proper posture, which is essential to avoiding unnecessary stress to your lower back.

Watch Video: 3 Easy Exercises for Back Pain in Pregnancy

Go for short walks

Walking short distances may improve function and stability in the lower back. The compressive forces that occur on the spinal discs while walking may help supply nutritive fluids to these structures.4

If you’re new to walking or any exercise, start with 5 minutes and gradually add 5 to 10 minutes each week, as tolerated. It is important to keep hydrated and prevent overexertion, which can lead to complications. Cycling, stair steppers, ellipticals, swimming, aerobic dance, and yoga are other safe exercise options when performed under the guidance of a medical professional.5

See 2 Walking Tips to Avoid Sciatica Pain

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Fewer than 2% of pregnant women with herniated discs may develop cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency that causes severe neurological deficits.1 Common symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include severe weakness and numbness in both legs, loss of sensation in the groin and pubic area, and decreased or complete loss of bowel and/or bladder movements.1 Cauda equina syndrome must be treated immediately to preserve leg function.

See When Sciatica Pain Is a Medical Emergency

Sciatica and back pain symptoms should always be addressed as quickly as possible and managed throughout the course of pregnancy. While sciatica is not a common occurrence in pregnant women, it is possible, and a good understanding of the underlying cause can help manage the symptoms and prevent recurrences.

Learn more:

Management of Back Pain in Pregnancy

Sciatica Exercises for Sciatica Pain Relief