Sciatica! - San Diego,CA

Find a chiropractor that specializes in pregnant women. Had same problem. Got worse with second. Dr. Was a life saver. I can't remember the name of the technique. Maybe someone will help me out so you can Google it specifically. Good luck. That pain sucks! Also, sleep with pillow in between legs.

Chiropractic was the only thing that worked for me! I also had a few massages which helped somewhat, and iced it when it flared up in between. A maternity support belt can help as well!

Chiro. They have (well at least my does) a special table for moms to be. Made a HUGE difference for me at the end.

No need to suffer!

I would also recommend seeing a chiropractor - they can work miracles!

Have you tried a chiropractor? They can do amazing things. :)

Hi A.,
DO NOT use Castor Oil as one person suggested. You are pregnant and there is some research that suggests it might cause early labor and delivery.

I had sciatica pain also and the only true healer of that is physical therapy / chiropractic. If that is too expensive / not covered by insurance try just walking as best you can. Walking every day for 20 minutes will do wonders for it, I promise.

I tried massage therapy at first but it didn't do any good. The only thing that helped me was a chiropractor. I had never been to a chiropractor before, but my OB actually recommended it so I trusted him and went. My lower back was in such bad shape that I had to go to my chirpractor 4-5 times to get back to normal and then I went a few more times about 2 months after my daughter was born. My back actually hurt worse after my first appointment but I just kept going and I was so glad that I did because I was finally able to walk without pain again.

I had it with my second pregnancy only. It was so bad that it was the first thing I thought of when I found out I was pregnant for the third time! I did daily stretches that only helped a little. If I had to do it over again, I would've gone to a chiropractor. Hope you get some relief soon!

I had the same and it was quickly relieved by a visit to a chiropractor who uses soft manipulation (massage) techniques. I was very, very wary of chiropractors and very hesitant but my OB went to the person I ended up going to who was awesome. I didn't wait long to go and relief came quickly as opposed to a few friends that waited to go and it took more treatment & exercise than I required. Go to someone who works alot with pregnancy. My person is retired but Debra Pear in Santa Monica is good if you are near.

With 20 previous responses, I'm sure someone mentioned chiropractic care already. With each of my last two pregnancies, chiropractic helped me make it through. I started my last pregnancy with a torn hip muscle... which ended up affecting the way I walked, which made the middle of my prgnancy unbearable. Don't ask me why I waited to deal with it, there isn't a clear reason. But when I finally started getting adjusted again, my pregnancy actually improved. Just be sure to see someone who's skilled in pregnancy adjustments. You lay differently than you would if you weren't pregnant. It feels *so* good.

Chiropractor! I didn't believe in them and had horrible sciatica with my first pregnancy. I had physical therapy but that only took the edge off the pain. Then I had chronic back pain after the baby was born. I went to a chiro when baby was a year old and she got me moving again. I've been going to her ever since and had no problems whatsoever during my second pregnancy. She was able to adjust me while I was sitting up so third trimester wasn't an issue. Most will take insurance too (or offer cash discounts). Congratulations on your pregnancy!

In addition to the excersizes, my midwife told me to eat lots of bananas as the potassium helps with it. The belly belt, magnet therapy, chiropractic care and massage therapy are also things that can help. I'm so sorry, it's the worst, I would wake up in the middle of the night screaming in pain.

I had this too when I was pregnant. You should try soaking in a epsom salt bath. This will help a lot. Put some lavendar in it too to help you sleep better at night! I hope this helps, best wishes:)

Just seeing the word sciatica gives me the creeps. I have two places in my lower back that are pinching my sciatic nerve...seeing a specialist Jan 7th can't wait. Since June I have been thru the worst pain...like waking up everyday and having a baby...it was that severe. Yea...they gave me a list of exercises to do....I tried doing them...but my pain was so severe...couldn't do them...I couldn't even get down on the floor. I have trouble sitting, standing, driving a car, getting in a bubble bath, walking, putting my shoes and socks on, bending, carrying stuff....you name it. I have used the tens machine...it did help some....narcotics...yes...but I just stayed asleep all day...might as well been dead. You can use ice packs...but only 20 minutes at a time...I feel for you for real...it has changed my life...never again will I help anyone lift a huge tv!! I learned my lesson. Just waiting to see what the specialist says. I have damaged my sciatic nerve root....it is better after 6 months....but my back is very fragile....and I still have pain every minute of the day...just not extreme anymore like it crippled me. Good luck!

Definitely try all the support stuff you can. You have to take some of the pressure off the nerve. If you are sitting in a chair, try to be sure your feet are supported, if possible with a stool. Don't let your feet hang or dangle. You can also try foot massages. Look up the reflexology of the foot and massage the back heel and the arch. I would also get massages. Just call around and tell them how far along you are. Some will shy away, but you will find one that will help. The massage did wonders!

Acupuncture or acupressure for sure! there is a spot on the side/bottom of your butt cheek that if you press on it, it will hurt like a *(#*)#)@, but when you release that spot, the pain in your sciatica will slowly disburse. I actually did this for a co-worker friend at work and it was hilarious, but she was so happy afterward;)

Oh, I remember this. Worst pain ever. My spine would twinge just making a left turn while sitting in the passenger seat of the car! What helped me was a belly band for support and daily walking. My OB said I needed the endorphins to counteract the pain. It worked miracles. The next step was going to be physical therapy which I didn't end up needing. No speed walking necessary; just waddle around the block for 1/2 hour every day. And wear the belly band all the time. I hope you get some relief!

I understand your pain. The belly belt helped a lot. I got the one that has a support belt under your belly and then a back brace. It was $40 at Motherhood Maternity, but I've seen some cheaper at Babies R Us. Also, good shoes. My doctor told me to not wear heels or ballerina shoes, but a good supportive sneaker. Not pretty, but works. My doctor recommended an accupuncturist, but it wasn't covered by my insurance so I didn't go.

Sorry you're going through this A.! I had the same issue with my son starting around 18 weeks :(

Try icing the middle of your back (not down by your butt or hip where it hurts, but the actual middle). Sciatic nerve pain comes from the nerve being squeezed by all the other stuff that's crammed in around there and a little ice can really help.

A belly band also really helped me. Seems silly, but it really made a lot of difference.

Make sure you're in good shoes.

I found that any stretch that made me feel better right in the moment (the ones that make you say "yeah, right there") ended up getting it all revved up in the long run. Do the recommended exercises each day, ice your back throughout the day and hope your growing belly knocks something back into place before March :)

Hope this helps,
T.

A good chiropractor can straighten you right up!

Best of luck!

Pigeon pose cured mine when I was pregnant. Find a good yoga instructor who can teach you the proper way to do the pose in a sitting position since you're pregnant. It really helped me.

I SO know how you feel (cept I am not preggers)... as I am sitting here at work with horrible sciatic pain right now!

SWIMMING POOL!!! That and try spending some time on your hands and knees-- I used to watch TV on my knees, laying half across the coffee table with my belly hanging down-- takes the pressure off!

Happened to me also...
- wear a belly support belt. This will add support to your lower back.
- warm "masssage" showers aimed at the trouble site.
- chiropractic massage