Sciatica "The Scourge & The Treatments"

The body experiences physical changes during pregnancy. As the baby grows, the body has to adjust, which can cause unfamiliar aches and pains. A common issue for pregnant women is sciatica symptoms or lumbar radiculopathy, which radiates discomfort sensations that travel down the lower spine, down the back of the thigh, and into the foot. Chiropractic care and massage therapy can realign the spine and hips, therapeutically massage circulation through the body, relieve symptoms, and restore function.

Pregnancy Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body and the main nerve in the legs. In most cases, sciatica happens when this nerve gets compressed by bulging, slipped, or ruptured spinal discs, arthritis, or spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

Aches and pains that result from sciatica range from mild to severe sensations. Symptoms include:

• Pain that travels from the pelvis down the back of the leg.
• A burning sensation in the low back and buttocks.
• Jolting pain that feels like an electric shock.
• Numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in one leg or foot.
• Tingling sensation in one part of the body and pain in another. 
• Pain that worsens when coughing, sneezing or sitting for long periods.

Causes

Sciatica during pregnancy can be caused by:

• Weight gain is going to pull the spine and muscles down.
• Increased fluid retention can place added pressure on the nerve as it passes through the pelvis.
• The expanding uterus can press down on the nerve in the lower part of the spine.
• The growing belly and breasts shift the center of gravity forward and stretch the lordotic curve causing the muscles in the: 
• Buttocks and pelvis to tighten up and compress the sciatic nerve.
• The baby's head can rest directly on the nerve when settling into the proper birth position in the third trimester.
• A herniated or slipped disc caused by the extra pressure of the growing uterus can be the cause, although this is less common.
• Pregnancy also causes the body to release a hormone called relaxin, designed to relax the ligaments and prepare the pelvis for childbirth.
• Loose ligaments can cause spinal compression and affect the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica will most likely occur during the third trimester when mother and baby are bulking up, but it can develop earlier, although this is less common. Most women experience symptoms on one side, though it can affect both legs. The condition can be constant or intermittent, depending on the amount of pressure placed on the nerve, and can remain for a few months after giving birth when the excess weight and fluid are gone.

Treatment Techniques

Simple home remedies and treatment to help ease the symptoms. These include:

Sleep on Your Side

• Rest on the side of the body that does not present symptoms when lying down.
• This takes the pressure off the compressed nerve.
• Use a full-body pillow to support the hips and legs.

A Hot Shower, Heat, and Ice

• Heat relaxes tight muscles and increases circulation.
• Putting a cold pack on your lower back and rear pelvis can also help.

Consistent Movement

• Consistent gentle movement that does not include too much bending or twisting is helpful to keep the musculoskeletal system active and limber.
• Going for a light walk is recommended.
• A prenatal yoga class can soothe muscles and the mind.
• Low-impact activities like swimming can also be beneficial.

Prenatal Massage

• Prenatal massage can reduce stress, improve blood circulation, and regulate hormones.

Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

• Chiropractic is non-invasive and drug-free, making it a safe and gentle option for mom and baby.
• A professional chiropractor can evaluate the condition. 
• Identify and remove interferences in the nervous system from the source.
• Realign the bones.
• Provide a personalized treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and stretches and strength-building exercises.

Sciatica In Pregnancy

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

American Pregnancy Association: "Prenatal Massage Therapy.

American Pregnancy Association: "Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment."

FRIEDMANN, E. "Narrowing of the spinal canal due to thickened lamina a cause of low-back pain and sciatica." Clinical orthopedics vol. 21 (1961): 190-7.

Goldsmith, Laura T, and Gerson Weiss. "Relaxin in human pregnancy." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences vol. 1160 (2009): 130-5. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03800.x

KULOWSKI, J. "Unusual causes of low back pain and sciatica during pregnancy." American journal of obstetrics and gynecology vol. 84 (1962): 627-30. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(62)90156-4

Trager, Robert J et al. "Ischial osteochondroma as an unusual source of pregnancy-related sciatic pain: a case report." Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 30,1 45. 17 Oct. 2022, doi:10.1186/s12998-022-00451-3

Being pregnant is one of life's many joys, however, with the added weight comes normal back pain that can lead to severe back pain that can lead to sciatica.

Expecting mothers have much to look forward to but when back pain and sciatica take hold, it can be exhausting, frustrating and extremely painful. Women experiencing pregnancy back pain varies from woman to woman. To help prevent and alleviate back pain/sciatica, here are some answers as to how and why symptoms develop and what to do to make the pregnancy a joyful occasion.

Pregnancy Back Pain and Sciatica

Changes to the body throughout pregnancy affect more than its physical appearance.

• The most common change is weight gain. Increased body weight, especially when bending puts pressure on the spinal discs. The most pressure is placed on the low back. Back, leg pain and sciatica are common complaints.
• Weight gain can cause piriformis syndrome and sciatica. The piriformis muscles help with thigh movement. Piriformis syndrome can develop if the muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, which causes a pinching or electrical shock feeling in the buttocks and back of the leg.
• What some might not know is that as the uterus grows, the body's center of gravity gets thrown off. What happens is the uterus expands inside the pelvis, and the spinal nerves in the low back that flow into the sciatic nerve gets compressed and irritated.
• Hormones like relaxin, which is a hormone that relaxes the pelvic ligaments and helps prepare the mother's body for birth. Relaxin loosens the ligaments in the other areas of the body, but primarily the joints in the pelvis, low back, and knees. When exercising or lifting objects it is easy to strain these relaxed areas. Therefore, move slowly, and avoid any sudden movements. 

What Steps To Take

Work with a:

• Doctor
• Chiropractor
• Midwife
• Health care provider to keep body weight in check

Take note of posture:

• Stand up straight
• Shoulders back
• Avoid leaning backward

Try a pillow:

• A standard-sized pillow
• Body pillow to help make sleeping comfortable
• A pillow can be positioned between the knees and under the abdomen for support.

Prenatal yoga helps:

• Stretch and tone muscles
• Maintain flexibility
• Improve balance and circulation
• Relieves tension

Deep breathing plays a major role in yoga and is an added benefit as it can help expecting mothers relax during labor.

Simple cardiovascular exercises like walking or swimming can help keep weight under control and the body in shape. Ask a doctor or chiropractor if these types of exercises are right for you.

Prenatal massage is another option to help relieve pain and tension.

This type of massage eases:

• Anxiety by stabilizing hormone levels
• Back pain
• Pelvic pain
• Hip pain
• Improves circulation and digestion
• Helps reduce fatigue 

A warm shower or bath can helps ease back pain.

Expectant mothers should avoid aromatic oils or aromatherapy candles like:

• Basil
• Juniper
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Star anise

Some of these oils can cause contractions.

Acupuncture is another form of alternative therapy that can treat back pain and sciatica. Sterile, millimeter thin disposable needles are inserted into points on the body that are known as energy channels. The needles help to restore the balance of energy in the body. However, expectant mothers need to be past six months to receive this type of treatment as the energy flow can cause contractions.

Ergonomics At Work & Home

Expectant mothers should avoid:

• Awkward postures
• Over-exercising
• Heavy lifting
• Repetitive work

Especially during the third trimester.

The low back and leg muscles have to work harder to keep the body balanced. Just basic standing or walking can be a challenge. Swelling is common. Make sure to take constant breaks and full-body rest combined with elevating the feet can be very helpful.

Adding an ergonomic and adjustable chair with a lumbar support backrest and footrest is worth the investment. A chair like this can helps take the pressure off of the spine and working at a desk much more comfortable. It benefits to frequently stand and sit continually changing the body's posture and working the various muscles, joints, and ligaments to keep the body loose. And it can be a form of exercise.

Light walking also helps to reduce any swelling through increased circulation.

Hopefully, you will not have to go through any kind of back pain or sciatica. But if pregnancy back pain and sciatica starts to creep in, talk to your doctor, chiropractor, midwife, or health care professional first.

When your body is truly healthy, you will arrive at your optimal fitness level proper physiological fitness state.  We want to help you live a new and improved lifestyle. Over the last two decades, while researching and testing methods with thousands of patients, we have learned what works effectively at decreasing pain while increasing human vitality.

We focus on what works for you. We also strive to create fitness and better the body through researched methods and total wellness programs. These programs are natural and use the body’s own ability to achieve goals of improvement.

Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy Treatment El Paso, TX.

Pregnancy sciatica is a common condition that is brought on by the added weight that irritates, compresses, and inflames the surrounding nerves of the spine. It can cause pain during walking, sitting, sleeping, etc. Keeping the body and baby healthy is the top priority. There are natural remedies to safely relieve pregnancy sciatica.

True Sciatica

True sciatica is when either the roots of the sciatica nerve or the nerve becomes compressed. This compression is commonly known as a pinched nerve. This can be caused by disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs. Sciatica is characterized by pain, tingling, and numbness usually on one side.

• The pain, tingling, numbness runs down the buttock, back of the thigh, and at times down to the foot
• Pain can be constant or it comes and goes depending on the type of movements being performed
• There could be a pulling sensation of the nerve and muscles down the lower back and leg
• There could also be radiating/spreading pain that is felt around the hips

Pregnancy Sciatica Stretches

A highly recommended remedy for the body during pregnancy is to stretch regularly. The stretches listed are for relieving and preventing sciatica and for overall health and wellness. Maintaining a healthy mind and body maintains the baby's health.

Seated Piriformis Stretch

The piriformis muscle can be a significant contributor to the development of pregnancy sciatica. This stretch can help reduce the irritation of the nerve.

Pigeon Pose

This is a yoga pose that is great for stretching the hip flexors and buttocks. This is a stretch that should be eased into when the hips are tight. Do not push/stretch any further than feels comfortable.

Ice/Heat Treatment

The body does become swollen during pregnancy. This can irritate the sciatic nerve in different ways. Heat and ice therapy can reduce the pain/swelling and help the body relax. Whenever the pain presents, use an ice pack, frozen water bottle, or a bag of frozen vegetables. If the pain is in the buttock or leg, apply the ice pack to the low back. The nerve tends to become irritated where it exits the spine in the low back. Hold in place for 15-20 minutes at a time. Although ice usually does the trick, using a heated pad after the ice enables more blood flow to help soothe, relax, and heal the area. It is recommended to wait an hour between ice and heat sessions. Avoid doing either if there is nerve damage or pre-existing conditions that could be affected by the extreme temperatures.

Pregnancy Massage

A professional massage during pregnancy is safe and can bring significant relief. Prenatal massage is different than a regular massage, but the objective and benefits are the same. This includes:

• Pain relief
• Stress relief
• Tension release
• Improved circulation
• Relaxation
• Expedites Healing/Recovery

Inform the massage therapist of the sciatica symptoms and they will target the areas to relieve the pressure on the nerve. Look for a massage therapist that specializes in prenatal massage.

Chiropractor

For an effective, safe, and natural way to relieve pregnancy sciatica chiropractic care is a recommended treatment option. Gentle adjustments of the spine along with hip, pelvis, leg, and feet are done to realign the body, release tight muscles/tendons/nerves and increase blood and nerve circulation. In addition to pain relief, chiropractic can:

• Help with stretches and physical therapy
• Educate on maintaining proper posture during pregnancy
• Educate on maintaining a healthy diet
• Provide postpartum back pain relief

Added Tips

Some small things to add that can help with sciatica pain.

• Sleep on the opposite side when the pain presents
• Use a full-body pillow for support
• Avoid sitting for extended periods. Allowing the body and feet to rest is fine. It is too much sitting that can exacerbate the problem
• Try swimming if possible. This is a good way to exercise while pregnant as it takes the pressure off of the body

Sciatica During the First Trimester

Many women do not experience sciatica symptoms until the third trimester. But it can happen in the first or second trimester. If the pain is severe or is causing sleep problems, it could be time to consult a chiropractor.

Body Composition

Benefits of Strength Training for Women

Healthier bones and joints

Women that do not exercise can lose three to eight percent of their muscle mass as a result of inactivity. Studies show that strength training:

• Increases bone development
• Reduces low back pain
• Reverses skeletal muscle aging factors

Strength training is beneficial for the muscles by helping to reduce joint pain and preventing bone loss.

Reduced anxiety

Lifting weights helps to relieve stress and anxiety. The link between resistance training and stress/anxiety reduction has been shown to be significant. Research shows that resistance training at low-to-moderate intensity is beneficial for reducing anxiety.

Healthy body

Overall resistance training can help individuals feel better about themselves. According to a study, strength/weight training has been associated with significant improvements in body image, positive physical activity behavior, self-satisfaction, and improved quality of life.

Disclaimer

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP, CIFM, CTG*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in Texas & New Mexico

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2018.) “Piriformis syndrome.” familydoctor.org/condition/piriformis-syndrome/

National Institutes of Health. (2019.) “Sciatica.” medlineplus.gov/sciatica.html.

Westcott, Wayne L. “Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health.” Current sports medicine reports vol. 11,4 (2012): 209-16. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e31825dabb8