exercise with pregnancy sciatica

huntjul

Although I'm only 10 weeks, I already got diagnosed with pregnancy sciatica.  Wow, does it ever hurt!  I'm off to the chiropractor/PT tomorrow, and they'll probably answer some more of my questions, but I was wondering, any of you able to exercise successfully with this?  I had been running, but that's definitely out as it makes me limp.  Swimming still seems okay, and I'm going to try lifting weights, just arms.  Any other thoughts?

blu-eyedwife

I got sciatic pain during my pregnancy - usually I just worked on moving the little guy off my sciatic nerve (this work when they're still small enough to move!) by gentle pushing.

I was really worried about what would happen when he got too big to move off the nerve, but I noticed that if I was good about doing my pilates workouts (I did the 10-minute solutions prenatal pilates video) I didn't have the pain as much.  And I never ended up having to worry about moving him those last few weeks.

vlagrl29

I'm sorry you got it so soon.  I got mine when I was 6 months pregnant.  I had to spend the whole month of december at home.  Any movement would make me cry in pain.  alternating between hot and cold really help along with tylenol every 4 hours. I saw a chiro and PT as well and none of it helped.  I do remember doing back exercises to make my back stronger because I was having sacrum pain as well

huntjul

Thanks for the thoughts and well-wishes.  The chiropractor today adjusted me and gave me some exercises, and I'll see her again next week.  This is just way before I thought I would be having this degree of pain.  I figured, third tri, right?  I don't even have a bump yet.

ssemovsk

I have a very very mild case of it so i can only imagine what you are going through. I have been going to a chiropractor since week 10 and i think she has saved my life lol I would do yoga exercises - i think those are going to be your best bet and i would recommend them regardless because yoga is phenomenal especially during pregnancy

blushingbride_08

I got mine about 7 months. Yoga helps.

love4b

My midwife recommended doubling or tripling the amount of Prenatal DHA (omega 3's) I'm taking and it has made the sciatica SO much better. It's a really powerful anti-inflammatory and also great for baby's fast growing brain.

I'm currently on about 3500mg a day and almost completely pain free.  

Good luck! 

krae771

I have had sciatica since about 6 weeks (12 weeks now), luckily still pretty mild.  I was a runner and have had sciatica on and off for a couple of years before pregnancy...at points quite severe.  I went to a chiropractor for a few months w/  limited success and eventually stopped going.  I have been able to continue exercising and stay in good shape....just had to learn what to do and not to do.  This is what I have learned about exercises that I could tolerate or didn't worsen the sciatica:

Worsened the sciatica:  Running, elliptical, overdoing it on certain yoga moves like pigeon pose (feels good at the time, eventually noticed a flare in my sciatica after doing those types of moves), walking up inclines or stairs

Good:  Biking, any strength training that doesn't aggravate the sciatica while I am doing it, yoga

I am sure swimming would be good, but I don't have access to a pool.  If it hurts while you are doing it, stop and try something else or you will probably pay for it later.