Sciatica relief?

FilbertTree · August 2015

Hi ladies. Apologies if this is a repeat, I did a quick search but nothing I found was entirely relevant.
The past couple of weeks on and off I've been having what I think is sciatic nerve pain. It's almost electrical tingling and discomfort from my lower back to the top of my legs. Its a quick flash, and then it's gone. I know that heat can be beneficial in easing the discomfort, but it seems to strike most often when I'm at work and taking a hot bath or grabbing a heat pack isnt an option. Any other recommendations? Thank you!

nmwheel1 · August 2015

I've been told to get prenatal massage and my OB showed hubby how to rub it for me. My sciatica pain gets so bad that my right leg gives out. They gave me a prescription for the prenatal massage so my breath benefits will cover it.

rachswi · August 2015

Chiropractor! He can straighten out your back so the nerve isn't getting pinched!

Pontot31 · August 2015

The only thing they helped me last pregnancy was seeing a chiropractor.
I was getting monthly massages and stretching and nothing worked. It completely went away with the chiro.

VexedMommy · August 2015

Stretching can help. Getting up and walking around throughout the day also works since sitting for long periods of time can exacerbate the problem.

greyphoenix · August 2015

I have herniated discs so my sciatic has been bothering me as I get bigger. I had a prenatal massage that helped but I can't do that every week. She suggested rolling a tennis ball in the area that hurts. I use a shiatsu pillow to work out the muscles and hot showers.

Favoritemandms · August 2015

Yoga & stretching. Google pigeon and seated pigeon poses.

jamiem522 · August 2015

I get sciatic pain so bad too. It's usually because I've been on my feet to long at work (I'm a hairstylist) and relief is hard. I stretch a lot, hubby does massage and I do pelvic rocking to get baby off my back and give him more space. I have had to sleep with my knees bent and propped up on pillows to get relief a couple times in the last few weeks. I am trying the chiropractor this week too... It's been too long and I'm up for anything that could help!

logarithm3 · August 2015

I had this for a while as well and used tiger balm on the area over night. Seems to calm it down for a couple weeks. Disclaimer : I've searched the Internet regarding the safety of tiger balm and it seems inconclusive (according to FDA) as to whether it is safe for pregnant women so I try not to use it too regularly. The relief is amazing though and I have not managed to find out what exactly is unsafe about using it.

dapoint23 · August 2015

I'll be making an appointment with a chiropractor today and stretching has been my only relief, but has anyone tried accupuncture with any success?

Bettytteb · August 2015

Another vote for chiropractic!! I just started seeing one who specializes in the Webster Technique (prenatal specific chiropracitc care) for my sciatica/piriformis syndrome. I've only been once but it helped already!

mamavbs · August 2015

I use heat for mine

which is unhelpful as you've said you're at work. Can you get the stick on heat packs that you snap and they heat up? They may be easy to keep in a drawer and get out when needed. Light stretching helps me too, I sometimes have to force myself to walk as it hurts a little bit more before it eases it.

VexedMommy · August 2015

mamavbs said:

I use heat for mine which is unhelpful as you've said you're at work. Can you get the stick on heat packs that you snap and they heat up? They may be easy to keep in a drawer and get out when needed. Light stretching helps me too, I sometimes have to force myself to walk as it hurts a little bit more before it eases it.

I have a reusable heating pad at work. We have microwaves here so I just heat that up every so often and use it.

sierramonet18 · August 2015

I have sciatic nerve pain as well, im 26 weeks and of course its only getting worse with time ! My OB told me to get a pregnancy support belt! havent gotten the chance to yet but i plan on it this week. So far tiger balm, heating pad, and hot showers or baths have helped me. I also put a cup or two of epsom salts in my bath to help with pain and swelling! hope this helps !

sapick87 · August 2015

Chiropractor all the way! I had it so bad I couldn't walk on my right leg at all. Which makes taking care of my four year old interesting! Started seeing a chiropractor the next day and got so much relief by the second adjustment.

dmiller1213 · August 2015

Sleeping with a pillow between my legs has helped a lot with my pain. It's not a permanent fix but it does help

irsikb · August 2015

Omg! It's running my life. I've had it since about 8 weeks as well. I'm 30 weeks now.

A few techniques/tips to try:
-Keep a chart of your water in-take and make sure you're getting enough. This helps with muscle spasms and tightness.
-check your shoe supports, I was a 3 inch heels daily kinda girl, and now I sport my sketchers go walks and comfy work flats everywhere.
-yoga helps especially in the morning and right before bed.( you can also stretch at work which helps) Make sure you are doing hip release moves, you can YouTube suggestions.
-I sat on a tennis ball on each cheek to hit pressure points as well as a yoga roller, you get them at target, to help with muscle release in the butt. Super hard muscle to get to. You'll know the pressure points when you hit em. Yowza! And you can YouTube the yoga roller if you aren't familiar.

-alternating between ice packs for 20 minutes and hot compresses. You can take ice packs to work and keep them in a freezer to use and put under your shirt on your lower back at work....or wal mart sells some that you just pop and shake...no freezer needed. I've actually works a lot better than heat, the nerve is inflamed and that why it causes issues, ice helps with inflammation hear relaxes muscles but doesn't helps with inflammation.

-if you are into essential oils try valor on your back, wasn't especially helpful for me but I've had some friends say it works wonders.
-if your comfortable with it, Tylenol.
-I did physical therapy for a little while and they recommended some basic back strengthening moves (all I was already doing, I love to golf so I do a lot of back strengthening and stretching) but if you haven't been you can research lower back strengthening/stretch moves like hip thrusts and twists. Ultimately that sent me to an aquatic therapist. I love the pool, you can do a lot of core strengthening and back strengthening moves in the pool without a lot of stress and sometimes it's just nice to relieve pressure.
-my chiropractor is now my bff from this, I would be miserable without her, but that's a personal decision on comfort with chiros. I've been going for years for alignments. Also, if you do, ask around for somebody who is familiar with pregnancy adjustments.
-massages are also wonderful, I do suggest asking if they have the maternity pillows. If not, they will do a side massage. This is more of a Swedish massage and is very relaxing, but hard to get into the hip area. I prefer the maternity pillows because I can lay on my belly and they can get more pressure to problem areas, closer to a deep tissue. Totally up to you on preference but worth asking the question.
- I also have a belly support called Blanqi, I purchased it on amazon. It's like spanx and goes under clothes unlike some of the other belly bands I've seen. It's amazing!

Ultimately I had to do an epidural injection and it's amazing hoping it holds.

Make sure that you are talking to your doctor, because normally to get into a physical therapist or pain specialist, should it escalate that far, you have to have a referral from your ob which can be a time consuming process...

Hope this helps!

katiedhunter · August 2015

I'm wondering if anyone has gone to the chiropractor and gotten a massage in the same day. I see the chiropractor tomorrow morning and was going to get a massage in the afternoon. Just wasn't sure if it's recommended. I'll of course ask the chiropractor tomorrow but was just curious if it can be done.

vomitrosa · August 2015

I just had a massage last night and the relief lasted maybe an hour or two, same thing with my daughter. I've heard chiropractors can work wonders....maybe i'll try that next. For now, I just try and lean to my other side.

irsikb · August 2015

katiedhunter said:
I'm wondering if anyone has gone to the chiropractor and gotten a massage in the same day. I see the chiropractor tomorrow morning and was going to get a massage in the afternoon. Just wasn't sure if it's recommended. I'll of course ask the chiropractor tomorrow but was just curious if it can be done.

My chiropractor said its fine, but she did prefer to be seen AFTER the massage, so that adjustment was easier.

VexedMommy · August 2015

katiedhunter said:

I'm wondering if anyone has gone to the chiropractor and gotten a massage in the same day. I see the chiropractor tomorrow morning and was going to get a massage in the afternoon. Just wasn't sure if it's recommended. I'll of course ask the chiropractor tomorrow but was just curious if it can be done.

A local chiropractor always pairs an adjustment with a massage. I'm not sure of the order of operations though.

FilmFreak933 · August 2015

katiedhunter said:

I'm wondering if anyone has gone to the chiropractor and gotten a massage in the same day. I see the chiropractor tomorrow morning and was going to get a massage in the afternoon. Just wasn't sure if it's recommended. I'll of course ask the chiropractor tomorrow but was just curious if it can be done.

I do this every other week. I usually get adjusted first, and then I get my massage. I think the combo really helps.

katiedhunter · August 2015

Thanks ladies. Unfortunately couldn't get in for a massage but the adjustment still felt wonderful!!! I'm going for a massage next week though.

rwillet0607 · September 2015

irsikb said:
Omg! It's running my life. I've had it since about 8 weeks as well. I'm 30 weeks now.

A few techniques/tips to try:
-Keep a chart of your water in-take and make sure you're getting enough. This helps with muscle spasms and tightness.
-check your shoe supports, I was a 3 inch heels daily kinda girl, and now I sport my sketchers go walks and comfy work flats everywhere.
-yoga helps especially in the morning and right before bed.( you can also stretch at work which helps) Make sure you are doing hip release moves, you can YouTube suggestions.
-I sat on a tennis ball on each cheek to hit pressure points as well as a yoga roller, you get them at target, to help with muscle release in the butt. Super hard muscle to get to. You'll know the pressure points when you hit em. Yowza! And you can YouTube the yoga roller if you aren't familiar.

-alternating between ice packs for 20 minutes and hot compresses. You can take ice packs to work and keep them in a freezer to use and put under your shirt on your lower back at work....or wal mart sells some that you just pop and shake...no freezer needed. I've actually works a lot better than heat, the nerve is inflamed and that why it causes issues, ice helps with inflammation hear relaxes muscles but doesn't helps with inflammation.

-if you are into essential oils try valor on your back, wasn't especially helpful for me but I've had some friends say it works wonders.
-if your comfortable with it, Tylenol.
-I did physical therapy for a little while and they recommended some basic back strengthening moves (all I was already doing, I love to golf so I do a lot of back strengthening and stretching) but if you haven't been you can research lower back strengthening/stretch moves like hip thrusts and twists. Ultimately that sent me to an aquatic therapist. I love the pool, you can do a lot of core strengthening and back strengthening moves in the pool without a lot of stress and sometimes it's just nice to relieve pressure.
-my chiropractor is now my bff from this, I would be miserable without her, but that's a personal decision on comfort with chiros. I've been going for years for alignments. Also, if you do, ask around for somebody who is familiar with pregnancy adjustments.
-massages are also wonderful, I do suggest asking if they have the maternity pillows. If not, they will do a side massage. This is more of a Swedish massage and is very relaxing, but hard to get into the hip area. I prefer the maternity pillows because I can lay on my belly and they can get more pressure to problem areas, closer to a deep tissue. Totally up to you on preference but worth asking the question.
- I also have a belly support called Blanqi, I purchased it on amazon. It's like spanx and goes under clothes unlike some of the other belly bands I've seen. It's amazing!

Ultimately I had to do an epidural injection and it's amazing hoping it holds.

Make sure that you are talking to your doctor, because normally to get into a physical therapist or pain specialist, should it escalate that far, you have to have a referral from your ob which can be a time consuming process...

Hope this helps!

Thank you!!! I am seeing a physical therapist tomorrow but going to also take your suggestions into consideration too

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