“Carrying a baby is the most rewarding experience a woman can enjoy!”
Jayne Mansfield
Pregnancy is a delicate yet exciting phase of every woman’s life!
Sometimes this journey may become frustrating due to an unbearable pain that radiates from your lower back down your buttocks and legs.
Are you one of those would-be mothers experiencing this debilitating condition?
Well, it could be sciatica pain.
Research shows that during pregnancy, you gain around 10 -12 kgs during the entire 40 weeks span. Weight gain and hormones released during pregnancy often take a toll on your spine. (1)
Many pregnant women may experience poor postures during the day or night sleep or slight distortion of alignment at the lower back region that may compress or cause inflammation to the sciatic nerve. (2)
With all the dramatic changes that pregnancy has on your body, pain is the least and last that you would expect.
Sciatica pain in pregnancy is bad news ☹
But the good news is that the exercise customisations I will create for your sciatica pain or herniated disc helps you predictably rescue your back.
My long-term expertise in sciatica rehabilitation has been recognised not just in London and UK but by many publications around the world quoting my unique expertise on sciatica pain during your pregnancy.
Customised rehabilitation back transformation in London for Hayley, Elizabeth Tiffany Edwards, and many others have been the most successful you will come across in London.
Clients consider me their first to go trustable back exercise pain rehab specialist as I assess, customise and implement the best programme that makes sciatica pain managing a thing of the past.
Book your free consultation now!Why Sciatica Pain is Common During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body weight and belly size rise fast.
Some studies indicate why many pregnant women experience sciatica nerve pain: (3, 4)
- Hormonal effect: Hormonal changes during pregnancy affect physiological functions.
These hormones may cause relaxation of ligaments in the pelvis and other areas.
The hormonal changes causing ligament loosening is a common reason for sciatica pain. (1)
- Weight gain: Putting on 10-15 kgs of weight during pregnancy is common.
Did you know that this results in changes in your body postures?
Are you recently experiencing changes in your body posture as you continue to gain weight while expecting?
Physical changes like weight gain and posture are a few reasons for sciatica pain. (2)
- Postural matter: With all the weight you bear during pregnancy months shifts the body’s centre of gravity anteriorly and this adds pressure on your lumbar spine.
These changes in posture and centre of gravity result in sciatica nerve pain. (5)
- The pressure on your back: Lower back pain is the commonest complaint in pregnant women. Are you also one of them?
Research shows that increased pressure on the lower back due to the growing foetus results in altered mass distribution around the pelvis and abdominal area which is manifested as lower back pain. (6)
Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy
You may experience the following signs due to sciatica pain: (7)
- Pin and needle sensation due to pain or discomfort in the lower back or hip area.
- Loss of sensation due to numbness or tingling in the legs or feet.
- A feeling of weakness in the legs or feet.
- Stiffness around the lumbar area leads to difficulty standing or walking.
- Unbearable sharp or shooting pain down one or both legs.
I will be there for you creating the best, most effective customised exercises which are safe for pregnant women, your rehab programme is always assessment based.
Are you pregnant and struggle with sciatica pain?
If you live in London sciatica pain relief is always safe and predictable when you work with a long-term experienced sciatica personal trainer in London for pregnancy who knows exactly what you need to recover from your sciatica excruciating pain.
How to Manage Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an important phase in a woman’s life.
During this phase, if sciatica nerve pain is affecting your quality of life and compromising your movements, sciatica pain managing becomes an utmost important thing.
Some simple and easy exercises specially customised for you can bring sciatica pain relief. Here are some choices that I will recommend for managing sciatica pain during pregnancy.
- Exercise intervention: I will create different sets of exercises for you based on your comprehensive assessment and pregnancy status.
Exercises and stretching and safe strengthening are some of the main interventions for pregnancy-related sciatica nerve pain that will calm your mind and it will improve your mobility, strength, flexibility and physical fitness.
If you are nearing the delivery date, some focus will be on pelvic floor optimisation and mobilisation to prepare you for childbirth.
The session typically ends with safe stretching, breathing and relaxation.(8
- Chiropractic care: Adding chiropractic care or physical therapy to antenatal exercises can help sciatica pain managing through education and counselling in the following ways:
- Massage to relieve pain: A gentle massage relaxes and soothes your muscles.
A trained acupuncture practitioner conducts acupuncture procedure for sciatica pain relief. (11)
Prenatal massage or acupuncture is safe during pregnancy. (12)
- Temperature works: Heat or cold therapy with warm water gives sciatica pain relief similarly ice packs may help. (13)
- Medication not so safe: In early stages, over-the-counter pain relief medication may help.
But during pregnancy do not take any medication without consulting your gynaecologist.
Prevention of Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy
Prevention of Sciatica Pain During PregnancyHaving to deal with sciatica pain during pregnancy is irritating.
You may prevent it by doing the following: (9, 14)
- Wrong posture may cause repetitive stress on the sciatic nerve hence retraining your body to be able to maintaining proper posture is required.
- Stay active. Perform safe regular exercise and stretching. Walking and aqua aerobics can also help to some extent.
- One major risk factor is staying in the same position for a long time.
Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing gives sciatica pain relief.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects with a jerk.
Using proper lifting techniques avoids acute pain.
- Using a pregnancy support belt avoids strain on abdominal and back muscles.
Conclusion
The prevalence of sciatica pain during pregnancy is very high and popping up painkillers in the long term which damage your stomach and your good gut bacteria is not an option.
What you need is to feel happy, strong and flexible and able to do anything you want and you can reach these goals by working with the right sciatica rehabilitation expert.
Jazz is a London professional trainer with unmatched knowledge and is a long-term expert in sciatica nerve pain rehabilitation.
He is the best-known personal trainer in London and has successfully rehabilitated his clients with tailor-made assessments, exercise rehab customisation and 1-2-1 coaching throughout.
Learn now how Hayley, Jan , Dr Christian, Michaela, Huw , Elizabeth Tiffany, WT Police officer, M Taylor and Franco successfully rehabbed their sciatica, and back injuries and beat their back pain.
With comprehensive assessment, care and customised exercise rehab considering your pregnancy week and health, Jazz will create the most effective and predictable sciatica rehab recovery programme for you.
Keen to get started?
Book Your Free Consultation Now!Who is Jazz Alessi?
Jazz Alessi is the number 1 injury rehabilitation elite personal trainer, sports nutritionist and dietitian in London who believes in 1-to-1 customised approach.
As a leading back injury London rehabilitation expert and elite personal trainer, you will benefit from his long-term successful professional experience in rehabilitating all types of back disorders.
Successful and effective sciatica pain rehabilitation is Jazz’s expertise!
With very effective customised recovery plans for pregnant women suffering from sciatica nerve pain, in a safe way – Jazz will completely transform your back health and into a healthy, flexible, strong and happy individual and prepare you for safe delivery.
With a complete holistic approach, Jazz helps you creating a complete solution to your sciatica pain.
Book your free consultation now!
FAQs
1. Is sciatica pain during pregnancy common?
Yes, there is a very high prevalence of sciatica pain in pregnant women due to changes in their bodies during pregnancy.
2. Can sciatica pain during pregnancy harm the baby?
No, sciatica pain during pregnancy does not harm your baby, however, it is a crippling pain, affects your mobility and quality of life, upsets and cripples you emotionally.
3. Can sciatica pain during pregnancy be a sign of a more serious condition?
Typically, sciatica pain during pregnancy is not a sign of a serious condition. But a proper diagnosis is required as it can cause permanent numbness, weaknesses, permanent neurological damage and even cauda equina syndrome.
4. Can I still exercise during pregnancy if I have sciatica pain?
Yes, you can perform certain exercises that are safe for you and the baby. Performing them under the supervision of a sciatica rehab trainer is safe, effective therefore, is the best way forward.
5. Is it safe to use heat or cold therapy on my lower back during pregnancy?
Yes, using heat or cold therapy can help relax your muscles and give you relief from sciatica pain during pregnancy. It is a way to help you get rid of some pain but you must check this is suitable in your case with your health practitioner .
References:
1. Kokkalaki D, Kesharwani D. Prevalence of Sciatica in Pregnancy and Its Impact on Quality of Life – A Cross Sectional Study. International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research. 2022;7:127-36, https://ijshr.com/IJSHR_Vol.7_Issue.2_April2022/IJSHR019.pdf.
2. Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, Kakavelakis K, Lykoudis S, Makrigiannakis A, et al. Pregnancy-related low back pain. Hippokratia. 2011;15(3):205. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306025/.
3. Manyozo S. Low back pain during pregnancy: Prevalence, risk factors and association with daily activities among pregnant women in urban Blantyre, Malawi. Malawi Medical Journal. 2019;31(1):71-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31143400/.
4. Mogren IM, Pohjanen AI. Low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy: prevalence and risk factors. Spine. 2005;30(8):983-91. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15834344/.
5. Sabino J, Grauer JN. Pregnancy and low back pain. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine. 2008;1:137-41. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12178-008-9021-8.
6. Okanishi N, Kito N, Akiyama M, Yamamoto M. Spinal curvature and characteristics of postural change in pregnant women. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. 2012;91(7):856-61.
7. Valat J-P, Genevay S, Marty M, Rozenberg S, Koes B. Sciatica. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology. 2010;24(2):241-52. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521694209001417.
8. Aparicio VA, Marín‐Jiménez N, Flor‐Alemany M, Acosta‐Manzano P, Coll‐Risco I, Baena‐García L. Effects of a concurrent exercise training program on low back and sciatic pain and pain disability in late pregnancy. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 2023;33(7):1201-10. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.111/sms.14353.
9. Richens Y, Smith K, Wright SL. Lower back pain during pregnancy: advice and exercises for women. British Journal of Midwifery. 2010;18(9):562-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272472175_Lower_back_pain_during_pregnancy_Advice_and_exercises_for_women.
10. Nyiendo J, Haas M, Goldberg B, Lloyd C. A descriptive study of medical and chiropractic patients with chronic low back pain and sciatica: management by physicians (practice activities) and patients (self-management). Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2001;24(9):543-51. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161475401468680.
11. Embaby H, Aboeleneen AM, Hegazy R, Darweesh A. Effect of Acupuncture TENS on Sciatic pain During Pregnancy. International Journal of ChemTech Research 2018;11(7):226-34. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325481619_Effect_of_Acupuncture_TENS_on_Sciatic_pain_During_Pregnancy.
12. Kvorning N, Holmberg C, Grennert L, Aberg A, Akeson J. Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2004;83(3):246-50. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14995919/.
13. Rutkove SB. Effects of temperature on neuromuscular electrophysiology. Muscle & Nerve: Official Journal of the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. 2001;24(7):867-82. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mus.84.
14. Fairag M, Kurdi R, Alkathiry A, Alghamdi N, Alshehri R, Alturkistany FO, et al. Risk factors, prevention, and primary and secondary management of sciatica: an updated overview. Cureus. 2022;14(11):https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9743914/.
