Can I avoid sciatica?

I had it a couple of times, first in 2005 where it dragged on for months getting more and more painful, then early 2006 *wham* I was incapacitated but managed to feel better in a few weeks. Keeping my butt muscles stretched has kept it at bay since. Please, if someone has battled sciatica in the past and now in your twin pregnancy, you are avoiding it, share your secrets!

 

What is sciatica?

 

Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five nerve roots that give rise to the sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body.

And it really, REALLY hurts!!

 

I've found that prenatal yoga really, really helps keep my back happy and (mostly) pain-free. Also, a good chiropractor and/or massage therapist who's knowledgeable in treating pregnant women can be a godsend. I also try to switch positions often so things don't get "locked up." Sometimes you just can't do much about the babies' positions and they're gonna getcha no matter what, but I've found that I've had less sciatica this time around than with my singleton. I contribute that to the preventative measures I've taken with this pregnancy.

Good luck! Sciatica is just the pits!

Eve

 

I had sciatica and it sucked! I got a massage focused on that (which was painful but I think necessary) and two acupuncture treatments and I haven't had any pain since 30 weeks or so. It is hard to tell if this did the trick or if it was always going to go away, but my friend who is an acupuncturist insists that is what did it. Good luck.

 

Floating in the water as much as possible (to get the extra pressure off) and some good lower back/butt/upper thigh massage has saved me. Even just 10-15 min from a semi-willing partner! I’ve got two herniated discs since my last pregnancy and I was terrified. But it honestly hasn’t been that bad. That and just taking it easy in general, which you are more than entitled to.

 

I've fought massive sciatica during my pregnancies and the chiropractor is what kept me upright and goin. Massage and stretching also helps but sometimes babies like to hang out in the most painful spots and there isn't much you can do. Good luck!

 

I have had problems wiht this pregnanyc. I saw a physio who gave me some gental exercises, a special support belt and ways to sit. She also suggested I ice it when it gets bad which helps a heap. Hope this helps.