Pinched Sciatica Nerve & Pregnancy

I have sciatic nerve issues in my first trimester. I did all sorts of stretches to help it several times a day. Honestly, I think it was time passing that helped the most. It went away by the time I was in my second trimester!

My holistic chiropractor was the best during my pregnancy. She specialized in women and children (including infants). Although they don't usually adjust herniated disks, the chiropractor that I saw in PA has a special table to help relieve the pressure of herniated disks.

chiropractic!! Worked for my herniated disc and pregnancy related sciatica. Ice when it's really bad, for ten minutes at a time, once an hour. Advil/ibuprofen when you're not pregnant, and lidocaine injections after baby (not cortisone).

get a tennis ball and sit on it right in the area it hurts. then move it around the sore area.

SWIMMING POOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And spend time either on your hands and knees or on your knees leaning against a chair/couch/bed with your belly dangling.......

I was having a major prob with sciatic nerve pain which was leading to tense muscles all through my hips, especially on my left side. I am 35 wks prego and it was really weighing me down and the pain when waking in the morning was just horrible. I decide to use a tennis ball on my rear to help relieve some of the muscular pain and it has been amazing for me. Now I don't know with the herniated disks if you can get on the floor, which is what I do. But maybe sit on one on the couch and just let it release some tension in the glutes. I do have a chiropractic appointment next week as well, so that is another great option. Good luck, wish you the best and congrats!

The herniated disks are likely only going to get help through physical therapy/traction and steroid injections. If those fail, then surgery. Also, are they lower or upper (cervical?) ,b/c the treatment and techniques vary on the location. My mom went through this with cervical disks and had to have surgery.

For the sciatic nerve pain, "the simplest remedy is to lie on your side, opposite of the pain. This may help relieve the pressure on the nerve. Avoid heavy lifting and minimize standing for long periods of time. If you experience pressure while standing, try elevating one foot and resting it on something. Swimming may also ease discomfort.

You may experience relief by applying heat or cold to the troubled area. Your health care provider may recommend acetaminophen to relieve the pain. " Also, eat a lot of bananas... the potassium helps according to my Dr.

from here:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/sciaticn...

I would contact your doctor to see if you can see a Chiropractor.
I had a herniation in my back for 9 years and it hit the nerve in my leg, once my entire leg went numb and took 3 months to for it to unnumb, but finally I had surgery in 2010 to shave the disk. But being pregnant I would see if you would be able to see a Chiropractor maybe using the activator method can give you some relief...I know that is very painful.

NOt sure how to relieve the herniated disks. That all depends on how bad tehy are and where they are located. My husband had surgery several years ago for herniated disks and still has some pain. But for the sciatica, I went through physical therapy years ago. Stretching my hamstring helped a lot. I have not really had too much pain with it since and when it does come up, I make sure I stretch it. Another thing you could do is lie on your side opposite the pain side and have your husband lift your leg slowly--to the best you can-and push gently on your hip where the pain is generating. That is what the therapist did and it was so much better. It helps take off some pressure.

Stretching and massage for sciatica. Don't know about the disks but I know they are more serious! My sciatica issues went away after the baby was out so hopefully yours will get better too.