Relief Of Sciatica During Pregnancy

As a woman progresses along in her pregnancy and the fetus continues to grow bigger, there is a greater likelihood that she may develop sciatica. It has been estimated that up to over 50% of women will develop sciatica symptoms during their 3rd trimester. The good news, however, is that these sciatica symptoms will disappear for most of them. For a few unlucky ones the sciatica nerve pain will continue.

As the fetus grows and the uterus along with it, more and more pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve. The spinal column has to bear a greater forward weight. There is more pressure on the lower back to correct for posture as a greater curvature begins to develop in the spinal column. Hormonal changes that allow the muscles and joints of the hips and pelvis to expand, to allow the fetus to grow, now provide less support for the back. And of course the abdominal muscles themselves will stretch a great deal giving very little support.

The sciatica symptoms can manifest themselves as anything ranging from a tingling feeling or numbness to outright sharp shooting pains that usually begin in the lower back and extend through the buttocks and down the legs.

One way to help prevent this problem is by exercising before you become pregnant paying special attention to the abdominal muscles and those of the lower back and hips. It's always a good idea anyway to try to stay in shape. Even if you do get sciatica there are exercises your doctor can recommend that will help to alleviate the pain. Also by doing these exercises, while pregnant, your sciatica will disappear sooner after you give birth, instead of lingering on for up to several weeks.

It is never a good idea to take any kind of medication while pregnant due to the danger it imposes on your unborn child. So for immediate relief of sciatica pain there are a couple of things you can try. They may be temporary at best, but may help you to get through. Try laying on your side. This will be the side that is located opposite to the pain. The change of position will help to shift some of the weight off of the sciatic nerve bringing about some temporary relief.

Deep muscle massage of the back and the legs is another way of relieving the pressure and tension of those areas. A licensed masseuse can be a great asset at this time.

Stretching exercises that your physician recommends will aid in strengthening the affected muscles and joints. Yoga is a low impact exercise program that can be utilized as well.

Warm compresses applied to the back and the back of the legs bring temporary relief as will a warm relaxing bath.

Swimming is an ideal way to not only get exercise and strengthen muscles but it has the added value that it takes the weight off of your spine and your abdominal muscles at the same time.

If at all possible try to prepare your body beforehand, otherwise try some of the suggested ways to bring some relief of sciatica pain.

Alex Ralbeck is a sciatica relief expert. For great information on relief of sciatica, visit my website at http://www.stretchingforsciaticatips.com for helpful tips and information on relieving your back and leg pain.

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Some Home Treatments For Sciatica Nerve Pain

The pains that come from pressure placed upon the sciatic nerve from either muscle or joint inflammation or a vertebral disc that is out of position can be mild or intense. The pain can be centered in the lower back or it can radiate into the buttocks and down the legs. When seeking treatment for sciatica nerve pain there are several options you can try.

Surgery should probably be considered as your last option when all else has failed to bring relief. What we need to achieve is to reduce inflammation in the affected area and relax tightened muscle. One treatment method is massage therapy. By a series of massage techniques such as cupping, effluage, rolling and nerve compression among others, the affected muscles are made to relax and improved blood circulation is brought into the area. This helps to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and thus the pain is reduced.

Reflexology is another way that pain relief from your sciatica can be sought. With reflexology certain points along the body correlate to the extremities and other organs. The area that helps with lower back and sciatica pain is located on sole of the left foot.

Acupressure and pressure therapy can be used by the direct use of pressure to the affected area. A tennis ball can be used and is rolled around the area using moderate pressure to help relieve the pain. Sometimes it is applied while laying down with the ball under the lower back or the thighs in an effort to bring pain relief.

Using yoga positions to help improve blood circulation is another way to help ease the pain and help with the healing. Different yoga stretches not only improve blood flow to the areas in question but help to loosen tight muscles. One such position called downward facing dog is effective in stretching the piriformis muscle of the lower back as well as the thigh muscles and hips.

Whirlpool baths are another option that can be employed to massage the areas that are tense and in pain. The warm water first acts to relax the muscles and reduce the tension. Then the jets of pulsating warm water gently massage the lower back, the hips, and the thighs. You get the benefit of having all areas massaged at the same time.

Massage chairs and vibrating cushions have been used by some with good results. They work by setting up a vibrating motion to different areas of the chair one at a time or all the areas simultaneously. They can help to reduce some tension in the tight muscles and stimulate blood circulation, but for really tough chronic cases of sciatic pain nothing compares to deep muscle massage.

Stretches also will prove to help with loosening tight muscles. You need to do the right ones to really help yourself and not do any further injury to the area. Therefore check with your health professional first or a physiotherapist. If allowed, moderate ones they can be used are sitting on the floor with legs outstretched and then stretching your arms out and trying to touch your toes. Another one is lying on the floor with legs outstretched and then bending at the knee and with your arms around the leg below the knee, gently trying to pull it back toward your chest.

Alex Ralbeck is a sciatica relief expert. For great information on nerve sciatica treatment, visit my website at http://www.stretchingforsciaticatips.com for helpful tips and information on relieving your back and leg pain.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

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Best Sciatica Exercises for Reducing Pain

An area specific, progressive program focused on the root cause of your pain may produce the best results. The overall goal of exercise should be to reduce pain, condition your spine, and strengthen back and pelvic muscles. A successful program may also prevent recurrences.

Specific Diagnosis

Receiving a specific, medical diagnosis is essential. Exercises that are beneficial if you have spinal stenosis may not be beneficial if you have a lumbar herniated disc. Remember, the wrong kind of exercises can cause additional pain and suffering. See a medical professional before you start any type of sciatica exercise program, even if you're thinking about engaging in exercises that are seemingly harmless.

Exercise Correctly

To get the most out of any exercise program and even avoid further damage, you need to use proper form while exercising. The best way to learn how to do your exercises correctly is to seek the advice of a professionally trained medical specialist (physical therapist, chiropractor, etc).

Some of the best sciatica exercises are:

Core Muscle Strengthening

Several sciatica exercises concentrate on strengthening the abdominal core area and back muscles in an effort to provide you with better back strength and support.

Stretching Exercises

Stretching exercises target the muscles that actually cause pain when they are wound up and inflexible. When sciatica sufferers take part in an exercise regime that includes stretching, they typically recover quickly and are less likely to suffer future episodes.

Hamstring Stretching

Many sciatica problems will benefit from hamstring stretching. The hamstrings muscles are located in the back area of the thigh. If they are overly stressed or tight, lower back stress will be increased, intensifying sciatica symptoms. Exercise tends to relax this muscle group.

Aerobic Exercises

Along with specific sciatica workouts, aerobic conditioning will encourage overall body fitness. Walking is a great form of exercise for the lower back because it is low impact; however, it still provides you with nearly all the benefits of a cardio workout.

Taking care of your sciatica should be a part of your daily lifestyle, not just a temporary routine. Besides exercising on a daily basis, individuals with sciatica issues should reduce day-to-day stress on the lower back by:

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