Many a pregnant woman has woken in the dead of night to the feeling of what is surmised as sciatica. "Sciatica" suggests a numbness, shooting pain or tingling inherently linked to the sciatic nerve--the body's longest and widest nerve, which runs from the spinal cord down through the hips, buttocks and backs of both legs before branching off. Thus, moms-to-be and other back pain sufferers ponder whether sciatica is present and, if so, whether stretching exercises are good for sciatica.
Is It Sciatica?
Bear in mind the caveat that sciatica is a symptom, not a disorder, and true sciatica occurs in only a scant 5 percent of all back pain sufferers. The Mayo Clinic and "The Merck Manuals Home Edition," for instance, both note that respective of the causation, most sciatica--even the acute kind--will resolve on its own within a couple of months. However, this does not address the pain or other disabling aspects that piggyback on the symptom. To receive a confirmation of whether true sciatica is present, you must consult a physician and then move forward on a treatment plan that might or might not involve stretching exercises.
Stretching Exercises and Sciatica
Stretching exercises that strictly avoid twisting, jerking or bouncing motions are likely to be most beneficial to those with sciatica. Stretching exercises should target the lower back, and their associated positions should ideally be held stable for at least 30 seconds to attain the maximum benefit. Simple stretching workout routines twice a day could lead to sciatica relief for many pregnant women as well.
Other Treatments for Sciatica
Whether the patient is a pregnant woman or other sciatica sufferer, regular exercise moves a person toward good health through the release of endorphins and stimulation of the body's processes. Early in sciatica, the exercises to address a person's pain are low-impact activities such as water exercise or stationary bicycling. Then, once a person is up to speed on an exercise regimen, aerobic activity, core stability and strength training exercises can be added to inhibit the effects of age-related pain. Sciatica, some experts say, can also be addressed through massage, acupuncture or other "alternative" medicine avenues. Others affirm the efficacy of alternating hot and cold packs or tried-and-true pain relievers such as acetaminophen or aspirin. What works best for you in treating sciatica is a topic best broached with your physician.
Pregnancy, Back Pain and Sciatica
A pregnant woman's back works around-the-clock to buttress her expanding midsection. Thus, it's no surprise that sciatica or other back and leg pain issues might blossom at this time in a woman's life. Pelvic tilts, pelvic lifts, table-top bends and lower back stretches can all be used, under an obstetrician/gynecologist's guidance, to good effect in a pregnant patient contending with sciatica. By bulking up the muscles of the hips, back and abdomen, a pregnant woman is better able to combat the sciatic aspects seen in some pregnancies.
Member Comments