Sciatica During Pregnancy: When Pain Makes Everyday Movement Difficult
Sciatica During Pregnancy: When Pain Makes Everyday Movement Difficult
Sciatica during pregnancy can be incredibly uncomfortable.
That familiar pain travelling from your lower back or buttock, sometimes down into your thigh or leg, can make everyday movements feel much harder than they should.
Getting out of bed. Walking to the shops. Getting dressed. Sitting at your desk. Getting in and out of the car. Even turning over in bed can become something you have to think about.
While sciatica in pregnancy is common, you don't simply have to put up with pain because you're pregnant.
As a pregnancy osteopath in Milford, Auckland, I work with women experiencing sciatica, lower back pain, pelvic pain and other pregnancy-related aches and pains. Treatment is adapted to your stage of pregnancy, your symptoms and what you need to be able to do in everyday life.
What is sciatica during pregnancy?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It travels from the lower back through the buttocks and down each leg.
When the tissues around the lower back, pelvis and hips become irritated or sensitive, you can experience symptoms along the pathway of the sciatic nerve.
Pregnancy sciatica can feel different for everyone. You might experience:
Pain in your lower back or buttock
Pain travelling into your thigh or leg
A sharp, shooting or burning sensation
Aching through the buttock or hip
Tingling or pins and needles
Stiffness through your lower back or pelvis
Pain when walking
Pain when standing for long periods
Discomfort when sitting
Pain when getting in and out of bed
Difficulty turning over in bed
Sometimes symptoms are relatively mild. For others, sciatica during pregnancy can significantly interfere with everyday life.
Why can pregnancy cause sciatica?
Pregnancy brings constant changes to the way your body moves and carries load.
As your baby grows, your centre of gravity changes. Your pelvis and spine have to adapt, while the muscles and joints around your lower back, pelvis and hips are working differently.
You may also naturally change the way you sit, stand, walk and sleep.
Add in the physical demands of pregnancy — and perhaps looking after older children as well — and it's understandable that your lower back, pelvis and hips can start to feel sore and overloaded.
Sciatica isn't necessarily caused by one single thing. Your symptoms may be influenced by a combination of changes occurring throughout your body.
That's why I take a whole-body approach rather than simply focusing on the area where you feel the pain.
What does pregnancy sciatica feel like?
One of the frustrating things about sciatica is that it can make completely ordinary movements uncomfortable.
You may notice pain when:
Getting out of bed in the morning
You wake up stiff and sore and getting from lying to standing becomes a challenge.
Turning over in bed
You finally find a comfortable position, only to discover that rolling over causes pain through your back, pelvis or leg.
Walking
You may find that walking your usual distance is uncomfortable or that your stride has become shorter because of pain.
Getting dressed
Putting on trousers, underwear or shoes can become surprisingly difficult when bending or balancing on one leg aggravates your symptoms.
Getting in and out of the car
Twisting your body to get your legs in or out of the car can cause pain through your lower back, buttock or leg.
Sitting at work
Long periods sitting at a desk or in the car can make symptoms build throughout the day.
Looking after older children
Picking up toys, helping with shoes, lifting your toddler or carrying your child can become painful.
Exercising
You may find yourself avoiding walking, strength training, Pilates or other activities because you're worried about making the pain worse.
These are the things that matter when you're pregnant.
It's not just about whether you have pain — it's about what that pain is stopping you from doing.
How can an osteopath help with sciatica during pregnancy?
When you come to see me, we'll start by discussing your symptoms and how they're affecting your everyday life.
I'll assess your movement and look at the way your lower back, pelvis, hips and surrounding areas are functioning.
Depending on your individual presentation, osteopathic treatment for pregnancy sciatica may include soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation, articulation, muscle stretching and other appropriate hands-on techniques.
Treatment is adapted to your stage of pregnancy and your comfort.
The aim is to help reduce discomfort and improve your movement so that everyday activities become easier.
Rather than only treating the area where you feel the pain, I look at the whole body and how different areas are working together.
What else can help pregnancy sciatica?
Treatment is only one part of helping you manage pregnancy-related pain.
I'll also give you practical advice based on what you're struggling with.
This might include looking at:
How you get in and out of bed
Sleeping positions and pillow support
Sitting at work
Driving
Walking
Lifting and carrying
Looking after older children
Exercise and staying active
Positions that feel more comfortable
Ways to modify activities that are aggravating your symptoms
The goal isn't necessarily to stop doing everything that hurts.
Instead, we can look at how you can keep moving while modifying activities where needed, so you can continue doing the things that are important to you throughout pregnancy.
Do I have to stop exercising if I have sciatica?
Not necessarily.
It can be tempting to stop exercising completely when something hurts, particularly if you're worried about making your sciatica worse.
However, depending on your individual circumstances, staying active and modifying your exercise may be more appropriate than stopping altogether.
We can discuss what you're currently doing and identify movements or activities that feel comfortable and ways to modify those that don't.
If you're experiencing significant pain, weakness or other concerning symptoms, it's important to speak with your midwife, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
When should I see an osteopath for pregnancy sciatica?
You don't have to wait until the pain becomes unbearable.
If sciatica is affecting your ability to sleep, walk, work, exercise, drive, get dressed or look after your children, it's worth getting some help.
You can see an osteopath at different stages of pregnancy, and treatment can be adapted as your body changes.
And if you're thinking, “I suppose this is just what pregnancy feels like,” — you don't necessarily have to accept that.
Pregnancy can be physically demanding without you having to suffer through pain unnecessarily.
When should I seek medical advice?
Although sciatica and lower back pain are common during pregnancy, certain symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
Speak with your midwife, GP or seek urgent medical care if you experience severe or rapidly worsening pain, significant weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genital or saddle area, fever, trauma, vaginal bleeding, contractions or other symptoms that concern you.
Your healthcare team can help determine whether further assessment or investigation is needed.
Pregnancy osteopathy in Milford, Auckland
I'm Sarah, a pregnancy and postpartum osteopath in Milford, Auckland, and a mum of two.
I've been working clinically for more than 10 years, with more than 8 years specialising in pregnancy and postpartum care.
I know how much pregnancy can change the way your body feels and moves, and I understand that pain can affect far more than just your physical comfort.
My approach is warm, practical and individualised. I'll listen to what you're experiencing, find out what you're struggling with and tailor your treatment to you and your stage of pregnancy.
Whether you're experiencing sciatica during pregnancy, pregnancy lower back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain or other pregnancy aches and pains, you don't have to simply put up with it.
If pregnancy sciatica is getting in the way of everyday life, I'd love to help.
Book an appointment with me in Milford, Auckland, and we'll work together to help you move more comfortably and make everyday activities a little easier.
You deserve to feel supported throughout your pregnancy — not just told to put up with the pain.
