Advice from a Sciatica Pain Doctor Near Me In New Jersey

To determine if your discomfort is related to the sciatic nerve, look for the following sciatica symptoms:

• Shooting pain that travels through the hips and legs
• Weakness or numbness in the lower half of the body
• Pain that grows in intensity when you sit or lie down
• Difficulty being in the same position for prolonged hours

What’s the cause of sciatic pain during pregnancy?

Issues with the lumbar spine, such as a bulging or herniated disk, are the most common causes of sciatic nerve irritation. Muscle tension and weakened joints might trigger sciatica symptoms during pregnancy and are unrelated to some other lumbar spine condition.

If you are experiencing sciatica pain during pregnancy, it’s probably because of one or more of the following:

• Excess water retention and weight gain can put additional stress on the sciatic nerve as it travels through the pelvic and compress it.
• The sciatic nerve in the bottom portion of your spine may be compressed by your growing uterus.
• Your lordotic curve is stretched as your tummy and breasts become larger, shifting the center of gravity forward (the dip just above your butt). The muscles in your glutes and pelvic area may contract and compress the sciatic nerve as a result.
• When your baby begins to nestle into the correct birth position in the third trimester, their head might rest right on the nerve.
• A herniated or slipped disc can occur as a result of the increased pressure exerted by your expanding uterus, although it is less frequent.

When during the pregnancy do the symptoms appear?

In most cases, women who experience pregnancy sciatica do so during the third trimester, when both they and the baby are growing in size. Most women only have discomfort on one side of their body, however, it can affect both legs on occasions.

Depending on how much pressure is applied to the nerve, pain can be different for each person. As you gain weight and retain more fluid, the pain may also intensify.

Sciatic pain can continue to bother you for a few months once you’ve given birth until you’ve lost the additional weight and fluid that’s compressing the nerve.

Which treatment methods are recommended?

Pregnancy sciatica can be treated using a number of self-care approaches. Massage, stretching, mild exercise, heat and cold treatment, pregnancy support belts, and correct posture are some examples. Medication, such as anti-inflammatory pills, is rarely recommended during pregnancy. In more severe cases, epidural steroid injections may be recommended, but in small doses.

The following are the most commonly recommended pregnancy sciatica treatment methods:

• Massage: Prenatal massage may help relieve pain, inflammation, and discomfort caused by the sciatic nerve. It’s recommended to choose a therapist that specializes has expertise with prenatal massage.
• Stretching: Stretching your back and abdominal muscles lightly during pregnancy might help to relieve back discomfort and soreness. Light stretching can also help alleviate sciatic nerve pain by easing up muscle tension.
• Certain exercises: Exercises such as walking, indoor cycling, yoga, and swimming are all suitable to do while pregnant. Always discuss with your doctor to ensure that certain activities are suitable for you to practice while pregnant.
• Maternity support garments: Sciatic nerve discomfort might be relieved by using maternity support garments. These support garments are effective because they equally distribute baby weight and provide postural support. Using the garments throughout pregnancy might help alleviate discomfort, improve balance, prevent falls, and restore mobility and flexibility.

Do you have any additional tips for coping with pain?

Because there is no way to know for sure how much the body changes during pregnancy, we can’t exactly do specific things to prevent sciatica pain. There are, however, a few things you can do to reduce symptoms, including:

• Hot and cold therapy
• Take breaks to relax your muscles whenever necessary
• Rest on the side that does not create discomfort
• Avoid sitting for prolonged hours
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Manage weight gaining in a healthy way

If sciatica pain becomes too difficult to keep under control, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a sciatica pain doctor near you in New Jersey, to find the best possible treatment option. You can find our dedicated sciatica specialists in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall, in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club, and in Woodland Park clinic, on McBride Avenue, right next to Woodland Park Dialysis Center.