Pregnancy is comparable to a series of marathons, and for some women, that’s reflected in their associated aches and pains. Sciatica in pregnancy is a common symptom, but not something that needs to be braved until delivery.

What is Sciatica?

The nerve that runs down the back of the thigh is the sciatic nerve, and when it’s irritated it can cause a shooting pain, ache, pins and needles, numbness, or weakness. This is sciatica. There are a number of potential causes for it, from compression of the nerve as it exits the spinal cord to muscular irritation. Your osteopath will take a detailed case history and examine you thoroughly to work out exactly what’s going on.

Why Pregnancy Increases Incidence

During pregnancy, a combination of weight gain, change in posture, and hormonal factors make these aches and pains more likely. The image below shows how, in the third trimester, the bump brings the centre of gravity forward. This makes the lower back curve deeper, which asks more of the back and thigh muscles. Exercise and strengthening can help to limit this postural change to an extent. But if the gluteal muscles are working harder, they may impinge on the sciatic nerve (illustrated above).

The glutes are likely working harder anyway, as the pelvic ligaments begin to soften early on to prepare for labour. So they take on a stabilising role that they wouldn’t normally fulfil. If your sciatic nerve happens to run near the piriformis muscle (deep in the glutes), then tension in that muscle can irritate the nerve quite easily.

Managing Sciatica in Pregnancy

Your osteopath can assess the whole body to determine where any underlying issues might lay. Maybe there’s some stiffness in the back that means the lower back has to work harder, and releasing it can take some demand off the muscles. Or maybe there’s a ground-up approach that could help to bring the centre of gravity back towards its usual position.

With this information in mind, we can devise a treatment plan. This will likely involve work to relax the gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and lower back muscles. Work to the joints of the lower back, pelvis, and hips can provide some quick relief too. Exercises to strengthen muscles might also be appropriate to help take the strain off. You might also want to try swimming, or pool based antenatal classes to help you move while reducing the weight of the bump.

Exercises can help to keep your progress going between appointments. Simple stretches to keep muscles from getting too tight might be appropriate, or maybe the joints need a daily reminder to keep moving. Gentle hula hooping motions or rocking on a swiss ball might suit your pain and energy levels, but a specific plan will be tailored just for you at your appointment. We can also advise you about using a cool or warm compress or TENS machine, which some women find especially helpful during labour itself.

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