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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the best way to get relief from sciatic pain?

    Related Topics
    Back & Neck Pain Pain Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
    I’m 6 months pregnant and experiencing constant sciatic pain down my right leg. What should I do to get relief?
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  • 1

    Agree

    Neil Synnott

    Exercise Physiologist, Physiotherapist

    I am qualified as a PHYSIOTHERAPIST and ACCREDITED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST.I primarily use the McKENZIE METHOD for assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain disorders. The McKENZIE … View Profile

    Hi,

    I'm not sure when you posted this question, put given that you were/are 6 months pregnant, this information may be useful.

    Given you have the extra weight of your baby on your pelvis, and pregnancy hormones through your body, the loading and mechanics through pelvis have been altered. Thus an assessment by a physiotherapist who specialises in women's health is advised. There may be simple strategies that you can apply by positioning yourself to ‘unload’ your sciatic nerve. Only assessment will discover what is best for you.

    Best wishes… Neil (physiotherapist)

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  • Sandra McFaul

    Physiotherapist

    Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain or neck pain? Based in SYDNEY, Sandra is 1 of ONLY 15 Physiotherapists in Australia with ADVANCED … View Profile

    As Neil mentioned, it is important to consider the stage of your pregnancy.  In the mid-later stages, the hormone relaxin can have a big impact on the stability around your pelvis.  This hormone is produced to allow the pelvis to be more “lax” for the birthing process. 

    Things that may be of use are a pregnancy support belt as well as strengthening exercises for the gluteus medius muscle (one of the buttock muscles.) 

    You may be able to also find an exercise to reduce your pain however an assessment by a trained McKenzie Physiotherapist would be necessary to find out what suits your situation.

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  • Dr Stephen Leow

    HealthShare Member

    Positioning can help relieve the painbut bear in mind that the pain may be temporary. In the meantime, if the pain gets too bad, some medications may be of use. Medications such as Lyrica (Pregabalin) and Cymbalta (Duloxetine) are both listed as Pregnancy Category B3 which means that they do no cause any malformations but the benefits should be weighed against potential risks when prescribing

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  • Amy Melamet

    Chiropractor

    Petersham's Crystal Street Family Chiropractic Chiropractor, Amy Melamet has a special interest in pregnancy care and womens health as well as postural correction. Amy has … View Profile

    As the bub grows in utero, your body has to adapt to the changes and stresses that this puts on the pelvis, lower back and the surrounding ligaments and muscles.
    Often the growth of the bub is faster than the body is able to change, therefore the pelvis may twist or the muscles may tighten in compensation, in order to try and stabilise the body. 
    Although good in theory, practically, this can put a lot of stress on the nerves of the lower back (ie. the sciatic nerve) due to the muscles compressing the nerve with spasm or due to the spinal vertebrae impinging on the nerve due to the spines misalignment. 

    Gentle pregnancy Chiropractic treatment  to relieve the muscle/ligament tension and to correct pelvic or spinal misalignment is useful in helping to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. This, combined with perhaps pregnancy massage and some home exercises is likely to keep you moving and comfortable through your pregnancy. 

    If you need any more advice please don't hesitate to contact me - good luck with the rest of the pregnancy!

    Amy

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  • Helen Potter

    Physiotherapist

    As a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, with extensive experience and highly advanced qualifications, as well as excellent communication skills, I can help you to: Become informed … View Profile

    Hi


    If your “sciatica” pain is still troubling you, the best path is to find someone who can give you a comprehensive assessment of your back and pelvic girdle to explain why he or she think the problem is occurring. There will not be a simple answer as each individual has as different presentation and the pregnancy adds other possibilities.

    Your obstetrician, if you have one, will probably be able to recommend someone in your area whom they trust.  The last thing you want to do is run around trying bits and pieces of treatment without knowing the most likely diagnosis. Pelvic braces, improving your sitting and standing posture, local treatment as well as advice on using your pelvic floor and deep abdomnals may help once you know the pain source.


    Helen Potter
    Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
    In Touch Physiotherapy

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  • 1

    Thanks

    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    You might try placing your legs up over a chair so that your hips and knees are in a 90 degree position. This reduces that strain on the lower back and helps relax the muscles through the buttock which may also cause some of the discomfort.
    Apart from self management, you may require some help from a professional during the later stages of your pregnancy.

    All the best.
    Ryan

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  • Josephine Perry

    Bowen Therapist

    Josephine is a fully qualified Bowen Therapist, with full insurance cover and Association membership. Rebates provided by most health funds, according to levels of cover.Practice … View Profile

    A Bowen Therapist will be able to address the sciatic pain, usually in one or two sessions.  The moves are gentle moves over groups of muscles, which allow the body to assume correct posture, alleviating the constriction on the sciatic nerve. Visit www.bowen.org.au to find a therapist in your locatily.

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