How to Relieve Sciatica Pain during Pregnancy and Postpartum
Dealing with sciatica during pregnancy can be a challenging and painful experience. It can also be challenging to experience postpartum sciatica. If you’re unfamiliar with exactly what your Sciatica is, it's a large nerve that runs from your lower back all the way down your legs. When your Sciatic nerve is injured it causes lower back pain as well as pain in your hips, buttocks, thighs, and feet. Although mild sciatica pain during pregnancy is usually not a major concern, if the pain becomes unbearable you should consult your doctor.
If you’re experiencing mild pain, here are some natural ways that you can treat your sciatica pain during pregnancy and postpartum.
Massage
Who doesn’t want to go get a massage? Especially during pregnancy! This isn’t just any massage though. You’ll want to get a trigger-point massage. During a trigger-point massage, pressure is applied to the piriformis muscle, as well as the other muscles in the lower back and glutes in order to relieve the pain. The sciatic nerve sits underneath a muscle called the piriformis, which is located beneath your glutes. When the piriformis muscle gets tight, it pinches the sciatic nerve, hence the tingling and numbness. By making sure that you are continually getting these massages you can keep the discomfort and pain away during your pregnancy and when you have postpartum sciatica.
But you can’t just massage with your bear hands - well you can but using a massage oil help your hands flow more freely. Our massage oil is perfect for sciatica pain relief during pregnancy and postpartum. This is a great massage oil for quick at home massages or if using a professional. Our postpartum massage oil is made with sunflower oil, dried lavender flowers and pure essential lavendar oil. Lavendar’s analgesic properties works to help alleviate muscle and joint pain. Use it when when the pain kicks up during and after pregnancy.
It is certified organic and handcrafted in small batches. For best results you’ll want to massage the oil into the skin when it is damp using long circular strokes.
Cold and Hot Packs
Need intense pain relief fast? Cold and hot packs can help! Although you won’t solve inflammation issues using this method, it will help reduce the pain a bit. Apply an ice pack or a heating pad as needed for fifteen minutes to reduce the pain of sciatica during pregnancy and postpartum sciatica.
Why does this method work? Heat on your body helps to increase the blood flow. It also helps to remove movement to tissues that have been injured. Your sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy is caused by one big injured nerve. Using heat to gain movement in that area can temporarily lower the pain and help the nerve relax.
Essential Oil
Another natural alternative to relieving sciatica during pregnancy is using essential oils. Essential oils can help with a variety of issues including stress, anxiety, headaches, sleep issues, and even reducing inflammation.
Some essential oils that are great for helping with sciatica during pregnancy are lavender and roman chamomile. These are safe to use during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. You’ll want to mix these oils with any carrier oils such as avocado, sweet almond, coconut, grape-seed or jojoba. Massage this mixture into the pain area and then use a hot washcloth to help the muscles relax. You can top it off by pouring some of the oil in a warm bath and soak.
The changes your body experiences during pregnancy and postpartum are going to challenge you in ways unlike any other. There’s nothing like using some oils to help you feel relaxed and taken care of. Make sure that you’re pampering yourself during this time where your body is dealing with so much extra stress.
Yoga
Yoga has many benefits. Not only for your body but also for your mental health. It is a safe way to stay active throughout your pregnancy. Yoga involves plenty of stretching. This helps to relieve the pain caused by sciatica during pregnancy. Some ideal poses include the cat pose (featured), the seated twist, the standing twist and the bound angle pose. They all help you stretch your lower back and hips. The stretching of these areas allows the blood to begin to flow better which in turn can help to alleviate the pain. Not sure there are any yoga classes for pregnant women in your area? Check out Youtube! With one quick search you can definitely find some yoga videos made specifically for women who are pregnant.
Exercise Stretches
If you’re not into yoga, exercise stretches are an alternate way you can relieve sciatica pain. For a quick stretch, lie on your back with your knees drawn to your chest or supported by a chair (your knees must stay bent) and rest your head on a pillow. You can do this while watching TV or grab a book or magazine for 10 – 15 minutes.
Also try a few of these listed below, they are great stretches to do during pregnancy. I tried some of these exercise stretches and they were great.
1. Seated Squats
2. Back Lunges
3. Butterfly Stretch
4. Seated Hip Abductor
If you are experiencing postpartum sciatica you may be wondering when you can start exercising after giving birth. Most physicians recommend waiting at least six to eight weeks before beginning to exercise again. Give your body some time to heal and rest before you begin doing any exercises.
We hope these natural remedies help you alleviate your sciatica during pregnancy and postpartum. Comment below to let us know if you try any of these remedies and you feel better! Or comment below about your own experience with sciatica pain during pregnancy and postpartum.
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