Walking around the grocery store. Sitting down for a long time in the car. Bending forward from the waist to pick up a dropped object. Sciatic nerve pain can make these and many other tasks more difficult and painful, and this is especially true for pregnant women.
Unfortunately, pregnant women are all too likely to develop this form of back pain. Medical researchers reveal that up to 80% of pregnant women have lower back pain. One of the most effective things you can do about sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy is talk to a physical therapist. These specialists can help you learn what’s causing your pain, and they also offer multiple therapy methods that can help treat it.
What typically causes sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy?
Women’s bodies go through physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy. These changes are typically the source of lower back pain. For instance, sciatica can develop as a result of:
- Tense back muscles from your increase in weight.
- Dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles.
- Piriformis muscle spasms.
- The uterus pressing on the sciatic nerve (usually occurs in later stages of the pregnancy).
- Herniated lower back discs.
How can your physical therapist help treat your sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy?
Your physical therapist will first want to evaluate you to determine the cause of your sciatica. This knowledge allows them to then choose the most effective therapy techniques to reduce your symptoms. Some of the therapy methods your therapist could use to assist you include:
- Therapeutic exercises to gently stretch the lower back, buttocks and pelvis.
- Manual therapy techniques that can decrease tension in the soft tissue around your spine.
- Aquatic therapy intended to boost your back and pelvic muscle strength while naturally decompressing your lower back.
- Spinal stabilization training to boost your ability to maintain good lower back posture.
- Functional dry needling that can create a local twitch response to relieve soft tissue tension.
Border Therapy Services offers effective treatment for sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy
Are you pregnant and suffering from sciatica? Our physical therapists at Border Therapy Services are ready to help you find treatment to reduce your symptoms. We’ll start by doing a free screening on you to pinpoint the cause of your sciatica. Then, our experienced therapists will create a personalized therapy plan for you that’s designed to reduce your pain and prevent it from returning.
Not able to come into one of our clinics right now? No problem! Our team offers therapy services like at-home care and virtual therapy that you can use right from your home.
Contact our team today for more information about our services for back pain or to schedule an initial appointment.