How to relieve pain due to inflammation of the sciatic nerve in pregnant women

Sciatica - what is it?

Sciatica is a disease of unknown etiology. A characteristic feature of the disease is severe, radiating back pain, which prevents the patient from performing basic activities. Factors contributing to the disease include:

• obesity;
• degenerative changes of the spine;
• damage to nerve fibers;
• prolapse (slip) of the vertebral disc;
• osteoporosis;
• diabetes;
• cancerous tumors that cause pressure on the nerve.

Osteoporosis

Diabetes

The causative agent of radiculitis is also pregnancy. But treating pain during pregnancy is difficult due to limited therapeutic options.

Causes of pain

5 pairs of nerve roots in the lumbosacral region combine to create the sciatic nerve. Beginning at the back of the pelvis (sacrum), the sciatic nerve travels behind the buttocks and down through the hip joint into the lower extremities. Nerve roots are not separate structures, but part of the body's overall nervous system, capable of transmitting pain and sensations to other parts of the body. Radiculopathy is caused by nerve root compression, disc rupture, or bone growth between the nerve root and the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica and pregnancy

Sciatica during pregnancy occurs due to several factors. The first reason is the hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body. The action of hormones reduces tension in the spinal ligaments. This also causes increased mobility in the joints.

The weight of the mother and child also affects the health of the spine. The more weight a pregnant woman gains, the more likely she is to get sciatica. In addition, the growth of the baby in the uterus and the enlargement of the uterus causes pressure on the sciatic nerve during pregnancy and irritates it, so the woman experiences pain.

Some pregnant women, especially those with severe sciatica, do not know how to cope with this condition. Unfortunately, in the case of sciatica, pregnancy is a limitation in therapy, and the pathology must be controlled using methods that are safe for the child.

Possible complications and consequences

Women most often encounter pinched sciatic nerves in the second half of pregnancy. The consequences of this condition can be:

• numbness of the limbs;
• neuralgia;
• rachiocampsis.

Only timely, competent therapy will avoid the development of dangerous complications and successfully get rid of the disease.

Sciatica during pregnancy - symptoms

Although back pain is a common symptom in pregnant women, sciatica during pregnancy is very easy to spot.

Symptoms of sciatica during pregnancy:

• pain occurs suddenly and very strongly;
• the pain is localized in the lower back, but spreads to the buttocks, back of the thighs, and also to the feet;
• the expectant mother may feel weakness in the limbs;
• possible feeling of numbness and burning;
• paresis of the limbs is possible (in some cases).

Weakness in the limbs
If a pregnant woman experiences severe back pain due to sciatica and labor is close, the doctor may consider a cesarean section. Natural childbirth in this case will be too burdensome for the spine.

A pregnant woman with sciatica may choose to have a water birth or a squatting birth. This is possible if the institution has the conditions for such childbirth and the woman does not suffer from other degenerative diseases not related to pregnancy.

Diagnostics

Most known diagnostic methods are prohibited during pregnancy. This is due to the high likelihood of harm to the unborn child. To determine the presence of pathology, the doctor needs to interview and examine the woman to determine the nature of the pain, location and frequency of its occurrence.

If it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis, the expectant mother may be sent for an ultrasound. A more informative and reliable diagnostic method - magnetic resonance imaging - is allowed to be used starting from the second trimester of pregnancy.

Sciatica during pregnancy - treatment

Treatment for sciatica during pregnancy is very limited due to the lack of painkillers that do not harm the baby. The only safe analgesic is paracetamol. It can be taken when severe pain occurs, but not more than 2 tablets per day. The expectant mother should remember that some paracetamol preparations may contain caffeine (up to 130 mg in 2 tablets), which, if the dose is exceeded, can harm the baby.

A key element in pain management is sciatica-soothing exercises during pregnancy. They should strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, abdominal muscles and spine. The frequency and type of treatment are determined by the gynecologist together with the physiotherapist. The exercises can be repeated at home. Maternity belts can be helpful to stabilize the spine. Swimming and a relaxing massage will also be helpful.

Exercises to treat sciatica

Other treatment options for sciatica symptoms during pregnancy:

• cold or warm compresses on the sore spot;
• rest lying down with legs bent at an angle of 90 degrees;
• physical activity with frequent walks.

Also important:

• use support;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• maintain correct posture.

In some situations, when the pain is constant, it is recommended to use painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments that are safe for the child. But pregnant women should not abuse them.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

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Abortion and contraception clinic in St. Petersburg - department of the medical gynecological association "Diana"

Make an appointment, tests or ultrasound via the contact form or by calling +8 (812) 62-962-77. We work seven days a week from 09:00 to 21:00.

We are located in the Krasnogvardeisky district, next to the Novocherkasskaya, Ploshchad Alexander Nevsky and Ladozhskaya metro stations.

The cost of a medical abortion in our clinic is 3,300 rubles. The price includes all pills, an examination by a gynecologist and an ultrasound to determine the timing of pregnancy.

Preventive measures

To significantly reduce the risk of pathology, you must adhere to the following recommendations from doctors:

• in late pregnancy, wear a bandage;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• walk in the fresh air more often;
• wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes;
• perform special gymnastics, swim and do yoga;
• purchase an orthopedic mattress and pillow for pregnant women;

  
  Maternity pillow

• watch your posture;
• eat properly and nutritiously;
• control your weight;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• reduce the intensity of physical activity;
• avoid hypothermia;
• take complex vitamins and calcium supplements.

Don’t be shy about asking your loved ones for help and delegating some of your responsibilities to them. A pregnant woman needs to rest more often during the day, fully relax all muscle groups, and relieve stress from the spine and lower extremities.

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How to treat it?

Only after determining the exact diagnosis and cause is treatment prescribed. As a rule, it is impossible to cope with sciatica at home, you can only alleviate the condition, therefore a visit to the clinic is necessary. Usually, the first step in treatment is pain relief. For this, various analgesic drugs are used. Compresses and bed rest may also be recommended. Injections are prescribed to relieve spasms. Injections can also be prescribed to relieve inflammation.

A number of physiotherapeutic treatment methods have shown themselves to be very effective. This could be massages, shock wave therapy, sessions with a chiropractor, gymnastics, UHF, reflexology.

Acupuncture

Attention! You should not limit yourself to taking painkillers. In this case, the disease will progress, and the person simply will not feel pain. It is important to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations, only then will you be able to cope with sciatica.

If sciatica has developed against the background of some other disease, then even surgical treatment methods can be used. Most often they are used for intervertebral hernias. As for home treatment, during a visit to a doctor you should consult about the possibility of using a number of techniques. If there are no contraindications, then the following can help at home:

• massages, including cupping;
• use of anti-inflammatory ointments;
• various tinctures based on the gifts of nature, including pine buds, dandelions, etc.;
• wax applications (the main thing is not to burn the skin, since the wax is heated);
• gymnastics that can be done at home.

The use of anti-inflammatory ointments

By the way, it is gymnastics that often helps to quickly return to normal . Exercises such as walking on the buttocks, cycling, and stretching are especially useful. The main thing is to monitor your condition while performing exercises and if pain appears, you should immediately stop the gymnastics session.

Table. Drugs used to relieve pain.

How to give an injection correctly

Among the ointments that are effective for sciatica are Finalgon, Viprosal, Nicoflex and Alisartron . They warm well, increase blood circulation, and improve tissue nutrition. To reduce pain, ointments Cel T and Traumeel S .

What examinations are necessary for a pinched nerve?

An important diagnostic method is electromyography (EMG). It is this study that objectively assesses the degree of compression (damage) of the nerve. An EMG records the conduction of electrical impulses along the nerves of an arm or leg and gives the doctor an assessment of the state of the peripheral nervous system.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) can assess the condition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, the presence of hernias and protrusions, and spinal cord damage.

X-ray of the spine

informative in case of poor posture - scoliosis, kyphosis, as well as injuries: fractures and subluxations of the vertebrae.