Sciatica During Pregnancy Relief in Solana Beach
Sharp pain or numbness running from your low back down your leg? That is sciatica, and pregnancy makes it both more common and more treatable.
What Is Pregnancy Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It runs from your low back through your glutes and down each leg. When something compresses or irritates that nerve, you feel pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness anywhere along its path.
During pregnancy, sciatica is most often caused by one of two things: a growing baby pressing on the nerve as they shift into position, or pelvic misalignment changing the angle of the spine and putting tension on the nerve. Often, it is both.
The good news is that pregnancy sciatica is highly responsive to gentle chiropractic care. We work to take pressure off the nerve, balance the pelvis, and give baby room to settle into a position that does not aggravate it.
Common Symptoms
Sharp, shooting pain from the low back into one buttock and down the leg
Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes
Pain that gets worse when sitting, standing for long periods, or lying on one side
A burning or electrical sensation in the leg
Difficulty putting weight on one leg
Pain that wakes you up at night
Pain that improves when you change positions, only to return
How We Treat Pregnancy Sciatica
We start by figuring out which side of your pelvis is dropping low, which sacroiliac joint is restricted, and where exactly the nerve is being compressed. From there, we use Webster Technique adjustments to rebalance the pelvis and take pressure off the nerve.
We also work the surrounding soft tissue (the piriformis muscle is often a major contributor) with gentle release techniques. Most patients feel noticeable relief in one to three visits.
We give you positioning and stretching homework to keep the pressure off the nerve between visits, especially at night.
Why Choose Us
Dr. Lisel is Webster certified and works with pregnant patients with sciatica every week. She knows how to address both the pelvic root cause and the immediate nerve pressure without using any technique that is not safe for pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Often it does after birth. But there is no reason to suffer through it. Chiropractic care can dramatically reduce or eliminate the pain during pregnancy itself.
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Most pain medications are not recommended in pregnancy. Talk to your OB or midwife. Chiropractic care is a great non-medication option.
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Sometimes. Lying on the side opposite the pain, with a pillow between your knees, often takes pressure off the nerve.
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Most patients feel meaningful improvement in one to three visits.
You should not be limping through pregnancy.
Book your $67 new patient visit and get the nerve pressure off this week.