Back pain - Is this what sciatica is?

[~Shanna~]

I have back pain in a really specific area: lower back, left side, so low it's really on my bum. It's not a shooting pain, but I've had it for a few days now. It feels more "nervy", since a muscle massage doesn't really touch it. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm wondering if it's a sign that my posture or mineral intake isn't where it should be. Would love any insight!

[kerpav]

Sorry that you're in pain! What you're describing sounds exactly like sciatic nerve pain to me...I have had the same thing on and off through both my pregnancies. The bright side is it disappears as soon as you give birth!

[kerpav]

Oh, and I found that getting up and walking around a lot and NOT sitting on a big comfy couch for long helps it go away (temporarily). Also it developed about midway through my pregnancy, disappeared for months, and came back at the tail end of my pregnancy (which is where I am at now), although not as badly as during the 2nd trimester. Hope that help a bit. :o Hang in there.

[moodyred01]

I have scoliosis :irked: so I have this even when I am not pregnant. It sounds like sciatica to me. Also when I would get dressed and try to stand on one leg I would get that piercing pain in my bum and my whole leg would give out! I learned to put pants on while sitting :lol

One thing that helps is as they said, not to sit too long and when you do sit, sit in a straight back chair. Also, when walking take smaller steps. Sitting on a heating pad can help temporarily and taking Arnica homeopathic tablets (available at most health food stores) can do wonders. Also, if you sit in a straight back chair with legs bent at a 90 degree angle, take a pillow, or a big bath towel and roll it up (something that gives you a couple of inches of cushion between your legs, and slip the pillow between your thighs/knees. Squeeze your knees together holding for about 10 seconds and then release. Repeat 10 or so times or anytime you start feeling the tenseness build up.
Sorry so lengthy but hope this helps!!

[cappuccinosmom]

Sounds like it. Mine acts up when I've been going up and down stairs and carrying my toddler a lot. Try to stand up and "Oooof!"--I can't!:gloomy:

[13Sandals]

what you are describing could be SI joint pain.
check out these links:
http://www.befitmom.com/discomforts.html#pelviss

http://www.befitmom.com/flexibility.html

if it is the SI joint - you need to stabalize this with your hips muscles - I have the same thing and side leg lifts really help - also, take the stairs whenever you can. could be sciatica - but without the pain radiating down the leg - its hard to tell. massage won't work for SI joint pain either.

I'm not a doctor - but I am a prenatal yoga instructor and this is VERY common and commonly mistaken for sciatica.

[twilight girl]

Sounds like sciatic nerve pain, I had it late in my pregnancy with DD. I almost had to fall in love with my chiropractor, because of the sweet relief he brought!

If you opt for heat, I would go with a hot water bottle vs. an electric heating pad. There is some controversy about electric blankets, electric heating pads electromagnetic energy in general around the body for prolonged periods of time.

Hope you feel better soon!

[cynotgirl]

see a chiropractor!!!!!!!
It isn't technically sciatia, since that nerve runs down the leg. But it sounds like your spine is out of alignment , and this will bring relief. You'll have to go regularly, because your spine will want to go back to where it was, and the dc will have to re-adjust your spine.

TRUST ME. After years of battling sciatica, and other related discomforts, my chiroproctor has saved me :)

[Brisen]

I second the recommend for a chiro. I had it worst with my first pg, not too bad with my second babe, but with my third, by early on in the preg, it was as bad as it ever got in my first preg, so i was worried about how bad it would eventually get. Started seeing a chiro and it made a huge difference. She said my hips weren't level with each other and mostly did stuff to the muscles in my back so that they would relax and let my hips lie even (if I recall correctly).