What can cause the sciatica nerve to be pinched?

My fiancee and I went to the emergency room the other day and found out that her sciatica nerve is picnched and that is what is causing all her back and leg pain. I guess what i am curious about is what could cause this. She sleeps very often and doesn't really get any exercise and that has been going on for about a a year and a half now. I have been telling her that it is very unhealthy but she hasn't stopped it. Can that be what caused it or could it be something else?

We also have an 11 month old son so I was thinking that it could be because of her not exercising at all after the pregnancy.

This happened to my sister during her pregnancy and got worse with the second. It is still pinched and not a thing the doc can do to help her.

How does pregnancy cause back pain and sciatica?
The changes to your body throughout pregnancy affect more than physical appearance!

1. Familiar to most women is weight gain - 25 or more pounds. The increase in body weight, and stress when bending, puts pressure on a bulging or herniated disc in the low back. Back and leg pain (e.g., sciatica) are common complaints.

2. Weight gain may cause piriformis syndrome and sciatica. The piriformis muscles, located in the buttocks, assist thigh movement. Piriformis syndrome can develop when the muscle compresses the sciatica nerve, which passes through the buttock into the thigh.

3. What might not be immediately obvious is -- as the uterus grows larger (and larger!), the body's center of gravity is thrown off. Sometimes, as the uterus expands within the pelvis, the spinal nerves in the lumbar and sacral spine (low back) that feed into the sciatic nerve become compressed and irritated. This is another cause of back pain and sciatica.

4. Plus, hormones are at work. In particular is relaxin; a hormone that relaxes pelvic ligaments and helps to ready the mother's body for birth. Relaxin also loosens ligaments in other parts of the body, but mostly the joints in the pelvis, low back, and knees. This is important to know when exercising or lifting objects because it is easy to strain yourself during pregnancy. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.

What to do
1. Work with your doctor, chiropractor, midwife, or health care provider to keep body weight in check.

2. If back pain develops, talk to your doctor, chiropractor, midwife, or health care provider.

3. Pay attention to your posture! Stand up straight, shoulders back, buttocks tucked under, and avoid leaning backward.

4. Try a pillow - such as a standard-sized or body pillow to help make sleeping comfortable. A pillow can be positioned between the knees and under the abdomen for support.

5. Prenatal yoga helps stretch and tone muscles, maintains flexibility, improves balance and circulation, and relieves tension. Deep breathing is a huge part of yoga and an added benefit for mothers to be. Learning how to breathe deeply and relax can help during labor too. Combined with simple cardiovascular exercise such as walking and/ or swimming, these activities can help keep your weight under control and body in shape. Ask your doctor or health care provider if these exercises are right for you!

6. Prenatal massage may help relieve pain and tension. Massage therapists trained in prenatal massage can be a pain relief resource during pregnancy and labor. This type of massage eases anxiety (helps to stabilize hormone levels), back pain, pelvic and hip pain, improves circulation and digestion, and helps reduce fatigue.

7. A warm shower or bath helps ease back pain. However, expectant mothers should avoid certain aromatic oils (aromatherapy, candles) such as basil, juniper, peppermint, rosemary, and star anise. Some oils can cause contractions.

8. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy to treat back pain and sciatica. Sterile, hair-thin disposable needles are inserted into points on the body called meridians; energy channels. It is theorized the needles work to free the flow of qi (pronounced chee) to help the body heal.

Ergonomic Pointers: At Work, Home and Leisure Time
Expectant mothers should avoid awkward postures, extreme forces such as heavy lifting, and repetitive tasks -- especially during the third trimester. Late in pregnancy, a woman's body is at its most challenging -- ergonomically speaking.

1. The muscles of the low back and legs work harder to maintain balance. Simple standing or walking can be a challenge. Extremity swelling is common. Frequent breaks and resting (elevating the feet) is helpful.

2. An ergonomically-designed and adjustable chair with supporting lumbar back rest and foot rest can make desk work more comfortable. Change posture often by frequently sitting and standing.

3. If the task requires sitting, take periodic breaks to walk. Walking helps reduce swelling by increasing circulation.

Sciatic nerve damage can be caused by several things. Most come to mind is an injury to the area/nerve. The sciatic nerve runs down the left side from the neck/spine - down thru the left buttocks and down the left leg. Normally, an injury - like a car accident - motorcycle accident - possibly giving birth or being the one being born - falling on your back/left side - injury to your neck - spine - hips - etc, can cause sciatic damage. WHAT DO YOU DO? i have this damage from a bicycle accident fell on a sharp boulder in the hip joint, also, car accident was crushed in the car on the left side, then motorcycle accident - was crushed when car hit me on my bike - damage YES - what do i do? Exercise is wonderful to eleviate the nerve damage - walking at least 30 min a day - i use a tredmill in the home (no pain after this). Bicycle Riding (can be done in-house). Anything where you are going to exercise the muscles that surround the injury of the nerve damage - will help a LOT. But no exercise and sleeping a lot is NOT ever going to help!!! Eventually, it will get worse. A GOOD MASSAGE by a professional, will also help tremendously!!!