A common problem during pregnancy, according to the Women’s Health Care Topics website, is sciatic nerve pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. The nerve is located from your lower back to your legs and feet. Problematic symptoms include tingly feelings in your legs, pain running down the back or side of your leg and numbness. Because the nerve runs under your uterus, pregnancy often exacerbates the problem as the baby grows and presses against it. You can take several measures to help you alleviate the pain.
Step 1
Wait it out. Many incidences of sciatic pain will go away on their own. This process can take approximately six weeks. You will have to take extra care in the way you move and walk and endure pain for more than a month before experiencing relief.
Step 2
Go to physical therapy. Visiting a physical therapy on a regular basis can help alleviate the pain caused by an irritated sciatic nerve. The therapist will work with you during your sessions and also provide a routine for you to do at home.
Step 3
Visit a chiropractor. According to the Women’s Health Topics website, many pregnant women experiencing sciatic nerve pain, find relief through chiropractic care. The site advises you to check the chiropractor’s credentials and be sure he has experience working with pregnant women.
Step 4
Hire a masseuse. Massages can help relax your body and work to reduce the tightness around the sciatic nerve. In addition, relaxing can also reduce the inflammation around the nerve and alleviate the pain.
Step 5
Apply hot and cold presses to the affected area. The American Pregnancy Association recommends lying on the side that is opposite from your pain and rest. The hot and cold presses will reduce the inflammation and swelling surrounding the nerve. When you lie on the side opposite the pain, it helps relieve the pressure from the nerve.
Photo Credit
- pregnant image by Cora Reed from Fotolia.com
