During pregnancy, the reason why sciatica may be caused is because the sciatic nerve runs under your uterus to your legs and there is a pressure on the nerve caused by the developing baby. The pain that you may feel from sciatica can vary significantly; it can range from mild to excruciating pain. If you do feel any type of sciatic pain during your pregnancy, one of the best things you can do is see a physical therapist. A physical therapist can do many things for you; they will be able to teach you exercises that can help alleviate the pain as well as learn how to get around without aggravating it. The physical therapist will also perform some manual therapies on you like massage-type therapies which will also help make you more comfortable and will be able to loosen up the nerve where it may be potentially impinged. They will also apply cold or heat to the affected area, which will also bring relief. Some things the therapist might tell you to do at home when you aren’t in therapy is to lie on your side that is opposite the pain in order to relieve the pressure, as well as elevating one foot that you are feeling more pain in.
Going through a pregnancy is tough enough, so if you end up with sciatica during it, physical therapy to relieve the pain is your best option. The physical therapist will give you the techniques to continue through the pregnancy pain-free up to your due date.