Ftm: Sciatic nerve pain??!! Please Help!!

Question

I'm almost 30 weeks and I went to a concert Thursday night,  and stood the whole time (4.5+ hrs)... it was hard on my feet, knees and back and i was feeling pretty damn sore after. So the next afternoon (yesterday), I went to the chiropractor for an adjustment.  
Then late evening last night, I started getting, what I assume (based on research) is bad sciatic nerve pain from my left hip down my whole left leg. I've stretched and been icing it,  but am a little worried that I'll be dealing with this for the duration of my pregnancy... 😬😩 
I wonder if it was the concert,  the chiropractor,  or just pregnancy (and odd timing with the other 2 events) that brought this on. 
I have my midwife appointment Monday afternoon and will bring this up (along with severe numbness in my hands lately), but was wondering if anyone else has first hand experience dealing with this and has any tips for me until then! 
I also plan to get massage, but cant be seen until next week. So any additional advice in the mean time is appreciated! (First time mom here, and I have SO much crap to do this weekend to get the house ready... cant stand being slowed down with pain!)

Answer

I have had it since before getting pregnant but it got significantly worse since I’ve gotten pregnant. I wake up in the middle of the night crying because it hurts so bad. I have tried chiropractics (awful experience), prenatal massages, prenatal yoga, tons of baths with Epsom salts, and I use a heating pad under my back before I go to bed. Yoga and baths have been the best help, but not a cure. I’m sorry you’re struggling, I know how bad it sucks 😞

Answer

Short walks, rest, and gentle stretching

Answer

Chiropractor are so normal in our society but they’re not science based. Doctors have to go to medical school for 4 years not counting the additional years of training, and yet chiros mess with your bones,muscles, and nerves with little ‘training’. They’re just not evidence based. I would ask your midwife for a physical therapy referral instead. 
For me, warm baths and heating pads where the pain starts really helps. Mine is mostly from bending down and I really try to avoid that. But definitely talk to your medical team and see what they say. Hope it gets better!

Answer

Sports tape helps relieve my pain. Even not pregnant I deal with constant pain. I have a good support pillow for sitting long or in the car. It keeps pressure off it. I do stretches daily to also relieve as much pain as possible. Having someone who knows how to properly massage it does wonders too.

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Heating pad, stretching, and massage worked for me.

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No worries! You can also do this pose standing. If you can imagine. Maybe lean on someone or a wall

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My physio told me to do pigeon pose (yoga pose) or if not suitable in that environment sit on a chair and lengthen out the bad leg and flex your toes back for a few breaths. You can curl chin in for more affect if that feels ok. This temporarily helps me in the moment if I’m out and about. I get lots of nerve pain and numbness down my left side.  He reccomends  I do yoga stretches at home daily if I can to help prevent future “attacks”

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Ftm too! 28 weeks, when I get that pain I get on my knees and use my yoga ball to balance my arms on and I rock back and forth. Also YouTube has some good pregnancy yoga videos that really work magic!

Answer

So, on top of increased sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy, I’ve dealt with sciatic nerve pain for the past few years. I find that a heating pad set at a low setting is very helpful. Just lay with it under your pack for an hour or two before bed. It actually helps quite a lot. Usually doctors will prescribe muscle relaxants but that’s something that may not be an option during pregnancy (as it isn’t for me). But your doctor may be able to give you some advice on other helpful tips. Also, I’ve had problems with numbness in hands and my ob said it is sort of an imposter ‘Carpal Tunnel’ syndrome, but will go away after birth and suggested buying wrist braces and wearing them while you sleep.