How to relieve sciatica pain pregnancy

Sciatica is pain that results from the irritation, inflammation, or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower spine to your buttocks and down the back of your legs.

Doctors also call it lumbosacral radicular syndrome. The pain can be mild or severe, and deep and dull or shooting and sharp. Sciatic nerve pain in pregnancy is most common during the third trimester, as you and your baby get larger, although it can happen earlier in pregnancy.

Sciatic nerve pain can come and go or be constant. It usually only happens on one side, though it can affect both sides. It may worsen as pregnancy progresses, and it may even continue for a short while postpartum.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Symptoms of sciatica can include:

Pain in the lower back, buttocks, and/or legs
Difficulty walking or standing
Tingling or weakness in legs or feet
Tenderness in the lower back

Talk with your caregiver if you think you have sciatica.

Note: If you have a loss of sensation in the legs, feet, groin, bladder, or anus (which may cause incontinence or make it difficult to urinate or have a bowel movement), talk with your caregiver immediately. These are possible signs of a severe disk herniation. Although this is unlikely to happen, it's considered a serious medical emergency and may require immediate surgical correction.

Causes of sciatica during pregnancy

Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated or bulging disc, but in pregnancy, that's a rare cause, affecting only about 1 percent of pregnant women.

Causes of sciatic nerve pain in pregnancy may include:

The hormone relaxin, which your body produces to loosen ligaments in preparation for childbirth. As the ligaments stretch, joints can become unstable and muscles can become tense, which can contribute to sciatic pain.
The shifting forward of your center of gravity may cause the muscles in your pelvis and buttocks to tighten and pinch the sciatic nerve.
The weight of your growing baby and your expanding uterus may press down on the sciatic nerve.
Your baby's position. As he settles into birth position in the third trimester, your baby's head may rest on the sciatic nerve.

What can you do to relieve sciatica pain?

To relieve sciatic pain:

Take warm showers and use warm compresses or a heating pad (for 10 minutes at a time).
Gently stretch the muscles with stretching exercises or prenatal yoga.
Rest. Don't sit in one position for long periods, though.
Sleep on the opposite side of the pain (if the pain is on one side).
Use plenty of back support when you're sleeping. Sleep on a firm mattress, and use a pregnancy pillow for support. Placing a pillow between your legs may take the pressure off the sciatic nerve.
Try Kegel exercises and pelvic tilts to help strengthen muscles
Swim for exercise. Because of the buoyancy, swimming takes the pressure off the nerve.
Try alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and massage therapy. Be sure to find practitioners who are experienced with treatment during pregnancy.
Ask your caregiver which pain medication would be most effective and safest for you and in what doses.
Ask your caregiver for a referral for physical therapy to build strength and good posture.

Sciatic pain usually goes away within a few months after the baby's birth. If yours doesn't, talk with your caregiver about possible underlying problems.

Lower back pain during pregnancy is very common. Read our article about the various types of lower back pain to learn what might be causing yours and how to deal with it.

Learn more:

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Lightning crotch: Jolts to the pelvis during pregnancy

Round ligament pain

Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore

Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 09, 2021

The body experiences a lot of physical changes during pregnancy. As your baby grows, your body has to adjust. Sometimes that leads to unfamiliar aches and pains.

A common issue for pregnant women is sciatic nerve pain. Also called sciatica, or lumbar radiculopathy, it's described as a "radiating pain" that travels from the sciatic nerve, located in the lower spine, down the back of your thigh. The sciatic nerve is the largest in your body and the main nerve in the legs.

Aches and pains that result from sciatica range from mild to excruciating. You may notice a tingling sensation in one part of your body and pain in another area. Symptoms include:

A burning sensation in the lower back and buttocks
Pain that travels from your pelvis down the back of your leg
A sudden jolt of pain that's often compared to an electric shock
Pain that worsens when you cough, sneeze, or sit for long periods of time
Numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in one leg or foot

Sciatica occurs when the spine is compressed in some way. It pinches the sciatic nerve, causing inflammation, numbness, and pain. Typically, it's a result of a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone, called a bone spur, on your vertebrae.

Pregnancy also causes a form of spinal compression that can affect the sciatic nerve. When you're pregnant, the body releases a hormone called relaxin. It's designed to relax your ligaments and prepare your pelvis for childbirth. However, loose ligaments and a growing uterus can shift your center of gravity and pinch the sciatic nerve, leading to shooting pains down your legs.

Sciatic sensations may increase during your pregnancy. In fact, lower back pain and sciatic problems are quite common. Sciatica will often develop in the third trimester — though it can occur at any stage of your pregnancy.

As your baby grows, the additional weight puts pressure on unstable joints and muscles. Sometimes, the baby's position may be the cause of sciatic nerve compression.

This pain often comes and goes, but it can be constant for some women. While it may not be comfortable for mom, you can at least be relieved to know that, fortunately, this compression and pain doesn't harm the baby.

Sciatica takes time to heal and requires rest. Discomfort is common, but severe pain is not. If the pain is excruciating, certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help. Talk to your doctor before you take any medication to ensure it won't harm your baby.

Dealing with constant body aches can be exhausting, but there are some simple home remedies you can try to help ease the pain:

Take a hot shower or use a heating pad. Heat relaxes tight muscles, which are often aggravated as a result of carrying around extra weight. Putting a cold pack on your lower back and rear pelvis can also help.

Keep moving. Rest is important, and it's tempting to curl up into a ball when your body hurts. However, gentle movement is often more helpful in the long run. Sometimes simply going for a walk can help. A prenatal yoga class is also a great way to soothe your muscles and mind. Try to limit too much bending or twisting, though. Low-impact activities like swimming may also be beneficial.

But — pay attention to the pain. Listen to your body and take note of any activities that irritate your sciatic nerve. Avoid heavy lifting and take frequent breaks if your job requires you to stand for long periods of time.

Get a massage. There's some evidence that prenatal massage can reduce stress, improve blood circulation, and even regulate hormones.

See a physical therapist. Find a professional who can evaluate your condition and provide you with stretches and strength-building exercises to alleviate sciatic nerve pain.

Sleep on your side. When you lie down, rest on the side of your body that doesn't hurt. This takes the pressure off the compressed nerve. Use a full body pillow to support your hips and legs.

After pregnancy, keep up these habits if your sciatica persists. Some women will experience full relief from sciatic nerve pain after giving birth, while others may develop postpartum sciatica symptoms due to weakened back and abdominal muscles. Continue to build your strength through gentle physical activity while giving your body time to rest. If your pain continues or increases during or after pregnancy, see your doctor.

Not sure if Origin is right for you? Book a free intro call.

Jan 14, 2021Dr. Sarah Clampett, PT, DPT15 min

If in fact the shooting pain down your leg is sciatica–you’d fall into the 1 percent of women that need sciatica pain relief during pregnancy.

However, that pain in your lower back may not actually be sciatica.

“A lot of people come to physical therapy with a prescription while they’re pregnant for any sort of back or hip pain and it’s assumed to be sciatica. That’s why the most important thing to do during a virtual examination with a new patient is confirm a sciatica diagnosis so the treatment plan addresses the true root cause.”

While sciatica during pregnancy may be rare, that lower back pain you’re experiencing is extremely common–and treatable! Between 50 and 80 percent of pregnant people experience lower back or even shooting pain in the third trimester. Symptoms of sacroiliac joint dysfunction or piriformis syndrome–the pain in your low back or hip due to too much or too little movement in joints of your pelvis–can feel like sciatica but aren't.

The first step to feeling better is getting the right diagnosis. It’s critical to first rule out other common causes of hip pain during pregnancy during an in-person or virtual physical therapy evaluation to confirm a true sciatica diagnosis.

‍More on Motherly about sciatica during pregnancy, MRIs, and other frequently asked questions.

How does physical therapy help relieve sciatica pain immediately during pregnancy?

As your pregnancy hormones course through your body, one side effect is loosening joints. If your hip and pelvic muscles are not strong enough to support the increasing load, the surrounding muscles compensate and often spasm. These spasms can put extra pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatic symptoms.

"Unlike muscles, you can’t stretch nerves. They’re like pieces of rope. When they’re tight in one place, you have to loosen them elsewhere to give the nerve mobility.”

Put simply, to get immediate sciatica pain relief during pregnancy, you’re going to have to loosen the nerve. From there, it’s important to strengthen the surrounding muscles. Strengthening the core, glutes, pelvic girdle, and pelvic floor helps your body make room and adjust to the increased load of pregnancy. For most women, physical therapy can help to stabilize the joints that have been loosened by pregnancy hormones. Sciatica pain relief will improve right away and increase within the first 7-14 days. If after 4 weeks the pain is not getting better, that’s a sign to re-evaluate the treatment plan.

The good news, sciatica during pregnancy is rarely forever. That said, moving your body consistently to prevent any flare-ups down the road is key.

Our team of expert physical therapists compiled 17 stretches and exercises that are safe for pregnancy and clinically proven to relieve sciatica pain from standing, sitting, in bed, or even lying on the floor.

Want to confirm your sciatica diagnosis? Or curious what’s actually causing your lower back pain? Book a free virtual evaluation with an Origin physical therapist.

Floor exercises for pain relief–but really, in-bed!

#1 Side-lying hip abduction

Lie down on your side not affected by sciatica and extend the legs so the hips and feet are in a parallel line, one on top of the other.
Bend your lower arm underneath your head, allowing the full weight of your head to rest on your forearm so it’s in line with your spine.
Exhale while raising your upper leg to just above your hip joint. When you feel your hips and back start to tense, stop and hold the position for one to two seconds.
Inhale and slowly lower your leg to its starting position, keeping it straight and stacked directly above the lower leg.
Repeat for a total set of 10 raises and 2 sets per side.

#2 Figure 4 Stretch

Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor or bed.
If your right side is affected, cross your right ankle over your left knee and keep your right foot flexed.
Bring your left knee toward your chest. Reach your right hand through your legs and interlace your fingers just below the crease of your left knee - avoiding the knee joint.
Pull your left knee toward your chest, pausing when you feel a stretch in your right glute and hip.
Hold there for at least five breaths.
Release and repeat as needed.

#3 Supine nerve glides

Lay on your back and raise the affected side’s leg up.
Hold the back of your leg above or below the knee joint and straighten the knee until you feel a gentle stretch.
Move your ankle back and forth to feel a stretch in the back of your leg.
Bend and extend the knee 10 times on each side. Do not perform more than 1 set per day or you may aggravate the nerve.

#4 Bridge

Lie on your back with your knees bent and arms by your sides.
Lift your torso such that your body is supported on your shoulders, arms, upper back and feet with your buttocks and lower back in the air.
Hold for 1-2 seconds.
Lower yourself slowly back down and repeat 10 times.

#5 TrA brace

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your arms by your sides. If this is uncomfortable, you can also do this on all fours.
Take a slow, deep breath in filling your belly with air. Try not to let your chest rise too much while you inhale.
Slowly exhale. As you are pushing the air out of your lungs, draw your belly button up towards your spine tightening your lower abs.
Hold for 2-3 seconds, and then inhale again repeating the exercise.
Repeat 10 times.

#6 Cat-Cow

Start on all fours aligning your neck, shoulders, hips and knees.
Inhale and contract your core as you tilt your pelvis back so that your tailbone and shoulders are angled toward the sky. Your belly will naturally get a few inches closer to the floor.
Let this movement ripple from your tailbone up your spine so that your neck is the last thing to move. Imagine moving your spine vertebrae by vertebrae.
Exhale as you slowly release your pelvis back into a neutral spine and allow the movement to flow into an arch, rounding your spine into the air.
Again, let this movement ripple from your tailbone up your spine so that your neck is the last thing to move. Imagine moving your spine vertebrae by vertebrae.
Perform 10 times.

Sitting stretches for immediate pain relief at work

#7 Seated pigeon stretch

Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the ground.
If your right side is affected, put your right ankle on your left knee.
Keeping a straight back, lean forward until you feel a stretch through your buttocks.
Hold for at least 30 seconds.

#8 Seated nerve glides

Sit upright in a chair, with knees hip-width apart, feet flat on the floor and facing forwards.
Extend the right leg, with the foot flexed toward the body.
Extend the neck up and back to look up at the ceiling.
Lower both the neck and leg down gently, so the chin tucks into the chest, and the leg goes slightly back past 90 degrees.
Extend and lower the neck at the same time as extending and lowering the leg.
Switch legs and repeat exercise 10 times for the left leg.
Do 10 repetitions on both legs no more than one set per day.

#9 Sit-to-stands

Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet directly underneath your knees.
Lean forward a little so your nose extends just over your toes and use your legs to push up to a standing position. (Optional: You may use your arms to push off the chair or off of the knees if needed.)
To sit, bend a little at the knees to push hips toward the chair and lower the body to a seated position.
Repeat 10 times.

#10 Seated abdominal brace

From a seated position, take a deep breath in and expand your rib cage.
Tighten your core by pulling your rib cage down, as if you are about to be punched in the stomach.
Hold for 10 seconds, then exhale.
Repeat 10 times and perform 2-3 sets per day.

#11 Seated QL stretch

While seated on a sturdy chair, if your right side is affected, slide to the right so that your right leg is relaxed and hanging straight off the edge of the chair.
With your left arm, hold on to the left side of the chair for stability and raise your right arm above your head for a gentle side stretch.
Let gravity relax your right hip.
Hold for 60 seconds and repeat as needed.

Safe standing positions to relieve sciatica pain anywhere, anytime

#12 Standing hip abduction

Standing tall while holding onto a sturdy object like a chair, raise the straight, affected leg out diagonally until you feel a gentle strain, about 3-4 inches off the floor.
Hold for 3 seconds then return to the starting position.
Repeat 10 times.

#13 Standing hip extension

Standing by a counter or sturdy chair for support, tighten your core.
Raise the affected leg slightly backward, keeping your knee straight until your foot is about 3 to 4 inches off the floor.
Hold for 3 seconds, then slowly lower.
Repeat 10 times.

#14 Standing pigeon

Find a surface in your house that is about hip height. Slightly lower or slightly higher is okay, too. A countertop, a tall bed, or the back of a couch works great!
Slowly lift your leg, bend your knee, and rotate your hip so that you can rest the outside of your lower leg fat on the surface.
You should feel a stretch in the back of your hip. Lean forward to feel a deeper stretch.
Hold for 60 seconds, and then switch legs. Repeat as needed.

#15 Squats

Standing with your fit hip-width apart, tighten your core.
Bend your knees and slowly lower your hips backward until your hips are level with your knees.
Pause for a moment.
Press into your feet to slowly rise back to standing.
Repeat 10 times.

#16 Ball to the glute

Find a 2-3 foot stretch of wall without decorations or art.
Take a lacrosse ball, tennis ball, or yoga tune-up ball and place it in the middle of your glute muscles - right in the middle of your buttocks.
Lean into the wall so the ball is pressed into your glute.
From here, move your hips side to side and up and down rolling the ball around your glute. If you want more pressure, lean in harder, if you want less pressure, back off a little. If you find a spot that feels really good, hang out there for 10-20 seconds.
Perform for 60-90 seconds on each side. Repeat as needed.

#17 Quadratus lumborum stretch

Standing your arm’s-distance away from a wall, gently extend your arm to the side and place one hand onto the wall.
Cross the leg that is close to the wall in front of the other.
Take your other arm and reach up and over toward the wall while gently pushing yourself away from the wall with the other arm stretching out your entire side.
Hold for 30 seconds and then switch sides. Repeat as needed.

Still in pain? A few more ways to get some relief

Your third trimester of pregnancy is hard enough without dealing with sciatica pain. These functional stretches and gentle movements can help build on your body’s natural strength so you can sit, stand, and lay down, all without lower back pain.

Beyond physical therapy, additional tools for sciatica pain relief can take many forms, from hot-and-cold therapy, to pelvic support belts, to pain-relief patches, to sit-to-stand desks, lumbar pillows and more. There is no “one size fits all” approach to feeling better–do what works best for you!