How to Alleviate Pain From a Pinched Nerve While Pregnant

As beautiful as the miracle of life is, pregnancy can be a literal pain. Carrying around that extra weight can put a real strain on your back, especially when your nerve gets pinched and sends a shooting pain down your back, buttocks and legs. This condition, called sciatica, is a major concern for many pregnant women.

Step 1

Give it time, because sometimes sciatica pain will just go away without any treatment or remedies at all. You may, however, have to deal with it for several weeks until your body decides to let up on that pinched nerve and give you some relief.

Step 2

Exercise to alleviate sciatica pain during pregnancy. A physical therapist can recommend exercises that can relieve some of the pressure on that nerve and manage pain, while a chiropractor can perform manipulation on the back to ease pain and pressure. Exercise also benefits the baby, because you don't have to worry about ingesting medications.

Step 3

Get a massage. A gentle massage of the area can help to alleviate sciatica pain and give you a bit of relief and much-needed relaxation.

Step 4

Take acetaminophen. Check with your doctor to be sure she's OK with you taking medications during your pregnancy, but acetaminophen is generally considered safe. Try this pain reliever when that throbbing, shooting pain just can't be relieved.

Step 5

Pursue alternative therapies for sciatica pain management. Acupuncture may help to alleviate sciatica pain without the use of medications.

Step 6

Apply heat. When your body's aching, try some soothing heat. Treat yourself to a nice long soak in a warm bath, or keep a heating pad on your sore back, buttock or leg to help ease pain.

Things You'll Need

• Acetaminophen

• Heating pad

Tip

Talk to your doctor about other options if you can't get relief from sciatica pain.

Warning

Never take medications or try procedures like acupuncture or chiropractics without first consulting with your doctor about their safety during pregnancy.