Question:
I've had this problem with my first two pregnancies and now it has happened again in this one. It's is my Sciatic Nerve. I have little back pain but where the nerve runs through your buttock and thigh is where I'm in complete and total agony.

It's so bad I was in tears changing my son's diaper on the floor. To get up from sitting, to get up from laying down, to walk to bend at all is pure agony. I called my OB and they said I could try warm compresses and Tylenol and then the cat/dog movement (hands and knees, arch back out and in) but I'm not bothering with the Tylenol because I know it won't do anything for this type of problem, it's the swelling of the tissue around the nerve causing my pain, right? Tylenol is a pain reliever, but mostly for headaches. Anyhow, any other suggestions?

Answer:

I am 20 weeks pregnant atm, and have mild pain in the sciatic nerve on my left side- more uncomfortable than painful for me. My brother is an osteopath and has suggested an exercise for me that seems to work. Get down on your hands and knees, with straight back - no dip or arch. Then cross one leg in front of the other, and straighten the uncrossed leg *slowly* and rest on your elbows. This should gently stretch the muscle around your hip and buttock, rather than the hamstring muscle (that runs from back of your knee upwards). Hold this position for a minute or two - don't bounce - and then swap to do the same with the other side.

I was also having a lot of sciatic nerve pain, and I started doing this pelivic rocking exercise the others have mentioned (just a few repetitions every day) and it has made a world of difference. During my third pregnancy I could not walk from the pain. Two visits to the chriopractor cured me completely. I visited him regularly during my last pregnancy and had no problems at all.

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