how to exercise with pinched sciatic nerve?

Vkeo79

I had been walking about 2 miles every day on my lunch break this whole pregnancy up until about 2 weeks ago. I pinched my sciatic nerve pretty bad and the pain has been unbearable. I asked my OB and she just said that I could ice and take tylenol and try a chiropractor. Well I went to my chirpractor and she informed me that when this happens during pregnancy, the adjustments may or may not help but she was definately willing to try. Well it worked...for about 3 days and then I pinched the nerve again yesterday in the shower while trying to shave my legs!

So my question is, has anyone else pinched their sciatic nerve and still found exercises that help? Or any sort of fitness that you can continue with without causing more pain? I can't stand not being active and not being able to do anything fitness related. I was already gaining too much weight as it was and I don't want the weight gain to get out of control.

 Thanks!

[Deleted User]

i used to go and get a 30 min massage and my lady was AWESOME.  she would focus on the painful side and it would eventually go away and stay away for a week or two!  i worked out my entire pregnancy!

ATXMamaDoll

I have been dealing with a pinched sciatic nerve since my early 20's. I started lifting weights and exercising when I was 12, which might have something to do with it. Exercise made it worse for me, but a friend of mine who is a yoga teacher gave me an excellent stretch to do (because he saw I was in so much pain). Sit on the edge of a chair, bench, bed, etc. Whichever side is bothering you, raise that leg up and rest your ankle on the opposite knee just like you are crossing your legs "man" style. Lean forward until you feel it pulling/stretching where the nerve is, and hold. Do this several times a day for as long as you need to. I found it was the only thing that helped me. I also focus on core exercises that help to align my bones. I hope that helps!

ssemovsk

My sciatic nerve has been causing me issues off and on for several months. I got to the chiropractor but most importantly i find fish oil helps with the inflammation. I do yoga and although some positions may hurt due to the nerve, most of the positions are great and yoga is a far more beneficial exercise than just walking so try it out!

vrj0522

 I was diagnosed with sciatica many years ago but going to the chiro and working out has gotten rid of it.

However, it came back towards the end of my pregnancy (I think at about 7 months). I went to the chiro twice a week for a few weeks, then once a week for another few weeks. I was completely fine by my last month and was able to work out my entire pregnancy. I really only had to take it easy the first couple of weeks going to the chiro.

Swimming can relieve it too. I also did a buttefly sitting position stretch that I found in a magazine once. You sit in butterfly position and then move your legs up and down, this helps relieve the pressure and tightness from your lower back and sciatic nerve.

Vkeo79

Thank you everyone for your responses! I appreciate it! I am going to go in for my first prenatal massage this weekend. That, along with some of your other recommendations will hopefully do the trick.

PhoebeJones3

massage definitely helps. I know this sounds like the senior citizen's water aerobics, but being in the water really helped me. So I would swim as much as I could get away to the pool.