Sciatica During Pregnancy — Chiropractic in Pasadena, CA
Pregnancy is supposed to be a time of excitement and anticipation — not shooting pain down your leg every time you sit, stand, or try to sleep.
Sciatica is one of the most frustrating conditions pregnant women face. The burning, radiating pain can make even simple daily tasks feel overwhelming. If sciatica is making your pregnancy miserable, you're not stuck waiting it out.
At Innate Family Chiropractic, we offer gentle, pregnancy-safe chiropractic care to address sciatic nerve pain at its source — so you can focus on what actually matters.
Why Sciatica Is Common During Pregnancy
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, running from your lower back through your pelvis and down each leg. During pregnancy, several factors can compress or irritate this nerve.
As your baby grows, the added weight shifts your center of gravity forward, increasing the load on your lower back and pelvis. Hormonal changes loosen the ligaments that stabilize your pelvic joints, making them more susceptible to misalignment. The expanding uterus can also place direct pressure on the nerve.
When the pelvis or lumbar spine shifts out of proper alignment, the resulting nerve compression produces the characteristic shooting pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg.
Recognizing Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica during pregnancy typically presents as a sharp or burning pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and radiates down one leg, numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes, weakness or difficulty bearing weight on the affected side, pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or walking, and discomfort that makes it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Symptoms often affect just one side and may come and go or remain constant depending on the degree of nerve involvement.
How Chiropractic Addresses Pregnancy Sciatica
Because sciatica during pregnancy is typically caused by structural changes — pelvic misalignment, lumbar compensation, and ligament laxity — the most effective approach is one that addresses the structure.
At Innate Family Chiropractic, Dr. Chris and Dr. Adana use gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments to restore proper alignment to the areas creating nerve compression. By rebalancing the pelvis and reducing interference along the sciatic nerve pathway, we help relieve the pressure that's producing your symptoms.
Our prenatal chiropractic care incorporates the Webster Technique alongside targeted lumbar and sacroiliac adjustments, providing comprehensive support for both comfort and nervous system function.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first visit includes a thorough health history, neurological assessment, and evaluation of your pelvic and lumbar alignment. If sciatic nerve involvement is identified, we'll develop a care plan focused on progressive relief.
Adjustments are gentle, use pregnancy-appropriate positioning, and are safe at any stage. Many women feel noticeable improvement within the first few visits, with significant progress over the following weeks as alignment stabilizes.
We also provide guidance on stretches, sleeping positions, and activity modifications that can support your recovery between visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
It's common — but common doesn't mean you should ignore it. Sciatica occurs frequently during pregnancy due to postural changes and pelvic instability. Chiropractic care can address the underlying cause rather than just managing the pain.
-
Yes. By restoring proper alignment to the pelvis and lumbar spine, chiropractic care reduces the nerve compression responsible for sciatic pain. Our approach is gentle, specific, and adapted for the pregnant body.
-
Absolutely. Dr. Chris and Dr. Adana are both Webster Certified and ICPA trained, with over a decade of experience caring for pregnant women in Pasadena. All techniques used are specifically chosen for safety and comfort during pregnancy.
-
Many women notice improvement within the first few visits. The timeline depends on how long the sciatic nerve has been compressed and the degree of pelvic misalignment. Consistent care produces the best results.