How Long Does It Take for Sciatica to Go Away?

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a type of pain that radiates along your sciatic nerve, a nerve that extends from your lower back through each leg. It most commonly occurs after an accident or injury that causes a disc to herniate and compress your sciatic nerve. Sciatica can also be caused by a bone spur, spinal stenosis, pregnancy, and even muscle spasms.

Sciatic pain range from light pain to sharp, shooting pain. Its most common symptoms include:

• Lower back pain
• Pain on one side of your butt
• Pain while sitting or walking
• Shooting pain down one leg
• Hip popping and pain

Sciatica may go away on its own, but it can persist. Especially if it’s a more serious case. If you’re experiencing a severe case of sciatica, visit your doctor to find out what treatment options work best for you.

How Long Does It Take for Sciatica to Go Away?

How long your sciatica lasts depends on if it’s an acute or chronic case. If it’s acute, it should only last a few weeks. You may experience several sciatic episodes throughout the year though, all of which will have different recovery times.

If your sciatica lasts longer than a few weeks, you most likely have chronic sciatica. This means you’ll experience some level of pain pretty regularly with less severity than an acute case. Unfortunately, it also means your sciatica is a life-long condition which you’ll have to monitor for and actively treat.

How to Care for Your Sciatica

Sciatica is an often-painful condition that can disrupt your daily routine. Thankfully, it often does respond well to self-care. Anti-inflammatory medications, like aspirin and ibuprofen, can effectively reduce the painful swelling associated with sciatica. Alternating hot and cold packs can also provide temporary relief.

While it may seem counterintuitive, sciatica responds best to some activity. So, don’t spend too much time in bed resting. Instead, try to exercise regularly to maintain strength in your back. And do your best to maintain good posture and avoid bending over or squatting to pick up heavy objects.

Additionally, physical therapy and chiropractic care can help you deal with sciatica. That’s because it can teach you the core and back strengthening techniques that will help prevent future flareups. In many cases, physical therapy and other treatment options like chiropractic care are covered by your insurance.

Additional Treatment Options

There are other medical options if these treatments prove ineffective. Your pain management doctor may recommend a steroid injection, which is injected into the area surrounding the nerve to reduce inflammation. There are potential side effects though, so talk to your doctor before you pursue that option.

Surgery is a last resort option that you should only turn to if your sciatica is causing bladder or bowel control issues. That’s because it’s often ineffective and comes with some potential risks.

Ready to Treat Your Sciatica?

Sciatica can be a painful and frustrating condition to deal with. But you shouldn’t lose hope as there are ways to treat it! Now that we’ve answered “how long does it take for sciatica to go away?” and covered available treatments, you can find the option that works best for you!

Are you experiencing sciatica? Not sure what you should do first? Call 1-800-897-8440 to find a doctor near you so you can start treating your condition today!