Sciatica accompanied by progressive or severe numbness and/or weakness and changes in bowel and/or bladder movements may indicate more serious underlying conditions, such as cauda equina syndrome, which must be treated on an urgent basis.
How Long Does Sciatica Last? Is Sciatica a Permanent Disability? Sciatica is a temporary issue. Most people are better in 4 to 8 weeks. In rare cases, it can lead to permanent disability, but there are usually other factors such as severe nerve injury, other health complications, obesity, and a lack of conditioning. Most of the time, Sciatica is treatable with physical therapy. Some severe cases require steroid injections in the spine. In rare cases, surgery may be required in the lumbar spine to relieve sciatic symptoms. Your actions can determine how long does sciatica last.
Anti-inflammatory medications may help with the pain in the sciatic nerve. Consult a physician if you are not sure about whether anti-inflammatory medications are safe for you. Ice, heat, and massage may help treat symptoms.
Sciatica can go away on its own, but physical therapy may help it go away faster because it typically originates from lumbar spine issues. Without physical therapy treatment for the low back, there is a high chance of recurring issues with the low back and sciatic nerve. Physical therapy helps to train the deep stabilizing muscle to control movements in the low back. This allows for more normal movement patterns. Normal muscle activity and movement patterns make re-irritation less likely.
Physical Therapy has been shown to decrease the pain associated with sciatica significantly. It also can decrease the length of time the sciatic nerve is irritated. Therapists can use modalities like electrical stimulation or laser therapy to decrease pain and inflammation. Stretching and core strengthening can also help to get you back on the road to recovery.
If your lower back problem is recent, you will experience acute sciatica, which may flare intermittently or remain constant for up to 4 to 6 weeks, after which, it typically subsides on its own. If left untreated or if the underlying cause is severe, sciatica may become chronic and persistent, lasting for two months or more. An estimated 20% to 30% of people may continue to have sciatica for 1 to 2 years.
