How long does it take for sciatica to heal?
If you have recently been diagnosed with sciatica, the first question that may come to your mind is how long will the sciatica last? Although there are certain Myths and Facts About Sciaticalet’s stick to the basics for now.
What is sciatica?
Before getting into the details of how long sciatica lasts, it’s important to understand the condition. Sciatica is pain that affects the branches of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and consists of five nerve roots originating from the lower spine. As a result, people with sciatica experience lower back pain that can extend down into the hips and buttocks and even into the legs. The main causes of sciatica are:
- Trauma, overuse or strain
- bone spurs on spine
- herniated disc
- spinal stenosis
Both men and women can develop this problem, but people with the following conditions are at higher risk of developing sciatica:
- diabetes
- obesity
- sedentary lifestyle
- old age
- Physically intensive work
sciatica symptoms
Catching sciatica early can help you determine how long it will take for your sciatica to go away, because at this stage you can control it and prevent it from getting worse. The following symptoms can show whether you have sciatica.
- Ace or pain along the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the leg
- numbness or tingling
- burning sensation
- Unilateral pain
- Sitting or being inactive for long periods of time can make the pain worse
Sciatica can become more severe if you fail to control it in its early stages. Patients begin to feel symptoms throughout the day, ranging from sharp, sharp pain to a mild, dull ache. If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
How long do sciatica attacks last?
Several factors can lead to sciatica attacks, but it usually affects people with sedentary lifestyles. Sitting for long periods of time, especially with poor posture, may cause severe sciatica pain or make symptoms worse.
It’s also common to lie down for long periods of time or to lift heavy objects using poor technique and posture. As a result, you may suffer from a herniated disc, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Still wondering how long a sciatica attack will last? This depends on your condition, but expect it to last 1 to 2 weeks. With the right home remedies, pain relievers, and guidance from your doctor, you can improve your sciatica pain early. However, your doctor can’t give a set answer for how long it will take for sciatica to heal. Therefore, it is best to wait until the disease is cured.
Chronic vs. acute: How long does it take for sciatica to heal?
Ongoing acute or chronic sciatica can be very painful. You may have difficulty completing daily chores or even sitting down. If acute pain occurs, expect it to last a week or two. It will heal on its own, so you may feel your condition is improving after a few days. You may also feel some numbness after the pain subsides. People who don’t improve their lifestyle habits or practice pain prevention techniques may suffer from several sciatica attacks per year.
Additionally, without proper precautions, acute pain can turn into chronic sciatica. Because of this, you begin to experience longer periods of pain almost every day. At this point, sciatica becomes a lifelong condition that may not respond to treatment. However, the pain you feel will be less severe and milder than acute sciatica.
How long does it take to recover from sciatica and how is it treated?
Wondering how long it takes for a sciatic nerve to heal? Many patients can heal from sciatica through self-care. If this is your first time experiencing this pain, you may want to rest for a few days to ease the pain. But don’t be inactive for long periods of time, as this can make symptoms worse.
You can also apply cold or heat to your back to relieve severe pain. Certain yoga stretches can also help relieve sciatica, but discuss them with your doctor before trying them.
Over-the-counter medications can reduce inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling. If your symptoms are getting worse and the tips above aren’t working for you, it’s time to see a Chicago pain management specialist. After assessing your condition, they may give you some medications to relieve your symptoms. This includes:
- Muscle relaxants for people with spasticity
- anti-inflammatory drugs
- Taking drugs in serious cases
- tricyclic antidepressants
- anti-epileptic drugs
Some health professionals also offer physical therapy and steroid injections.
What lifestyle changes can prevent sciatica attacks?
Considering how long it takes to recover from sciatica, it’s important to understand how painful it can be to perform daily activities. To prevent the problem from getting worse and speed up the healing process, there are some lifestyle changes you can make.
- Increase daily physical activity to strengthen lower back muscles
- Never bend down to lift heavy objects – try squatting when lifting heavy objects
- Keep your back straight when sitting
- Stick to a clean diet to avoid diabetes and obesity, which are major risk factors
Some other things you need to know
- Many women who face sciatica during pregnancy ask how long sciatica pain usually lasts. Pain may persist throughout pregnancy, but you can discuss the problem with your gynecologist to reduce pain.
- Sciatica is different from regular back pain in that sciatica radiates from the lower back to the buttocks and legs.
- Symptoms of herniated discs, pinched nerves, and bursitis are similar to those of sciatica.
- If this condition persists for more than a week and home remedies do not relieve the pain, you should see your doctor immediately.
Treat sciatica with expert help
Sciatica is extremely painful, whether chronic or acute. Considering how long it takes for the sciatic nerve to heal, you may feel very fatigued for one to three weeks depending on the severity of the pain.
If you want relief from your symptoms as quickly as possible and find out how long it will take to heal from sciatica, get in touch chicago pain management Experts at the Illinois Pain and Spine Institute. We can determine the cause of sciatica and recommend effective treatment options to relieve pain.
