Anyone who has suffered with sciatica knows that it is one of the most painful conditions that can crop up unannounced, with no warning. Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve which runs the entire length of the lower half of the body, which is why sciatic pain can feel like it’s shooting down your legs. Sometimes an injury to the discs in the spine can cause a bout of sciatica, other times any type of muscle strain in the lower back can cause symptoms. Any unusual pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause intense pain. Undiagnosed and untreated, the pain can continue off and on for months or years.
How Long Will The Pain Last?
An acute bout of sciatica is can last four to six weeks. Chronic sciatica can last longer than six weeks and the intensity of painful symptoms can be mixed with intervals of less pain or no pain. Acute sciatica will usually go away on it’s own. Sufferers can treat themselves with over-the-counter pain medicine or herbal supplements and by applying hot and cold packs to the lower back and legs, which also works with chronic sciatica.
Treatment
In cases where people with chronic sciatica are exhibiting other symptoms, such as bladder problems, or the pain becomes so severe as to be debilitating, a physician should be consulted. Doctors can recommend physical therapy treatments, which can also include massage and hot tub sessions and some of the latest and safest prescription pain killers can be prescribed. If serious medical issues are ruled out, exercise is a wonderful treatment for bouts of sciatica. Many people are able to significantly limit their sciatica symptoms with yoga and stretching exercises on a daily basis. The right exercises can keep the muscles in the back limber and prevent painful sciatica symptoms.
