Did you know that in around 20 to 30% of people, sciatica takes its chronic state lasting for one or two years?
Sciatica pain not only affects the lower back but this sharp pain shoots down to one or both legs halting your daily lifestyle.
It’s not a pain that goes away overnight. So, the recovery period really matters in sciatica. Therefore, knowing about how long does sciatica last and the tips to recover from sciatica is important.
As the cause of sciatica varies in different patients, hence, the recovery timeline is also variable. Some patients might recover in a few weeks or months. Whereas, in other patients, sciatica can last up to a year or two if not taken care of at the right time.
How long does sciatica last on average? Does sciatica go away on its own? Is sciatica chronic?
Let’s learn how long sciatica can last and whether sciatica is acute or chronic!
How Long Does Sciatica Last
This is the one most asked query of sciatica patients, how long does sciatica last?
Well, it’s still under research, and things change over time. So there is little uncertainty in answering about how long does sciatica pain last.
However, generally, one episode of sciatica may last for a week or two. But in chronic cases, sciatica pain lasts for a year or more.
Besides, many patients commonly experience flare-ups of sciatica. These sciatica episodes last for a week or two and regress thereafter.
Mostly, these flare-ups are a result of physical trauma. For instance, heavy lifting, excessive bending, etc. And avoiding such situations or at least taking precautions may help you avoid sciatic episodes.
How often do sciatica flare-ups occur?
In general, a patient with acute sciatica may suffer from two to six attacks of intense sciatica pain in a year. There may be more in some patients, again varying with associated risk factors.
How long does sciatica last in acute and chronic cases? Let’s find out!
Is Sciatica Chronic or Acute
Another commonly asked query by the sciatica patients is, is sciatica chronic?
Well, to say it clearly, sciatica exists in both forms; acute, as well as, chronic.
How long does sciatica last in acute cases?
Acute sciatica lasts for one to two weeks and suppresses in a few weeks. Though the acute form of sciatica is more painful, however, it resolves on taking treatment.
Whereas, if acute sciatica lasts for more than 6 weeks, it turns into chronic sciatica. It is mostly less severe than its acute counterpart. But since the pain is persistent, chronic sciatica gets highly uncomfortable.
Patients with chronic sciatica experience change in pain severity but there will always be a pain of some intensity. Besides, a 100% cure is not available at the moment except for the surgery.
How long does sciatica last in chronic sciatica?
In acute cases, sciatica pain subsides upon taking treatment at the right time. However, chronic sciatica patients have to suffer through sciatica for over a year or more, and the only treatment is surgery.
Note: It’s uncommon for chronic sciatica to develop from nowhere. And mostly chronic sciatica is a result of several acute episodes leading to consistent back pain.
Does Sciatica Go Away
Do you think sciatica can go away on its own? Well, it does!
If it is an acute episode of sciatica, it will take you around four to six weeks to fully recover from it. And that’s how long can acute sciatica last.
So to put it in simple words, sciatica does go away on its own, but only the acute form of it. If we talk about the chronic stage, as we already said, chronic sciatica takes time. And unfortunately, it does not go away on its own.
Why is My Sciatica Not Going Away
Now if you are someone who has this question in mind, why is my sciatica not going away? Know that you are not alone!
There are several reasons as to why your sciatica is taking longer than the others and not going away on time.
Reason number one: Lifestyle.
Sitting for long periods like when using a phone or working on a laptop can badly affect the back, resulting in sciatica. In fact, lying down for a long duration can also flare up sciatica.
Apart from lifestyle, many people complain of back pain after lifting a heavy object. This is because when you bend down to lift an object the force you apply goes to the spine, this may lead to herniation, and hence, sciatica.
Besides, maybe you are not taking the necessary measures to relieve sciatica.
Remember that chronic sciatica does not go away on its own. You have to make efforts; do yoga, stretches, use medicines, and do whatever it takes to recover from sciatica as soon as possible.
Is Sciatica Permanent
Does sciatica really go away? Or is sciatica permanent?
Well, we know that sciatica does not go away easily. And worst of all, a few patients fail to respond to any type of therapy and as a result, their sciatica becomes permanent.
So to answer, is sciatica permanent?
We’ll say sciatica is permanent in patients who experience exacerbating pain, do not respond well to any of the treatment, and have to cope up with sciatica somehow.
What about surgery?
Well, doctors ask you to wait and observe the sciatica pain for over a year before taking a major step for sciatica treatment.
Note: If the pain is unbearable and getting worse with time, it’s better to consult with a doctor and not wait for even a year.
But does that mean you should sit back and wait for it to subside magically? NO! Then what should you do exactly within those 12 months? Let’s have a look!
How to Recover from Sciatica
So now that we know how long does sciatica last and everything about the acute and chronic stage of sciatica has been discussed, let’s see how to recover from sciatica.
Does sciatica go away on its own? Is sciatica chronic? What can you do to shrink the recovery period and heal faster?
All your queries will be resolved once you learn how to recover from sciatica.
Here are a few things you can consider doing to relieve sciatica and recover within weeks without going for surgery.
- Say no to bad posture and be cautious of your body form. Like for example, use knees to lift heavy objects rather than putting stress on the back.
- Invest in a good sciatica massage therapist
- Try out yoga, stretches, and exercises for sciatica.
- Opt for physical therapy
- Avoid sitting or lying down for long periods
- Keep your spine moving for as long as it’s comfortable
- Take medications as prescribed by your doctor
- Take Ice and cold therapy
- Avoid excessive bending, twisting, and lifting.
- Cycling and walking with sciatica have proven benefits. So, you may take out some time for these healthy activities.
Note: Bring change in your lifestyle. Your lifestyle alone can become a reason for the worsening of sciatica symptoms.
For a moment let’s forget about how long does sciatica pain last. Try to focus on the ways to relieve it at home, you will surely recover in a shorter time.
Related: Physical Therapy for Sciatica – Best Way to Relieve Sciatica Pain
Sciatica Recovery Time
A study done for analyzing the sciatica recovery time suggested that around 60% of patients on medications showed improvement within three months.
Whereas, 75% of patients who were receiving placebo treatment started feeling better after four weeks.
This shows that around 30% almost always had no improvement. But looking at the bright side, 70% of the time sciatica goes away with or without treatment.
Doctors suggest surgery as the last resort to treat sciatica. But it depends on how long does sciatica last. If your sciatica resolves within one or two months, surgical intervention would not be necessary.
So, how long does sciatica last? And how long will sciatica take to heal?
Well, as you know now, sciatica usually takes around six weeks to heal. And it can last for two weeks to two years, depending on whether you show improvement with conservative treatment or not.
FAQs
How long sciatica pain lasts depends on the cause of sciatica. Usually, sciatica resolves within 4 to 6 weeks. But even if after 6 weeks or so you are experiencing pain, your sciatica becomes chronic and may last for a year or more depending on the treatment measures you take.
Sciatica pain tends to subside on its own. However, if your sciatica is not going away, try out the recovery tips and tricks; stretches, medications, and especially work on your posture.
Conclusion
Sometimes sciatica resolves on its own without the need for medical intervention. However, many people experience the pain even after 6 months which gets extremely unsettling.
If you can relate to the latter, we recommend you visit your doctor or a chiropractor for an expert’s opinion.
Hopefully, you now know how long does sciatica last on average and how to recover from sciatica within a lesser period. Take precautions and stay active!
Recommended Posts:
How to Sleep with Sciatica – Best Sciatica Sleeping Positions
Chiropractor for Sciatica – How Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica?
Acupuncture for Sciatica – Does it Really Work?