How Long Does Sciatica Last? - Spine-health

Sciatica occurs differently for everyone. A number of nerve roots may be affected in sciatica, each causing pain and/or numbness in a different part of your thigh, leg, and/or foot. The response to a specific treatment may also vary between different individuals with the same diagnosis for sciatica. Finding the right treatment is usually a process of trial and error.

Try a combination of these treatments at home for meaningful pain relief from sciatica:

• Ice therapy. For acute sciatica, try placing an ice pack on your rear pelvis. Ice therapy helps numb the pain, almost immediately, by constricting the blood vessels, reducing blood flow, and decreasing inflammation in the lower back.4Kim EJ, Choi YD, Lim CY, Kim KH, Lee SD. Effect of heating and cooling combination therapy on patients with chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:285. Published 2015 Jun 26. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0800-4,5Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate Medicine. 2014;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
• Pain-relieving medication. Try topical pain-relieving creams /gels or take over-the-counter oral medications, such as NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. While oral medications build up in the bloodstream and have a whole-body effect, topical medications may act faster due to their localized effect.
• Heat therapy. If you have chronic sciatica, heat therapy may help relieve your sciatica symptoms by relaxing tight muscles and improving blood flow. These effects may also help heal your lower back tissues.4Kim EJ, Choi YD, Lim CY, Kim KH, Lee SD. Effect of heating and cooling combination therapy on patients with chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:285. Published 2015 Jun 26. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0800-4,5Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate Medicine. 2014;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
• Massage. Gently massaging your lower back can reduce muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and release endorphins (your body’s natural feel-good hormone). Massage can provide temporary but effective pain relief, enhancing the body’s healing abilities.6Koren Y, Kalichman L. Deep tissue massage: What are we talking about? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2018;22(2):247-251. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.05.006,7Field T. Massage therapy research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2016;24:19-31. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5564319/Also see: How Massage Can Ease Sciatic Pain

It is also important to use ergonomically safe and supported postures when you sit, stand, lift, and walk.

Watch Video: 2 Walking Tips to Avoid Sciatica Pain

Exercising at home to relieve sciatica

A routine exercise program is beneficial in controlling acute sciatica pain as well as in preventing future flare-ups. Exercises can be learned from a physical therapist and continued at home.

See Sciatica Exercises for Sciatica Pain Relief

Before beginning any exercise program, it is important to consult a licensed health professional to get a correct diagnosis for the cause of your sciatica. Exercises for sciatica from a herniated disc vary widely compared to those aimed at relieving the symptoms caused by lumbar spinal stenosis, and each type of exercise may worsen or further irritate your underlying cause if done incorrectly.