How Long Does Sciatica Last?

Sciatica can be a very painful condition. So, of course, sufferers would rather feel sciatica relief come sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, relief can be as hard to predict as the sciatica pain itself. Each case varies, so it is really hard to accurately predict how long the episode will last. A general assumption is often made that the pain of sciatica will last anywhere from six to ten weeks.

That being stated, it is very important to repeat that this is just a general assumption. It is impossible to correctly predict how long the sciatica pain and other symptoms will last. The timeline varies from person to person, depending on circumstances and other factors. If the underlying cause is something relatively simple, the person may expect to fair better than someone that has a suffered an excruciating injury. Doctor involvement can also affect how long sciatica lasts.

It is not too uncommon for a person to suffer from sciatica pain for only a few days. Unfortunately, this short length of time is far more often a rarity rather than the norm. Most often, sufferers will remain in pain for weeks at a time. The pain can vary at times, but is persistent throughout the duration of the episode. For some unlucky people suffering nerve damage, the pain can last for months at a time before relief is finally felt.

When some sufferers find relief in a relatively short period of time, they relish in being sciatica pain free. They often take it for granted that the sciatica is gone and assume that the problem is over and done with. Most often, this is not the case because the pain has only temporarily subsided until the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed again. If the initial cause is bad enough, the sciaticais going to come back until the correct steps are taken and the nerve is healed from its damage. Until this happens, the person can expect periodic episodes of back and leg pain.

Sometimes it seems easier to ignore the possibility of another episode rather than finding the root of the problem. But if the sufferer does not take the proper steps in diagnosing and treating the inflamed nerve and its surrounding tissue, it is very likely that the problem will worsen and may even become a chronic condition.

Delaying treatment also creates another problem. As the sciatic nerve remains inflamed over a long period of time, the problem not only grows worse but it also grows harder to treat. Under these conditions, the nerve will take longer to heal. The pain will remain a constant threat until the nerve is no longer pinched.

Even when the pain has subsided and the other symptoms have left the body, it is important to realize that the nerve is not fully healed yet. The healing process can take another six months. During this time, it is very important to pay attention to the way the back is treated. Unnecessary stress should be avoided and the back should be properly supported.

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