July 16, 2024
When it comes to shooting pain in the legs, there isn’t anything quite like sciatic pain. If you’re currently experiencing it, it may seem like it’ll last forever, and there’s nothing you can do to fix it. Fortunately, there are a slew of choices you can make to help reduce your sciatic pain.
Read here to learn what sciatica is, how long it lasts, and what you can do to make it all more manageable.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica, or sciatic pain, is inflammation, pinching, or compression of the sciatic nerve. Two nerves run down the back, through the hip, and end just below the knee. The sciatic nerve is a large bundle of nerves, forming the longest and thickest nerve in the body.
Sciatica isn’t severe or dangerous as long as it recedes over time. Common symptoms are feelings of numbness and tingling or pain. This pain can manifest anywhere along the nerve and range from mild to severe.
How Long Does Sciatica Last?
Normally, sciatica is acute and lasts 2 – 6 weeks, depending on the cause of the issue. Muscle injuries or strains can lead to a rise in sciatic pain, but with proper rest and care, it should dissipate quickly.
No sciatic pain should last more than six weeks. Persistent sciatica may indicate a more severe subluxation or issue. If your sciatic pain persists, contact our team of chiropractors.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatic pain doesn’t occur on its own. There is always a root cause to incite sciatic pain. Some common conditions are:
- Herniated Disks
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Sprains and Strains
- Spinal Stenosis
- Pelvic Injuries
- Piriformis Syndrome
How to Manage Sciatica Pain
You have many options to treat sciatic pain, from self-treatment to chiropractic care.
Self-treatment
Like other muscle and ligament pains, some of the best treatments are the simplest. Ice or cold compresses can be instrumental in relieving pain and swelling. If ice isn’t bringing the desired results, a warm compress or heat can be used instead.
Feel free to alternate between hot and cold, giving about 20 minutes between each administration. Stretching and light, low-impact exercise can reduce low back pain and give space for the spine to heal.
Chiropractic care
Because sciatic pain is so commonly associated with spinal and musculoskeletal issues, chiropractic care is pivotal to managing your pain. An experienced chiropractor can use deep massage therapy to relax the muscles surrounding the affected area and release endorphins to help the body feel better. Another standard treatment is ultrasound therapy, which provides a gentle heat deep into the body’s tissues. These treatments improve circulation, lessen cramping, and minimize muscle swelling, spasms, and pain.
The most helpful tool your chiropractor will employ is chiropractic adjustments. There are many different adjustments, but they all work toward the same goal: realigning the skeleton, correcting subluxations, and minimizing pain. Your chiropractor may use adjustments to fix a herniated disk, effectively relieving pressure from the sciatic nerve.
Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, which is very applicable to sciatic pain. While there is no way to entirely prevent sciatic pain from occurring, you can effectively reduce the odds of being afflicted with it.
Exercise and a healthy diet are crucial to preventing as much sciatic pain as possible. Stretching, maintaining good posture, and ensuring you’re at a healthy weight are all viable ways to reduce the chance of sciatica.
Along those same lines, tobacco and other forms of smoking or vaping can also contribute to the chance of sciatica. Due to the nature of tobacco, circulation is impaired and creates an environment that promotes sciatic pain.
Need More Sciatic Help?
With decades of experience promoting whole body health, our expert team of chiropractors in Clearwater, FL, can assist with relieving, managing, and preventing sciatic pain.
Contact us or call 727-447-4647 today to schedule a consultation!
About the Author: With over three decades of experience, Dr. Jere Jarrett is a highly educated and experienced chiropractor who serves Clearwater, FL, and the surrounding areas. He takes a “whole-body” approach to chiropractic care. Instead of treating symptoms, Dr. Jarrett looks for the underlying cause of pain and discomfort. Call 727-447-4647 to schedule an appointment!