How long does sciatica usually last?

How Long Does Sciatica Last

The answer to this question can vary slightly depending on who you ask. However, many medical professionals agree that most people’s sciatica pain goes away in under six weeks. 

Sciatica is a condition where one of the two sciatica nerves has become pinched or irritated. It’s also a fairly common cause of lower back pain. Medical research reports that up to 5% of people develop sciatica every year. It’s likely that your sciatica will go away fairly quickly, but there are factors that can increase how long your sciatica lasts. 

Physical therapists can help you learn more about these factors and how to avoid them. They can also help you get effective treatment intended to help manage and reduce your sciatica symptoms. 

Factors that can increase how long sciatica lasts

There are quite a few factors that can increase how long your sciatica and its symptoms last. In some cases, these factors are things that you do every day without thinking. Others are medical conditions that you might not have known you had. Some of the factors that could affect the length of your sciatica symptoms include: 

How can physical therapists help people with sciatica?

Physical therapists can help you learn if any of these factors will affect how long your sciatica lasts. They can then put together a treatment plan that’s personalized to you. A few of the therapy techniques your physical therapist could include in your sciatica program are: 

  • Astym® therapy that uses special tools to realign soft tissue fibers and reduce lower back tension. 
  • Aquatic therapy to provide natural spinal decompression and boost back muscle strength. 
  • McKenzie Method® sessions to help reduce pain and prevent future pain. 

Looking for help with sciatica? Excel PT is here for you!

You don’t have to keep wondering how long your sciatica will last or what you can do to treat it. Our Excel Sports & Physical Therapy specialists are ready to help you learn about and treat this lower back issue. We offer free screenings that can reveal underlying issues that can slow your recovery. In addition, our team excels at designing individualized therapy plans that can address these underlying issues and shorten your recovery. 

Want to get home-based therapy for your sciatica? No problem! We offer at-home care and virtual therapy services that are designed to fit this specific desire. 

Contact our team today for more information about the sciatica treatment services we offer or to schedule an initial appointment.