We have talked about sciatica many times before on this site – its causes, risks, related conditions, and various treatment options. This article will tackle the following question from one of our readers: “Can sciatica heal on its own with enough time?” We will briefly outline the condition, and discuss whether or not you need to seek treatment for sciatica.

Sciatica – a Brief Overview

We won’t get into an in-depth discussion of sciatica here, but a brief recap of the condition is necessary for our purposes. Sciatica is a condition of the spine in which the sciatic nerves are somehow impacted (whether through herniated discs, trauma, or something else entirely). The sciatic nerves run from the lower spine, through the hips, and down each leg. Sciatica often causes intense throbbing pain in the low back, hips, and legs, as well as weakness or tingling in those areas.

Treating Sciatica Effectively

Now to the question at hand – will sciatica get better on its own given time? The short answer is it’s possible, but unlikely. It all depends on what exactly is causing the sciatica pain. If it’s a result of a herniated disc in the lower spine, the condition will likely not resolve on its own (more on why herniated discs don’t heal on their own here). A patient in this situation may experience bouts of pain relief, but the pain will most likely return and get worse over time.

For all these reasons, sciatica should be addressed, diagnosed, and treated, rather than ignored. The condition is not going away – in fact it will likely worsen if you ignore it. There are multiple options for treating the condition, both surgical and non-surgical, that can help reduce pain and increase your quality of life. So if you experience sciatic nerve pain, contact a skilled spine doctor to discuss your options for treatment.

Comments are closed.