If you’re suddenly dealing with sharp, shooting sciatica pain, it’s natural to wonder, Will sciatica go away without treatment? For many adults, especially those experiencing symptoms of sciatica for the first time, this question comes with concern: How long will the pain last? Will waiting make things worse? Is sciatica surgery inevitable?
The short answer is that sciatica can improve on its own, often within a few weeks. But whether it will depends on what’s causing sciatica in the first place. Understanding your symptoms and knowing when to seek sciatica treatment can help you find relief sooner and avoid long-term nerve damage.
Will Sciatica Go Away on Its Own?
Sciatica occurs when the nerve roots of the largest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve, become compressed or irritated. Common causes include a herniated disc, bone spurs, prolonged sitting, piriformis syndrome, or too much pressure on the spinal nerves from poor posture or weakened hip flexors. When compression is mild and temporary, many people find relief naturally within a few weeks. In many situations, however, these underlying issues develop gradually over time.
Sciatica that’s left untreated for too long or caused by a more serious underlying condition can progress into chronic, harder-to-treat pain, especially when increased risk factors are present. Without appropriate evaluation, symptoms may slowly and progressively intensify. Severe symptoms, chronic pain, symptoms that affect only one leg for long periods, or pain that spreads into the lower leg are signs that you should not rely on time alone to heal.
Certain additional risk factors and activities can also increase the likelihood that sciatica will persist or worsen. These include heavy lifting, obesity, long periods of inactivity, prior back injuries, or jobs that require prolonged sitting. If these or other factors are present, relying solely on time may not be enough to effectively treat sciatica.
How Long Does Sciatica Last?
Most acute cases improve with gentle physical activity, good posture, and avoiding too much rest. But if symptoms of sciatica persist beyond a few weeks or repeatedly flare during everyday movement, it may be shifting from acute to chronic. Other symptoms such as muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, or shooting pain down only one leg may also indicate a more chronic issue. To read more about how long does sciatica last and how to speed up healing, read our blog.
What Is Acute vs. Chronic Sciatica?
Acute sciatica often improves with conservative care.
Chronic sciatica lasts longer, returns frequently, or progresses despite home care. Chronic cases often stem from herniated discs, bone spurs, or other spinal column changes that require a treatment plan tailored to your medical history and lifestyle.
How Do You Calm an Inflamed Sciatic Nerve Root?
Light aerobic exercise, stretching the hip flexors, keeping your feet flat when sitting, and maintaining good posture can help. Other treatments recommended by a spine specialist may also relieve sciatic nerve pain. Just be cautious: Too much rest or long periods of inactivity can worsen inflammation and delay healing.
Is Standing or Sitting Better for Sciatica?
Alternating is best. Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the lower spine, but standing for too long can irritate affected leg muscles. Changing positions frequently, moving gently, and adjusting posture can help you feel pain less intensely throughout the day.
When Should You See a Doctor for Sciatica?
While Goodman Campbell is ready to help anytime, you should seek treatment if you experience:
- Severe symptoms that interfere with daily life
- Sciatic pain that lasts longer than a few weeks
- Other sciatica symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower leg
- Symptoms that worsen after long periods of sitting
- Sudden difficulty walking
- Rare cases of bowel or bladder changes, which may signal cauda equina syndrome and require immediate emergency care
How to Test for Sciatica?
A specialist may perform a straight leg raise test to evaluate sciatic nerve irritation. Imaging may follow if an underlying condition is suspected.
What Treatment Options Help Sciatica Heal Faster?
Your plan may include a combination of physical activity, physical therapy, targeted injections, anti-inflammatory medications, and other treatments tailored to your symptoms. For severe cases, surgical procedures such as microdiscectomy can relieve pressure caused by herniated discs.
Why Choose a Neurosurgeon for Sciatica Treatment?
At Goodman Campbell, our neurosurgeons complete a rigorous seven-year residency, giving them unmatched expertise in treating conditions of the brain, spine, and nervous system. Neurosurgeons also receive more specialized spine training than any other type of specialist, allowing us to treat both simple and complex cases, from herniated discs to more advanced spine conditions. This includes performing microdiscectomy procedures for patients whose symptoms stem from significant disc herniation or nerve compression.
Our team includes neurosurgeons and interventional pain management physicians who collaborate to deliver comprehensive care. At Goodman Campbell, our patients have direct access to one of North America’s largest, most progressive neurosurgical practices, widely recognized as a global leader in brain and spine care.
We offer efficient scheduling, data-driven treatment plans, and extensive outcomes data that demonstrate our longstanding effectiveness in helping patients find relief from sciatica and other spine issues. Request an appointment to get started.
