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The duration of sciatica typically depends on the type and severity of the underlying problem. While sciatica usually resolves within a few weeks, certain medical conditions can cause your symptoms to last up to two years.

References

• 1.Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2020 Jan 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
• 2.Koes BW, van Tulder MW, Peul WC. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ. 2007;334(7607):1313–1317. doi:10.1136/bmj.39223.428495.BE
• 3.Kumar, M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and symptomatic treatment of sciatica: A review. nt. J. Pharm. Bio. Arch. 2011, 2.
• 4.Kim EJ, Choi YD, Lim CY, Kim KH, Lee SD. Effect of heating and cooling combination therapy on patients with chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:285. Published 2015 Jun 26. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0800-4
• 5.Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate Medicine. 2014;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
• 6.Koren Y, Kalichman L. Deep tissue massage: What are we talking about? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2018;22(2):247-251. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.05.006
• 7.Field T. Massage therapy research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2016;24:19-31. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5564319/

Relieve sciatica pain and prevent future flare-ups by stretching and strengthening your lower back, abdominal, and thigh muscles with these 3 simple exercises.

References

• 1.Jandre Reis FJ, Macedo AR. Influence of Hamstring Tightness in Pelvic, Lumbar and Trunk Range of Motion in Low Back Pain and Asymptomatic Volunteers during Forward Bending. Asian Spine J. 2015;9(4):535–540. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4522442/
• 2.Slater J, Kolber MJ, Schellhase KC, et al. The Influence of Exercise on Perceived Pain and Disability in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2015;10(2):136–147. Published 2015 Feb 16. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125093/

Pain arising from spinal abnormalities are typically caused by a pinched nerve or a degenerating disc. Getting the correct diagnosis is key to finding a solution.

References

• 1.Lee YC, Zotti MG, Osti OL. Operative Management of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. Asian Spine J. 2016;10(4):801–819. doi:10.4184/asj.2016.10.4.801
• 2.Donnally III CJ, Hanna A, Varacallo M. Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease. [Updated 2019 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448134/
• 3.Fujii K, Yamazaki M, Kang JD, et al. Discogenic Back Pain: Literature Review of Definition, Diagnosis, and Treatment. JBMR Plus. 2019;3(5):e10180. Published 2019 Mar 4. doi:10.1002/jbm4.10180

Learn about the common causes of foot pain, including when it's caused by a problem in your lumbar spine, and pointers to help you understand the origin of your foot pain.

References

• 1.Alexander CE, Varacallo M. Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. [Updated 2019 Mar 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/
• 2.Wright R, Inbody SB. Radiculopathy and Degenerative Spine Disease. In: Neurology Secrets. Elsevier; 2010:121-130. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-05712-7.00007-6
• 3.Davis D, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2019 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
• 4.Liu K, Zhu W, Shi J, et al. Foot drop caused by lumbar degenerative disease: clinical features, prognostic factors of surgical outcome and clinical stage. PLoS One. 2013;8(11):e80375. Published 2013 Nov 5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080375
• 5.Reife MD, Coulis CM. Peroneal neuropathy misdiagnosed as L5 radiculopathy: a case report. Chiropr Man Therap. 2013;21(1):12. Published 2013 Apr 22. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662609/
• 6.Daniels SP, Feinberg JH, Carrino JA, Behzadi AH, Sneag DB. MRI of Foot Drop: How We Do It. Radiology. 2018;289(1):9-24. doi:10.1148/radiol.2018172634
• 7.Kiel J, Kaiser K. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. [Updated 2019 Feb 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513273/
• 8.Brewer RB, Gregory AJ. Chronic lower leg pain in athletes: a guide for the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. Sports Health. 2012;4(2):121–127. doi:10.1177/1941738111426115

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Many people find that surgery provides effective relief from their painful sciatica symptoms. The type of surgery that is recommended can vary considerably and will depend on the underlying cause of sciatica. Having surgery for sciatica is typically elective, which means it is the patient's decision whether or not to have surgery.

References

• 1.Arts MP, Peul WC; Leiden-Hague Spine Intervention Prognostic Study Group. Timing and minimal access surgery for sciatica: a summary of two randomized trials. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2011;153(5):967–974. doi:10.1007/s00701-011-0983-8
• 2.Jacobs WC, van Tulder M, Arts M, et al. Surgery versus conservative management of sciatica due to a lumbar herniated disc: a systematic review. Eur Spine J. 2011;20(4):513–522. doi:10.1007/s00586-010-1603-7
• 3.Kumar, M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and symptomatic treatment of sciatica: A review. nt. J. Pharm. Bio. Arch. 2011, 2. Gugliotta M, da Costa BR, Dabis E, et al. Surgical versus conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2016;6(12):e012938. Published 2016 Dec 21. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012938
• 4.Gugliotta M, da Costa BR, Dabis E, et al. Surgical versus conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2016;6(12):e012938. Published 2016 Dec 21. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012938
• 5.Machado GC, Witzleb AJ, Fritsch C, Maher CG, Ferreira PH, Ferreira ML. Patients with sciatica still experience pain and disability 5 years after surgery: A systematic review with meta-analysis of cohort studies. European Journal of Pain. 2016;20(10):1700-1709. doi:10.1002/ejp.893

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Sciatica is often treated with self-care techniques, such as over-the-counter medication, heat and ice therapy, and/or at-home stretches and exercises. While these treatments may help relieve your sciatica pain, sometimes the pain may recur or even progress over time.

References

• 1.Lewis R, Williams N, Matar HE, et al. The Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Management Strategies for Sciatica: Systematic Review and Economic Model. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2011 Nov. (Health Technology Assessment, No. 15.39.) 3, Background. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK99305/
• 2.Cook CE, Taylor J, Wright A, Milosavljevic S, Goode A, Whitford M. Risk Factors for First Time Incidence Sciatica: A Systematic Review. Physiotherapy Research International. 2013;19(2):65-78. doi:10.1002/pri.1572
• 3.Davis D, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2019 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/

Yoga can be an effective, low-impact therapy to find sciatica relief. Here are 4 easy and effective yoga stretches to help strengthen your core, hip, and lower spine.

References

• 1.Rathore M, Trivedi S, Abraham J, Sinha MB. Anatomical Correlation of Core Muscle Activation in Different Yogic Postures. Int J Yoga. 2017;10(2):59–66. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433114/
• 2.Monro R, Bhardwaj AK, Gupta RK, Telles S, Allen B, Little P. Disc extrusions and bulges in nonspecific low back pain and sciatica: Exploratory randomised controlled trial comparing yoga therapy and normal medical treatment. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015;28(2):383-92. doi: 10.3233/BMR-140531
• 3.Chang DG, Holt JA, Sklar M, Groessl EJ. Yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain: A systematic review of the literature. J Orthop Rheumatol. 2016;3(1):1–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4878447/
• 4.Saper RB, Sherman KJ, Cullum-Dugan D, Davis RB, Phillips RS, Culpepper L. Yoga for chronic low back pain in a predominantly minority population: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2009;15(6):18–27. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792123/
• 5.Dacci P, Amadio S, Gerevini S, et al. Practice of yoga may cause damage of both sciatic nerves: a case report. Neurol Sci. 2013;34(3):393-6. Doi: 10.1007/s10072-012-0998-9

Here are 3 easy tips to help you get started with an exercise program to relieve sciatica pain.

References

• 1.Kim EJ, Choi YD, Lim CY, Kim KH, Lee SD. Effect of heating and cooling combination therapy on patients with chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:285. Published 2015 Jun 26. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0800-4
• 2.Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate Medicine. 2014;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
• 3.Mu W, Shang Y, Mo Z, Tang S. Comparison of two types of exercises in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(4):897–900. doi:10.12669/pjms.344.15296
• 4.Pourahmadi MR, Taghipour M, Ebrahimi Takamjani I, Sanjari MA, Mohseni-Bandpei MA, Keshtkar AA. Motor control exercise for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2016;6(9):e012426. Published 2016 Sep 27. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012426
• 5.Belavý DL, Albracht K, Bruggemann G-P, Vergroesen P-PA, van Dieën JH. Can Exercise Positively Influence the Intervertebral Disc? Sports Medicine. 2015;46(4):473-485. doi:10.1007/s40279-015-0444-2

Lower back problems that affect your spinal nerve roots, causing sciatica, may also trigger pain and weakness in and around your knee. Learn about how knee pain may feel in sciatica as well as common examples of lower back and other conditions that mimic sciatica pain in the knee.

References

• 1.Dydyk AM, M Das J. Radicular Back Pain. [Updated 2019 Nov 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546593/
• 2.Jandre Reis FJ, Macedo AR. Influence of Hamstring Tightness in Pelvic, Lumbar and Trunk Range of Motion in Low Back Pain and Asymptomatic Volunteers during Forward Bending. Asian Spine J. 2015;9(4):535–540. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4522442/
• 3.Jeong UC, Kim CY, Park YH, Hwang-Bo G, Nam CW. The effects of self-mobilization techniques for the sciatic nerves on physical functions and health of low back pain patients with lower limb radiating pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(1):46–50. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4755972/
• 4.Hirabayashi H, Takahashi J, Hashidate H, et al. Characteristics of L3 nerve root radiculopathy. Surgical Neurology. 2009;72(1):36-40. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19150111

Several oral and topical medications may help relieve sciatica pain. Learn about the different OTC and prescription drugs that may be helpful for your unique situation.

References

• 1.Berry JA, Elia C, Saini HS, Miulli DE. A Review of Lumbar Radiculopathy, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Cureus. 2019;11(10):e5934. Published 2019 Oct 17. doi:10.7759/cureus.5934
• 2.Nakashima H, Kanemura T, Ando K, et al. Is Pregabalin Effective Against Acute Lumbar Radicular Pain ?. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2018;3(1):61–66. Published 2018 Jun 29. doi:10.22603/ssrr.2018-0003
• 3.Safaeian P, Mattie R, Hahn M, Plastaras CT, McCormick ZL. Novel Treatment of Radicular Pain With a Multi-Mechanistic Combination Topical Agent: A Case Series and Literature Review. Anesth Pain Med. 2016;6(2):e33322. Published 2016 Mar 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4886452/
• 4.McAllister R.K., Burnett C.J. (2015) Topical Analgesic Medications. In: Sackheim K. (eds) Pain Management and Palliative Care. Springer, New York, NY doi: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4939-2462-2_15
• 5.Ko S, Kim S, Kim J, Oh T. The Effectiveness of Oral Corticosteroids for Management of Lumbar Radiating Pain: Randomized, Controlled Trial Study. Clin Orthop Surg. 2016;8(3):262–267. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4987309/
• 6.Frontera, Walter R., J. K. Silver, and Thomas D. Rizzo. Essentials of physical medicine and rehabilitation : musculoskeletal disorders, pain, and rehabilitation. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2019. Print.
• 7.Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2020 Jan 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/