Your Guide to Finding Relief from Persistent Sciatic Nerve Pain
We all experience the occasional ache or pain in our backs and legs. But when that soreness travels down your leg and won’t seem to let up, it could be a sign of something more serious called sciatica.
Sciatica can make daily tasks difficult and leave you searching for relief. If you’re wondering why the pain just won’t go away, this comprehensive guide covers the common causes of persistent sciatic nerve pain and the most effective treatments to help you finally find lasting relief.
What is Sciatica and What Causes It?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back down through your hips and buttocks and into each leg. This largest single nerve in your body controls many of the muscles in your lower limbs.
While sciatica itself is a symptom, the underlying cause is usually compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve roots in your lower spine. Some common sources of painful nerve compression include:
- 90% of sciatica cases are caused by herniated or bulging spinal discs pressing on the nerve
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) squeezing the nerve
- Inflammation from spinal arthritis or spondylolisthesis
- Injury or trauma to the lower back or pelvis area
- Piriformis syndrome where the piriformis muscle spasms and traps the nerve
Possible Reasons Why Sciatica is Not Improving
For most people, sciatica pain goes away within a few weeks using conservative home treatments. But for some, the nagging pain persists for months with no relief in sight.
If your sciatica won’t seem to budge, some possible reasons why it continues bothering you include:
| Cause | Explanation |
| Herniated Disc Not Healing | Normally the jelly-like disc can take 4-6 weeks to heal and stop pressing on the nerve. If it’s severely herniated, the disc may take longer than expected to fully regress back into position. |
| Spinal Stenosis or Arthritis Causing Inflammation | Chronic lower back problems like spinal stenosis (narrowing of spaces in the spine) or spinal arthritis can cause inflammation that pinches or irritates the sciatic nerve day after day. This continual irritation keeps triggering sciatic pain. |
| Re-Injury or Continued Stress on the Nerve | If your initial sciatica injury didn’t have adequate time to heal before you go back to normal activity, it’s easy to re-aggravate it. Even with rest, a job requiring repetitive bending, lifting or twisting can prolong recovery. The nerve needs a chance to calm down. |
| Being Overweight | Excess weight presses on the spine and can narrow spaces in the lower back, putting harmful pressure on discs, joints and the sciatic nerve. Without shedding some pounds, this compression continues bothering the nerve. |
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When to See Your Doctor About Persistent Sciatic Nerve Pain
It’s perfectly normal for it to take 4-6 weeks or longer for sciatica pain to disappear completely. But if your symptoms don’t improve much after several weeks of home remedies, it’s a sign to check in with your doctor about other treatment options.
A medical evaluation can identify if you have any underlying spinal conditions contributing to stubborn sciatica. Your doctor may recommend:
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce inflammation and pain. Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine or tizanidine to relieve muscle spasms. Nerve pain medications like gabapentin or pregabalin to calm irritated nerves.
Physical therapy
Pelvic tilts and stretches to improve flexibility in the lower back. Strengthening exercises for core and leg muscles to provide more support and take pressure off the sciatic nerve. Low-impact aerobic exercise like walking or swimming to improve circulation.
Spinal injections
Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory corticosteroid medication directly into the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerves. Nerve root blocks use anesthetic and steroid injections to target inflamed nerves causing sciatica pain.
Surgery
Discectomy removes part of a herniated disc compressing the spinal nerves. Laminectomy removes bone and tissue from around the spinal nerves to relieve compression. Only considered if sciatica symptoms are severe after 6+ months of conservative treatment.
Seeking medical advice sooner rather than later can get you on the path to lasting relief more quickly if home treatments aren’t doing the trick.
How to Find Relief When Your Sciatica Won’t Go Away
If you’re still suffering from sciatic nerve pain after weeks or months, don’t give up. There are many non-surgical options to try to finally tame your symptoms and get back to normal life. Here are smart tactics for finding relief from persistent sciatica:
- Lose Extra Weight
If you’re overweight, those excess pounds are likely contributing to sciatic nerve compression. Shedding even 10-15 pounds can take pressure off your lower back and create more space for your nerves. Walking and low-impact exercise helps, along with improving your diet.
- Tweak Your Workstation to Avoid Aggravation
Ergonomic equipment adjustments may be needed if you work at a desk job all day. Elevate your computer screen, use a lumbar support cushion and get up to stretch or move around frequently. This prevents stiffness and hunched postures.
- Get a Massage
Massage therapy helps relax tense muscles, increase circulation and reduce inflammation related to sciatic nerve irritation. Focus the massage on your hips, buttocks and lower back where the nerve is under distress.
- Use Alternative Approaches Like Acupuncture
Some find relief turning to alternative modalities like acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments or yoga. Acupuncture in particular may help reduce sciatic inflammation and pain signals through the strategic placement of tiny needles.
- Improve Your Posture and Body Mechanics
Faulty posture stresses the lower spine and can exacerbate sciatica over time. Be mindful of sitting and standing tall, keeping your core engaged. Use good lifting techniques and avoid activities that aggravate your leg pain.
- Practice Mind-Body Techniques to Relax
Coping with constant pain is stressful. Meditation, deep breathing and visualization help calm the mind and nervous system, lowering tension that can worsen sciatica pain. Even just resting while listening to music can provide a mental break.
End Stubborn Sciatica Pain with Kaly
If you’ve been suffering from ongoing sciatic nerve pain for weeks or months, Kaly can help. Kaly partners you with a dedicated care team and health experts who will get to the root cause of your persistent sciatica.
Through Kaly, you get access to top specialists like pain management doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and more. Kaly handles the coordination of your care for long-lasting sciatica pain relief.
Don’t wait – take control of stubborn sciatica once and for all. Learn more about how Kaly can create a customized non-surgical treatment plan to help you find freedom from sciatic nerve pain again. Sign up for Kaly today to get started.
FAQs
How long does sciatica pain usually last?
For most people, sciatica pain goes away within 4-8 weeks using conservative home treatments like rest, ice/heat, OTC pain medication, and light stretching. See your doctor if pain persists beyond 6-8 weeks.
What exercises are good for sciatica pain?
Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga can help relieve sciatica pain. Avoid high-impact activities. Stretches for your back, hamstrings, and piriformis muscle may also provide pain relief.
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Yes, a chiropractor may provide pain relief for sciatica through techniques like spinal manipulation and mobilization to improve alignment and take pressure off compressed nerves.
What vitamins help with sciatica nerve pain?
Some vitamins and supplements that may help reduce sciatica pain and inflammation include turmeric, curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and Vitamin D. Always check with your doctor before taking supplements.
When should you see a doctor for sciatica?
See your doctor if sciatica pain persists beyond 4-6 weeks, causes weakness in your leg or foot, impacts bowel or bladder function, or is not improving with self-care. This may require further evaluation and alternate treatments.