How Long Will My Sciatica Pain Last? - The fastest ways to recover from lower back pain and sciatica
Sciatica and low back pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to perform even the most basic tasks. These conditions also happen to be two of the most common complaints for our patients in Fredericton, New Brunswick. So, if you're dealing with low back pain or sciatica, you’re not alone, and you may be starting to wonder how long you'll have to deal with the near-constant pain. The good news is that with the right treatment and a little bit of patience, you can recover from these conditions and get back to living your life without sciatic pain.
Before we talk about how long they can last or look at the best ways to get rid of lower back pain and sciatica, let’s talk about what these conditions are and what typically causes them. Because once you know what causes it, treating the symptoms by addressing the root cause makes recovery much easier and long-term relief possible!
Low back pain is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle strain, injury, poor posture, and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.
Sciatica is a specific type of lower body pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs from the lower back down the leg, and when it becomes irritated or compressed, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet.
So, if we know back pain and related sciatica are caused by irritated or compressed nerves, what can we do to quickly relieve the compression and reduce irritation?
Here are 4 options to recover from sciatica pain faster:
Staying active:
Even though it may be uncomfortable, it's important to keep moving and stay active. This can help to reduce stiffness and improve your range of motion.
Stretching:
Stretching can help to loosen tight muscles in your back and hip and improve your range of motion in the affected area. Knowing how to stretch in the right way may require getting some advice from your physiotherapist first.
Good Posture and Back Support:
Good posture can help to reduce strain on your back, reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve and improving your symptoms. Sitting in poor postures (think slumped on the couch or recliner without firm back support) is often a contributing factor to episodes of sciatica lasting longer.
Getting Enough Rest:
It's important to give your body the time it needs to heal. Make sure you're getting enough sleep and taking it easy when you need to. This doesn’t mean not moving at all, it means avoiding the activities that may have caused the injury in the first place but still trying to keep from sitting or laying in one position hoping the pain will just go away… this rarely happens.
What Else Can You Do? - Physiotherapy Can Help!
One of the most effective ways to recover from low back pain and sciatica is through physiotherapy. As mentioned earlier, talking to your physio in Fredericton first can help you choose the best movement, exercises, or other solution for your back pain or sciatica.
A physiotherapy assessment helps you determine the underlying cause of your back pain or sciatica, which allows you to develop a customized treatment plan that includes exercises, stretches, and other techniques to help improve your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and decrease irritation on the sciatic nerve – which will typically reduce pain.
One of the most important aspects of physiotherapy for low back pain and sciatica is the development of that specific exercise program. Our physiotherapists will work with you to design a plan of care that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Typically, the fastest way through an episode of sciatica pain is to follow that plan of care as closely as you can.
As a side note, it can be helpful to address any underlying factors that may be contributing to your low back pain or sciatica, too. This may include factors such as a sedentary lifestyle or work environment, being overweight, smoking, or poor sleep habits. Our physiotherapists can work with you to address these underlying factors and develop strategies to help you make lifestyle changes that can improve your overall health and well-being.
How long will my sciatica pain last?
It's important to remember that recovery times can vary greatly from person to person. Factors such as the severity, the underlying cause of the pain, and your overall health and fitness level can all play a role in determining the length of recovery time.
In general, most people with low back pain or sciatica will start to see improvement within a few sessions of beginning physiotherapy. However, it's important to continue with your treatment plan and home exercise program even after your pain has subsided to ensure a full and lasting recovery.
It's also important to note that physiotherapy is not a one-time treatment. It's a process that requires ongoing commitment and effort from both the patient and the physiotherapist. Our physiotherapists will work with you throughout the entire recovery process, monitoring your progress and adjusting your treatment plan as needed to ensure that you continue to improve.
If you're struggling with low back pain or sciatica, please don't hesitate to talk to one of our physiotherapists in Fredericton today! We offer free physiotherapy discovery visits, where you can speak to a member of our team, ask any questions that you have, and find out what’s stopping you from finally getting some relief.
We can also help you understand how to get your back and lower body stronger and healthier than ever, so you are able to make the most of your day, stay active with friends and family rather than spending it in pain, and even sleep better once the pain in your back, hip, or leg isn’t keeping you from sleeping in your favourite position anymore.
Alternatively, you can always call us at 506-472-1565 if you prefer to talk over the telephone.
Other Free Resources To Help With Low Back and Sciatica Pain:
Click Here To Read More Of Our Physiotherapy Blog Articles
Click Here To Read – Sciatica and hip pain. What is bringing it on and what can we do about it?
Click Here To Read – Back Pain And Why You Should Ignore Friendly Advice
We also have free, downloadable reports for people with Back Pain, Hip and Knee Pain, and Neck and Shoulder Pain