Key takeaways

  • Sciatica pain can be prolonged by factors such as injury recurrence, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle choices that may hinder healing.
  • Infections, spinal wear and tear, and in rare cases, tumors can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve, prolonging discomfort and pain.
  • Effective management includes consulting a healthcare professional for potential advanced treatments like physical therapy or surgery if home remedies don’t alleviate the pain.

Sciatica is a condition caused by an irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression of your sciatic nerve. It can lead to moderate to severe pain and weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.

Sciatica typically heals within 4 to 6 weeks, but for some people, it can last longer.

Keep reading to learn more about why your sciatica pain might not be going away, when to see a doctor, and how to manage the pain.

If an injury was responsible for your sciatica, and if your symptoms get better and then worse, you may have reaggravated the injury that originally caused your sciatica.

Sudden injuries and repetitive overuse injuries can lead to sciatica. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated (slipped) disk in the lower spine.

A spinal disc is made of cartilage, and there’s one between each vertebra (bone) in your spine. A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of cartilage rips, and the inside material bulges out. This can press on the surrounding nerves, such as the sciatic nerve, and cause painful symptoms that radiate.

Untreated injuries to the piriformis muscle in your buttocks can also cause sciatica symptoms to persist. This is known as piriformis syndrome. It’s common among individuals who regularly engage in activities such as running, cycling, or other endurance exercises.

Several underlying health conditions may prolong sciatica recovery time or exacerbate your symptoms.

For instance, inflammation of the piriformis muscle or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may compress spinal nerves, potentially leading to sciatica.

Some underlying health conditions may also impair your body’s ability to heal, potentially delaying the relief of sciatica. Some conditions may include:

While not all of these conditions are directly associated with sciatica, they may impact the healing time of sciatica.

Sometimes, an infection or infectious health condition may prolong sciatica symptoms.

An epidural abscess is a collection of pus that develops between the bones of your spine and the membrane of the spinal cord. In rare cases, it may lead to swelling that puts pressure on your nerves, causing sciatica.

In a 2024 case report, a 68-year-old male who was experiencing sciatica was unable to find relief using traditional sciatica treatment methods. After further diagnostic tests, the doctors found an epidural abscess, which was causing the persistent sciatica symptoms.

Sometimes, tuberculosis may cause back pain and sciatica. This may occur if an abscess forms in the lower spine or pelvis area, which can cause inflammation that compresses spinal nerves.

Spinal wear and tear associated with aging or having a condition like osteoarthritis may lead to spinal stenosis. This condition is characterized by the narrowing of the spaces within the spine.

Thickened tissues and bone spurs may cause compression that narrows the canal, potentially affecting the sciatic nerve and leading to sciatica.

Several lifestyle factors may contribute to prolonged sciatica pain, such as:

  • being sedentary, including prolonged sitting
  • smoking
  • having overweight

Gentle stretching and targeted exercises are often recommended for sciatica management because mobilizing the sciatic nerve may help reduce nerve sensitivity.

In rare cases, a cancerous mass can put pressure on your sciatic nerve, which can prolong symptoms of sciatica. One very rare type of tumor that can develop is called a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Most of the time, mild sciatica will go away within 4 to 6 weeks. However, consider speaking with a primary care doctor at the onset of symptoms to make sure you have sciatica.

You may wish to speak with a doctor if your symptoms:

  • haven’t improved after 3 weeks of trying gentle home stretches and exercises
  • are gradually getting worse
  • start after a sudden injury
  • are preventing you from performing daily activities

A doctor can assess your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan, which may include a combination of home remedies and medical treatments. They can also refer you to a physical therapist.

If you experience severe pain, muscle weakness, or numbness in one or both legs, or if you lose control of your bladder, seek immediate medical attention.

Several home remedies and medical treatments can help you manage chronic sciatica.

Home remedies

Some home remedies for sciatica may include:

Medical treatments

If you’ve already tried home remedies but your pain is getting worse, it’s a good idea to visit a medical professional.

They may recommend several medical treatments, depending on your age, general health, and the severity of your symptoms. These may include:

While sciatica typically resolves within 4 to 6 weeks, researchers suggest that it’s likely to recur, even if you get surgery to treat it.

It may also return if the underlying cause is left untreated. For instance, if your sciatica is caused by improper lifting techniques, continuing to lift objects in this manner may put you at risk of re-injuring your back.

If you’re living with a chronic inflammatory condition, such as arthritis, flare-ups may trigger sciatica symptoms.

For many people, sciatica is a chronic condition, but exercises, lifestyle changes, and medical treatments can help manage the condition.

Making some lifestyle changes may help you prevent recurring sciatica symptoms. These may include:

  • eating a balanced diet
  • exercising regularly
  • limiting prolonged sitting or standing
  • maintaining a healthy posture
  • limiting bending your back when lifting heavy objects
  • limiting smoking

Sciatica pain typically resolves within 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases, it can persist.

Persistent sciatica pain may be caused by injuries, infections, and underlying health conditions, such as obesity.

It’s best to see a medical professional at the first sign of symptoms, as they can assess your symptoms and develop a treatment plan for you.