Does Sciatica Last Long in Vacaville CA?

If you're dealing with a painful flare-up of sciatica in Vacaville CA, the first question that immediately pops into your mind is: How long does it last?

The good news for those who are experiencing sciatica pain for the first time is that acute episodes can go away fast, usually within a few weeks. However, if you aren't able to identify the root cause of your sciatica pain, there's a big possibility that your first episode won't be your last. And unfortunately, subsequent episodes may take a longer recovery time and it might require a more comprehensive treatment plan.

This is the reason why it's important to understand the difference between acute and chronic sciatica because they both differ in terms of frequency and duration.

How Long Does Acute Sciatica Last In Vacaville CA?

Acute sciatica can happen suddenly and can resolve faster, and it responds well to self-care measures and home treatments. On average, this type of sciatica can last for just a few weeks.

Most mainstream medical professionals would recommend the use of over-the-counter painkillers such as NSAIDs to provide relief. NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, include popular painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen.

Even though these pain medications may temporarily help ease your discomfort, they can come with potentially serious side effects such as an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

In fact, one recent study has found out that using ibuprofen for as little as a week can increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 75%. Researchers have also found that the risk of experiencing a serious cardiovascular event was potent during the first month of use.

For short-term pain relief, it's better if you use a combination of natural pain relievers, while also alternating between cold and heat therapy. And most importantly, it's important that you identify the condition that triggered your acute episode in the first place.

How Long Does Chronic Sciatica Last?

If the root cause of your sciatica hasn't been dealt with early on, you're at risk of developing chronic sciatica: recurring flare-ups that are longer-lasting and more extensive treatment.

It's not about the fact that IF you'll have sciatic nerve pain again, it's more about the WHEN.

At that point, your healthcare provider might prescribe you stronger painkillers, take multiple imaging tests, or refer you to a physical therapist. Extreme cases may require a more invasive approach like steroid injections and in some cases, surgery.

One study has found out that the outcomes for people who prefer nonsurgical, conservative treatments to relieving sciatica are almost identical to everyone who underwent surgery at 12 months, and were comparable at 3 and 6 months

While the surgery may help ease the pain, it doesn't take care of the underlying issue that might have triggered sciatica in the first place. It's crucial to not only treat the pain, but also the underlying cause of the pain. And if you don't, it's possible that sciatica has become a lifelong condition.

If you feel like you need some help with your sciatica pain, just visit our clinic at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. You can also call us at (707) 474-5688 so that we can schedule an appointment for you right away.