How to Know Your Sciatic Pain is Improving

Sciatica is something that many of our patients at Sumner Specialized Physical Therapy suffer with, but how do you know when your sciatica/sciatic pain is improving?

For many people, sciatic pain can be some of the worst pain they’ve ever felt.

 When sciatica is at its worst, relief can seem unlikely, and nothing will appear to help…

 So, the idea of your sciatic pain getting better is a massive relief for those struggling.

What Is Sciatica?

 Sciatica happens when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve.

 Sciatica is a type of pain caused by an irritated nerve, and the pain is often felt from your bottom right down to your feet (and sometimes even your toes!). 

What Causes Sciatica?

 Sciatica is most commonly caused by a slipped disc, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, and then causes the pain you’re feeling. 

However, certain behaviors/factors can raise your risk of developing sciatica. The most common factors for developing sciatica include the following:

•          As your body ages, it becomes more and more likely that parts of it will wear out or break down.

•          Certain careers place a lot of strain on your back, especially those that involve lifting heaving objects, sitting for extended periods, or twisting movements.

•          Having poor posture.

How Can I Ease My Sciatic Pain?

The problem is that if you entirely rest when you’re in pain, not only does the disc stay slipped, but the muscles that control your lower back will become weak and therefore provide less support to the already problematic and painful area.

Limiting the amount of time that you spend sitting can help too. I know what you’re going to say… sitting doesn’t make it worse, but we find that many clients are sitting in a modified or slouched way to avoid their pain.

 This makes your pain last longer and often leaves you with an uncomfortable-looking posture long after the back trouble has gone. 

Don’t Stop Walking

Continue gentle exercise as soon as possible – anything that gets you moving can help.

Gentle walking can work wonders for those suffering from sciatica because regular walking spurs the release of pain-fighting endorphins and reduces inflammation.

Walking is one of the most overlooked forms of exercise; it’s simple, free, and one of the best ways to get more active, become healthier and lose weight without too much effort.

Alternate Heat And Ice Therapy

Using both heat and ice therapy can provide relief for sciatica. Ice helps with inflammation, and heat encourages blood flow, which is essential to ease painful muscle spasms.

Stretch It Out!

Every day you wake up, and you’re not doing something small to help yourself stay active, you’ll get stiffer and stiffer.

You’ll be losing the flexibility of vital muscles and joints, and as this happens, you’re more and more likely to suffer from things like sciatica and other life-changing pains. 

We’ve added a video of our therapist, Rob and Randy, in which he talks about his top tips to relieve back pain!

Click Video to listen to Rob and Randy talking about sciatic pain. 

How Do I Know When My Sciatica Is Improving?

Determining if sciatica is getting better is pretty straightforward.

The severity of the pain isn’t a good indication of healing, but the actual location and movement of the pain is.

It’s as simple as knowing whether the pain is ‘retreating or going’ or whether the pain is getting more intense.

Think about it: if the pain is in your bum one day and down your legs the next, the pain has more than likely gotten worse and is not improving. And if the pain is ‘leaving,’ then the sciatica is improving.

For most people, sciatic pain usually lasts between 2-6 weeks, with acute pain lasting around 1-2 weeks.

Does Sciatica Get Worse Before it Gets Better?

 Sciatica can get worse before it gets better – but it can get better.

 Specific exercises (and, of course, physical therapy) can help. It might be painful at first, but if you persist with exercises and treatment, the pain level can begin to drop.

We’re Here To Help…

 If you’re in pain and would like to talk to us about getting some specialist advice, or if you are looking for a diagnosis, remember we are always here to help you…. and we’re offering you the chance to have your first session with a PT for FREE (with a discovery session). 

If you would like to get one of our limited discovery session slots, please click here to complete our inquiry form or CALL us on 509.684.5621