All About Facet Joint Injections for Neck Pain
Ready to get rid of neck pain? You first have to tackle the underlying cause. In this blog, we dive into a lesser-known cause of neck pain and the injections that treat it.
Does Sciatica Pain Go Away on Its Own?
Sharp, shooting, radiating pain — that’s sciatica. It’s there when you wake up and follows you throughout the day, distracting you and even making some moments unbearable.
One of the most common questions we get is: Will this pain go away on its own?
The answer isn’t black and white. A few factors (the underlying cause, the severity, and your habits) all play a role in how quickly you heal.
Dr. David Wu and our team at CurePain are here to walk you through what to expect from sciatica if you opt not to treat and what can happen if you decide to team up with us.
What exactly is sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that sets off a set of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower spine through the hips and down each leg.
When something puts pressure on this nerve, it can trigger:
- Lower back pain
- Burning or shooting pain down the leg
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness in the leg or foot
The pain can range from mild to severe, and for some people it comes and goes, while for others it’s constant.
What happens if I don’t get treatment for sciatica?
In many cases, mild sciatica often improves on its own with time and self-care. Acute cases may last a week or two, or you may have a handful of short flare-ups throughout the year.
That’s because the body is really good at healing itself naturally. Your body works hard to calm irritation and inflammation and reduce the pressure on the nerve.
Simple at-home strategies can help support the natural healing process and relieve discomfort:
- Staying active with light movement, like walking
- Using heat or ice packs for pain relief
- Practicing good posture when sitting or standing
- Doing gentle stretching exercises
Healing on your own with self-care is usually the best case scenario — many other sciatica sufferers aren’t so fortunate.
When sciatica doesn’t go away
Sometimes sciatica lingers or worsens, especially if the underlying cause is more serious. More aggressive underlying causes include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs that press on the nerve.
If pain persists beyond a few weeks or keeps coming back in longer flare-ups, it’s a sign you may need more than just rest and home care.
It’s also important to watch for red flag symptoms. If you experience sudden, severe pain, significant leg weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek medical care immediately. These may signal a serious condition that needs urgent attention.
Let’s talk treatment
The best news about sciatica is that it responds well to a combination of noninvasive approaches, including over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, massage therapy, and epidural steroid injections.
The right approach depends on the cause of your sciatica and your overall health. The goal is always to reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve your quality of life.
To treat or not to treat?
If your sciatica is mild and new, giving your body time to heal while practicing good self-care may be enough. But if your pain isn’t improving, keeps returning, or is affecting your daily activities, don’t wait it out.
Dr. Wu can help identify the cause and create a plan to get you back to living without constant discomfort.
Sciatica pain can be frustrating, but it doesn’t always require invasive treatment. Let’s talk about your options. Call our friendly staff or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation today.
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