In short
Most sciatica improves over a few weeks to a few months, and disc bulges often shrink on their own. A minority of people still have symptoms after a year. Staying active, managing pain and getting help if it isn’t improving give the best chance of a good recovery.
On this page
The usual timeline
Sciatica usually has a good outlook. For most people the worst of the leg pain eases over the first few weeks, with steady improvement over two to three months. Disc bulges that cause sciatica often shrink by themselves over time, which is one reason many people get better without surgery.
Recovery isn’t always smooth. It’s common to have good days and bad days, and numbness or pins and needles can take longer to settle than the pain.
What if it lasts longer?
Some people have symptoms for longer. A large UK study of people seeing their GP with back-related leg pain found that most improved over the following year, but a substantial minority still had significant pain at 12 months. Lasting sciatica is still treatable, and is a reason to review the plan rather than wait.
Nerve pain getting in the way?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
What affects how long it lasts?
- How severe the pain was at the start
- Whether there are clear nerve signs such as numbness or weakness
- The underlying cause: a disc bulge often settles faster than narrowing from spinal stenosis
- Staying active, sleep, stress and worry about the pain
- Work demands, especially heavy lifting or long periods of sitting
Sciatica pain relief while it settles
- Keep moving. Short walks and changing position often help more than resting.
- Find comfortable positions. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with pillows under your knees, eases pain for many people.
- Heat on the back or buttock can relax muscle spasm.
- Gentle exercises that ease your leg pain. See sciatica exercises.
- Pace your day. Break up sitting, driving and lifting.
- Medicines. Talk to your GP or pharmacist. The benefit of many common medicines for sciatica is limited, and some aren’t safe to combine or take long term.
When to see a doctor
- Pain is severe or you can’t manage at home
- You have numbness or weakness in your leg or foot
- Things aren’t improving after four to six weeks
- Pain is affecting your sleep, work or mood
If symptoms last beyond six to eight weeks, your GP may arrange an MRI and talk through options such as physiotherapy, an injection or a surgical opinion. Go to an emergency department for numbness around the groin, new bladder or bowel problems, sciatica in both legs or worsening leg weakness.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- Jensen RK, Kongsted A, Kjaer P, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ. 2019;367:l6273.
- Konstantinou K, Dunn KM, Ogollah R, et al. Prognosis of sciatica and back-related leg pain in primary care: the ATLAS cohort. Spine J. 2018;18(6):1030-1040.
- Ropper AH, Zafonte RD. Sciatica. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(13):1240-8.
- Fernandez M, Ferreira ML, Refshauge KM, et al. Surgery or physical activity in the management of sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Spine J. 2016;25(11):3495-3512.
- healthdirect. Sciatica.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.