What happens if you leave sciatica untreated?

What happens if you leave sciatica untreated?

Untreated sciatica can go on irritating the sciatic nerve, so pain, tingling or leg weakness may persist or worsen, and everyday movement such as walking, sitting and sleeping can become harder. Many mild cases settle by themselves, but ongoing or worsening symptoms deserve a proper assessment. The earlier we find the mechanical cause, the more options you have.

What is sciatica, and what causes it?

Sciatica is pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. It's a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Something is irritating or compressing the nerve, and finding out what is the real job.

At Tenderleaf Clinic we specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and sciatica is one of the conditions our patients most often report benefiting from chiropractic care for. Common mechanical contributors include restricted joints in the lower back or pelvis, tight or spasming muscles around the buttock and hip, and poor posture or movement patterns that load the lower spine unevenly.

What can happen if sciatica goes untreated?

Leaving sciatica alone is a gamble. Some people improve; others don't. Here's what we commonly see when the underlying cause is ignored:

• Pain that lingers or returns. Masking the symptom without addressing the cause tends to mean it comes back.

• Compensating movement. You start to lean, limp or shift your weight to avoid pain. That strains the opposite hip, knee and back.

• Muscle spasm and stiffness. The muscles around the lower back and buttock tighten to protect the area, which can add to the nerve irritation.

• Disturbed sleep. Lying in one position for hours often aggravates leg pain, and poor sleep slows recovery.

• Reduced activity. Avoiding walking, driving or exercise leads to weaker muscles and less flexibility, which makes the next flare-up more likely.

Treating symptoms alone, without looking at the body as a whole, self-regulating system, is a harmful mistake that's all too common. Painkillers may take the edge off, but they don't tell you why the nerve is unhappy.

Which warning signs mean you shouldn't wait?

Some symptoms need urgent medical attention, not a wait-and-see approach. Go to A&E or call 999 if you notice:

• Numbness around the genitals or inner thighs (saddle area)

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Rapidly worsening weakness in a leg or foot

• Numbness or pain in both legs at once

These can point to serious nerve compression. Please don't book a routine appointment first. Seek emergency care.

For symptoms short of that, we'd suggest an assessment if pain hasn't eased after a couple of weeks, if it keeps coming back, or if it's stopping you doing normal things.

Why does autumn make sciatica harder to ignore?

It's mid-October, and clocks go back at the end of the month. Darker, colder evenings change how we move. Muscles feel tighter in the cold, we spend more hours sitting on the sofa or at a desk, and walking or exercise routines often drop away as the weather turns. Raking leaves, clearing the garden and lifting boxes down from the loft for winter can all load a sensitive lower back.

If you already have nagging leg or back pain, this is a sensible time to get it looked at rather than carrying it into the colder months. Staying gently active and breaking up long periods of sitting help many people, though the right advice depends on what's causing your pain.

Can sciatica affect pregnancy?

Yes, it can. Many women experience musculoskeletal issues during pregnancy. The increased curve in your back can lead to back pain, and ligament softening allows more movement in the joints of the pelvis, which can cause pain and discomfort around the pelvic girdle. Sometimes that discomfort is felt as leg pain that resembles sciatica.

We have a special interest in pregnancy care and are experienced in assessing each woman's individual needs. If you're pregnant and have back, pelvic or leg pain, please don't assume you just have to put up with it.

How do we assess and treat sciatica at Tenderleaf Clinic?

Your chiropractor listens first. We take a medical history, assess your general health and carry out a physical examination, which may include orthopaedic and neurological testing as appropriate. We also do a postural assessment before talking through our findings with you.

Our care packages can include:

• Spinal and peripheral joint adjustments and mobilisations

• Tissue treatment, with several of our team qualified in clinical and sports massage as well as chiropractic

• Advice on exercise, self-help, diet and lifestyle

• Strengthening, flexibility and agility exercises to prepare you to return to full function and help prevent further dysfunction

Our aim is to remove the cause of the problem, not just manage the pain. You can read more about our team and approach on the Tenderleaf Clinic website.

Common questions about untreated sciatica

Will sciatica go away on its own?

Sometimes it does, particularly milder cases. If it persists, keeps returning or limits your daily life, it's worth finding the cause rather than waiting. An examination can tell you whether chiropractic care is suitable for you.

Is it better to rest or keep moving?

Complete rest for long periods usually isn't helpful. Gentle movement within what's comfortable tends to serve most people better, but the right advice depends on your examination findings.

Can chiropractic care help sciatica?

Patients undergoing chiropractic care report benefits for sciatica, along with back pain, lumbago and muscle spasms. We assess you first to confirm that treatment is appropriate.

When should I see someone urgently?

If you have saddle numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly worsening leg weakness, seek emergency medical help straight away.

Ready to get your sciatica checked?

If leg or back pain has been hanging around since the summer, don't let it settle in for winter. Our team of chiropractors and our sports and remedial massage therapist will take the time to listen, examine you properly and explain what's going on.

Book your appointment through Tenderleaf Clinic and let us help you move comfortably again.

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