Sciatica is actually not a disorder but more of a symptom. The radiating pain that one experience is actually a sign that there is a problem that involves the nerve like herniated disc which can be the culprit. Depending on what causes it, the sciatica pain may remain for a period of time or it may go away on its own in a couple of weeks.
Pain can vary from mild to sharp pains and it can get worst with prolong sitting or when you sneeze or cough. Most of the time only one side of the lower extremity is affected. Symptoms of sciatica may include tingling in your toes or part of your foot, pain along your lower back to your buttocks down to the back of your thigh and calf, Muscle weakness or numbness along the nerve path from your leg to your foot and loss of bowel and bladder control.
When to consult your doctor? Mild sciatica goes away on its own thus you can do self-care but if symptoms still persist or becomes severe then get medical attention immediately especially if you experience a sudden acute pain in your leg or low back, muscle weakness and numbness in your leg, if pain follows injury and if you have difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel.
As Mayo Clinic point out, Sciatica respond quite well with self-care measures like the use of hot and cold packs, use of over the counter medicines, exercise and stretching. Aside from the self-care measures that you can do at home your doctor might recommend Physical Therapy. Your Physical Therapist can create a rehabilitation program so as to avoid any recurrent injuries. Along with the Physical Therapy, your doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory drug with muscle relaxant.
If all conservative treatment fails then Epidural steroid injections might be given and of course surgery if things don’t get any better. But still other patients still discuss other alternative form of treatments and your doctor may recommend massage, hypnosis, chiropractic, non-invasive spinal decompression therapy and acupuncture.