Sciatica can sneak up on you. At first, it might feel like a little back pain or a bit of discomfort in your leg.
But if left untreated, it can turn into something much more serious. Ignoring this condition can lead to sciatica complications, such as: chronic pain, nerve damage, and a reduced quality of life.
So, what happens when you just let sciatica be? Let’s dive into why it’s important to get it checked out.
Context of Sciatica
Sciatica refers to the pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down to the legs. And when this nerve gets compressed or irritated, it leads to that sharp, sometimes burning, pain people often describe as “shooting” down their leg.
Common causes of sciatica include herniated discs, bone spurs, and narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis).
How Does Sciatica Affect the Body?
The sciatic nerve connects the spinal cord to your legs and feet.
So if this nerve is pinched, you can feel intense pain in your lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. But it’s not just pain — sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, and even weakness in the affected leg. These symptoms might start mild but worsen if you don’t seek treatment.
Early Warning Signs of Sciatica
At first, sciatica may seem harmless.
You might feel a mild ache in your lower back or down one leg. There could also be a tingling sensation, almost like pins and needles, in your foot or toes.
It’s easy to shrug off these symptoms, thinking they’ll go away. But sciatica is not something you should ignore.
The Progression of Untreated Sciatica
When sciatica goes untreated, those mild symptoms can turn into something much more severe.
The pain might start as occasional but can become constant over time. Instead of just feeling discomfort when sitting for too long, you may begin experiencing intense, shooting pains even while resting.
This progression can lead to a much lower quality of life.
Here are the consequences of not treating sciatica as early as possible.
Impact on Mobility
Walking or standing becomes a challenge as untreated sciatica worsens.
Over time, you might lose some of your flexibility and strength, making it harder to move around like you used to.
Everyday activities, like getting up from a chair or bending over to pick something up, can become painful and difficult.
The Risk of Permanent Nerve Damage
One of the scariest things about ignoring sciatica is the risk of permanent nerve damage.
When the sciatic nerve is compressed for too long, it can get damaged beyond repair. This can lead to chronic pain that lasts for years or even a lifetime.
In some cases, untreated sciatica can cause permanent numbness or weakness in the leg.
Muscle Weakness and Atrophy
When the nerves are affected, your muscles also take a hit.
Sciatica can cause the muscles in your leg to become weak over time. If left untreated, this weakness can lead to atrophy, where the muscles start to shrink and lose strength. This can make daily tasks, like walking or lifting, much more difficult.
Chronic Pain and Mental Health
Living with ongoing pain is hard on the body, but it’s also tough on the mind.
People dealing with chronic pain from untreated sciatica often experience anxiety, stress, and even depression.
The constant discomfort can make it hard to focus, enjoy activities, or get a good night’s sleep, which only worsens mental health issues.
Impact on Daily Life
Untreated sciatica can seriously affect your day-to-day life.
Things you once did without thinking, like driving, working, or playing with your kids, can become difficult or impossible.
Over time, you might find yourself avoiding activities you used to enjoy because of the pain and discomfort.
Loss of Bowel and Bladder Control
If you continue to ignore sciatica, it can lead to more serious conditions, like Cauda equina syndrome.
This is a rare but serious condition where the lower end of the spinal cord becomes compressed, leading to loss of bowel and bladder control.
WARNING: This requires emergency treatment and, if left untreated, can result in permanent paralysis.
Sciatica and Sleep Problems
Pain from sciatica doesn’t just affect your waking hours.
It can also disrupt your sleep, making it difficult to find a comfortable position at night.
Over time, this lack of sleep can worsen your overall health, leading to problems like fatigue, poor concentration, and a weakened immune system.
Medical Conditions Linked to Untreated Sciatica
Ignoring sciatica can also lead to other medical problems.
For instance, the prolonged strain on your spine can increase the risk of developing arthritis or other joint problems.
Why?
Your back and hips can suffer as you compensate for the pain, leading to more issues down the road.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
If you experience persistent pain, numbness, or weakness in your leg or foot, it’s time to see a doctor.
Early intervention can prevent permanent damage and make recovery much quicker. Don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable — get help before it’s too late.
Treatment Options for Sciatica
The good news is that there are many ways to treat sciatica. Physical therapy, exercises, and stretching can help relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
And although it only provides short-term relief, medications like anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants can also ease the pain.
However, in more severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove the source of the nerve compression.
Conclusion
Ignoring sciatica is not worth the risk.
What starts as a mild discomfort can quickly become a debilitating condition that affects your entire life. So if you notice any signs of sciatica, it’s important to seek treatment early to prevent the aforementioned sciatica complications from reducing your quality of life.
If you need help with managing your sciatica, you can contact us at Better Life Physical Therapy using the form below.
