Let me guess: the pain started off as a minor ache in your lower back. You stretched a little, sat a little, and figured, “It’ll go away on its own.” Then the discomfort crept down your leg. Maybe you just started waking up stiff, or it took you two tries to get out of the car. You reaffirm the notion once again, “It’ll go away on its own.” And I really hope it does…
But now’s it’s been a week, the pain’s still gone down your leg, and most of the time the pain is dull, but then you take an innocent step or let out that one sneeze and next thing you know, you’re grimacing in pain and regretting all your life choices…. and now, you’re at that awkward moment where you realize, it’s not gonna go away on it’s own…
As a Board-Certified Chiropractor Neurologist in San Mateo who sees sciatica cases nearly every day, here’s the truth: sometimes it does go away on its own—but often, it doesn’t. And waiting too long to get help can actually make recovery harder and slower.
Let’s talk about what sciatica really is, when it might resolve without treatment, and when it’s time to get serious about relief for sciatica pain.
What Sciatica Really Is (Hint: It’s Not a Diagnosis)
Sciatica isn’t a disease—it’s a symptom.
Specifically, it refers to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest and thickest nerve in your body. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower spine down the back of each leg. When something puts pressure on it—like a bulging disc, spinal misalignment, or inflammation—you may feel:
- Sharp or shooting pain in your lower back, buttock, or leg
- Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations
- Pain that worsens with sitting or prolonged standing
- Weakness in one leg or foot
- Difficulty walking, bending, or even sleeping
In short: it’s your body’s way of sounding the alarm.
So… Will It Just Go Away?
Here’s the honest answer:
Mild cases of sciatica may resolve on their own with rest, stretching, and posture correction. But many cases don’t—especially if they’re caused by underlying structural issues.
❗When might Sciatica go away on its own:
- Caused by temporary muscle tightness (e.g., piriformis syndrome)
- Triggered by overuse or short-term inflammation
- You’re young, active, and have no disc issues or spinal degeneration
❗When will Sciatica NOT go away on its own :
- Caused by a herniated or bulging disc
- Caused by spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease
- You’ve had it for more than 4–6 weeks with little improvement
- It’s getting worse, not better
- You’re developing numbness or leg weakness
The longer the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, the more inflammation and nerve damage can build. What started as “annoying” can quickly turn into chronic pain, decreased mobility, or even permanent nerve changes.
Here’s What I Tell My Patients in my San Mateo Clinic
If your sciatica pain has been lingering for more than two weeks—and you’re not seeing meaningful improvement—it’s time to stop waiting and get evaluated.
When patients finally walk into my clinic at Neurolink Chiropractic, I often hear:
“I thought my sciatica pain would just go away.”
“I figured resting would help.”
“I didn’t realize how much worse it could get.”
And after a few sessions of targeted care—including spinal decompression—they’re kicking themselves for not coming in sooner.
How We Treat Sciatica Pain Without Drugs or Surgery
The most effective way to relieve sciatica pain at the root is to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve—not just cover up the pain.
At Neurolink Chiropractic, we specialize in spinal decompression therapy. This non-invasive technique gently stretches the spine to:
- Create space between compressed vertebrae
- Retract bulging disc material off the nerve
- Improve blood and nutrient flow to damaged discs
- Reduce inflammation and nerve sensitivity
- Help realign the spine and prevent future episodes
It’s especially effective for:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica due to spinal stenosis
- Chronic low back pain with nerve involvement
We also use neuromuscular re-education, laser therapy, and posture retraining to reinforce lasting results.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long?
Let’s say you wait it out. You pop ibuprofen. You stretch. You sit differently. It seems like it’s sort of improving… until it’s not.
When sciatica goes untreated for too long:
- Nerve irritation can become chronic
- Inflammation becomes harder to calm
- Muscle compensation leads to imbalances elsewhere
- Your range of motion declines
- You risk permanent nerve sensitivity or damage
And that’s not fear-mongering—it’s just the natural progression of nerve impingement if left unchecked.
The Good News? Sciatica Is Highly Treatable—With the Right Care
I’ve worked with runners, gardeners, CEO’s, parents, and weekend golfers who were sidelined by sciatica pain—and many of them were told to just “wait it out.”
Once we identify the root cause, create space in the spine, and retrain the nervous system, most patients see major relief within weeks. Some within days.
And when you treat the underlying dysfunction—not just the symptom—you’re not just relieving pain. You’re preventing it from coming back.
✅ Call to Action: Stop Waiting for Pain to Leave on Its Own
If your sciatica has been hanging around, hoping it’ll go away on its own is like ignoring a check-engine light because your car still starts.
Come see us at Neurolink Chiropractic in San Mateo. We’ll identify what’s really behind your sciatic pain, assess your spine with precision, and recommend a personalized treatment plan that could include spinal decompression, posture retraining, and nerve-focused therapies.
You don’t have to live with pain.
And you don’t have to gamble on “maybe it’ll go away.”
Final Thoughts: Hoping Isn’t a Strategy—Alignment Is
Sciatica pain can be stubborn, confusing, and downright exhausting. But it’s also one of the most treatable nerve issues we see—if you act early and treat it at the source.
Whether it’s been two weeks or two years, don’t wait another day wondering if it’ll just “go away.”
Let’s figure it out together—and get you walking tall again, without the pain and without the guesswork.
We’re here to help.
Schedule a consultation at Neurolink Chiropractic and let’s talk about how spinal decompression or another personalized care option might fit into your wellness plan.
Call my Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Clinic in San Mateo for a consultation and take advantage of our New Patient Special.
