Mild cases of sciatica usually disappear over time. Patients with sciatica should seek medical attention if symptoms persist for more than a week, worsen, or do not improve. Pain that occurs after a trauma or accident, such as a car crash, requires immediate medical attention. A sudden or severe pain in the leg or lower back accompanied by weakness or numbness may suggest treatment is needed. A patient may also need medical attention if he or she has trouble controlling his or her bladder or bowels. Physical therapists can help you relieve sciatica pain using conservative methods such as chiropractic adjustments, static stretching, and cold therapy. After using simple techniques, most people are pain-free within a few weeks. As well as improving blood circulation and relaxing your muscles, chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy can improve your spine's alignment and address other underlying conditions. Minor pain can also be treated with heat and cold. Depending on the patient's specific condition, some doctors may recommend surgery as a last resort after noninvasive measures fail to relieve sciatica.