Acupuncture For Sciatica

Sciatica - also known as radicular or nerve root pain - is a common condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lower back down to the feet) becomes irritated or compressed. 

It can be caused by a slipped disc, spinal stenosis (when the spine narrows where nerves pass through) or spondylolisthesis (when one of the bones in the spine slips out of position). Back injuries can also cause sciatica.

Symptoms of the condition include numbness, weakness, tingling (similar to pins and needles), and stabbing/burning/shooting pain. These symptoms may feel worse when you cough, sneeze or move.

The good news is that sciatica typically resolves itself within four to six weeks, but it can last longer than this, so it’s advisable to have some at-home therapy options at your fingertips to help you relieve your pain and speed up your recovery time.

This could include using painkillers, applying heat packs to the affected areas, getting some gentle exercise as soon as you can move more freely and positioning a cushion between your knees when sleeping on your side.

However, you may also want to consider going for acupuncture, as this has been found to be an effective treatment for sciatica, where tiny needles are inserted into the skin, joints and muscles to stimulate nerves and blood flow and promote the body’s healing responses.

How can acupuncture help sciatica?

When you go to see your acupuncturist, you’ll be given a general health checkup where your practitioner will ask you questions about your medical history and carry out a physical exam to find out more about your symptoms.

During the session, your clinician will decide which pressure points to stimulate to help address your particular symptoms, potentially including sites on your legs, backside and back.

The aim is to stop the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain so you feel less soreness in the affected areas. Acupuncture can also trigger the release of endorphins, which serve as the body’s natural painkiller, which can make a big difference to your pain.

Your session will last anything from 20 minutes to an hour and it is likely that you will need to go for regular treatments in order to reap the full benefits of the practice. 

Here at Acuwellness, I adopt an integrated approach to the practice, combining traditional Chinese medicine techniques with other styles like massage, meditation, moxibustion and cupping. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with me today.