Acupuncture for Sciatica
The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. Sciatica is not a disease but a set of symptoms describing a condition where pain results from the compression of one of the 5 spinal nerve roots that gives rise to each sciatic nerve. The sciatic pain can the result from muscle spasms, herniated discs, or the spine itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttocks, and can go down the back or side of the leg and foot. The pain can be described as sharp, numb, nervy, hot, or a general weakness in the leg. The pain is usually felt on one side where the compression has taken place.
The most common cause of Sciatica in Chinese Medicine is qi & blood stagnation in the bladder or gallbladder meridians. This stagnation is what can manifest as muscle spasms and pain. When we treat sciatica, we are not only treating the pain symptoms but the underlying root cause at the same time. Root causes can range from Liver Qi Stagnation, Spleen Qi Deficiency, or Kidney Qi Deficiency.
Treatment of Sciatica with acupuncture can be very effective in alleviating pain symptoms and to facilitate and speed the healing process. In my experience, Sciatica is best treated by combination therapy and therefore shows the best results. Combination treatment will usually include acupuncture, cupping, infrared heat therapy, electrostimulation, and massage. Not all modalities are used at the same time
