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Different types of sciatic pain
Sciatic pain (sciatica) usually affects only one side of the body, with the pain extending from the lower back/buttocks down the leg. When asked to specify what they’re feeling, our patients with sciatic pain describe the following:
pain in the buttocks or leg that worsens with sitting,
burning, tingling, or searing pain down the leg,
weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot,
constant pain on one side of the buttocks,
shooting, sharp pain making it difficult to stand.
Sciatic pain and its causes
Sciatic pain is a symptom of an underlying medical condition of the lower back area. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back, runs through the buttocks, and down the back of each leg. Portions of the sciatic nerve branch to various areas of the leg, like the calf or toes. Sciatic pain occurs when there is a structural impingement or compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. This occurs when there is an acute injury to the lower back or can be the result of long-term degeneration of the lumbar area. The location of the painful symptoms in the leg depends on where in the lower back the sciatic nerve is being compressed.
Common causes of sciatic pain
Degenerative disc disease (the breakdown of the discs that provide cushion between the vertebrae),
lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal),
spondylolisthesis (a fracture in the wing-shaped portion of a vertebrae that causes it to slip forward over another vertebrae),
pregnancy (increased pressure on the lumbar spine)
herniated lumbar disc (the cushion between vertebrae is pushed to the outer portion of the spine).
How does acupuncture work physiologically for pain relief?
By inserting small needles into specific sites on the body, the needles trigger a response from the nervous system. This response from the nervous system leads our brain to:
release a cascade of natural painkillers (endorphins and enkephalins),
increase blood flow to the painful area,
relax the muscles in the surrounding area.
How we treat sciatic pain with TCM
The most common treatments for sciatic pain involve surgery to repair the underlying structural issues in the lower back, epidural steroid injections, pain killers, and hot/cold therapy. Regular acupuncture treatments offer a safe and gentle alternative for pain management. A large proportion of our patients with sciatica have responded quite well to acupuncture, both for acute pain relief, and also for help with managing and resolving their condition over time. While acupuncture cannot heal the structural issues of the lower back that cause sciatica, it is a useful treatment for the management of the pain with very little side-effects.
Chinese herbal medicine for sciatic pain
With a full Chinese herbal pharmacy, our patients with sciatic pain can also reap the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine. We custom formulate every herbal preparation for the patient’s specific condition and constitution. To decide which herbs will make up the mixture, we use the following diagnostic techniques:
analyze the patient’s symptoms,
measure the pulse,
observe the tongue.
While each formula will vary depending on the needs of the individual. These herbs function to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and regulate blood flow.
Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for sciatic pain
Meta-analysis shows acupuncture a clinically relevant option for sciatica [1]
This meta-analysis compared 122 different studies to determine the clinical effectiveness of various treatment strategies for sciatica. Researchers found a statistically significant improvement in patients who received acupuncture. This study shows us that there are a variety of options to consider when treating sciatic pain and that acupuncture can be of particular therapeutic value, especially when coupled with other pain-management techniques.
Acupuncture shown to have pain-relieving effect on sciatica [2]
This study compared 2 methods for treating sciatic pain using acupuncture. Method 1 used 1–2 needles in the gluteal area. Method 2 called for several needles at various points on the body along with 1–2 needles in the gluteal area. Researchers found both methods to be successful, with method 1 providing slightly more relief. This finding is an indication that very few needles can be used to treat sciatic pain, as long as proper point selection is maintained.
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