Acupuncture for Sciatica

What is Sciatica? Sciatica is a strong dull or burning ache that runs down the posterior (back) or lateral (side) sides of ones leg, which may also cause weakness, numbness or tingling in the area. The Sciatic nerve runs down both legs from the lower back. The Sciatica pain can be caused by pressure that gets pushed onto the Sciatic nerve from a slipped disc, or it can be caused by an inflamed or tight piriformis muscle in the buttocks, a tumor, or an injury.

In most cases sciatica is caused by an tight pirifomis muscle, which is called piriformis syndrome, it can come from overwork, poor posture while sitting or lifting objects, if this is the case acupuncture can definitely help, especially if treated as soon as possible.

If the Sciatica is caused by an injury to the area or a tumor, acupuncture can best be utilized in conjunction with western medicine and therapies to help speed up the healing process and to alleviate any side effects from western medications.

Also, most people have issues with their spinal disks and not every one gets pain from them. Although if this is case for the sciatica, acupuncture can allow for relief of the pain, but it may take more treatments then relieving pain from an inflamed or tight piriformis.

When it comes to treating Sciatica an acupuncturist through diagnosis will track what meridian the pain is along. This type of pain usually radiates from the buttocks to the foot and causes discomfort in the knee as well. The lateral side of the leg corresponds to the Gall Bladder channel and the back of the leg corresponds to Urinary Bladder channel.

There are many fine points along these channels that an acupuncturist can use to treat sciatica, some points are motor points, which are where a nerve bundle sits in the muscle tissue. These motor points when stimulated can reset a muscle causing them to release any pressure they are causing in the area.

When other acupuncture points are stimulated they help to open up the entire meridian and promote the brain to release hormones that relieve pain and improve better circulation throughout the area of discomfort.

Acupuncture is a great alternative treatment for sciatic pain, it can usually cause some relief with in one treatment, but depending on how long the issue has been around, where the pain stems from and lifestyle it will most likely take at a least a handful of treatments to totally alleviate it.

If you or anyone you know suffers from sciatic pain please refer them to an acupuncturist, the sooner the better. If treated with in the first week of feeling the pain much relief should be felt during the first treatment.

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s article and if you have an any question or comments about how acupuncture can help you please let me know! Otherwise I hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you for reading Acuthink!