Sciatica is an umbrella term for the debilitating pain and discomfort a damaged or pinched sciatic nerve causes. The sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, travels from the lower back down to each leg through the buttocks. It is no wonder that damage to the sciatic nerve has a serious impact on a patient’s quality of life. Sciatica can cause life-altering symptoms that include severe back and leg pain, tightness, tingling, and numbness. Can acupuncture help sciatica?

Acupuncture for Sciatica

Causes of sciatica range from herniated discs to pregnancy and spinal stenosis. Sciatica is hard to diagnose and tricky to treat. First-line treatments for sciatica include steroids, opioid medications, and antidepressants, as well as physical therapy.

What if an ancient alternative remedy could treat sciatica better than modern medicine — and without the dangerous side effects of medications for pain management?

Acupuncture is one of the most effective treatment options for sciatica, and everyone who suffers from this condition can benefit from exploring this ancient practice.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a vital component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a millennia-old medicinal discipline. An acupuncturist will insert thin needles at strategic acupuncture points to alleviate specific sets of related symptoms, often with amazing results.

Although acupuncture isn’t based on modern science, acupuncture has been proven to have the potential to succeed where modern western medicine fails. Studies suggest acupuncture treatment is especially useful in fighting chronic sciatic nerve pain.

Why Should You Try Acupuncture for Sciatica?

Sciatica is notoriously difficult to treat, particularly in cases where the cause hasn’t been established. First-line treatments such as muscle relaxers often have serious side effects while only offering moderate relief. Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that can be very effective without causing any side effects.

In short, acupuncture can help — but if it doesn’t, it won’t worsen your sciatica.

Sciatica patients should consider acupuncture because:

• Research has found that the effects of acupuncture are equally successful at alleviating the pain, mobility struggles, numbness, and tingling sciatica patients suffer from compared to modern medicine. Say goodbye to painkillers!
• Acupuncture does not have the side effects other treatments do.
• Acupuncture for sciatica has a long-lasting effect. After six to 15 acupuncture sessions for sciatica, many patients enjoy long-term pain relief.
• Acupuncture sessions change how your sciatic nerve reacts to pain stimuli.
• Acupuncture needles strategically placed help boost circulation and fight inflammation, leading to improved overall health.

What Should You Expect from an Acupuncture Session for Sciatica?

Acupuncture does not hurt. In fact, your first session may remind you of a relaxing spa experience. Your acupuncturist starts by learning about your medical history and listening to a description of your symptoms.

The session begins after the acupuncturist makes a diagnosis and typically lasts around 20 minutes. While the needles are inserted, you can meditate and relax. You may feel relief immediately after the session, but it is best to complete a course of at least six sessions to experience the maximum possible benefits of acupuncture.

Southlake Natural Family Wellness

Our mission is to support the health and well-being of our patients by offering individualized, comprehensive holistic care including acupuncture, herbal recommendations, customized nutritional counseling, allergy elimination (NAET), whole food supplements, lifestyle suggestions, moxibustion, and cupping, as well as helping couples get pregnant and STAY pregnant by supporting all the paths to conception.

About Farrah Hamraie

Farrah Hamraie, L.Ac, MOM, Dipl.OM (NCCAOM), is licensed and board-certified in Acupuncture and Herbal medicine in the State of Texas with a Masters of Oriental Medicine from the Dallas College of Oriental Medicine. She is also a Diplomat of NCCAOM (the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), a Board Certified Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist, and a member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine.