Living with sciatica can be a painful and challenging experience. But there’s hope – acupuncture, a time-tested method, can offer effective pain relief and reduce the symptoms of sciatica.
While Western medicine often resorts to invasive surgery or medications with potential side effects, traditional Chinese medicine, specifically acupuncture, can alleviate sciatic pain by improving blood circulation, relaxing muscles, regulating the nervous system, and triggering pain-reducing neurotransmitters.
How Many Acupuncture Treatments Are Needed for Sciatica?
The number of acupuncture treatments needed for sciatica can vary, as sciatica is a group of symptoms associated with sciatic nerve root compression, not a specific disease. In cases of chronic pain, repeated acupuncture therapy might be required over several months. However, a typical treatment plan often involves two treatments per week for three weeks, followed by a review of the patient’s progress.
Where Do Acupuncture Needles Go for Sciatica?
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into special points called acupuncture points or meridians. The key meridians for treating sciatica are the bladder and gallbladder meridians, which correspond to the energy channels the sciatic nerve supplies. The needles are typically placed along the foot, leg, or lower back regions, enhancing blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain.
Acupuncture or Chiropractic: Which is Better for Sciatica?
Determining whether acupuncture or chiropractic is better for treating sciatica depends on the cause of the pain. Generally, acupuncture is better at alleviating pain caused by muscle issues, while chiropractic is more effective at treating sciatica caused by bone misalignment. The optimum treatment might combine the two, with a chiropractor correcting the underlying structural cause of sciatica, while acupuncture treatment relieves the painful symptoms.
What is the Best Treatment for Sciatica?
The best treatment for sciatica often involves a combination of acupuncture, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and therapeutic bodywork. This holistic approach simultaneously treats the patient’s spine, leg, blood circulation, sciatic nerve, and muscle function. However, the best treatment will vary according to the specific cause of the patient’s nerve pain.
Acupuncture stands out as it can relieve painful symptoms organically, without recourse to drugs. Clinical studies have shown that 60% of patients who underwent acupuncture for sciatica reported a marked improvement in their physical capacities and quality of life.
Are you interested in exploring alternative treatments for pain management? At Empathic Practice, Dr. Bonnie McLean is our Doctor of Oriental Medicine and specializes in acupuncture therapy for individuals suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, and similar ailments. A certified acupuncturist that tailors acupuncture therapy to meet your specific needs. Learn more about Empathic Practice’s acupuncture service and book an appointment with our acupuncturists today. Start your journey towards pain-free living now!