Acupuncture does work for sciatica
from:dc-acupuncture
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 A.K.A. Slipped disc, Bulging disc, Pinched nerve (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 and Qi(TCM) flow to the painful area,
relax the muscles in the surrounding area.
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,
While each formula will vary depending on the needs of the individual, the herbs listed below are examples of ingredients commonly found in sciatic pain formulas. As a group, these herbs function to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and regulate blood flow.
observe the tongue.
