The sciatic is a nerve found in the lower back. It is considered the largest nerve in the body, but it is actually made up of a large bundle of smaller nerves. They travel down into the buttocks and into the legs.
The sciatic nerve can be the source of a lot of pain for many people. Thankfully, acupuncture can be a good solution to ease the pain in many cases.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the common name associated with pressure on the sciatic nerve. It causes pain, which can sometimes be very severe. Thankfully, most sciatic pain will stop within a few weeks, but there are situations where the pain may be chronic. It can even lead to situations where it causes significant leg weakness and even bowel or bladder control issues.
The most common area of pain is down the lower spine to the buttock, continuing down the back of the leg. The pain you might experience could be a mild ache, or it could be a burning sensation. In serious cases, it is an excruciating pain. It might even resemble an electric shock or jolt. Most often, only one side of your body will be affected.
Causes of Sciatic Pain
Sciatic pain is generally caused because harsh pressure is being applied to the nerve. The nerve can become pinched from a herniated disk or a bone spur. In some rare cases, you might have this type of pain due to a tumor or as a result of a disease such as diabetes.
You are more likely to experience sciatica if you:
- Are Older. Age-related changes in the spine can lead to bone spurs and herniated disks.
- Are Overweight. Obesity increases the stress on your spine, which can also lead to spinal changes.
- Work in a Heavy Labor Job. Heavy lifting for long periods of time can result in spinal changes as well. Even driving a truck or vehicle for hours over time might lead to sciatic pain.
- Sit a lot. Prolonged sitting, such as because of a sedentary lifestyle, may lead to sciatic pain.
- Have diabetes. Diabetes affects how your body uses blood sugar, increasing the chances of developing nerve damage.
There is no definitive cause of sciatica, but your lifestyle will often have a big impact on whether you develop it.
How Acupuncture Can Help Sciatica
While pain relief and management are the focus for those with sciatica, acupuncture can also go beyond pain relief to provide several additional benefits.
Acupuncture can help relax the muscles, improve blood circulation, and regulate the nervous system. It can also reduce pain by releasing neurotransmitters to the brain that block or decrease your brain’s perception of the pain. It will often reduce inflammation, which can be a big triggering factor in pain feelings.
Studies indicate that acupuncture can be an effective treatment to address sciatica pain. In at least one study, participants found that acupuncture was as effective as traditional medical treatments for sciatica pain. In addition, acupuncture does not have a lot of the harsh side effects that some patients experience when taking narcotics or other medications to address pain.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Sciatica
Acupuncture can have a wide range of benefits for those who experience sciatica. Pain relief is perhaps the most important and pressing help that acupuncture can provide. However, acupuncture can also assist with:
- sciatic nerve flow, including circulation to the cauda equine and nerve root
- increasing serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain
- decreasing joint stiffness and mobility
- reducing inflammation (which helps with both pain and mobility concerns)
Increasing serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain can not only reduce pain but help with nerve repair. That means that acupuncture has even been shown to help with sciatic nerve regeneration.
Unlike other forms of treatment, acupuncture has very few side effects, particularly compared to narcotic medications that are often used to control or decrease pain. As a result, acupuncture for sciatica might be a good option for those who cannot tolerate taking other types of painkillers.
Contact Us to Learn More About the Benefits of Acupuncture for Sciatica
To learn more about how acupuncture may benefit you if you are suffering from sciatica, contact Sarah Jenkins, P.A.C, R.TCMP. We can provide a 15-minute consultation so you can get specific questions answered before you schedule an appointment. Learn more by contacting us or planning a visit to our clinic.
