Are you feeling a throbbing pain in your waist and hips every time you make a transition from sitting to standing or a similar movement? Then stay cautious, because it may not be just a random pain, it may be even sciatica. Approximately 40% of the American population suffers from sciatica which is a huge number in itself. Many people seek relief from multiple treatments available and even spend a fortune. what to do for sciatica pain? have you ever thought that inserting a few needles in the therapy of acupuncture for sciatica can do the job?
Wait! Instead of getting scared, read ahead as we are talking about nothing else but using the efficacy of acupuncture for sciatica. Yes! The best treatment for sciatica, This ancient therapy has produced tremendous results with many satisfied people around the globe. We have all the info that you would require for quenching your doubts about using acupuncture for pushing the pain away.
Is it Possible to Get Relief from the Sciatica Pain Through Acupuncture?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to practice acupuncture for sciatica for definite results. It works wonders to alleviate the intense pain caused due to the sciatic nerve. Acupuncture promotes the regeneration of motor nerve fiber and sensory neurons, and it also helps to shorten the duration of the recovery period after a nerve injury. Implementing the electroacupuncture technique is also very beneficial and in individual studies have proved to be more effective than the basic acupuncture technique.
As per a study conducted in 2015(1) by the Shanghai University of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Rizhao Hospital of TCM, the results observed the efficacy of 81.6% whereas acupuncture clubbed with herbal medications showed an efficiency of around 95%. Similarly, in another comprehensive research(2) that included 12 studies and 1842 participants, an analysis formulated that acupuncture is beneficial by a substantial rate than any other available western medications. These results pose a significant affirmation for using acupuncture for treating sciatica.
[Also Read: Treat Sciatica at Home]
How Does the Therapy of Acupuncture Work to Relieve You of ain?
The sciatic nerve emerges from the lower back and runs down through the passage of hips and on the backside of both legs. Few branches of the sciatic nerve occur in the areas of thighs, calves, and toes. The practice of acupuncture for sciatica works physiologically for relaxation from pain. Small needles are inserted on the specific locations and acupoints to trigger the response from the nerves. The respective response by the nervous system sparks up the messages in the brain. Few brain responses are as follows:
- Releases enkephalins and endorphins
- Relaxation of the muscles
- Increase in blood flow
The insertion of the needles open up the blocked pores and enhances the transportation of the blood in the blocked areas. Acupuncture for sciatica pain treatment focuses on improving the life force (Qi) by the meridian system. Enhanced blood flow relieves the pain and keeps the surrounding parts healthier. how to relieve sciatic pain? If this is the next question running on your mind, read on to know.
[Also Read: Yoga Poses to get rid of Sciatica]
What are The Different Acupuncture Points for Sciatica That Can Ease the Pain?
Your body has several acupuncture points for sciatica which may give you miraculous results. Few acupoints with L5 Nerve root requirement which may help you in curing the pain are listed below:
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BL26: Guanyuanshu
You can find the acupoint around the lumbar region. It is at the same level as the border of the spine of the fifth lumbar vertebra, i.e., L5. Stimulating this point triggers the brain to clear the wind entrapped and enhances the blood flow.
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BL 25: Dachangshu
The following pressure point is in the lumbar region. The point is present in the inferior border of the spinous process of the L4, i.e., the fourth lumbar vertebra.
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LR3: Taichong
It is on the upper portion of the foot. A small depression is present at the first and second metatarsal bone from the thumb side. The respective depression is one of the connecting pressure points to get sciatic pain relief by acupuncture.
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BL58: Feiyang
The following point is present near the knee area, i.e., the posterolateral portion of the leg. You can notice a small depression between the inferior border of the head of the calcaneal tendon and gastrocnemius muscle.
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ST40 Fenglong
It is on the leg at the anterolateral aspect; the following pressure point can be located on the border of the anterior tibialis muscle. The acupuncturist might stimulate this spot before inserting the needle to activate the point for a better result.
[Also Read: Popular Essential Oils to Treat Sciatica]
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GB35 Yangjiao
At the fibular part of the left which is posterior to the fibula, a small point is present. The point connects sciatica(3) nerve branch so it may be useful to simulate the respective location.
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ST42 Chongyang
The point is similar to LR3; on the upper portion of the foot a small pressure point is present. At the main joint of the base of the 2nd metatarsal bone and the cuneiform bone.
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BL60: Kunlun
The acupuncture meridian lies on the bladder. The main aim of the respective pressure point is to promote blood circulation and remove the channel obstruction. You will find the spot in a small depression between the Achilles tendon and the tip of the external malleolus.
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BL31- Shangliao
The point is localized in the first sacral foramen. It is an ideal point for the treatment of sacral and lumbar region pain.
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BL27- Xiaochangshu
You will find the spot on the 1.5 cm lateral to the GV line. The following location will cure your sciatica pain along with benefiting the urination. It also affects in tonifying the small intestine as well.
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GB41- Zulinqi
The following acupoint is present on the upper portion of the foot posterior to the fourth metatarsophalangeal joint. The slight depression is the acupoint for sciatic nerve pain treatment.
There are many acupoints to choose from while undertaking acupuncture for sciatica. The selection depends on the symptoms and origination of the nerve pain for a thorough treatment. The treatment is for long term pains and will help you to enhance your whole body functioning other than just treating the nerve pains. Accuracy and proper assessment are of utmost importance while taking an acupuncture session for treating sciatica. How Many Sessions of Acupuncture for Sciatica Nerve are Required for a finding a relief?
Acupuncture for sciatica pain is an ideal treatment which can result in long term effects. Acupuncture has multiple benefits, and it just takes nearly an hour to get you fixed. It is one of the most healthy ways and drug-free way. You don’t need to eat medicines for longer durations to cure the pain. It just takes a few sessions for the long term effects.
For the acute cases, you may get comfortable within 2-3 sessions of acupuncture for sciatica nerve pain. If you are suffering from the sciatic pain from a longer duration and have a chronic problem, then it may take up to 7- 12 treatments for the relief. The period may depend upon the further circumstances of the body such as stenosis and disc herniation, etc.
Acupuncture for sciatica suits everybody, but the people will bleeding disorders must stay cautious. The time of healing from the sciatica pains varies from person to person.
How Effective is Acupuncture for Treating Sciatic Nerve pain?
There are several types of research carried out to find the efficacy of acupuncture for sciatic nerve pains. The researchers have concluded with the statement that acupuncture for sciatic pain may be useful for the long run and it just takes a few acupuncture sessions to fix the pains. All the symptoms and signs dismissed in six months without any relapse. Highly significant reductions in the levels of pain were also observed with a few sessions.
Acupuncture therapy for sciatica is now clinically proven that not only relieves the nerve pain but also works for reducing the intensity of the pain and builds the threshold capacity of the people suffering from sciatica. It also works over the sensitivity of the affected region. With an enhanced blood flow and unblocked energy passages, sciatica nerve pain is sure to subside and fails to recur as in general cases of regular medications and therapy.
[Read: Acupuncture for Back Pain]
Bottom Line
Acupuncture for sciatica is one of the best treatments for the pains. If you are still experiencing the sciatic nerve pains, then you must get your acupuncture therapy as soon as possible. It is recommended to cure the problem with the right treatments in the acute stage rather than waiting and looking up for cures.
Acupuncture for sciatic pain is one of the safest and most effective methods which may give you results within the first session itself. One interesting fact about having acupuncture therapy is that the simulation of the pituitary-hypothalamic pituitary system even regulates dopamine and serotonin hormones which helps your body to feel joy and relax. Try not to miss out any sessions of therapy as it may disrupt the continuation and affects the efficacy of the treatment.
