Treatment for Sciatica: Using Acupuncture to ease the pain

(Image courtesy of https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/sciatica/sciatica-causes )

​ What is Sciatica?
 
Sciatica defines any pain that is caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, it runs from the lower back (exiting in the lumbar part of the spine) through the buttocks and down the leg. It can affect different people in different ways, with pain ranging from mild and irritating to severe and debilitating.
 
What are the Symptoms?
 
Typically, sciatica only affects one side of the body. You may experience any of the following symptoms in your buttocks, down your leg or even your toes:

• Shooting pains
• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Weakness
• Lower back pain

 
What causes Sciatica?
 
Nerves exit the spine via nerve roots in between the vertebrae. A group of nerves in the lower back merge to form the sciatic nerve. Sciatica occurs when something is pressing or rubbing the nerve as it exits the spine, such as:

• Slipped disc (herniated disc)
• Spinal Stenosis – where the part of the spine where the nerve passes through is narrowed
• Spondylolisthesis – where a vertebra (bone in the spine) slips out of position
• An injury or trauma to the lower back
• Muscle spasms in lower back and buttocks
• Pregnancy

 
How can it be treated?
 
General treatment for sciatica includes prescription painkillers specifically for nerve pain, and combination of gentle exercises and stretches. It also advised that where possible to carry on with your day to day activities.
 
How Acupuncture can help:
 
Acupuncture helps to relieve sciatica by:

• Reducing local inflammation
• Improving blood flow to the painful area
• Relaxing muscles around the sciatic nerve
• Improving joint mobility

 
It also has an effect on the nervous system; when the needles are inserted, local nerves stimulate the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters. These change how the brain and spinal cord processes pain, explaining how pain is reduced.
 
Over the past few months there has been an increasing amount of people seeking relief for their sciatica. We have found that most patients respond well to acupuncture, both for relief from the acute pain and in helping to manage and resolve their sciatica. Find out how acupuncture helped Steve, in the next blog.
 
Tips for keeping back pain at bay:

• Keep moving! Take regular exercise, such as walking and swimming
• Avoid sitting in the same position for too long
• If you have a desk based job, try and get up every few hours
• Make sure you have good posture, both sitting and standing
• Be aware of your back when lifting heavy/awkward objects
• If you have back pain while sleeping, try a pillow in between your knees if you lie on your side. Or a pillow under your knees if you lie on your back
• Gentle stretches are great to prevent your back seizing up
• Try and lose weight if you are overweight, as this can be a cause of back pain
• Yoga is a perfect way to keep your back pain away. Find a local class or if you have some experience, there are some great online tutors, such as Adriene

 
 If you'd like to talk more about how acupuncture could help you, get in touch. Thanks for reading!