Acupuncture for Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back at the sacrum—the bony area at the base of the spine—and travels down the backs of the legs to the feet. Pressure on this nerve can result from herniated disks, spinal stenosis, arthritis, degenerative disk disease, injuries, or simply normal wear and tear. Sciatica symptoms may include pain, burning, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness, typically affecting one leg but sometimes occurring on both.

These symptoms can make everyday movements like standing, walking, or bending over challenging. Acupuncture for sciatica works by reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and calming the nervous system, which helps to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and alleviate pain.

Chinese Medicine Perspective

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain is understood to result from stagnation, or a lack of flow in the body’s meridians. Our licensed acupuncturists will assess which meridian pathways are affected based on the location of your pain. Acupuncture points on those meridians, along with points on the Urinary Bladder meridian—which corresponds with the origin of the sciatic nerve—are selected to restore flow and relieve sciatica symptoms.

The quality of the pain can help determine the most effective approach. Pain that moves from place to place is associated with Wind, so acupuncture points that dispel Wind will be used. Burning pain is linked to Heat, and treatment will include points that clear Heat. If you experience numbness or tingling, it may indicate a deficiency of Blood, and the treatment will focus on nourishing Blood to restore normal sensation.

We also assess your functional difficulties. If you're struggling to stand, it may suggest imbalances in the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. If walking is difficult, it often involves the Urinary Bladder and Small Intestine meridians. Your treatment will be tailored to address these specific challenges and restore mobility.

Any underlying energetic imbalances—whether due to lifestyle, stress, or chronic conditions—will also be addressed during your acupuncture treatment to help ensure long-term relief.

Chinese Medicine + Western Medicine

Sciatica is one of the conditions where acupuncture treatment closely aligns with Western medical understanding. Points located at the origin of the sciatic nerve, particularly where it exits the sacrum, can act like a reset button to calm the nerve. If tight muscles are compressing the nerve, acupuncture can be used to release muscle tension. Many acupuncture points also have anti-inflammatory effects, which further contribute to pain relief.

To enhance treatment, electrical stimulation acupuncture (Estim) may be applied to selected points. This technique helps to intensify the therapeutic effects, particularly for chronic sciatica pain or nerve-related discomfort.

Topicals

Depending on your symptoms—whether you experience burning, aching, numbness, or tingling—our practitioners may recommend a topical treatment to complement your acupuncture sessions. Just like the acupuncture point selection, the quality and location of your pain will guide us in choosing the best topical solution for you.

Takeaways

The causes and symptoms of sciatica vary widely from person to person. Our team will work closely with you to identify your unique symptoms and challenges to create an effective, personalized acupuncture treatment plan. This may include local points near the sciatic nerve, distal points throughout the body, and a customized home care routine that might feature a therapeutic topical to extend the benefits of treatment.