Sciatica treated by acupuncture treatment

One of our clients receives a acupuncture treatment for sciatica at TCM WINDOW.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine state that the body is interconnected; no one part can be separated from another. The diagnosis and treatment of sciatica is based upon identifying specific imbalances in the muscles and the body as a whole. Correcting the imbalance does not just treat the symptoms or mask the condition, but rather corrects the root of the problem by encouraging self-healing of the body. Acupuncture treatment of sciatica will focus on relaxing the muscles and stretching the tendons and fascia. It can also help strengthening the muscles.

The most common acupuncture imbalance in acute sciatica is qi and blood stagnation in the back channels. Qi and blood stagnation in the channels often affects the soft tissue of the lumbar, hips, and pelvis. This is what causes the muscle spasm and tension that triggers the intense shooting pain of acute sciatica. Other common acupuncture imbalances are kidney qi vacuity, spleen qi vacuity with dampness, and liver qi stagnation.

The most effective therapy for sciatica includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and Tui Na, which is Chinese medical massage. In some cases, cupping and stretches are very helpful. The back, hip, and pelvis are interconnected and the treatment should incorporate the entire region. Overall, the acupuncture treatment should relax and stretch the tendons and fascia while strengthening the muscles. This will help release the spastic muscles and strengthen them, allowing the back to naturally heal. It can even encourage an out of place disc to go back into place, depending on severity.

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation through regulating neural pain pathways, stimulate the release of natural pain relieves in the body, such as opioids, as well as regulate pain relieving opioid receptors. Research also has shown acupuncture to have a anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the circulating inflammatory hormones in the blood. This will help to reprogram the muscles to stay relaxed, and in effect, encourage the body heal itself.

Chinese massage, or tui na, works to support the acupuncture by releasing any extra tension in the fascia and connective tissue around the muscles. The technique called rolling is very important to deeply relax the muscles and improve circulation at the same time. After the pain is gone, it is important for you to keep up you own back. Stretching is essential. Stretching will help keep the muscles healthy and relaxed. And it is the best way for you to maintain your own back. Also, doing tai chi, the Chinese exercise and meditation, is very effective to strengthen the lower back and relax it.