We get excited when discussing how Acupuncture helps sciatica. It’s one of those conditions that is so easily helped by Acupuncture and Cupping; we can’t wait to tell you all about it! Acupuncture needles pacify the sciatic nerve. It truly is the best kind of care. The sciatic nerve is a BIG bundle of nerves, 1 on each side of the body. The Sciatica nerve’s thickest part goes down the gluts (aka buttocks). This nerve is easily triggered and inflamed. And when it acts up- watch out as it is SUPER painful and can put an otherwise healthy person out of commission for days or even weeks. We’re going to share with you why we feel we’re the best Acupuncture clinic in Toronto to help you relieve Sciatica.
Acupuncture needles pacify the sciatic nerve like no other therapy can.
Does Acupuncture work on Sciatica?
It absolutely does! We’ve successfully relieved thousands of patients in our Center. We’d like to explain how it works from both a Chinese Medicine and scientific perspective.
According to Chinese Medicine, sciatica is a channel blockage/obstruction in the Gallbladder and Bladder channels. The Chinese thousands of years ago mapped out energy channels which Acupuncture points are charted on. The Gall Bladder channel interestingly (and probably non coincidentally) overlaps a large portion of the actual Sciatic Nerve. It’s fascinating that when developing Chinese Medicine, the Chinese did not dissect the body but somehow the overlap of this channel and the nerve and dermatomes.
Note on Chinese Medicine Terminology
When we discuss Chinese Medicine some language of internal organs is used. Please don’t worry if we mention internal organs, there’s probably nothing wrong! The functions and physiology of internal organs is different than in western medicine so just take it all in without panicking that there is something “wrong” with your kidneys, Gall Bladder etc. We’re discussing organ “energy” not the anatomical organ.
How Acupuncture is Good for Sciatica
SO MANY REASONS!!!
- We can follow the path of pain (along the Sciatica channel) with lots of mapped out/charted Acupuncture points.
- Low back issues including Sciatica are often correlated with the Kidneys. If we stimulate Kidney points along with other painful spots, the pain is usually significantly reduced.
- Studies have found acupuncture significantly more effective and safer then medication for pain (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35985442/).
MORE REASONS….
- Acupuncture helps with all kinds of pain by creating change in the nervous system (including neurotransmitters) and releasing endorphins.
- As well as reducing pain. Acupuncture can also help with problems that sometimes come secondarily to experiences of acute or chronic pain such as poor sleep, lack of energy, and/or emotional regulation.
- By treating you holistically, and considering these related factors, we can stop the pain spiral and get you back to feeling 100% after just a few sessions.
- Acupuncture helps with all kinds of pain by creating change in the nervous system (including neurotransmitters) and releasing endorphins.
- As well as reducing pain. Acupuncture can also help with problems that sometimes come secondarily to experiences of acute or chronic pain such as poor sleep, lack of energy, and/or emotional regulation.
- By treating you holistically, and considering these related factors, we can stop the pain spiral and get you back to feeling 100% after just a few sessions.
Watch our team/s favourite Sciatica Relief Exercise
What to Expect during a Sciatica Treatment at Acupuncture Center Toronto
Clinical Acupuncture Treatment involves putting acupuncture needles at powerful points along these 2 channels to blast energy through pain blockages. Local points in the areas of tightness and pain are also used. We’ll literally hug the spine with needles around the root of the problem. Often this is around L5 or S1 which is the area right around your back where the hip bones are. By inserting needles around (not on) the spine, we sooth the nerves and reduce the pain. This analgesic effect has been proven time and time again in various scientific studies.
Acupuncture and Sciatica was meant to be. So many Acupuncture points run along the sciatic nerve.
Japanese Moxibustion (a herbal heat therapy) can also be used on painful spots/acupuncture points to quickly soften the tissue and super charge the action of the acupuncture point. We love Japanese Moxibustion so much because it’s such a very fast analgesic pain relief therapy.
Cupping Therapy/Gua Sha for effective Sciatica pain relief
Cupping is an amazing sidekick to help sciatica. The procedure lasts about 5-10 minutes. Cups are placed on flared up areas (directly over the sciatic nerve). We often apply them to the low back, hips, gluts or legs. They are said to suck pain out of the body. Once we see red or purple marks, we know the cups have done their job then we pop them off!
Gua Sha (scraping massage) and cupping are incredible at dramatically increasing circulation, bringing blood flow and nourishment to the area, which then removes the channel blockage and decreases pain. We’ll use smooth Gua Sha stones and healing crystals to pacify the inflamed dermatomes.
How many treatments will it take to get rid of Sciatica?
Acute Severe Sciatica- 1 or 2 appointments per week for 2 weeks
For debilitating, severely painful Sciatica, we can usually reduce the pain in 2-3 weeks and recommend coming 1-2 times/week. Then you can ease into a less frequent treatments.
Long Term Chronic= Regular ongoing monthly Sessions
Often with chronic cases of sciatica, the root cause can be hard to eliminate, such as long hours sitting for work. In these cases, regular preventative treatments are recommended and advise patients to come into the Center on a 1/month basis.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica means inflammation or impingement along any part of this giant nerve. More specifically it refers to pain, weakness, numbness and/or tingling coming from an irritated sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates in the low back (also known as lumbar region). It weaves it’s way down the lower half of the body and is at it’s largest as it travels through the gluteal region. The mighty sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body!
What does sciatica feel like?
When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, it is PAINFUL!!
- Sometimes it feels like stabbing, shooting pain, other times it can feel like pins and needles with a numb sensation.
- Electric shock or jolt type of pain
- It is usually one sided
- It is sometimes made worse with coughing, sneezing, sitting, standing or activity. It’s cranky and unpredictable when it flares up.
Sciatica pain can attack any part of it’s long pathway through the low back, gluts, legs and or feet
Sciatica happens to approximately 40% of people within their lifetime. That’s why we treat it so often at Acupuncture Center Toronto. Low back pain is the second most common condition we treat in our Toronto clinic. The sciatic nerve bundle travels from 5 nerve roots coming from your lumbar (low back) spine and sacrum (bone at the bottom of your spine, at the top of your buttocks). It runs down either side of your low back through your hip and gluteal region, down the back of your thigh and continues down the back and outside of your calf and foot.
Causes of Sciatica:
Sciatica can be triggered by:
- Lumbar pain
- Herniated disks
- Degenerative disk disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Foraminal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoarthritis
- Injuries from heavy lifting, sports or motor vehicle accidents
- Pregnancy
- Tumours, cysts or other growths
- Conus medullas syndrome
- Cauda equina syndrome
Cheap and easy Sciatica self-care tips
Mind:
- Emotions like anger, frustration and irritability increase stagnation in the body and can increase pain. While difficult when we are in pain, do your best to relax and destress with a bath or favourite movie.
- Avoid triggers for these emotions when possible especially during a flare up.
Body:
- Massage the belly of the painful glut/hamstring muscles with a tennis ball or road hockey ball. You can also buy a “double massage ball” (or, put 2 balls into a dress sock and tie off) and put either side of your spine to self massage. This is an easy way to do self-acupressure on the Bladder channel on the back.
- Go for a short walk. This helps to move qi and relax muscles. Start with 5 minutes if you are in acute pain and increase slowly from there.
- If you sit for work, try to get up once an hour and walk around your home for a couple minutes.
- Strengthen your core to prevent acute flare ups. Pilates is a great option for this.
Acupuncture was invented to directly stimulate the sciatica nerve and put an end to pain. Come Chill with us next time Sciatica flares up!
By Alison Bayes R. Ac
Alison Bayes has many years under their belt of treating Sciatica and musculoskeletal issues. They are an experienced Registered Acupunturist and are known for having precise and intuitive palpation skills. Their fine motor treatment skills are accurate. Alison Bayes is a wise “old-soul” and a natural carpenter for fixing health conditions. They take great pride in honing their craft and can be counted on to help their patients quietly and humbly. Click here to book an appointment with Alison Bayes
