Acupuncture for Sciatica

The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. 

Sciatica is a set of symptoms describing a condition where pain results from the compression or irritation of 1 of the 5 spinal nerve roots.

Muscle spasms, herniated discs, or the spine itself can cause compression of the sciatica nerve roots. During pregnancy, the weight of the fetus can press on the sciatic nerve.

Typically, sciatica symptoms only manifest on one side of the body.

Symptoms include lower back pain, buttock pain, and leg pain. Various sensations can be felt, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back or side of the leg. There may be pain, weakness or difficulty in moving or controlling various parts of the leg, including the knee or foot.

The pain can be described as sharp, numb, nervy, hot, or a general weakness in the leg. 

The most common cause of sciatica in Chinese Medicine is Qi & blood stagnation in the Bladder or Gallbladder meridians. 

This stagnation is what can manifest as muscle spasms and pain. 

When we treat sciatica, we are not only treating the pain symptoms but the underlying root cause at the same time. 

Acupuncture treatment for sciatica can be very effective in alleviating pain symptoms and to facilitate and speed the healing process. 

In my experience, sciatica is best treated with initial treatments twice a week, decreasing in frequency as the symptoms improve. Treatments include acupuncture, cupping, infrared heat lamps, and electro-acupuncture stimulation and massage.

​Harbour City Healers
Registered Acupuncture
Sheena Villeneuve R.Ac. : 250-667-8242