That sharp, shooting pain from the lower back down the leg is a lot more than just a nuisance.
For many, sciatica becomes so crippling a condition to carry out daily life that merely walking or sitting poses a daunting task. If you have been experiencing such problems with regular treatments that show little effect, you may have been looking for something new. Traditional Chinese Medicine provides a fresh approach.
TCM doesn’t just treat bloating; it tries to get to the root of your pain.
Instead of just a compressed nerve, sciatica, according to TCM, is a sign of imbalance or blockage in the body’s meridians.
A lot of times, with the solution to these underlying issues, we would be able to find lasting relief.
Sciatica Through the Lens of TCM
In the TCM world, your body is a complex, interconnected whole, energetic and physical, an entity in which vitality flows through meridians to every part of your body.
When flow is balanced and smooth, you feel and remain healthy; when it gets blocked or stagnated, this can lead to discomfort and illness.
Sciatica is often considered a major blockage along the Gallbladder and Bladder meridians running along the posterior and lateral aspect of the leg.
This obstruction can be attributed to any of the following:
- Injury or trauma: An injurious or traumatic event, such as a slip and fall incident
- Environmental factors, cold or damp: A cold or damp environment can invade the meridians, leading to stagnation
- Emotional stress: A person may be experiencing chronic stress and irritation, leading to the stagnation of Qi in the entire body.
- Underlying deficiency: Sometimes, there may not be enough Qi or Blood in the body to feed the channels and muscles properly, which would result in pain
Our goal is to figure out which pattern is behind your sciatica so we can design the perfect personal plan to rebalance and eliminate your pain.
How TCM Helps Relieve Sciatic Pain
Such modalities as TCM take into consideration the symptoms as well as root causes of the disease and are, therefore, preferable to conventional means of dealing with illness.
These gentle and effective therapies work together to open blockages and reduce inflammation while empowering the inherent healing ability of your body.
Acupuncture Treatment for Sciatica
Acupuncture is a popular and effective pain relief treatment from Traditional Chinese medicine.
It puts tiny, hair-thin needles into specific points along the meridians to help:
- Release blocked Qi and restore a smooth flow of energy.
- Release the endorphins, natural painkillers within your body.
- Reduce inflammation and muscle tension around the sciatic nerve
- Improve blood circulation to the affected area for better and quicker healing.
Most people find acupuncture treatments very relaxing since the treatment is chosen specifically according to your diagnosis for the right points for your body’s needs.
Herbal Medicine
Chinese medicine regards herbal formulas as another extremely important treatment for sciatica.
Unlike single-herb remedies, these are multi-component prescriptions customized to your specific pattern of imbalance.
Our practitioner may recommend a prescription to warm the channels, expel dampness, quicken blood flow, or supplement a deficiency.
These herbs act internally to reinforce the action of acupuncture and long-term, mild healing.
Cupping
In cupping, suction pulls the skin and the tissue under it, which helps to break up stagnation and thereby draw out toxins and increase blood flow in painful areas for immediate relief.
Also, always keep in mind the relation between your mind and body.
Chronic pain goes hand in hand with high stress. Controlling your emotions is part of the healing process.
In this way, many people find that the combination of meditation and gentle movement, along with TCM treatments, is a great synergy for recovery.
You can learn more about how TCM helps with stress and anxiety relief in our other post.
Next Steps
Living with sciatica feels pretty intimidating. It doesn’t have to be, though.
Traditional Chinese Medicine represents a gentle, holistic, and highly effective alternative not just to managing your pain but actually solving the real issues at its root.
By considering the entire body, we can ensure that you find lasting relief and return to living life to its fullest.
If you’re a patient looking for alternatives in healing, you are who we are here for.
Find Your Balance at The Sanctuary South Bay Acupuncture
Contact us at 310.803.3954 to set up your initial consultation and learn how TCM treatment plans work to achieve lasting relief.
FAQs
How many acupuncture sessions will I need for sciatica?
Sessions vary depending on the condition and how severe it is.
Most people feel relief after the initial few treatments, but a complete course is recommended for lasting relief.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Very little. There may be a slight pinch when the needle goes in, fading quickly into either a dull ache or into warmth and tingling in the area, all signs that the treatment is working.
Can TCM be used alongside conventional treatments?
Absolutely, yes. This can be a wonderful complementary therapy to work with the care you receive from your doctor or physical therapist.
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