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Acupuncture Treatment For Sciatica
Sciatica is a medical condition characterized by pain going down the leg from the lower back. This pain may go down the back, outside, or front of the leg. Onset is often following activities like heavy lifting, though gradual onset may also occur. Typically, symptoms are only on one side of the body. Certain causes, however, may result in pain on both sides. Weakness or numbness may occur in various parts of the affected leg and foot. Spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots is the most frequent cause of sciatica.1
RESEARCH
The most commonly used acupoints are GB-32, BL-40, and GB-34. The recommended duration of interventions should range from one to four weeks. It should be noted that research suggests that the use of acupuncture relieves leg pain/lumbago and improves global assessment of sciatica when compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAID (ibuprofen, meloxicam, and diclofenac) treatment. Moreover, adjuvant acupuncture may enhance the effect of medications in leg pain/lumbago relief. Thus, acupuncture is safe and is not associated with adverse effects in patients with sciatica.2
One acupuncture treatment for sciatica includes stimulating points GB-30, BL-37, BL-40 and GB-34.3 Acupressure points such as the following can also be stimulated: B-48 and GB-30. B-48 is located at the base of the spine and between the hips and the buttocks. For best results press gradually, towards your pelvis, and hold for a couple of minutes, then release. To relieve the pain, get a one-pound sack of beans and lay on your side in such a way the sack of beans presses into these points. These acupressure points are known to be the most effective spots on the body for relieving sciatica, hip pain, bladder weakness, urinary problems, hemorrhoids, lower backaches, and pain that goes down the leg. To relieve this pain, get a one-pound sack of beans and lay on your side so the sack of beans presses into these points.4
Other recommended acupoints are BL-63 and BL-64. In addition, BL-25 located in the lumbar region is also stimulated. BL-26 located in the lumbar region is quite useful to stimulate for positive results. ST-40 located on the leg, is another key point. BL-58 located on the leg as well, proximal to BL-60 is also part of the recommended treatment. GB-35 located on the fibular aspect of the leg. ST-42 located on the foot. LV-3 located on the foot, between the first and second metatarsal bones.5 Other Sciatica acupuncture points include BL-26 located in the lumbar region. BL-27 located in the sacral region. BL-31 is also located in the sacral region. BL-59 located on the posterolateral aspect of the leg, proximal to BL-60. BL-60 located on the ankle. GB-41 located on the dorsum of the foot.6
Footnotes
- Sciatica – nejm.org – 2015, http://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMra1410151
- Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Treating Sciatica: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4631886/
- Randomized controlled study on proximal needling for sciatica – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21692291
- Acupressure Points for Hip, Lower Back Pain & Sciatica – acupressure.com – 2015, http://www.acupressure.com/blog/index.php/acupressure-points-for-hip-lower-back-pain-sciatica/
- Acupuncture points used for sciatic pain – acupuncturemoxibustion.com – 2014, http://www.acupuncturemoxibustion.com/acupuncture-points/sciatica-points/
- Acupuncture points used for sciatic pain – acupuncturemoxibustion.com – 2014, http://www.acupuncturemoxibustion.com/acupuncture-points/sciatica-points/