Acupuncture for Sciatica

Acupuncture Relieves Sciatica, Reduces Inflammation

Sciatica is a condition defined by lower back pain which can travel through the hips, buttocks and legs. Acupuncture and herbs have been found to help provide relief for those suffering from sciatica. Researchers from the Rizhao Hospital of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Shanghai University of TCM investigated how effective acupuncture was in relieving sciatic pain. The studies found that both acupuncture and acupuncture with herbal medicine were effective and resulted in positive patient outcomes. The researchers also identified that the acupuncture and herbs helped stimulate biochemical changes which resulted in pain reduction.

When patients used acupuncture alone for treatment, they had an effective rate of more than 81% for sciatica pain relief and restoring normal function. When acupuncture was combined with herbal medicine, patients had an overall effective rate of 95%.

The researchers noted that the acupuncture reduced the transmission of nerve pain signals. Acupuncture was also found to aid in the reduction of pain and inflammation. The research confirmed that acupuncture can help regulate sciatica pain, but the combination of acupuncture and herbs significantly outperformed the acupuncture therapy alone.

The following categories were used to measure changes in pain levels, daily activity functions, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, socialization, travelling, and other areas of life affected by sciatica: the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Assessments in these categories were taken prior to therapy, then again at 3, 10, and 22 days following completion of the acupuncture plus herbal therapy treatment.

The acupuncture points used in the research included the following:

• Zhibian, BL54
• Chengfu, BL36
• Huantiao, GB30
• Fengshi, GB31
• Weizhong, BL40
• Dachangshu, BL25
• Chengshan, BL57
• Yaoyangguan, DU3
• Ashi

Mild reinforcing and reducing manual acupuncture techniques were administered with 0.30 x 40 mm acupuncture needles. Stimulation was placed until deqi was evoked at each acupoint. The total time for needle retention during each acupuncture session was 15-30 minutes.

The herbal formula Tong Bi Zhi Tong Tang was ingested orally and the primary ingredients included:

• Du Zhong, Eucommia ulmoides 15 g
• Sang Ji Sheng, Chinese taxillus 15 g
• Gou Ji, Rhizoma cibotii 15 g
• Gui Zhi, Cassia 10 g
• Hong Hua, Safflower 6 g
• Dang Gui, Angelica 10 g
• Chuan Xiong 15 g
• Niu Xi, Cyathula officinalis 15 g
• Wei Ling Xian, Clematis 15 g
• Sheng Ma, Bugbane 10 g
• Bai Zhi, Angelica dahurica 10 g
• Tian Nan Xing, Rhizoma arisaematis 10 g
• Zhi Gan Cao, Honey-fried licorice root 6 g

The clinical and objective tests results both indicated a substantial reduction in pain, increased functionality and a reduction in inflammatory responses for sciatica patients.

In a similar study, electroacupuncture was found to be effective for sciatic nerve regeneration. In a lab experiment, electroacupuncture restored motor functions and improved the recovery rates for injured sciatic nerves. The results demonstrated that electroacupuncture help stimulate repair from neuropathic pain which develops after a nerve injury.

The researchers noted that electroacupuncture also promoted sensory and motor nerve fiber regeneration while also shortening the recovery times after a nerve injury. The researchers were able to conclude that electro-acupuncture proved to be a valuable method for accelerating motor recovery and alleviating neuropathic pain that occurs following nerve damage.