Acupuncture for Sciatica
March 2nd, 2009
Acupuncture for Sciatica
Sciatic pain is often effectively treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture can reduce inflammation, increase healing and treat the underlying root cause of the condition. Acupuncture causes the body to produce natural steroids and promotes the production of natural endorphins.
While steroids decrease inflammation, endorphins produced by the body reduce pain. Avoiding the side effects of various pain medications is one reason to consider acupuncture.
When the sciatic nerve is pinched, inflamed or damaged, pain may radiate along the length of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back and hip to the foot. Acupuncture physicians treat sciatica with acupuncture at both local pain sites and distal points away from the pain region to treat the condition and associated symptoms.
Acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica utilizes fine needles, which are inserted along the pain pathway to stimulate the flow of qi, or vital energy, through the pain region. Qi is a traditional Chinese medicine concept for the life force that flows throughout the body. Acupuncture stimulates the flow of qi to reduce pain.
Acupuncture is individualized to the exact qi imbalance that the patient has. Changes in diet and lifestyle may be recommended by your acupuncture physician to assist in reducing sciatic pain. Back and abdominal muscle exercises can also assist in strengthening the back, which is helpful in the treatment of sciatica.
Conventional therapies for sciatica often treat the condition with physical therapy and pain medication or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications may provide temporary pain relief but they also contribute to poor blood circulation to the joints and muscles.
Because the condition of sciatica often resolves over time, it is often better treated with natural therapies such as acupuncture. NSAIDs can have adverse side effects such as gastric irritation and liver damage, and do not effectively treat sciatica for a prolonged period of time. They also can negatively affect overall health and wellness.
Acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica has the advantage of having virtually no adverse side effects and it is also a safe therapy choice. Acupuncture can lower the need for pain medications and promotes general health through balancing the body’s systems.
Chinese herbal formulas and moxibustion, the application of herbs and warmth to the acupoints, may be recommended in addition to acupuncture by your acupuncture physician to promote healing.
For more information about acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500. March 2.
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