Tara Integrative Medicine Clinic

Feel a nagging pain sensation or numbness in your calf when you seat down ? Pain is highest in the morning but gets better while you move or sometimes it get worst while you move(may be more than a simple Sciatica)

Strangely it disappears throughout the day but when you stand you feel a burning or tingling feeling. Sciatica is just a description of symptoms, the root cause can be as simple as tight piriformis or more serious like lumbar stenosis.

Sciatica Symptoms: Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling that starts in your lower back and radiates down one leg, typically only on one side of your body. The pain can worsen with certain activities like sitting, standing for long periods, or even coughing.

We can run some diagnostic test such as Lasegue or Fair test and also based on our vast experience in Malaysia treating sciatica patients, we have seen successful outcome.

How Acupuncture May Help Sciatica

There is growing evidence that acupuncture can be effective in treating sciatica. Here are some ways it may help:

• Pain relief: Acupuncture help reduce pain by stimulating the body’s release of endorphins, natural painkillers.
• Reduced inflammation: Acupuncture help reduce inflammation, which can contribute to sciatic pain.
• Improved blood flow: By stimulating specific acupuncture points will improve blood circulation to the affected area, promoting healing.
• Muscle relaxation: Acupuncture can help relax tight muscles that may be compressing the sciatic nerve.

Research on Acupuncture for Sciatica

Studies have shown that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for sciatica. A review of studies published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience found that acupuncture was more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical anti-inflammatory gels at reducing pain intensity [1].

Another study, published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, found that acupuncture was as effective as medication for treating sciatica [2].

What to Expect During Treatment

During an acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist will insert thin needles into specific points on your body. The needles are usually sterile and disposable. You may feel a slight prick when the needles are inserted, but the treatment is generally painless.

Each treatment session typically lasts for 30 to 45 minutes. You may need several treatments to see results.

After the first treatment, the area where thicker needles that are inserted may cause soreness for the first 1-2 days but will improve over time bringing relief to pain

Safety and Side Effects

Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a registered and qualified practitioner. However, there are some potential side effects, such as bruising, bleeding, and dizziness. These side effects are usually mild and temporary.

Sometimes It May Be Piriformis Syndrome or Even a problem with the spinal column i.e. L4-L5 or herniated disc, get it treated as soon as possible so that if it its more severe, our physician can refer you to a specialist.

References

• [1] The efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails Frontiers in Neuroscience
• [2] Acupuncture for chronic low back pain and sciatica Acupuncture in Medicine