Is acupuncture useful for sciatica

If we have sciatica, severe patients may not be able to walk. Sciatica is a very difficult disease to treat. Many patients choose traditional Chinese medicine. So, is traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture effective in treating sciatica? In fact, the effect of acupuncture treatment is very good, and many patients have relieved pain through this method. Let’s look at the specific treatment methods below.

Our patients suffering from sciatica have their quality of life seriously threatened due to the torture of the disease. We can also treat the disease through acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine. Experts say that this method is also very effective. So how to perform acupuncture treatment? In this article, let us learn about it with experts.

Acupuncture treatment for sciatica

1. Basic treatment

Treatment principle: dredge meridians and collaterals, promote qi circulation and relieve pain, use acupuncture and moxibustion, and purgative method.

Prescription: Mainly focus on acupoints of the Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyang meridians.

⑴ Foot Shaoyang Meridian Type: Huantiao Yanglingquan Fengshi Xiyangguan Yangfu Xuanzhong Zulinqi

⑵ Foot Taiyang Meridian Type: Huantiao, Yanglingquan, Zhibian, Chengfu, Yinmen, Weizhong, Chengshan, Kunlun

Meaning of the prescription: Since sciatica can be divided into two types, with pain radiating along the Foot-Taiyang Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian, acupoints on the Foot-Taiyang Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian are selected to dredge the blocked Qi and blood in the two meridians, so as to achieve the therapeutic goal of “no pain if the Qi and blood are unblocked”. Huantiao is the meeting point of two meridians, one point connecting two meridians; Yanglingquan is the meeting point of tendons, which can dredge tendons, unblock meridians and relieve pain, so it can be used universally.

Procedure: All acupoints are needled conventionally, using the lifting, inserting, twisting and draining method, preferably with a radiating sensation along the foot-taiyang meridian and foot-shaoyang meridian of the waist and legs.

Additions and subtractions: For those with lumbar and sacral pain, add Shenshu, Dachangshu, Yaoyangguan, Yaojiaji, and Ashi points to regulate the Qi of the lumbar meridians; for those related to weather changes, add moxibustion at Dazhui and Ashi points to warm the meridians and relieve pain; for those with Qi stagnation and blood stasis, add Geshu, Hegu, and Taichong to remove blood stasis and relieve pain.

Main acupoints: L2-5 Jiaji points, Ashi points, Huantiao points.

2. Wind-cold-dampness arthralgia [Diagnostic points] Cold pain in the waist and legs, moving up and down, difficulty in flexion and extension, aggravated in rainy and cold weather, or accompanied by swelling of the lower limbs; thin white or greasy tongue coating, floating, tight or sinking pulse. [Prescription] Zhibian, Yanglingquan, Mingmen.

3. Blood stasis [Diagnostic points] There is a history of internal lumbar contusion, stabbing pain in the waist and legs, the painful area refuses to be pressed, and the stabbing pain is relieved by pressing. The pain is severe at night, and the patient cannot bend forward or backward, and has difficulty turning or twisting. The tongue is dark purple or has ecchymosis, and the pulse is stagnant.

[Prescription] Yanglingquan, Geshu, Xuehai, Weizhong.

4. Insufficiency of vital energy [Diagnostic points] Dull pain in the waist and legs, recurring, aggravated by exertion, weakness of the lower limbs, aversion to wind and cold, preference for massage and pressure, fatigue, and dull complexion; pale tongue with little coating, and deep, thready pulse.

[Prescription] Yanglingquan, Weizhong, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao.

5. Other acupuncture therapies:

Auricular acupressure: sciatic nerve, buttocks, lumbar spine, kidneys, tender points.

Skin acupuncture: tapping the lumbar sacral region and pricking the blood vessels at the tender points, plus cupping

The above content is the acupuncture treatment method for sciatica introduced to us by experts. Patients and their families are encouraged to understand it well. Sciatica is a very common disease in life, so we need to treat it as soon as possible to ensure that our life treatment is not affected by the disease.