“Is acupuncture good for sciatica?”

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“Is acupuncture good for sciatica?”

I am a 36 year old male and I have sciatica. Is acupuncture good for sciatica?

43 Answers

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**George Ku** Acupuncturist Diamond Bar, CA · Accepted Answer

George Ku Acupuncturist Diamond Bar, CA

Yes

**Lawrence Kwong** Acupuncturist New York, NY · Accepted Answer

Hello. Acupuncture has helped many people with any sciatic issues. Acupuncture can help to promote good blood circulation throughout your body and especially in areas that you are experiencing pain. We see pain as there being some stagnations or obstructions in the area, which is what could be the reason as to why you are experiencing pain there. If there is good blood flow, then there would be less stagnations or blockages and then essentially there would be less pain.

**David Paton** Acupuncturist Catonsville, MD · Accepted Answer

David Paton Acupuncturist Catonsville, MD

Yes, acupuncture can be very effective for sciatica pain.

Dr. Dave

**Neilly A. Buckalew** Acupuncturist Post Falls, ID · Accepted Answer

Thank you for your question.

If you have been medically diagnosed with sciatica, there is a possibility that acupuncture can help. If you’re diagnosing yourself with sciatica, I cannot say one way or the another. Sciatica despite medical diagnosis in the primary care arena, is often misdiagnosed. I recommend seeing a sports medicine doctor or physiatrist to confirm if you have sciatica and hence make an accurate treatment plan.

Kind regards,

Dr.B

**Gigi Badila Cristache** Acupuncturist Commerce Township, MI · Accepted Answer

Gigi Badila Cristache Acupuncturist Commerce Township, MI

Acupuncture can help sciatica pain. I have treated several patients for this pain with good results.

**Mrs. Angela Kay Buckridge** Acupuncturist Seymour, TN · Accepted Answer

Mrs. Angela Kay Buckridge Acupuncturist Seymour, TN

Yes, acupuncture does help with sciatica. I have treated a lot of patients with sciatica.

Yours in Health,

Angie

**Ping Jiang** Acupuncturist North Bethesda, MD · Accepted Answer

Ping Jiang Acupuncturist North Bethesda, MD

Acupuncture can relieve the symptoms from sciatica, increase blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of symptoms, especially pain, and has been demonstrated to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated. Most patients feel improvement after 3-4 treatments.

**Ms. Kathy Roseann Stahlman** Acupuncturist Glenwood Springs, CO · Accepted Answer

Ms. Kathy Roseann Stahlman Acupuncturist Glenwood Springs, CO

Yes, it depends what the pain is from: over use, underuse, internal organ problem (the gallbladder), low back disc problem, particularly L5 Si.

**Mr. Alfred Pomerleau** Acupuncturist Santa Barbara, CA · Accepted Answer

Mr. Alfred Pomerleau Acupuncturist Santa Barbara, CA

Absolutely, Asian medicine is very effective at addressing Sciatica and other Ortho-Muscular conditions.

**Natalia Manko** Acupuncturist Torrance, CA · Accepted Answer

Natalia Manko Acupuncturist Torrance, CA

Yes, it helps a lot. It reduces pain and inflammation around pinched nerves and in the low back.

**Cris Angel** Acupuncturist Retired, Retired · Accepted Answer

Cris Angel Acupuncturist Retired, Retired

Yes, Sciatica is very easy to treat with Electro Acupuncture and PEMF Therapy.

**Huan-wen Jonathan Fang** Acupuncturist Acton, MA · Accepted Answer

Huan-wen Jonathan Fang Acupuncturist Acton, MA

It depends on what is cause of sciatica. If it is from muscle tightness to push the nerve. Acupuncture reduce that pain very quickly. If it is from nerve pinched. it takes longer. if it is structure cause the pain, such as bulge disc. it depends on how bad situation is.

Huan Wen Fang

**Zhen Hu** Acupuncturist Chandler, AZ · Accepted Answer

Zhen Hu Acupuncturist Chandler, AZ

Yes, acupuncture is most effective for sciatica.

**David Behar** Acupuncturist New York, NY · Accepted Answer

David Behar Acupuncturist New York, NY

Yes Acupuncture can normally decrease and/or eliminate sciatic pain

**Alyssa Risi** Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Alyssa Risi Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Yes, acupuncture can target the muscles around the nerve that may be compressing the fibers and giving you pain/radiating symptoms. Relieving some of the tension will allow the nerve to glide better. If the pain is also coming from the back, muscle work can help relieve tightness in those muscles as well.

**Phavikone Sundara** Acupuncturist Kent, WA · Accepted Answer

Phavikone Sundara Acupuncturist Kent, WA

Acupuncture, massage and herbs can help for sciatica.

**Dr. Farrar Duro** Acupuncturist HIALEAH, FL · Accepted Answer

Acupuncture and herbs relieve sciatica, a condition characterized by lower back pain radiating through the hips, buttocks, and legs. Researchers from the Rizhao Hospital of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Shanghai University of TCM investigated the efficacy of acupuncture for the relief of sciatic pain. Sciatics induces lower back and hip pain. Both acupuncture and acupuncture plus herbal medicine were effective and produced significant positive patient outcomes. We have successfully treated sciatica for several years with electro-acupuncture and cupping. In addition, the researchers document that acupuncture and herbs stimulate important biochemical changes causing pain reduction.

**Kathleen ODonnell** Acupuncturist Blue Ahs, OH · Accepted Answer

Kathleen ODonnell Acupuncturist Blue Ahs, OH

Generally yes! I've had great success in treating sciatica.

**Carolyn Shannon Sullivan** Acupuncturist Randolph and Stoughton, MA · Accepted Answer

I have had good results treating sciatic pain. But it is important to rule out anything more serious. Have you had an MRI? They can show more clearly if there is anything that may need immediate Western medical intervention. Usually, sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve. Acupuncture can help with swelling and relieving pain and relaxing tight tendons and muscles. But if there is something like a bulging disc at play, then chiropractic care, PT or even surgery may be warranted before you seek out an acupuncturist.
I have had success treating sciatica but patient compliance is just as important. So long as serious structural or nerve issues have been ruled out, then proper rest, stretching and more stretching, wearing proper footwear, having a good supportive mattress, using heat and alternating with ice, all have aided in pain along with acupuncture treatment. Good luck and feel better!!!

**Roxene Bates DOM LAc ADS** Acupuncturist Logan, UT · Accepted Answer

The small sterile needles inserted into specific sites on the body release a cascade of natural painkillers, increase blood flow to the painful area and relax the muscles in the surrounding area. While acupuncture cannot heal the structural issues of the lower back that cause sciatica, it is a useful, side-effect free (when done by a well trained, experienced and state licensed acupuncturist) for the management of the pain of sciatica.

**Dr. Ann Shi** Acupuncturist Upland, CA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Ann Shi Acupuncturist Upland, CA

Yes, it definitely helps to alleviate pain.

**Dr. Hongjie Zhu** Acupuncturist Lake Mary, FL · Accepted Answer

Dr. Hongjie Zhu Acupuncturist Lake Mary, FL

Yes.

**Jessica Ra'chel Newman** Acupuncturist LONG BEACH, CA · Accepted Answer

Thank you for your question about sciatica and acupuncture! When I was blessed to work for two LA Urgent Cares, I was with the Occupational Therapy division. This meant that a majority of the patients I was privileged to see had recently experienced a work related back injury. Many of these patients had sciatica. Oftentimes, they were sent to me as a last resort, after having already been to the pain specialists, Orthopedic surgeons, Physical Therapists, and even Chiropractors. I’m very grateful to report that a large number of these patients received immediate relief after just one treatment. Of course, results vary between practitioners and patients, however, about 91% of the patients I saw had this blessed experience. I’ve found Acupuncture and stretching to be a marvelous combination to relieve lower back pain, specifically sciatica. Having had the unique combinational training of also being a Pilates instructor, and a former Doctor of Chiropractic student, the relief of sciatic pain seems to be a careful combination of them, in addition to Acupuncture. Acupuncture works to soothe the inflamed nerves, release muscle spasms, and reduce inflammation. Chiropractic aims to align the spinal vertebral bones in optimal functioning fashion. Proper Pilates alignment allows recruitment of the weak, unused muscles, such as abdominals, latissimus dorsi to facilitate life changes to keep the results in tact.

**Sharis Aiazian** Acupuncturist Ramsey, NJ · Accepted Answer

Sharis Aiazian Acupuncturist Ramsey, NJ

Yes! Acupuncture works wonders for sciatica! I treat it quite often!

**Mr. Michael andrew Chow** Acupuncturist Lake Elsinore, CA · Accepted Answer

I have had a good number of patients with sciatica, it may not have been their chief complaint, but I was able to help them with acupuncture. Although my method involves cupping as well. Acupuncture is good to help, but in my opinion sciatica would benefit from multiple therapies so even if you did acupuncture alone, it would help to massage it at home with a tennis ball, etc. Sciatica is usually due to the inflammation and/or impingement of that sciatic nerve in/or around the piriformis muscle located in that gluteal-buttock muscle. Massage and stimulation to that area should help ease the pain and inflammation causing that nerve pinch. Of course, this is due to classic sciatica, the condition may be caused by other disturbances which should be evaluated and diagnosed by a professional practitioner.

Live Happy,

Michael

**Poyuan (Kevin) Hou** Acupuncturist Pomona, CA · Accepted Answer

Poyuan (Kevin) Hou Acupuncturist Pomona, CA

Yes, my patients with sciatica are cured in an average of 4 to 5 treatments.

**Rene Ng** Acupuncturist Sarasota, FL · Accepted Answer

Rene Ng Acupuncturist Sarasota, FL

Hi there, and thank you for the question. Acupuncture, especially when combined with Chinese herbs and Chinese Medical Massage Dit Da, can be extremely effective for helping people suffering from sciatica and other musculoskeletal issues.

**Jason Gill** Acupuncturist · Accepted Answer

Jason Gill Acupuncturist

Yes. Acupuncture can quickly resolve sciatica. I treat it almost daily in my clinic.

**Tatyana Yakovleva** Acupuncturist Brooklyn, NY · Accepted Answer

Tatyana Yakovleva Acupuncturist Brooklyn, NY

It does work very well

**Elizabeth Perry** Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL · Accepted Answer

Elizabeth Perry Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Yes

**Ms. Carolyn G. Rabiner** Acupuncturist Red Hook, NY · Accepted Answer

Yes, acupuncture is a great choice for the treatment of sciatica. Sometimes a brief one-needle technique while the patient is still seated reduces the discomfort quite a bit. Then the rest of the treatment is done in the lying down position. The number of sessions needed to resolve the problem depends on the type of sciatica (part of the Chinese medicine diagnosis). This is enhanced by gentle exercises I teach patients - these exercises also help prevent recurrence.

**ryan bishop** Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl · Accepted Answer

ryan bishop Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl

Yes acupuncture is good for sciatica

**Claudia A. paulhiac** Acupuncturist Miami, FL · Accepted Answer

Claudia A. paulhiac Acupuncturist Miami, FL

If you find an Acupuncture Physician trained in Acupoint Injection therapy and or Neuro Acupuncture Specialist, the relief results from your sciatic discomfort will most likely be permanent

**Daisy Dong** Acupuncturist Denver, CO · Accepted Answer

Daisy Dong Acupuncturist Denver, CO

#1 treatment for sciatica

**Yolanda Seliga** Acupuncturist Park Ridge, IL · Accepted Answer

Yolanda Seliga Acupuncturist Park Ridge, IL

Hello and thank you for your question! Yes! According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for sciatica along with low back pain (among many other things). Find a local practitioner via nccaom.org !

**Christie Luu** Acupuncturist Westminster, CA · Accepted Answer

Christie Luu Acupuncturist Westminster, CA

Yes.

**Christie Luu** Acupuncturist Westminster, CA · Accepted Answer

Christie Luu Acupuncturist Westminster, CA

Yes.

**Mozart Paiva** Acupuncturist Baltimore-Nottingham, MD · Accepted Answer

Mozart Paiva Acupuncturist Baltimore-Nottingham, MD

Acupuncture is very efficient on the treatment of sciatica

Be well, be confident, we can help.

**Andrea Cillo** Acupuncturist Bay Shore, New York · Accepted Answer

Andrea Cillo Acupuncturist Bay Shore, New York

Yes, acupuncture is very effective in treating sciatica. In fact, many patients feel complete alleviation of their symptoms with acupuncture treatments alone.

**Long Vi Vuong** Acupuncturist San Diego, CA · Accepted Answer

Long Vi Vuong Acupuncturist San Diego, CA

Sciatica is commonly treated with Acupuncture.

**Phranque Wright** Acupuncturist Chicago, IL · Accepted Answer

Phranque Wright Acupuncturist Chicago, IL

Often sciatica diagnoses are really just a muscular issue which results in sciatic pain as a secondary effect.

As a muscular issue or even as a sciatic nerve issue acupuncture has tremendous results in relieving the issue. Be sure to find a licensed acupuncturist in your area and consult with them about your specific condition.

**Jeff Rippey** Acupuncturist Saint Joseph, MO · Accepted Answer

Yes, acupuncture can be an excellent treatment choice for sciatica. I work with this condition a lot and almost always get good results for people.

For the best results, make sure you're seeing someone who is licensed as an acupuncturist in your state. If you're not in CA, go to NCCAOM.org and use their "Find a Practitioner" lookup to get some local providers.

**Ms. Qin Milla Mu** Acupuncturist San Jose, CA · Accepted Answer

Ms. Qin Milla Mu Acupuncturist San Jose, CA

Yes, it is good for sciatica.

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