Can Acupuncture Help With Sciatica?

Sciatica is known as a pain that affects the lower back and legs. There are a variety of reasons as to why sciatica can begin to affect you. One reason is when the disc gets worn down, it begins to push out and places pressure on the sciatic nerve. When there is pressure on the nerve, it causes pain throughout most of the lower body. Dr. Raymond Semente’s office can perform acupuncture in St. James to trigger a pain-relieving response in the nervous system.

Symptoms

While symptoms of sciatica can be very painful, it is uncommon that sciatica will cause permanent nerve damage. Symptoms of sciatica that may tell your body it is time for acupuncture in St. James include:

Constant pain in one leg
Pain that increases when sitting
Weak/numb legs, feet, or toes
Sharp pains when you stand up or walk

Balance Method

Acupuncture in St. James works physiologically for pain relief. By placing needles in specific locations on the body, it creates a response that leads the brain to release natural painkillers such as endorphins, increase blood flow to the painful area, and relax specific muscles. The balance method approach to acupuncture has been proven effective in relieving pain from sciatica. Normally, acupuncture needles are placed in the ankle and calf areas and also on the wrists and forearms. This helps reduce pain and manage the condition. By targeting the lower back, we aim to increase blood flow and loosen muscles around the lower lumbar vertebrae. Next, we target the sciatic nerve directly to relax the leg and get blood flowing properly back to it. Although acupuncture cannot directly heal the structural issue in the lower back, it is an extremely effective natural treatment for pain relief.

Living with sciatic pain can make daily life difficult and in some cases unmanageable. If you are suffering from the symptoms of sciatica or other nerve pains, please contact us to see how acupuncture in St. James can help you alleviate the pain.