Those with lower back and leg pain do not need to live in misery or resort to pain medication to get relief. Sciatica pain relief and the underlying cause of sciatica can be effectively treated with acupuncture and other complementary therapies offered at Endpoint Wellness in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What is Sciatica Pain?
From either side of the spine, the sciatic nerve travels through the pelvis and buttocks and on down through the leg. Sciatica can be caused by the narrowing of the lower back’s spinal cana and the breakdown of discs between the bones in the vertebrae. It can also stem from muscle spasms in the back or buttocks from too much lifting, straining, or spending extensive hours sitting and driving on a regular basis.
These discs can slip or become herniated within the vertebrae thus causing stiffness, numbness, tingling, tightness, and discomfort and can lead to an excruciating, shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, or down through your leg? Sciatica pain symptoms might also arise from lack of exercise, being overweight, sleeping on too hard or too soft mattresses, and wear and tear from frequently walking with high heels.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is a term used to describe a specific type of lower back and/or leg pain that results from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica pain almost always affects one side—in the buttock and/or down the leg, and may be experienced as:
- Constant pain on one side
- Burning, tingling or searing sensation
- Pain that worsens when sitting
- A sharp pain that makes transitioning from standing to sitting (or vice versa) difficult
- Weakness or numbness in the leg, foot and/or toes
Sciatica pain is often caused by disc injury or spinal degeneration.
How Acupuncture Helps Sciatica Pain Relief
Many treatments for sciatica are only intended to provide pain relief, but acupuncture can work on both the cause and the symptom.
By stimulating the body’s natural flow of energy, acupuncture boosts the body’s ability to heal. As a result, the underlying cause for pressure on the sciatic nerve is treated. At the same time, acupuncture can decrease pain sensations for immediate pain relief.
Complementary Therapies for Sciatica Pain Relief
A number of traditional Chinese medicinal therapies can help individuals with sciatica experience pain relief. Acupuncture may be complemented by:
- Massage and myofascial release
- Tui Na
- Hot and cold therapies
Contact us to schedule an initial consultation. Dr. Geoffrey N. Hayes will help determine the treatment modalities that will most effectively reduce pain and facilitate healing of your sciatica.
