Acupunture
NYC
(646) 369-0160
Acupunture
NYC

Acupuncture for sciatica NYC

A woman dressed in athletic wear stands while grimacing and holding her lower back, indicating she is experiencing sciatic pain.

Sciatic nerve pain can be debilitating and significantly impact your quality of life. Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. It typically affects only one side of the body at a time. The most common cause of sciatica is compression or irritation of one or more of your spinal nerve roots, where they leave your spine. Sciatica can happen when something presses on the nerves as they exit your spine to go into your leg. Other possible nerve compression causes include herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spondylolisthesis, and piriformis syndrome. A straight leg raising test can help determine if the sciatic nerve’s compression causes the pain. Acupuncture treatments excel at reducing symptoms associated with this condition, such as pain radiating down the leg, numbness, and tingling sensation in the foot and toes.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. It typically affects only one side of the body at a time. The most common cause of sciatica is compression or irritation of one or more of your spinal nerve roots, where they leave your spine. Sciatica can happen when something presses on the nerves as they exit your spine to go into your leg. Other possible causes include herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spondylolisthesis, and piriformis syndrome. Acupuncture treatments excel at reducing symptoms associated with this condition, such as pain radiating down the leg, numbness, and tingling sensation in the foot and toes.

Herniated disc

A herniated disc often causes sciatica. This happens when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc bulges out beyond its tough outer ring of cartilage. Once the nucleus pulposus (that’s just Latin for “jelly doughnut”) starts to push against the surrounding cartilage, it can irritate or compress a nearby nerve root and cause neuropathic pain. Sciatica most commonly affects the L4 and L5 roots of the lumbar spine, although the S1 root in the sacral spine is also common. Sciatica pain can be felt like your lower back to the leg pain.
Acupuncture therapy in the case of herniated discs focuses on reducing inflammation, muscle stiffness, and severe pain. This in turn reduces swelling and compression on the nerve. Acupuncture is also known to increase blood flow and reduce the chemical substances that produce pain.

Degenerative disc disease

Another common cause of sciatica is degenerative disc disease (DDD). The discs between your vertebrae begin to dry out and shrink as you age. DDD can cause the pressure on nearby nerves to increase. Eventually, this may even lead to the outer ring of cartilage breaking down and waterlogging the inner jelly doughnut. When this happens, it can cause the disc to burst, which is called a disc herniation. The herniated disc material may press on sciatic nerve roots, causing pain radiating down the buttocks, back of legs, and thighs or, in some cases, even into the foot and toes.
Acupuncture for DDD works by decreasing inflammatory responses, decreasing nerve compression and pain. It also helps promote new tissue growth to replace degenerated discs. Acupuncture is a very effective method for treating chronic pain conditions like DDD.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the bones in your spinal column slips forward over the bone below it. Spondylolisthesis can cause compression on your spinal nerve roots and lead to nerve pain.
Spondylolisthesis is most common at the L5 vertebrae. This condition is seen in many sports-related injuries. Spondylolisthesis is especially prevalent due to an injury that involves a direct hit to your buttocks or a fall on your tailbone.
In many cases, acupuncture can help relieve the pain caused by spondylolisthesis without resorting to potentially dangerous surgery, epidural steroid injections, or prescription medications with lots of adverse side effects.

Piriformis syndrome

The piriformis muscle is a small, triangular muscle located deep in your buttocks. The piriformis muscle helps rotate your hip outward. Piriformis syndrome is when the piriformis muscle becomes tight and compresses the sciatic nerve. Tight piriformis can reduce sciatic nerve blood flow, cause pain, numbness, and tingling in your buttocks, back of legs, and thighs.

In addition to acupuncture, piriformis syndrome treatment involves stretching and releasing the piriformis muscle. Another pain reduction technique that is common not only in traditional Chinese medicine but also in chiropractic care is improving muscle stiffness by applying deep, steady pressure on the piriformis muscle causing it to relax.

 

Ask us a question

Why choose acupuncture for sciatic and low back pain?

There are many reasons to choose acupuncture over other treatment options because it is non-invasive and natural. Acupuncture works faster than oral medications because the needles trigger your body’s natural response to healing. It is also free of side effects. Acupuncture effectively relieves different types of pain, including back and neck pain, nerve pain, and arthritic pain.

Acupuncture treatments are very precise. We select specific acupuncture points to target the exact area that needs treatment. For example, we have different acupoints to treat pain in the buttock, lower back, lateral or posterior aspect of the thigh, etc.

Another important reason for choosing acupuncture over other treatment options is because acupuncture does not merely mask the symptoms but goes to the root of your pain. It is one of the best ways to treat sciatica and lower back pain, regardless of what has caused it.

How does it work?

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat painful conditions. It works by facilitating specific acupuncture points on the body. We use very thin acupuncture needles to stimulate the body’s natural response to healing by modifying neurological responses of the central nervous system, relaxing muscles, improving circulation of blood and lymphatic flow. In addition, stimulation of acupuncture points helps to release endorphins, enkephalins, serotonin, histamine, and other neurotransmitters that may play a role in relieving pain. Acupuncture treatments are not invasive or painful.

In a clinical study published in Acupuncture in Medicine, researchers at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein studied the effects of acupuncture on 26 patients with severe sciatica. Patients received three weekly acupuncture treatments for two weeks. All patients reported an improvement in their condition, and 25% were completely pain-free. The researchers concluded that acupuncture is an effective method to treat sciatica.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture helps with sciatic pain. Fast, natural, and effective treatments.

Our treatment program

People looking for acupuncture for sciatic pain in New York City will benefit from our Acupuncture for Sciatica Treatment Program. This Program is designed to help ease the pain associated with sciatica in just a short amount of time. 

Our Program involves an individualized treatment plan to help you find effective natural relief from your sciatica symptoms. This program consists of different treatments to relieve the pain associated with sciatica. We assess each patient who receives acupuncture treatments to determine the best kind of treatment, whether distal needling, electrical acupuncture, or cupping.

Distal Needling

Distal needling is when we select acupuncture points at a distant site, away from the area of pain. Studies have shown distal needling to effectively manage sciatica, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neck pain. The most effective acupuncture points to treat sciatica are located on the hands and near wrists and ankles. We will insert fine needles into the selected acupuncture points, often on the opposite side of the body, and ask you to move your lower back and affected leg and ask about the location and the amount of pain. We expect the amount of pain to decrease immediately during the acupuncture session. If the pain did not completely disappear, we would select more acupuncture points and repeat the process until you feel a significant improvement. After that, we would ask you to stay with the needles for additional thirty minutes.

San Cha Acupuncture points for sicatica pain
San Cha is a group of distal acupuncture points effective for sciatica

Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture treats sciatica by stimulating the muscles and nerves in your leg with a low-intensity electrical current. This technique is preferable when treating acute sciatica because electroacupuncture alleviates neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

Close-up view of a body part with two acupuncture needles inserted, connected to electrodes at their bases for electroacupuncture therapy. The needles are precisely placed and the attached wires lead off frame, indicating the use of electrical stimulation to enhance the therapeutic effects of the acupuncture treatment.
Electroacupuncture for sciatica pain relief

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy for sciatic pain uses suction to stimulate points along your back, sacrum, and gluteal region. The gentle vacuum created by cupping can loosen muscle tissue, release fascia and tension in the affected muscles. This type of treatment is particularly effective for chronic and stubborn sciatica, where blood stagnation and wind dampness are predominant pathogenic factors.

cupping
We are a big fan of cupping therapy for sciatica pain relief. We use it regularly to help our patients to keep back in good shape.

Popular FAQ

Q: What is the duration of the acupuncture for sciatica treatment program?

Treatment sessions vary depending on your condition, but most patients receive between six and ten treatments over one month. In our experience, people who seek acupuncture for sciatica treatments report an improvement after each session. However, it is essential to have your acupuncture treatments scheduled reasonably close together. It would help if you got acupuncture for sciatica treatment at least twice a week when your pain is at its worst. During periods of remission, you can choose to check in once every four to six weeks for routine acupuncture treatments to keep your sciatica in remission and decrease the chance that you will experience another flareup.

Q: What is the cost of the acupuncture for sciatica treatment program?

The Acupuncture for Sciatica program offers various treatment packages, including special discounts on initial consultations when you purchase multiple treatments in advance. For a customized quote based on your specific symptoms and needs, please call 646-369-0160 or email info@acupuncturenyc.org for more information.

Q: Is acupuncture for sciatica safe during pregnancy?

Yes, acupuncture is safe during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones can make some conditions worse, but acupuncture does not affect the course of your pregnancy or cause any harm to you and your baby. We use very thin needles and insert them into acupuncture points that pose no risk of harming your baby even if he/she moves around during acupuncture treatments. Acupuncturists take precautions when treating expectant mothers by avoiding specific acupoints that may induce labor early in a woman’s term.

Can you combine acupuncture with other conservative treatments?

Combining acupuncture with chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and osteopathy is possible as an effective conservative treatment option for sciatica. While acupuncture is the best treatment you can get to reduce pain and inflammation, we always emphasize the importance of strong core muscles and proper body alignment to prevent sciatica and other back problems. Therefore, we support the idea that spinal manipulation, physical therapy can all be beneficial in restoring body alignment, restoring joint mobility, and improving blood circulation.

Q: How do I know if I have sciatica?

If you are experiencing lower back pain, numbness or tingling in your leg, or a burning sensation along the path of the sciatic nerve, you may have sciatica. Of course, to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Q: What acupuncture points do you use for my sciatica?

The acupuncture points we use to treat pain from the sciatic nerve depend on where you experience pain. There is a direct correlation between the nerve pathway and acupuncture meridians. For example, the side of the leg and the buttock is the domain of the Gallbladder meridian. The area on the back of the leg is the domain of the Bladder meridian. If you experience pain, muscle stiffness, or even muscle weakness along the Gallbladder meridian, we will use points mainly on the arms and hands to balance your Gallbladder meridian. Typically this manipulation produces an immediate decrease in pain intensity. Since many acupuncture points target your lower back, buttock, or leg, pinpointing which acupoints work best for you can take some time, so please be patient when trying acupuncture treatments out for the first time.

Q: What can I expect during an acupuncture treatment?

Most people feel very relaxed during and after an acupuncture treatment. Some people feel a brief tingling sensation as the needle enters the skin, but it is typically very mild. Since acupuncture points are distributed throughout the body, you may feel different feelings in different areas of your body.
We offer affordable acupuncture services, and we accept insurance as well. To learn more about our Acupuncture for Sciatica program or schedule an appointment, please call 646-369-0160 or email info@acupuncturenyc.org today!

Why Choose Acupuncture NYC Clinic for Acupuncture Treatment?

At Acupuncture NYC, we have many years of clinical experience providing acupuncture treatments to relieve sciatica pain. We believe acupuncture is one of the most effective treatment forms for any pain relief, especially when it comes to pain caused by nerve root compression. Our clinical practice relies on modern clinical research combined with traditional acupuncture techniques, empowering you with more choices for your treatment.

Over the past twenty-three years, Andre Yershov developed unique treatment protocols to help you find natural relief from your sciatica symptoms fast. He will work with you to determine why your sciatica symptoms started and how he can help you see the best results.
When you come in for an acupuncture treatment, he will thoroughly evaluate before the first needle is inserted. Based on your personal history and symptoms, he will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to cater to your unique health needs.

Andre Yershov, L.Ac.
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