Are you suffering from sciatica? Well, if you've ever experienced a painful pinching sensation starting at your lower back radiating to your thighs and legs, then you may have sciatica.
Other symptoms include numbness of the feet, difficulty getting out of bed, unable to walk, excruciating pain when you move, and one of the most severe forms of back pain you'll ever experience.
There are many ways you can treat your sciatica, but not all of these treatment options work for everyone.
Pain medications, exercise, stretching, physical therapy, surgery...
these are some of the conventional sciatica cures that people have tried.
But maybe you've tried a lot of things already but still haven't found a treatment that has really been able to relieve your sciatica pain.
Suddenly, you heard about acupuncture for sciatica, and are wondering if it's an effective treatment for the symptoms you're feeling.
Does it really work to cure sciatica? Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese treatments that are known for seeking and treating the root of a medical condition, not just alleviating the symptoms.
It is an alternative medicine that treats patients through the insertion and manipulation of solid, thin needles into the body, whose basis is the theory that the functions of the human body are regulated by the flow of energy called qi.
The goal of acupuncture is to correct the imbalances in the flow of qi through stimulation of different acupuncture points located under the skin.
Those who promote acupuncture believe that it relieves pain, promotes health, and treats and prevents disease.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, sciatica is caused by the stagnation of qi and blood in the meridians of the back, and the presence of damp or cold qi energy.
In acupuncture for sciatica, the acupuncturist will insert needles into points in your back to correct the underlying cause of your sciatic nerve pain.
The desired action is to regulate the function of the nervous system and improve blood circulation in the involved parts, which results in muscle relaxation and pain reduction.
Usually, traditional Chinese herbal medicines as well as Chinese massage are also prescribed to complement the treatment.
Results vary, however, when it comes to using acupuncture for sciatica.
Some have been surprised to discover that their symptoms have disappeared, while others are disappointed when the pain eventually comes back.
But there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with trying out all your options, especially if you find that conventional treatments don't work for your sciatica.
It is also recommended that treatment with acupuncture is combined with Chinese massage, or what is known as Tui Na.
Together, the two effectively relaxes the muscles that can trigger sciatica and improve circulation in the body.
If you do obtain relief using these treatments, it is important that you continue to do exercise such as stretching in order to maintain the relaxation and health of your back muscles.
Acupuncture for sciatica is a valid way to treat your back pain.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been around for a long time, and it continues to effectively relieve various symptoms and illnesses of people.