by Eileen Karn L.Ac.

For the many people who suffer from sciatica, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have proven to be effective. In fact Acupuncture is rapidly becoming the treatment of choice for sciatica pain sufferers. This condition, which is characterized by nervy and gnawing pain that radiates from the low back down one or both legs, can be debilitating and frustrating. Many patients have tried conventional therapies such as pain medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic but still struggle with the condition.

In acupuncture theory, pain is believed to be due to stuck energy and blood in the body. It is always a result of impeded energy circulation, which can lead to inflammation or degeneration. In the case of sciatica, the bladder and the gall bladder meridian is typically in need of energetic balancing. These meridians run from the piriformus muscle in the buttocks down the posterior and lateral side of the legs, which is the pathway of the sciatic nerve. Qi stagnation (stuck energy) occurs in these meridians.

Acupuncture is a gentle treatment that is intended to be very relaxing, restorative and balancing. As the primary goal is to regulate the flow of Qi in the bladder and the gall bladder meridian, one often notices that their entire sense of health is boosted from the treatment: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Most of my sciatic patients come for treatment 1-2 times per week for 4 weeks, at which time we assess for progress. The treatment plan depends upon the severity of the pain and how long it has been there.

Chinese herbal medicine can also play an important role in treating this condition. The following herbal formulas have all been proven to be useful in the treatment of sciatica:

du huo ji sheng tang: One of the main formulas for treating pain and spasm from the waist down

you gui wan: A kidney tonic formula that treats low back pain due to internal cold and deficiency

channel flow: A formula by Health Concerns that treats pain anywhere in the body

yao tong pian: One of the main formulas for all kinds of low back pain

Other people have found the following supplements to be helpful for sciatica:

• bromelain: anti-inflammatory enzyme
• fish oil: (3,000 mg daily)
• 5 HTP: (a natural precursor to serotonin; many people with chronic pain are serotonin deficient)

There are also specific yoga posture that are helpful for both prevention and for active flare ups. These poses are best learned from a yoga instructor, as it is fairly easy to exacerbate this condition with improper stretching.

With the right combination of therapies, sciatica typically responds very well to treatment. I recommend combining acupuncture with Chinese herbs for a few weeks and possibly adding some targeted stretches. This should go a long way in your recovery from this painful condition.