Francine Ball, L.Ac.

Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for both sciatica and back pain. Many patients are pleasantly surprised to find their severe acute pain in the buttock, leg, hip and/or foot relieved in just a few visits.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is pain affecting the sciatic nerve, which extends from the low back down the leg.  Common symptoms of sciatica are pain in the buttock, leg and sometimes into the foot and toes.  In addition to pain, there can be tingling, numbness and burning.  Some patients experience shooting pain when they stand or an increase in pain while sitting.  It often affects only one side of the body, but the side can change or alternate.

Pain can be mild or severe and debilitating.   It is usually due to an irritation of the sciatic nerve root, but can also be caused by spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. 

What happens during a treatment?

Patients lie comfortably still on their side or stomach during a treatment. Treatments generally last about 30 minutes.  Every effort is made to make sure patients are comfortable, warm, and the office is quiet and calm.  Most patients find the treatments to be, deeply relaxing and many sleep during their session.

Typically, a treatment for back pain and/or sciatica involves the insertion of very fine, hair-like needles into specific points on the back, buttock, leg and foot.  These points may be tender spots, called “ashi points”, or special acupuncture points commonly used to treat back pain and sciatica. Ear acupuncture is also used.  There are specific points on the ear that are helpful in relieving the pain associated with sciatica & back pain.

How deep do the needles go?

The needles are inserted to varying depths on the body from a few centimeters to one-half inch or more, depending upon the location.  There is very little chance of the needle being inserted too deeply when a treatment is performed by an experienced acupuncturist.

Low back pain is usually treated with acupuncture to the low back at points close to or along the spine. Hip pain and sciatica are treated using acupuncture to the hip, buttock, and along the side or back of the leg and ankle.  Acupuncture points on other parts of the body are also used to treat back pain and sciatica.

How many treatments will I need?

A patient with an acute back strain may only need a few treatments.  However, a few acupuncture sessions may offer only short term relief from chronic back pain.  To actually treat the problem, a course of treatments is usually given. 

The number of treatments will vary according to the length of time a patient has suffered from back pain and/or sciatica, how severe the problem is, and whether or not a re-injury occurs during the course of treatment. 

Patients vary in their response to acupuncture.  While one person with an acute back strain may begin to feel better immediately, another may take several treatments.  A patient who has experienced chronic low back pain for many years may require numerous treatments before any real relief is felt. 

Generally speaking, the longer a person has had a problem, the longer it will take for it to improve.

What about back pain from arthritis?

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of back pain.  Osteoarthritis, in particular, can lead to severe, debilitating pain.  Many people find they are unable to garden, sew, walk for any distance and/or perform normal daily activities due to a reduction in joint mobility caused by arthritis. 

The Chinese have used acupuncture for centuries to treat arthritis.  By reducing inflammation and increasing circulation, acupuncture helps to relieve the pain and limited mobility frequently experienced by arthritis sufferers.  Patients often report that after an acupuncture treatment, they are again able to perform activities they once enjoyed.

What about back pain related to the menstrual cycle or pregnancy?

Women may experience back pain or sciatica during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, post-partum period, or during menopause.  In each of these cases, the underlying cause of the back pain is treated, as well as the back pain itself.  Women who have very painful periods often experience severe back pain during their menstrual cycle.  For these patients, it is necessary to treat the menstrual pain in order to provide lasting relief for the aching back.  Acupuncture to points that regulate the menstrual cycle is combined with those to treat the back.

Regardless of the cause of back pain, acupuncture is a gentle and effective treatment without side effects.  It can be used on patients of any age and may bring results where other treatments have failed.

Some weeks, I see many patients complaining of sciatica.  Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for this problem.  Patients who have been in severe pain, experience great relief with acupuncture.

If you are experiencing sciatica and wondering if acupuncture might be appropriate for you, please call my office at 925 933 4848.  I would be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have.  You can also reach me through this website on the contact page or by emailing me at francine @ francineball.com.