Sciatica
Acupuncture for Sciatica in Denver
Sciatica is pain produced by irritation of a nerve root in the lower back. It commonly travels through the buttock and down the leg and may be accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness.
A herniated lumbar disc is a common cause: disc material irritates or compresses the nerve root that ultimately contributes to the sciatic nerve.
Prognosis
Many acute episodes improve naturally, particularly as inflammation settles and a disc herniation changes over time. But persistent sciatica can continue for months and significantly interfere with sitting, walking, exercise and sleep.
What Does the Research Say?
The recent evidence for acupuncture is particularly encouraging.
A 2024 randomized clinical trial compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture in people with chronic sciatica caused by a herniated lumbar disc. Acupuncture produced significantly greater reductions in leg pain and better function—and the benefits persisted through the study's 52-week follow-up.
That makes acupuncture more than simply a short-term pain-management option for appropriate cases of sciatica.
Typical Course of Care
Treatment is usually more frequent when nerve pain is intense. We may begin once or twice weekly and reassess after several treatments.
Useful measures include:
How far pain travels down the leg
Pain intensity
Sitting and walking tolerance
Sleep disruption
Numbness or tingling
Strength and function
As symptoms stabilize, treatment is spaced farther apart.
Acupuncture and Other Treatment
Acupuncture can be combined with physical therapy, progressive exercise, anti-inflammatory or nerve-pain medications, and other medical care.
An important treatment goal is often to reduce pain sufficiently that normal movement and rehabilitation become possible again.
Progressive weakness, new bowel or bladder dysfunction, or numbness in the saddle region requires urgent medical evaluation rather than routine acupuncture treatment.
Schedule an evaluation online at Backupuncture of Denver 950 S Cherry St, Suite 1675
Denver, CO 80246 or call (720)370-2711 for persistent sciatic or radiating leg pain.