Can acupuncture help with sciatica?

Sciatic Pain: Acupuncture as an Effective Treatment

Sciatic pain, or sciatica, arises from irritation of the sciatic nerve, the body's longest nerve, running from the lower back through the legs to the feet. Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness, often worsening with certain activities.

Acupuncture has proven effective in treating sciatica, reducing pain intensity and side effects compared to conventional medicine. A review of 30 randomized controlled trials with 2,662 participants showed acupuncture's superiority in improving pain scores, increasing pain thresholds, and lowering recurrence rates.

Researchers concluded that acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative to medication for sciatica, offering relief from pain and fewer side effects.

In summary, acupuncture is a viable treatment for sciatica, outperforming conventional medicine in clinical trials and providing a safer option for patients.

References

Zhihui Zhang et al Front Neurosci. 2023; 17: 1

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