Acupuncture for Sciatica in Monmouth County, NJ

Sciatica is not a specific health condition, but rather the term used to describe the symptoms associated with compression, irritation, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body, extending from nerve roots in the lower back down to the legs. Symptoms often include pain in the lower back, buttock, foot, or leg. Sciatica is also experienced as muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling.

Sciatica can occur as the result of many different conditions, including pregnancy, spinal tumors (rarely), trauma, herniated discs, or spondylolisthesis (the displacement of a vertebra).

Because sciatica can be treated holistically and is not life-threatening, the use of pain medications is not recommended. Pain medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, have many adverse side effects. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can cause gastrointestinal distress, kidney damage, and are included on the list of the most common causes of death in this country. It makes little sense to inflict long-term damage on the body to alleviate the symptoms of a short-term, treatable condition.

Acupuncture and Sciatica

As a practice of Chinese medicine, acupuncture is based on the concept that a life force known as ‘Qi’ runs throughout the body on channels. These interconnected channels, or meridians, relate to all of the organs or systems of organs in the body. A healthy body, one that is free of pain or disease, is a body in which Qi is free to flow throughout the meridians. Any imbalance or disharmony in the flow of Qi can result in pain and illness. The goal of acupuncture is to stimulate specific points along the meridians in order to rebalance Qi.

The human body comes equipped with the ability to treat pain without the use of pharmaceutical intervention. Acupuncture helps the body by working with its own natural resources for alleviating suffering. For example, stimulation of certain points on the body can help with the release of endorphins, natural painkilling chemicals. Acupuncture can also suppress the stimulation of nerve signals that cause pain. This works by increasing serotonin levels; serotonin can interrupt pain signals before they are able to reach the brain.

Acupuncture is useful in improving the circulation of blood throughout the body, which assists with the healing process by oxygenating tissues and cycling out waste chemicals that can weaken the immune system (a weakened immune system can lead to further inflammation and pain). Acupuncture is also very calming, and can lower heart rate and blood pressure in all individuals, including those who have been under the stress of a painful condition such as sciatica.

Sciatica Treatment at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation Center

Our Monmouth County rehabilitation center is fully equipped to diagnose and treat your sciatica symptoms. With onsite x-ray technology and the ability to read and interpret MRI results, we offer a comprehensive neurological and orthopedic exam in order to ensure an accurate diagnosis.