Millions of people worldwide seek relief from the painful, debilitating symptoms of sciatica. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our doctors treat this condition on a regular basis with a high rate of success. Because we are physiatrists, specially trained to provide nonsurgical pain and restoration of function, we take a holistic approach to healthcare.Â
Over the years, we have found that combining traditional and complementary medical therapies is extremely effective in helping our patients achieve their goals. This is particularly true when dealing with hard-to-treat conditions like sciatica. We have also found that acupuncture, with thousands of years of positive outcomes to its credit, gives many of our patients the relief other therapies have been unable to provide.
Our physiatrists are particularly adept at optimizing healing by creating individualized treatment plans that take each patient’s needs and preferences into account. Acupuncture stands out as a very popular alternative treatment, recognized as safe, comfortable, and nonintrusive, with hardly any side effects.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that radiates along the entire path of the sciatic nerve which branches from the spinal cord down into the legs. Sciatic pain is the result of the compression of the sciatic nerve in the lumbosacral (lower) region of the spine. While in most cases, only one side of the body is impacted by sciatica, in some cases the nerve pain is felt radiating through the hip and buttock on both sides.
Causes
Sciatica is a symptom of underlying nerve compression which may be caused by:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc exerting pressure on the nerve
- Bone spur
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Localized inflammatory conditions
- Congenital defect
- Muscle spasms in the back or buttocks
- Spondylolisthesis (a disorder in which one vertebra slips forward over another)
- Piriformis syndrome (an uncommon neuromuscular disorder)
When you’re a patient with sciatica, the cause hardly matters. You simply want the pain to stop. That is the time to contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sciatica include:
- Muscle spasms and inflammation
- Pain in the back
- Pain down the hip, buttock, thigh or in the knee, calf, foot or toes
- Numbness or tingling in the limb or extremities
- Difficulty sitting, standing, or bending
Sciatic pain can be excruciating and disabling. It is best to begin treating it at its earliest stage to keep the condition from worsening.
How Acupuncture Addresses Sciatica
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical technique, involves the insertion of hairline needles into specific points on the body along charted meridians. It provides a variety of health benefits by stimulating the release of endorphins, releasing immune system cells, and triggering the release of natural opioids that act as analgesics. Acupuncture promotes physical and emotional well-being by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Easing muscle stiffness
- Decreasing pain
- Increasing blood flow
- Providing relaxation
If it sounds as if acupuncture treatment is pleasant, a great many people feel that it is. Patients describe drifting during acupuncture sessions; some fall asleep.
How Acupuncture Is Administered
Acupuncture sessions for sciatica typically last about 20 minutes each. While some patients require several sessions to feel marked improvement, others experience pain relief after a single session. Now that acupuncture is increasingly recognized by mainstream medical practitioners, coverage by insurance plans is sometimes available.
Why Long Island Spine Is the Place to Come for Acupuncture
LISRM stands out as a leading center for acupuncture and sciatica treatment. Not only do our physiatrists have fine credentials in acupuncture, but we have three highly skilled, licensed acupuncturists on staff. Coming to LISRM for the treatment of sciatica is also worthwhile because our physiatrists offer a variety of other therapies in addition to acupuncture for the problem, including customized physical therapy, spinal injections, PEMF, and PRP.
Contact Our Sciatica/Acupuncture Specialists Today
There are not too many medical practices that have excellent track records both in treating sciatica and administering acupuncture successfully. Contact our experienced professionals now to discuss your best options when it comes to ridding yourself of sciatic pain and restoring your quality of life.