Sciatica is a form of nerve-related discomfort that can begin in the lower back and radiate down the leg, sometimes making everyday movement more difficult. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic perspective that many people find helpful for supporting back comfort and leg mobility.
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in your body. They start in your low lumbar spine and travel down through the buttocks, the leg, and all the way through the soles of your feet and your toes. At its largest, the sciatic nerve is roughly the diameter of a pen.
Sciatica is a term used to describe nerve-related tension that can result when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or irritated, sometimes leading to sensations of discomfort radiating through the back, hips, or legs.. Osteoarthritis can also contribute to sciatica by narrowing the exit from the lower spine through which the nerve passes. As a result, sciatica is more common in older adults.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Pain is the most common symptom of sciatica, but sometimes the pain isn’t unbearable. It can be a dull throb, a feeling of pins-and-needles, or even a warm numbness. Although it usually goes away on its own, you may be wondering what you can do to promote a sense of ease during movement and limit its chances of recurring.
Risk Factors for Sciatica
Understanding risk factors can help support back wellness and promote proactive self-care.
Prolonged Sitting
If you work at a desk or sit for many hours a day, you may be at higher risk for sciatica. Remember to get up, move around, and stretch frequently.
Excess Weight
If you’re overweight, you run a greater risk. Exercise and healthy eating can help support overall back health and physical resilience.
Smoking
Like many other maladies, smoking increases your risk of sciatica. Quitting can help you stave off the chances.
Chinese Medicine and Sciatica
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees sciatica as an imbalance in the body. While this refers more to the energy pathways of the body, it’s true that sciatica is caused by an imbalance— usually a herniated disk. CM offers several traditional approaches to support lower back comfort and overall mobility. Practitioners tailor wellness plans based on each individual’s needs and imbalances.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves placing small, sterilized needles in specific points on the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this practice is used to help support natural energy flow and overall physical alignment. Some individuals report feeling more comfortable and relaxed after treatment, particularly in the lower back and legs. Some feel that the healing effects are due to the flow of energy promoted by acupuncture, while others believe that the effects are neurological in nature. One thing is sure: Studies suggest acupuncture may help the body maintain a balanced response to physical stressors. Participants in some studies reported improvements in symptoms related to sciatic nerve discomfort.
Herbal Treatments
One of the major causes or irritants of sciatica, according to TCM, is a Wind-Cold-Damp Bi obstruction. Essentially, what this means is that outside forces such as cold, wind, and dampness can affect the body’s Qi (energy). When the body’s Qi is affected, illness and misalignment can creep in unobstructed.
Herbal formulas have been traditionally used in TCM to support the body's natural harmony and overall vitality.
There are many different herbs used for these purposes, depending on the particular malady. n TCM, herbs like Dipsacus (Xu Duan) and Eucommia (Du Zhong) are traditionally used to support joint flexibility and lower back strength. For more herbs and their properties, check out Joint Vitality.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy, or Tui Na, is often used in TCM to promote relaxation and support overall back wellness. The sessions can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours, depending on the individual and their areas of tension or discomfort. Sometimes hot and cold therapy, as well as herbal ointments, are used in conjunction with massage therapy.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong is commonly practiced in TCM to support flexibility, balance, and overall vitality—especially in the lower back and hips. Many people perform Qi Gong exercises daily as a way to keep their energy and body balanced and healthy.
You can watch Qi Gong videos on YouTube for free. It’s all about the flow of Qi, which is the energy in everything. It’s believed to be extremely powerful and healing when harnessed with Qi Gong exercises.
Holistic Approaches for Back Comfort
The Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments listed above carry very little risk of negative side effects. However, if you’re looking for something a little more familiar, you can try these other supportive wellness options for back and nerve health
Chiropractic Treatment
Many people wonder whether chiropractic care can support spinal wellness and overall back comfort. People tend to associate chiropractic methods with the skeleton alone. Chiropractors focus on supporting spinal alignment and may help improve overall back comfort in cases involving nerve-related tension.
Much like the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, chiropractic care is based on the idea that structural imbalances in the body can affect overall wellness. Chiropractors focus on supporting healthy spinal alignment, which may help promote comfort and ease tension, particularly in the lower back and legs.
Stretching
Much like Qi Gong, gentle stretching can help reduce physical tension and support flexibility, especially in the lower back and legs. Sometimes, just a few mindful movements are enough to encourage relaxation and promote natural mobility throughout the body.
Talk to a Doctor
Some sciatica is persistent and doesn’t go away on its own. If you’ve been experiencing the pain for more than a few days— or the pain is debilitating— you may want to schedule a visit with a doctor or chiropractor. They can help determine the source of your discomfort and whether it may be related to the sciatic nerve. You can then plan support options from there.
Resources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-of-all-the-nerve
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5234349/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488#what_is_acupuncture
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.
Dr. Brent Wells founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in 1998. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat his patients in Juneau, Alaska through physical therapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life.
