Back pain is a common complaint and, in many cases, resolves on its own. In other cases, it can be persistent and, if left untreated, lead to serious concerns. Back pain from sciatica, for example, could lead to permanent nerve damage, loss of bladder control, and sensation in the impacted limb, affecting your mobility and overall quality of life. The good news is that Shrewsbury sciatica can be treated in various ways, including holistic approaches like acupuncture.
About 30 hair-thin needles are inserted into your acupuncture points during a treatment session. An acupuncture point is where the lymph, nerve, blood, and connective tissues meet. The insertion helps relieve pain and loosen tight muscles, alleviating sciatica symptoms. The anti-inflammatory impact of the treatment helps manage sciatica. It gets better with the triggered endorphins release, hormones that are your natural painkillers. Acupuncture also improves circulation, which facilitates better repair and self-healing. As the overworked and tight muscles recover, your core strength improves, further helping treat and keep sciatica at bay. Among the top benefits of including acupuncture in your sciatica treatment are:
Reduced inflammation
The main cause of sciatica is herniated or slipped discs. The swelling or inflammation causes extra pressure and stress to the nerve, aggravating sciatica. Acupuncture helps relieve inflammation and swelling, which promotes a more holistic recovery.
Lower reliance on medication
Sciatica can cause serious pain and discomfort, which could force you to take medication continuously to manage the symptoms. Reliance on anti-inflammatory pain relievers exposes you to health threats. This includes kidney damage, increased blood clots, stroke, and heart attack risk. Overdose is also a potential threat, especially when the pain gets the better of you on certain days you want to be at your best.
Stress management
Sciatica symptoms like pain and impacted mobility can cause stress. When stress kicks in, sciatica is aggravated since inflammation and irritation worsen. Stress also increases muscle tension, which further worsens nerve irritation. This means you can be trapped in a sciatica-stress loop as one worsens the other. This makes stress management a critical aspect of treating sciatica, an area acupuncture helps address. Endorphins release facilitated by acupuncture helps manage pain. Moreover, as blood circulation improves, unwanted elements like cortisol are better eliminated. This results in better moods and lower anxiety and stress levels.
Enhanced medication efficacy
Your sciatica medication may not be delivering the best results. This could stem from poor digestion, rest, and blood circulation, which are among the areas acupuncture helps improve. Improved medication efficacy means you won’t need extra dosage for effective relief. This translates to lower chances of side effects.
Safe
Acupuncture is a safe, non-surgical approach that can effectively help manage sciatica. The treatment can help you avoid reliance on medicine or the need for an invasive approach like sciatica surgery. The best part is that it can be used independently or with other approaches like medicine for better results.
Prompt sciatica treatment is critical as you strive to remain active and healthy for an extended period. You won’t have to take considerable time off your schedule with acupuncture. The short treatment sessions can help improve sciatica symptoms, allowing you to go about your routine with less friction. Contact Acupuncture Health Services today for more on the treatment and how it can help improve your sciatica management endeavors.