Sciatica is a common type of neuropathic pain that is characterized by a shooting pain radiating from the lower back down to the leg, sometimes accompanied by numbness and muscle weakness. This condition is often caused by the compression of the spinal nerve root by a disc herniation, which accounts for 85% of all cases. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients with sciatica suffer from persistent pain lasting a year or more due to the lack of effective treatments. This may eventually lead to neurological deficits and functional disability, significantly impacting their quality of life.
Acupuncture has been recommended as an effective method for pain relief in patients with sciatica. A recent review aimed to assess the published clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for treating sciatica. The review analyzed a total of 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 2,662 participants. The results showed that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture was superior to that of medicine treatment (MT) in improving the total effective rate, reducing the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, increasing pain threshold, decreasing recurrence rate, and having fewer side effects.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with sciatica. It can be considered a suitable replacement for medicine treatment (MT). This conclusion is supported by the results of the analyzed RCTs, which demonstrated that acupuncture therapy had superior clinical efficacy compared to medicine treatment in terms of pain relief, recurrence rate, and side effects.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It is believed to stimulate the body's natural healing processes and restore balance to the body's energy flow. Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions, including chronic pain.
While the mechanisms by which acupuncture provides pain relief are not fully understood, several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Another theory proposes that acupuncture stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that block pain signals in the spinal cord and brain.
Regardless of the mechanism, the clinical evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy can be an effective and safe treatment for patients with sciatica. The results of the analyzed RCTs demonstrate that acupuncture therapy has superior clinical efficacy compared to medicine treatment. This finding is significant because many patients with sciatica suffer from persistent pain lasting a year or more, which can eventually lead to neurological deficits and functional disability.
In conclusion, acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with sciatica. It can be considered a suitable replacement for medicine treatment and may provide a much-needed alternative for patients who have not found relief from traditional medical treatments. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which acupuncture provides pain relief and to optimize its use in the treatment of sciatica.
References
Zhihui Zhang et al Front Neurosci. 2023; 17: 1097830.
