The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the lower body.  It originates from the spinal cord and branches out at the sacral plexus, specifically at lumbar vertebra 5 (L5).  It travels through the buttocks, down the back of the legs, to the outside of the calves and to the top of the feet.  If you are experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling in any of the aforementioned areas, chances are that you have inflammation in the lower back resulting in pressure on the sciatic nerve.  The type of pain can range anywhere from a dull ache to sharp and stabbing.  Each case is different.

Sciatica is easily treated with acupuncture if the patient seeks treatment quickly.  Unfortunately, patients tend to wait hoping the pain will go away on its own.  Sometimes it does.  But when it doesn't, seek the help of an acupuncturist.  With a few (6 - 8) acupuncture sessions, behavior modification and light stretching, the patient may experience a full recovery.  Please remember that the longer you have sciatica, the longer you may to take to heal.  Patients typically report some relief after the first session with a gradual improvement with each subsequent session.

Thank you for reading.

Tamara ZumMallen