Where Do Acupuncture Needles Go for Sciatica?

Sciatica, that sharp or burning pain that radiates from your lower back down the leg, is one of the most common complaints among people dealing with nerve or spinal issues. While conventional treatments like pain medications and physical therapy are common, many turn to acupuncture as a natural, drug-free option to find relief.

But if you're new to acupuncture, you might wonder: where exactly do the needles go when treating sciatica? Let’s explore how acupuncture is used for sciatica, and where those tiny needles are typically placed.

Understanding Sciatica

Before diving into acupuncture, it’s helpful to understand what sciatica is. Sciatica refers to pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back, through the buttocks, and down each leg. It can be caused by:

• A herniated disc

• Spinal stenosis

• Piriformis syndrome

• Pregnancy

• Sitting for long periods

The result? Numbness, tingling, or shooting pain that makes daily life a challenge.

How Acupuncture Helps Sciatica

Acupuncture works on the principle of stimulating specific points in the body—called acupoints—to restore balance and improve the flow of Qi (vital energy). For sciatica, the goal is to:

• Reduce inflammation

• Improve blood circulation

• Relax muscles

• Stimulate the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins)

Where Do the Needles Go?

When treating sciatica, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncturists don't just stick needles in the lower back. Treatment is holistic and may include points along the entire body, depending on the patient’s unique symptoms.

Here are the most common areas:

1. Lower Back

• Bladder 23 (Shenshu) – located near the lower spine, supports kidney function and back health.

• Bladder 40 (Weizhong) – behind the knee, known for relieving lower back and leg pain (Caution: careful using this acupoint if patient has blood clots or deep vein thrombosis).

  
  

2. Buttocks and Hips

• Gallbladder 30 (Huantiao) – located on the buttock, this is a major point for sciatica treatment.

• Gallbladder 29 (Juliao) – near the hip joint, helps relieve hip and leg pain.

  
  

3. Legs and Calves

• Bladder 36–Bladder 57 – a series of points running down the back of the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve  (Caution - some of these acupoints are contraindicated in pregnancy)..

• Stomach 36 (Zusanli) – below the knee, this point strengthens overall energy and supports leg function.

  
  

4. Feet and Ankles

• Kidney 3 (Taixi) – inside of the ankle, helps with lower back support.

• Bladder 60 (Kunlun) – between the ankle and the achilles tendon, known for relieving back and leg tension (Caution - contraindicated in pregnancy).

Final Thoughts

Acupuncture offers a gentle yet powerful alternative for treating sciatica. By targeting key points along the back, legs, and feet, it aims to address both the root cause and the symptoms of nerve pain.

Tags: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture; sciatica, acupuncture esher, acupuncture cobham, acupuncture claygate, acupuncture weybridge, acupuncture walton on thames, acupuncture surrey

Sarah San Acupuncture is located near Esher, Cobham, Claygate, Oxshott, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Surrey.