RCT Confirms that Acupuncture Can Alleviate Sciatic Pain and Improve Function

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body extending from the low back where the nerve fibers converge to form a single nerve that travels down the leg to the heel. Sciatica is a common neuropathic condition typically caused by a herniated lumbar disc that can result in severe burning pain that radiates with possible prolonged disability.

Conventional medicine utilizes a variety of pharmaceuticals to ease the pain including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid and nonopioid analgesics, and muscle relaxants, as well as localized corticosteroid injections. Physical therapy and surgery may also be recommended.

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine set out to determine the safety and efficacy of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in patients with chronic sciatica caused by a herniated disc. This multicenter randomized clinical trial featured 110 patients who received 10 sessions of acupuncture or sham acupuncture over four weeks. The two primary outcomes were changes in leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Leg pain decreased by 30.8 millimeters (mm) in the acupuncture group and 14.9 mm in the sham group, while ODI decreased by 13 points in the acupuncture group versus 4.9 points in the sham group, and the benefits persisted for 52 weeks.

“The results from this latest study match my clinical experience,” said Kurt Beil, ND, LAc, MPH, who is a physician with Northwest Family Wellness Center in Oregon and has been using acupuncture to help people with sciatica for more than 15 years. “Acupuncture is my go-to recommendation for all sciatic issues, and all of the patients I have treated were often able to eliminate the sciatic pain immediately or at least significantly decrease it within just two to three visits.”

The authors of a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 randomized controlled trials published last year concluded, “Acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with sciatica, and it can be considered a suitable replacement for medicine treatment.”

This latest study adds to the growing evidence indicating that acupuncture is a safe and effective first-line treatment option for sciatica.

“Acupuncture is especially valuable as an immediate, highly effective, low-impact, low-risk treatment compared to other invasive and or repetitive approaches such as pharmaceuticals, physical therapy, and/or surgery,” said Dr. Beil. “Similar to the study, my patients often experience lasting results with acupuncture for sciatic pain.”