Will acupuncture success be temporary? (sciatica)

[vitahelp]

I injured my back 10 days ago and have had sciatic pain since then. Yesterday I went to a physio and she did acupuncture combined with deep massage. I’m stunned at the result of this..I’m more or less pain free today except a slight twinge. Yesterday this twinge was agony.

Is it possible the results I’ve seen today may be short lived? Is acupuncture something that needs to be topped up? We suspect I slipped a disc so it just seems a bit unlikely that one session has ‘cured’ it! I just want to manage my expectations.

A proper physiotherapist? They won't be sticking needles in 😄 you should be given exercises to do by an actual physio .

@vitahelp A relative of mine had acupuncture for sciatica and it was really effective for him too. He'd be someone who's quite sceptical about that kind of thing but got it on the NHS afaik, so gave it a try. This was quite a few years ago and as far as I know it never came back. He had been really bad with it, having to sleep sitting in a chair and struggling to walk etc. He said he'd never really know if it wasn't a coincidence and that it didn't just get better then anyway, but it seemed to help a lot anyway. He didn't have anything like a slipped disc though.

Anyway, enjoy being (nearly) pain free! I really hope it lasts for you.

So it’s called dry needling if done by a physio….not acupuncture.

And can be very effective but I would manage your expectations especially if your pain is being caused by a slipped disc.

They will be sticking needles in you. It’s called dry needling and very much a physiotherapy tool.

It won’t be temporary but you often need a few sessions, be advised by the practitioner.

'Proper physios' use dry needling and it's very effective.

I was given an exercise program as well, I’m doing them several times a day. She is qualified and recognised by HCPC as I needed evidence of this to claim the cost on private healthcare.

@Lonelyscarecrow Thank you! I’m glad your relative remained pain free. I must admit I would have been quite sceptical as well but something seems to have worked almost immediately after the treatment, but she did do deep massage as well so may have been that or a combination of the two.

@Worriedsickmostofthetime thanks for replying. It is still unknown what exactly I’ve done to my back but she suspected slipped disc. I’m quite amazed by the quick change in pain levels but yes I’ll try and not get too excited in case it is just temporary relief.

@CharlotteSometimes1 thanks for your reply. I’ve got another physio appointment on Tuesday where I assume she will do the same treatments again.

@LoafofSellotape yes it may be that I used the wrong wording which confused PP.

@vitahelp how are you now ?

Hi @Deedoo I am fine now! I went back for a
second physio/acupuncture session a week after the first but was already feeling a lot better by then so didn’t really need it. It’s hard to say if I would have got better almost as quick anyway but I do feel the acupuncture accelerated my recovery and gave me that instant relief.

Hi @Deedoo I am fine now! I went back for a
second physio/acupuncture session a week after the first but was already feeling a lot better by then so didn’t really need it. It’s hard to say if I would have got better almost as quick anyway but I do feel the acupuncture accelerated my recovery and gave me that instant relief.

My old GP used it on me, she explained that the piraformus muscle had tightened up around my scatic nerve and by getting the needle in the right place in my buttock it reacted the muscle to release.
If its discs involved the recovery is not as quick it’s taken me 6-12months to recover from bulging disc pain that was horrendous and acupuncture didn’t help with that. Glad you are on the mend.

@vitahelp where did she apply the needles

@DreamingofRain2 what helped ? I have a herniated disc

Yes it usually does need additional visits but my experience is that eventually it will work permanently or almost permanently. The idea is that it helps your body heal and block the pain itself but I don’t think ‘they’ really know how it works. You’ll have people claim it’s a placebo effect but I don’t see how that’s possible. I’ve used acupuncture for a neck injury and severe foot issue and the pin from both is gone now.

Yes it can be, but it’s much more aggressive than acupuncture. I’ve found it painful.

Why reply when you obviously don't know anything about it!

Physios do dry needling. It can help, usually not as effective as properly trained Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturists.

OP it can go forever after one treatment but generally more are needed, and a routine of stretching and strengthening exercises should be used in the long term to prevent reoccurrence.

Sciatica is horrible glad it has improved!

@GrumpyExpat accupuncture or dry needling

@GrumpyExpat I found dry needling painful

@Deedoo depends on your situation I had MRI to diagnosis plus the option of steroid injections at a nhs pain management clinic but for me the trick was to keep moving in whatever way I could. For example the first time i could not walk or stand it was agony but I could cycle once I had handlebars and seat in the right position. So I kept my SI joint moving, had physio, did a year of pilates to strengthen my core muscles and got from barely walking with a stick to moving freely and then running 18mths later. I have had another flare up which lasted 6months also ice regularly not heat helped. I now have a monthly sports massages, move everyday & do weight strength training, yoga and try to keep my body as fit as possible to avoid a relapse. So far I’m doing ok in my 50s. Good luck finding what works for you as it’s miserable being in pain.

@DreamingofRain2 I have herniated discs did you have back pain at all? Physio massages caused me back pain

Yes me too, it’s painful whereas acupuncture is not for me