Follow us on Facebook by using this link https://www.facebook.com/share/1AzKKYm5pz/
Comments
A randomised clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine on October 14, 2024, investigated the efficacy of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture in patients with chronic sciatica resulting from herniated disks.
Main Findings:
The research highlights several benefits for participants who underwent acupuncture for chronic sciatica due to herniated disks:
Significant Pain Relief: Participants experienced a marked reduction in leg pain, with a decrease of 30.8 mm on the visual analog scale (compared to only 14.9 mm in the sham group), indicating substantial relief.
Improved Physical Function: Acupuncture participants saw a notable improvement in their daily functionality, demonstrated by a 13.0-point decrease in disability scores (Oswestry Disability Index), compared to just 4.9 points in the sham group.
Enhanced Quality of Life: With reduced pain and improved mobility, participants were better able to perform daily activities, suggesting an overall enhancement in their quality of life.
Conclusions:
The study concluded that acupuncture is effective in alleviating pain and enhancing function in patients suffering from chronic sciatica due to herniated disks. These findings support the consideration of acupuncture as a viable treatment option for this condition.
Reference:
Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Sciatica From Herniated Disk A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2825064
