Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Commonly Treated Conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Sciatica Treatment

 

Overview

Sciatica is caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve. The most common symptom is pain that radiates from lower back to down through the buttocks and into the legs which can vary from a slight tingle or numbness to a severe unbearable electric shooting pain that radiates from the upper part of the leg to the feet. Other symptoms may be numbness and/or weakness of the lower limbs as if the leg has “fallen asleep”. Typically, symptoms are found on one side of the body but in some cases, sciatica may occur on both sides of the body.

Cause of Sciatica

There are many causes of sciatica but the most common cause is a herniated intervertabral disc where a vertebral disc is pushed out of place causing irritation to the surrounding nerves.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Acupuncture and herbal therapy are both used to treat sciatica. Acupuncture treatment of sciatica is effective and recognized by the World Health Organization. The best results come with an early diagnosis. Prompt treatment is recommended to avoid surgery.

TCM treatment is always based on the pattern differentiation. The most common TCM pattern of sciatica is often aggravated by a sudden change in weather, causing the pain to be more severe.

Western medicine commonly treats sciatica with rehabilitation, medication and surgery. Rehabilitation involves traction and heat therapy to relax the spastic muscle, improve blood circulation and restore the vertebral disc back into the correct position. Medication is used to control pain and relax muscles. However, if the cause of sciatica is due to severe disc herniation, severe spinal stenosis or severe spondylolisthesis, surgery may be necessary.

Obesity

Obesity is a rapidly growing worldwide epidemic. Being overweight increases the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and some cancers and gallbladder disease.

There are so many weight loss methods, books and products, it can be overwhelming, and many of them make big claims, but few deliver. Even after following a program of regular exercise and healthy diet, many individuals fail to lose weight. This leads us to consider that the missing link might be a person’s constitution.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In TCM, diagnosis is based on an individual’s overall body constitution. After a complete and complex evaluation, a specific diet regime is recommended along with herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments.

Effectiveness

The World Health Organization has stated that based on controlled clinical trials, a therapeutic effect of acupuncture in treating obesity has been shown, but further proof is also needed.

Smoking Cessation

Everyone knows that smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke are major risk factors for lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and other health problems. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, pre-term births, and poor future health of children.

Fortunately, the latest Statistics Canada Survey in 2005 showed:

  • Fewer Canadians are smokers
  • Canadians who do smoke are smoking less
  • Fewer adolescents are smoking
  • Non smokers are less likely to be exposed to second hand smoke

However, even though there is a decrease in smoking, Statistics Canada Survey also showed that 22% of Canadians aged 12 or older were smokers. This means that about 5.9 million Canadians are at a higher risk for smoking related diseases.

TCM Point of View of Smoking

Based on TCM principles, smoking weakens the function of the lungs. It reduces the bodies ability to defend against pathogens, and can lead to serious health concerns.

Diagnosis and Treatment

As with all conditions, diagnosis begins with evaluating a person’s overall constitution. Treatment can be acupuncture or herbs, but a combination of both are usually recommended to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, the first, and most important criteria to gain the best therapeutic effect is the desire to quit smoking.

Effectiveness

Based on controlled clinical trials, the World Health Organization has recognized the treatment of tobacco addiction (and states that further proof is needed).

 

Submit your inquiry to info@IMeGHealth.com or contact us at our Vancouver office to find out how acupuncture and herbal medicine can help you.