It takes an incredibly effective (and proven-to-be effective) practice, treatment, or tradition to withstand the changing peaks and troughs of trends that seem to almost constantly change year upon year—and the practice of acupuncture is certainly one of these treasured few.

Beginning in ancient China around three thousand years ago, acupuncture is still highly regarded as an effective pain reliever for people living with myriad medical issues, and to learn more information about this fascinating practice, continue reading for a brief history, and how it can be specifically used to treat sciatic symptoms.

In the Beginning…

Rather than the more medically inspired thin needles used today, the Chinese first started using acupuncture with sharpened bones and long stones, which were also the same tools used for crude operations at the time. 

As the centuries went by, acupuncture became the main therapy used not only by the Chinese, but by people in neighboring countries too, and it began to be complemented with massage, meditation, heat therapy, and certain herbs. 

The 17th Century Dip

As the seventeenth century approached, there was a marked decline in the interest in this particularly old tradition and the spiritual nature of the people’s mindsets at the time started to attach dark superstitions to the practice. 

In 1822, the Chinese emperor officially announced that acupuncture was no longer a medical practice or treatment of any kind, with the tradition remaining prevalent only in the minds and memories of healers and scholars who passed it down through their family lines. 

Acupuncture: A Revival 

It was not until far into the future, in early 1949, that the government at the time (a communist regime) decreed that acupuncture was once again an accepted form of medicine and with that, acupuncture became a frequently used practice in hospitals. 

During this time, people’s knowledge of acupuncture started to filter across into nearby countries (such as Korea and Japan), and in 1971 emergency acupuncture was administered to an American in the press corps who had experienced an appendectomy whilst staying in China. 

Acupuncture for Sciatica

Sciatica—a painful and recurring condition which affects the two sciatic nerves that stretch from the top of the leg to the bottom—is a common ailment in people of all ages, although the majority of cases are usually in people over the age of fifty. 

Professional acupuncture for sciatica is a fantastic and popular method of not only relieving some of the pain and discomfort caused by sciatica, but is also related to helping treat and lessen the signs and symptoms of other medical issues, which include the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Headaches and migraines 

In addition to sciatica, acupuncture is also an effective treatment method in relieving pain and discomfort from migraines and headaches, arthritis and osteoporosis, depression and anxiety, and even recovery after a major operation. 

Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a city center that does not boast one or more popular and renowned acupuncture clinics, with some people considering acupuncture to be part of their monthly pamper and spa treatment schedule.

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