| Background: The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the spinal cord to the buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg. The term "sciatica" refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve—from the back down to the buttock and leg. The pain is usually a shooting pain, and it can also burn like fire or tingle. The pain can range from slightly annoying to totally unbearable which is often experienced at night. The pain can be triggered by sneezing and coughing; while bending and sleeping on one side can alleviate it. During examination, the straight leg raise test is positive. In terms of treatment, bed rest is suggested in acute sciatic pain caused by herniated disc in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs along with muscle relaxant. Steroids are prescribed in more severe cases; however, these medications might host unsatisfactory side effects.Sciatica, according to its clinical manifestation, is classified as a "rheumatic disorder" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture, by means of improving circulation, having anti-inflammatory effect, and positively affecting vertebrae's biological mechanisms, is thought to have remarkable therapeutic effect in treating sciatica. In recent years, many studies have shown that there is a difference in pain threshold when treated with acupuncture. The positive change in 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT), acetylcholine (ACH) and endorphin (p-EP) is seen after acupuncture treatment. Electro-acupuncture is proven to stimulate the restoration of the nerves.Purpose: To observe the therapeutic effect of treating sciatica with the combination of acupuncture and herbal intake, as compared with herbal intake alone, in hope to discover a more effective and conventional method.Objective and method: Acupoints and herbs for conconction are selected according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic principles. The therapeutic effect of the test group (acupuncture plus herbal intake) and the control group (herbal intake alone) are observed by means of VAS, BRS-6 behaviour grading, and using the Fairbank JC lower back pain score chart. Result:①Analysis using the x~2 test shows that the therapeutic effect of the test and control groups is significantly different (p<0.05). The effectiveness of the test group is better than that of the control group, with rates of 56. 67% and 26. 67% respectively. The overall effectiveness of the test group is also better than that of the control group, with rates of 80% and 60% respectively. Thus, the test group's therapeutic effect is better than that of the control group.②Treating sciatica with the combined therapy of acupuncture and herbal intake can significantly reduce the VAS, BRS-6 and lower back pain scores. The curative effect in relation to the patients' sex, age, course and cause of illness, and the diagnostic type of sciatic in terms of Chinese Medicine is observed.③It is found that the patient's sex, cause of illness and type of Chinese Medicine diagnosis has no significant effect in the therapeutic results. However, the patient's age and course of illness can significantly affect the therapeutic results. Effectiveness is not as satisfactory when the age and course of illness increase.Conclusion: The study shows that the combined treatment of acupuncture and herbal intake, as compared with treatment with herbal intake alone, can greatly improve the symptoms of sciatica, thus giving the patients better mobility. The curative effect in relation to the patients' sex, age, course and.cause of illness, and the diagnostic type of sciatic in terras of Chinese Medicine is observed. It is found that the patient's sex, cause of illness and type of Chinese Medicine diagnosis has no significant effect in the therapeutic results. However, the patient's age and course of illness can significantly affect the therapeutic results. Effectiveness is not as satisfactory when the age and course of illness increase. |
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