Is cupping useful for sciatica?

Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on May 10, 2025
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Sciatica is a syndrome characterized by radiating pain originating in the lower back and extending through the buttocks, back of the thigh, outer side of the calf, and outer side of the foot. It particularly affects those who have experienced external exposure to cold, dampness, or injury from local strains or overexertion, leading to stagnation of Qi and blood stasis type of sciatic pain. Cupping therapy has been shown to be effective, meaning it can alleviate some of the clinical symptoms of sciatica to a certain extent. For example, cupping therapy for cold-dampness type can lighten the local cold and dampness, expel wind and open the channels, and thereby relieve pain. If the condition is due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis, blood-letting cupping can be used to promote the circulation of Qi and blood, remove stasis, regenerate new blood, and alleviate joint pain.

Other Voices

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
1min 8sec home-news-image

Is it useful to take calcium supplements for sciatica?

Generally speaking, supplementing calcium has very limited effects on sciatica. Sciatica is typically caused by compression at the location where the nerves deviate, or by herniated lumbar discs, leading to compression of the sciatic nerve. This means that different compression sites require different treatment methods. For sciatica, if it is caused by a herniated lumbar disc compressing the nerve, minimally invasive surgery can be performed when necessary to remove the protruding disc tissue. If the sciatic nerve is compressed near the buttocks or the piriformis, surgery may be required to remove part of the tissue to relieve or loosen the compressed sciatic nerve. In terms of medication, oral nutritional supplements for nerves, anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs can be used to improve the condition of the compressed sciatic nerve. This can further alleviate corresponding symptoms such as pain and sensory abnormalities, while the role of calcium supplementation is very limited or ineffective. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Sciatica obvious symptoms

Sciatica is divided into primary sciatica, which is sciatic neuritis, and secondary sciatica. This is due to other causes leading to swelling and pain. Clinically, it generally manifests in the following six aspects: First, pain that is primarily limited to the distribution area of the sciatic nerve, including the back of the thigh, the back of the calf, the outer side, and the sole of the foot, as well as the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot. Second, muscle strength governed by the sciatic nerve begins to diminish. Third, there are fixed tender points. Tender points are located at the ischial notch or could also be at the exit of the piriformis muscle. Fourth, there are symptoms of sciatic nerve traction, such as positive limb elevation, or positive straight leg raise test and enhancement test. Fifth, the Achilles tendon reflex is weakened or absent, while the muscle penetrative reflex is abnormally heightened due to stimulation. Sixth pertains to abnormal sensations in the areas governed by the sciatic nerve, including reduced or absent sensations, reduced absolute vibration at the external ankle, and some very mild sensory disturbances.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Can you drink alcohol with sciatica?

Can people with sciatica drink alcohol? This question comes up often. In fact, sciatica is unrelated to drinking alcohol; people with or without sciatica can drink alcohol. However, it is best to drink less if you are suffering from sciatica. The reason is simple. After consuming alcohol, it might trigger an exacerbation of sciatica symptoms. Secondly, after drinking, the body's coordination and stability decrease, which may lead to uneven walking. At this time, if the sciatica has a specific cause, drinking may aggravate the factors that induce sciatica. Thirdly, excessive drinking is genuinely torturous and also harmful to health. Therefore, it is imperative to drink alcohol in moderation, and it is best to avoid excessive drinking. Otherwise, it is not good for the condition or the person.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is moxibustion effective for sciatica?

First of all, it must be affirmed that moxibustion can promote local blood circulation, thereby effectively improving the edema of the sciatic nerve and alleviating symptoms of sciatic nerve pain. Thus, moxibustion is effective. In addition to moxibustion for patients with sciatic nerve pain, other treatments such as acupuncture, electrical stimulation, traction, massage, and cupping can also be combined with very good effects. For those with severe pain, oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood-activating and stasis-removing drugs can be used. For those with severe spinal nerve compression that cannot be improved through conservative treatment, it is necessary to actively consider surgical treatment to relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves and create conditions for the recovery of sciatic nerve pain.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Which department should I register for sciatica?

Sciatica is divided into primary and secondary types. Primary sciatica is caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve itself, thus one should visit the Department of Neurology. Secondary sciatica is more common and usually stems from spinal conditions, so initially one should visit the Department of Spinal Surgery. Alternatively, one can visit the Department of Orthopedics, which deals with broader orthopedic issues. If experiencing severe acute pain, a visit to the Pain Management Department can provide rapid and effective pain relief. For frequent episodes of sciatica and interest in rehabilitation, the Rehabilitation Department can be considered. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has unique approaches to treating sciatica, so visiting the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine to try treatments with Chinese herbs and methods is also an option.