Hi Allan,

I haven't tried either, but know that others on the site have tried acupuncture. However I've read that chiropractic methods can actually make things worse!

Someone with personal experience of one or the other will undoubtedly be able to provide you with better help and advice.

Good luck with the road ahead!

Val

I have had many rounds of acupuncture and although the relief is initially only temporary, after multiple visits it can provide longer term relief.

It does not cure mechanical problems, but can assist your body in the natural healing process.

Welcome to Spine Health.

"C"

Allen,

Welcome to the Spine Health Site!!!! I have not had acupuncture, but have had chiropractic adjustments. Once they found hernia issues (he discovered the first one actually!!!), he did not manipulate that area for fear of increasing the damage.

My Neurosurgeon is "pro" chiropractor - but not on any area of the spine that has been operated on or especially fused!!! The same restriction he applies to physical therapy. Hope that helps. Take care.

Brenda

Allan,

When I had sciatic pain 12 years ago, one treatment of acupuncture helped. At that time, the OS I visited advised me to do home exercises and yoga, all helped. Twelve years later my problems got much worse. Nothing helped (exercises, acupuncture), after having an MRI, the same OS whom I saw 12 years ago told me that I now have severe spinal stenosis and spondy and just run out of options. He advised that in order to avoid irreversable problems, I should consider surgery (fusion) very seriously. I followed his advise, last year I had the surgery and I have not regretted it for a moment.

So to answer your question, acupuncture may help at a certain stage of your sciatica (depending on what is causing it) but not necessarily at a later stage. At this point, I would not let a chiropractor touch my back with a 10-foot pole.

Kin

I was very nervous about seeing a Chiropractor as I had been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis which made my spine unstable. My husband's osteo had said she wouldn't treat me. The Chiro that I've used was recommended by two other people, one of whom had had 2 spinal surgeries before treatment. He uses a hand held device called an Activator which is gentle. I have definately got relief of my sciatic symptoms since I have been going. I would say though, that I have to keep going. I am considering trying acupuncture to see if that helps. I think that with either method, any benefit will be temporary in my case as I have an architectual problem with my spine.