Stop Letting Sciatica Control Your Life—Find Relief
If you're living with sciatica, you know it’s not just back pain — it’s life-altering. The stabbing jolts down your leg, the numbness in your foot, the struggle to sleep, sit, or even walk without pain... it wears on your body and your mind. And the worst part? Most people don’t understand how deeply it impacts your day-to-day life — until they’ve been through it.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, OR, we’ve helped hundreds of people across the Greater Portland Area finally find relief from the pain, exhaustion, and frustration of sciatica. Whether your symptoms crept in slowly or hit like a lightning bolt, you deserve more than a short-term fix. You deserve a plan that works with your body — not against it.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What might be really causing that pain shooting down your leg
- How to tell the difference between sciatica and piriformis syndrome
- Why traditional treatments often fall short (and what else is out there)
- How our integrative approach at Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness goes deeper
- How to take the first step toward lasting relief
You don’t have to live like this. There are real, effective ways to treat the root cause of your sciatica — and we’re here to help you get your life back.
The Daily Struggle with Sciatica: Why It Feels So Overwhelming
If you’re dealing with sciatica, chances are your life feels like it’s been put on pause. You wake up stiff, cautious, wondering if today will be a “bad pain day.” Getting dressed is harder. Sitting at work becomes unbearable. And those little things — walking the dog, driving across town, even falling asleep — suddenly feel like challenges you didn’t sign up for.
Sciatica pain isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, too. The frustration of not being able to do the things you love, the anxiety about the pain getting worse, the helplessness of not knowing what’s causing it — it all adds up. And the hardest part? Many people suffer for months, even years, before they find a treatment that actually works.
“The pain was constant. It ran from my hip all the way down my leg, and no one could give me a clear answer. I felt stuck.”
— > One of many stories we’ve heard from patients at our Tualatin clinic
Sciatica affects the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your lower back, through your hips and buttocks, and down the back of each leg. When it becomes irritated or compressed — whether by a herniated disc, bone spur, or muscle tension — it sends signals of pain, tingling, or numbness that can radiate from your back all the way to your foot.
And here’s the thing: painkillers can dull the edge, but they rarely solve the problem. And many people don’t want to jump into surgery, especially when the success rates vary and recovery can take weeks or even months.
That’s why so many people are now searching for alternatives — real relief without relying on medication or invasive procedures. But many don’t know where to start. They just know they want their life back.
📹 Watch our quick Instagram reel below
Hear Dr. Savage share what people with sciatica often experience — and how we help them find hope and relief.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we see patients every week who come in feeling defeated by their pain — and leave feeling seen, supported, and more hopeful. Relief is possible, but it starts with understanding the why behind the pain. That’s where we go next.
What Really Causes Sciatica—and Why the Pain Keeps Coming Back
Understanding what causes sciatica is the first step toward lasting relief. Sciatica isn’t a diagnosis itself — it’s a symptom. It means something is irritating or compressing your sciatic nerve, and until that something is properly addressed, the pain tends to come back… often worse than before.
The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and travels through the hips and buttocks, branching down each leg. When this nerve is compressed or inflamed, it can trigger sharp, burning pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from your low back all the way to your foot.
Common Root Causes of Sciatica:
- Herniated Disc: The most common culprit. When a spinal disc bulges or ruptures, it can press against the sciatic nerve. This type of injury often causes lower back pain, especially when sitting or lifting. Read more about how we address chronic back pain here.
- Spinal Stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal, often related to aging or arthritis, which places pressure on the nerve roots. Learn more about how spinal stenosis affects pain here.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Wear and tear in the spine can lead to instability and nerve irritation.
- Spondylolisthesis: When one vertebra slips forward over another, it can pinch the nerve roots.
- Muscle Tension and Inflammation: Chronic muscle tightness, especially in the glutes and lower back, can compress the nerve and trigger recurring symptoms.
Wait — Could It Be Piriformis Syndrome?
One frequently overlooked condition that mimics sciatica is piriformis syndrome. While the symptoms — pain radiating down the leg, numbness, tingling — are nearly identical, the root cause is very different.
In piriformis syndrome:
- The sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle, a small muscle deep in the buttock.
- This usually results from muscle spasms, overuse, or injury rather than a spinal issue.
Think of it this way:
- If your pain comes on after sitting too long, intensifies during hip stretches, or started after a fall or athletic strain, piriformis syndrome could be the true cause.
- On the other hand, if it’s worsened by standing, bending, or lifting, and especially if there’s a history of back issues, spinal-origin sciatica is more likely.
Why does this distinction matter? Because the treatment approach should match the root cause. A therapy that relieves nerve compression in the spine may not help if the problem is muscular — and vice versa.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we take the time to explore all possible causes during your consultation. This allows us to develop a plan that actually addresses your sciatica — not just the symptoms.
Not sure what symptoms point to sciatica? This quick visual can help.
In the next section, we’ll explore the most common treatments for sciatica — both conventional and natural — and how they compare.
Traditional Treatments vs. Natural Solutions: What Are Your Options?
When you’re in pain, you just want relief — and fast. But if you’ve dealt with sciatica for a while, you’ve probably realized that quick fixes rarely last. Many patients we see at Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness have already tried the usual recommendations: rest, ice, stretching, pain medications — and they’re still hurting.
Here’s a look at the most common conventional approaches — and how they compare to more natural, long-term solutions.
Conventional Treatments for Sciatica
- Pain Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can temporarily reduce inflammation, and muscle relaxants may ease spasms. But long-term use can lead to side effects, and these treatments don’t resolve the root issue.
- Steroid Injections: Epidural steroid injections aim to reduce inflammation around the nerve root. They can bring short-term relief — sometimes weeks or a few months — but for many, the pain returns once the medication wears off.
- Physical Therapy: A standard go-to. Physical therapy can help strengthen surrounding muscles, improve posture, and relieve nerve pressure. But results vary, especially if the exercises aren’t targeting the actual cause of the nerve compression.
- Surgery: Considered a last resort for severe cases — especially if there’s loss of bladder control or significant leg weakness. While surgery can relieve pressure on the nerve, it comes with recovery time, risks, and no guarantee the pain won’t return.
Natural and Holistic Alternatives
Now, more people are seeking non-invasive, drug-free options that promote real healing rather than just managing symptoms. These include:
- Heat and cold therapy, which can offer fast, localized relief. Cold helps reduce inflammation during acute flare-ups, while heat can soothe muscle tightness and improve circulation — especially in the lower back or hips.
- Mind-body approaches like mindfulness and breathwork, which help lower pain perception and reduce stress that contributes to muscle tension. (Explore how mindfulness can support pain management.)
- Targeted movement therapies like gentle yoga, stretching, or functional strength training — especially useful for people with piriformis syndrome or posture-related nerve compression.
- Diet and lifestyle shifts that reduce systemic inflammation and support nerve health. Staying hydrated, avoiding inflammatory foods, and maintaining a healthy weight all play a role in pain management.
- Hands-on therapies such as therapeutic massage or chiropractic care, which can reduce muscle tension and improve spinal alignment — sometimes easing sciatic nerve irritation.
These natural options often work best when combined. That’s where our clinic’s approach comes in.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we take pain seriously — but we also take a whole-body approach. We don’t just look at where it hurts; we ask why it’s hurting and create a personalized plan that reflects your body’s specific needs and patterns.
In the next section, we’ll break down how we use advanced tools — like ATP Resonance BioTherapy® — as part of our comprehensive strategy for helping people finally find lasting relief from sciatica.
Real Relief Is Possible: How Our Integrative Approach Works
For patients with sciatica, real and lasting relief often takes more than one approach. At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we don’t just chase symptoms — we treat the body as a whole, using therapies that reinforce and enhance each other.
Acupuncture is at the heart of how we help people with sciatica reclaim their mobility, sleep better, and reduce pain. But we don’t stop there. By combining acupuncture with electroacupuncture and ATP Resonance BioTherapy®, we’ve created a powerful, integrative approach that helps patients get real results — especially when other methods haven’t worked.
Why Acupuncture Works for Sciatica
Acupuncture isn’t new — but the research proving its effectiveness continues to grow. It works by stimulating specific points that help calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow in the affected areas.
Multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that acupuncture is more effective than standard care or sham treatments for reducing pain and improving function in sciatica patients. A 2015 systematic review found acupuncture to be significantly more effective than conventional medication for sciatica — and even more effective when used in combination with other therapies. 1 Another meta-analysis that same year confirmed its effectiveness in improving both pain and mobility. 2
A large-scale study published in The Journal of Pain in 2018 analyzed data from nearly 20,000 patients and concluded that acupuncture not only provides statistically significant pain relief but also offers sustained benefits over time. 3
In 2024, a multicenter randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that patients with chronic sciatica from a herniated disk experienced significantly greater pain relief and functional improvement with real acupuncture compared to sham treatments. These benefits persisted for up to 52 weeks. 4
A 2022 meta-analysis added to the growing body of evidence, showing that acupuncture is not only more effective than analgesics but also safer, with lower relapse rates and fewer side effects. 5
A Personalized, Layered Approach to Healing
At our clinic, acupuncture often serves as the foundation of care — but we also personalize your treatment plan using supportive techniques that enhance its effects.
We frequently integrate electroacupuncture, which applies gentle electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles. This method strengthens the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory response of acupuncture — particularly beneficial for nerve-related conditions like sciatica.
Depending on your needs, we may also incorporate ATP Resonance BioTherapy® into your treatment plan. This non-invasive technique uses low-level electrical currents to help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing response. Sessions are fast, comfortable, and seamlessly combined with your other treatments.
Rather than offering isolated services, we take a synergistic approach. Every therapy is selected with intention — so your sessions work together to:
- Calm irritated nerves
- Loosen tight muscles
- Reduce swelling and inflammation
- Improve movement and daily comfort
- Create a sustainable path to long-term relief
We also help patients with a range of chronic pain and nerve-related conditions beyond sciatica — see more of the conditions we treat here.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we’ve seen patients go from barely able to walk into the clinic — to comfortably getting back to the activities they love. When treatment is personalized and therapies work in harmony, real healing becomes possible.
In the next section, we’ll show you what to expect at your first visit — and how to get started.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you’ve been living with sciatica, you know how much it can take from you — your comfort, your energy, even your peace of mind. But relief is possible. And it starts with a conversation.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we help patients from Tualatin and the Greater Portland Area find meaningful relief by treating the root of the pain — not just masking it. Your care begins with a personalized consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Savage, DACM, LAc, where you’ll be heard, supported, and given the space to share your story.
If you're a candidate for care, your treatment plan may include a blend of acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and ATP Resonance BioTherapy® — all tailored to your unique needs. No assumptions. No pressure. Just thoughtful, integrative care designed to help you feel better.
📞 Schedule Your Consultation
Call us today at +1 (503) 336-4747, or see our New Patient Offer to get started.
You don’t have to keep living around your pain. We’re here to help you start moving forward again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica and Treatment at Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness
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Sciatica can be treated by a variety of providers, depending on the underlying cause. This may include orthopedic specialists, neurologists, physical therapists, and holistic pain specialists. At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, your care is led by Dr. Jeffrey Savage, DACM, LAc, who specializes in non-invasive, integrative treatments for chronic pain and nerve-related conditions.
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Sometimes sciatica resolves with rest and conservative care. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it usually means the nerve is still being compressed or irritated. Long-term or recurring sciatica often requires more targeted treatment to fully resolve the issue and prevent future flare-ups.
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Sciatica pain typically starts in the lower back or buttock and radiates down one leg. Numbness, tingling, or weakness may also be present. If your symptoms get worse with sitting, bending, or lifting, it's a good idea to get evaluated. We also consider piriformis syndrome during your consult — a muscle-related issue that mimics sciatica and requires a different approach.
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Yes. Acupuncture has been shown in numerous clinical studies to reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and relieve pain for people with sciatica (1–5). When paired with electroacupuncture and ATP Resonance BioTherapy®, the effects are often more powerful and longer-lasting — especially for those who haven't found relief through conventional care.
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That depends on several factors — including how long you’ve had symptoms, the root cause of your pain, and how your body responds to care. Some people begin to feel better within the first few sessions, while others may need a longer treatment plan for more complex or chronic issues. We'll discuss what to expect at your consultation, and tailor a plan that supports both your symptoms and your long-term goals.
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No referral is needed. Just call us at +1 (503) 336-4747 to get started.
References:
- Qin Z, Liu X, Wu J, Zhai Y, Liu Z. Effectiveness of acupuncture for treating sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:425108. doi:10.1155/2015/425108
- Ji M, Wang X, Chen M, Shen Y, Zhang X, Yang J. The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:192808. doi:10.1155/2015/192808
- Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005
- Tu JF, Shi GX, Yan SY, et al. Acupuncture vs sham acupuncture for chronic sciatica from herniated disk: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(12):1417-1424. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.5463
- Han KH, Cho KH, Han C, et al. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment on sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2022;71:102872. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102872
