Acupuncture Treatment for Piriformis Syndrome Following Lumbar Diskectomy

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Piriformis syndrome is a postulated cause of sciatic pain. Surgery, a standard treatment approach, often results in continued sciatic pain or only short-term pain relief.

Objective:

To describe the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving sciatic pain due to piriformis syndrome.

Design, Setting, and Patients:

A total of 14 patients presented to a single acupuncture practice in Southern California within a 15-year period.

Intervention:

Acupuncture points selected and stimulated bilaterally were on the Bladder and Kidney meridians. Treatments were administered 2 times per week for a minimum of 6 weeks. Electrical stimulation was administered in all cases for 30 minutes each treatment. In addition, GB 30 was stimulated unilaterally on the affected side. No electrical stimulation was used for GB 30 due to the potential to trigger muscle spasms and increase pain. Each treatment concluded with passive range-of-motion stretches facilitated by the practitioner.

Main Outcome Measures:

Pain relief reported on visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Roland-Morris activity scales.

Results:

Acupuncture treatment with electrical stimulation achieved moderate to significant pain relief in a majority of the patients (9/14 [63%]). Six patients (43%) had significant pain relief and resumed their normal daily activities prior to surgery, 3 (21%) had moderate relief with limited activities, 3 (21%) had mild to moderate relief, and 2 (14%) had no change in their pain level.

Conclusions:

Acupuncture may be effective at treating sciatic pain produced outside of the spinal canal.