Sciatica in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different sciatica patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Sciatica, often characterized by pain radiating along the sciatic nerve pathway, emerges from the lower back, traverses the hips and buttocks, and extends down one leg. Common in individuals with herniated disks or bone spurs in the spine, sciatica’s symptoms include lower back pain, tingling, or numbness in the legs. Its severity can range from mild discomfort to acute pain that hinders everyday activities.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives sciatica through the lens of Qi and Blood flow within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which often attributes sciatica to physical nerve compression, TCM focuses on identifying and rectifying imbalances or obstructions in the body's energy, such as Qi or Blood.
TCM practitioners consider factors like Wind, Cold, and Dampness, which can invade the body and contribute to sciatic pain, emphasizing the necessity of restoring harmonious Qi flow for relief and healing.
Herbal Formulas for Sciatica
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address sciatica
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Warms the Interior
- Disperses Cold
- Unblocks the bowels
- Alleviates pain
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation
- Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and inflammations
- Unblocks the flow of Yang Qi and promotes movement (in areas with painful obstruction)
- Clears Wind and Damp
- Relieves pain
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Warms and harmonizes the channels
- Unblocks painful obstruction
Ma Huang Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin
- Moderates painful spasms
- Alleviates pain
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock Channels
Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Expels Wind Damp from the Channels
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks the channels
Wen Jing Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Warms the Uterus and vessels
- Nourishes Blood
- Dispels Cold
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
Wu Ji San
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Zhen Wu Tang
Traditional formula for sciatica
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys
- Eliminates Dampness