Sciatica according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Sciatica factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Symptoms: Nausea Headaches Dizziness and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, sciatica can be associated with seven so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here sciatica can be caused by seven different patterns.
To understand whether someone's sciatica might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from sciatica alone. For instance when sciatica is caused by the pattern Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, patients also experience symptoms such as swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night, reduced range of motion in the affected joints, chills without sweating and weight loss. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
We've listed below a description of the seven patterns associated with sciatica so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below thirteen formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with sciatica, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The seven "patterns of disharmony" associated with sciatica
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, a formula used for Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Headaches Dizziness Weight loss Shortness of breath Chills without sweating Reduced range of motion in the affected joints Swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night
Sciatica might be due to Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night, reduced range of motion in the affected joints, chills without sweating and weight loss. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp here
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain Low-grade fever Hypochondriac pain Cold hands and feet
Sciatica might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen, Tooth-marked
Recommended herbal formula: Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Edema Coughing Vomiting Dizziness Loose stools Palpitations Urinary difficulty Heavy sensation in the head Abdominal pain that worsens with cold Deep aching and heaviness in the extremities
Sciatica might be due to Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain that worsens with cold, urinary difficulty, deep aching and heaviness in the extremities and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formulas: Zhen Wu Tang Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Yi Huang Tang, Huang Tu Tang, Wen Pi Tang, Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Gas Edema Chills Fatigue Bloating Lassitude Cold limbs Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Feeling of cold Vagina discharge Sallow complexion Desire to lie down curled up Undigested food in the stools Slight abdominal distension after eating Abdominal pain and distension relieved by pressure and warmth
Generally speaking, Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe. The common manifestations are these related to digestive functions such as loose stools, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension and pain after eating, gas and bloating. Since the Spleen fails to transport the Food Qi to the body, patients also suffer from general fatigue, lassitude, weak limbs, pale tongue and face. Patients prefers to lie down.
On top of above, the Yang Deficiency also brings in additional Cold symptoms, such as a cold feeling and cold limbs. It is because Spleen Yang fails to warm the body and Organs. Therefore, the body metabolism get slower and some food are not digested properly and passes directly into the stools.
Since the Spleen fails to perform the function of transforming and transporting fluids, the circulation of Body Fluids is disturbed, causing symptoms such as Oedema, vaginal discharge and Lung mucus. The Yang Deficiency pattern is even more likely to form Dampness and Phlegm.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Symptoms: Palpitations Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Attraction to warmth Weakness and stiffness Heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities
Sciatica might be due to Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities, weakness and stiffness, aversion to cold and attraction to warmth. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency here
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels
Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Tight (Jin)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple, Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Jing Tang
Symptoms: Infertility Late period Painful period Cold in the lower abdomen Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal pain after childbirth
Sciatica might be due to Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as painful period, cold in the lower abdomen, infertility and late period. Similarly, patients with Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a bluish-purple, pale tongue.
Read more about Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels here
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus
Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Jing Tang
Symptoms: Cold limbs Late period Infertility Purple lips Painful period Feeling of cold Lochia retention Irregular menstruation Cold feeling in vagina Brown vaginal discharge White vaginal discharge Cold in the lower abdomen Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal pain after childbirth
Sciatica might be due to Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as late period, painful period, dark clots in menstrual blood and brown vaginal discharge. Similarly, patients with Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.
The thirteen herbal formulas that might help with sciatica
Zhen Wu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Zhen Wu Tang help with sciatica?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency, Exterior Cold invading the Interior and Spleen Yang Deficiency which are sometimes associated with sciatica. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Wen Jing Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Uterus and vessels. Nourishes Blood. Dispels Cold. Dispels Blood Stagnation.
Why might Wen Jing Tang help with sciatica?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels and Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus which are sometimes associated with sciatica. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key 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.
Why might Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang help with sciatica?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with sciatica. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Why might Da Huang Fu Zi Tang help with sciatica?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a pattern sometimes associated with sciatica. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Cold invading the Interior, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Key actions: Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation. Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
Why might Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang help with sciatica?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with sciatica. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to sciatica
Dizziness Shortness of breath Chills Edema Loose stools Palpitations Cold limbs Feeling of cold Painful period Cold in the lower abdomen
