Do This If Tuina For Your Sciatica Is Not Working…

Sciatica is more than just pain—it’s a relentless force that shoots down your back and legs, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. The pain can range from a mild discomfort to a sharp, burning sensation that can make it impossible to sit, stand, or walk without discomfort. It often starts unexpectedly, and each time the pain returns, it feels like a crushing reminder that you’re trapped in your own body.

For those suffering from sciatica, it’s not just the physical pain—it’s the emotional toll of living in constant discomfort, unable to enjoy the activities you once took for granted. Whether it’s work, family, or even just a peaceful night’s sleep, sciatica robs you of your peace of mind.

Tuina: A Powerful Approach to Treating Sciatica

Tuina, a therapeutic form of Chinese massage, is one of the most effective treatments within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for addressing conditions like sciatica. By applying techniques such as pressing, kneading, and stretching, Tuina works to release tension in the muscles and stimulate the flow of energy (qi) throughout the body. This holistic approach helps reduce inflammation, ease pain, and restore balance to the body.

Many people with sciatica find relief through Tuina because it addresses the root causes of the discomfort, promoting long-term healing rather than merely masking the symptoms. However, like any treatment, Tuina may not offer complete relief if the underlying cause of your sciatica hasn’t been fully diagnosed. Without an accurate diagnosis, even the most effective treatments can only offer temporary comfort.

Why Getting a Clear Diagnosis Is Crucial

Sciatica can result from a variety of underlying issues, and pinpointing the cause is crucial for lasting relief. Here are five common causes of sciatica:

  1. Herniated Disc – A ruptured or slipped disc can press on the sciatic nerve, causing pain that radiates from the lower back down to the leg.
  2. Spinal Stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the nerves in the lower back, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.
  3. Piriformis Syndrome – The piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttocks, can irritate the sciatic nerve if it becomes tight or inflamed.
  4. Degenerative Disc Disease – The natural wear and tear on the discs in the spine as we age can lead to nerve compression and sciatica pain.
  5. Spondylolisthesis – A condition where one vertebra slips over another, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve and causing radiating pain.

In addition to these common causes, there are two less common but potentially more serious causes of sciatica:

  1. Spinal Tumors – Tumors near the spine can press on the sciatic nerve, leading to pain and neurological symptoms.
  2. Infections – Infections affecting the spine or surrounding tissues can cause severe pain and should be addressed immediately.

The Need for Imaging to Get a Precise Diagnosis

It’s essential to understand that sciatica cannot always be diagnosed through symptoms or physical examination alone. Imaging techniques, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, are necessary to determine the precise cause of the pain. These tools provide a detailed view of the spine, discs, muscles, and nerves, allowing healthcare providers to make an accurate diagnosis and develop a targeted treatment plan.

The Pain Relief Clinic: Your Partner in Finding a Clear Diagnosis

At The Pain Relief Clinic, we know how sciatica can take over your life, limiting your ability to do even the most basic tasks. With over a decade of experience, we take a comprehensive, non-invasive approach to diagnosing the root cause of your pain. If you’ve been living with sciatica and haven’t found lasting relief, we can arrange for affordable scans, typically within one working day. Medisave can often be used to help cover the cost of these scans, making them more accessible for you.

We also assist with insurance claims, including accident insurance, travel insurance, and company insurance, ensuring that you have access to the care you need without added financial stress.

Once we have a clear diagnosis, we can provide targeted treatments to address the root cause of your sciatica, and help you restore your freedom and mobility.

Ready to regain control of your life? Send us a message today to arrange an appointment and begin your journey toward lasting relief from sciatica.

What To Expect When I Visit The Pain Relief Clinic

A typical visit will involve our doctor first understanding your medical history, concerns and previous experience with other pain treatments.

For patients who have consulted many people but have yet to receive a clear diagnosis, selecting an affordable imaging scan might be recommended to confirm the cause of your pain..

Some patients have already done scans with other doctors for their pain condition but are still not clearly told what they suffer from.

Dr Terence Tan is happy to offer you a second opinion and recommend how best to manage your condition.

We also see patients who already have a confirmed diagnosis from specialist pain doctors, but are "stuck” because treatment options offered are not practical or acceptable.

We can help by discussing options that you might have potentially never been told of.

A common experience is when a patient has already consulted a specialist doctor for pain management and is told to consider orthopaedic surgery which they find too aggressive.

Or they may have seen doctors for their pain and were prescribed painkillers with potential side effects which made them feel uncomfortable.

Many of our patients have also first tried complementary treatments or acupuncture with traditional Chinese pain doctors.

They look for a second opinion after finding any relief experienced from other treatments to be temporary or requiring repetitive treatments, which add up to time and cost.

Especially in such situations, we emphasize using non-invasive medical technology you likely have not been told about .

This can make a big difference to your results.