Sharp, Shooting Leg Pain That Won't Let You Sit Still?
Acupuncture calms irritated nerve pathways and reduces inflammation along the sciatic nerve — without cortisone or surgery.
Same-week appointments often available
Sciatica & Nerve Pain
Does this sound like you?
If you recognize yourself in this list, an evaluation will tell you exactly what's going on — and whether acupuncture can help.
Book an evaluation- Sharp, shooting, or burning pain that travels from the low back or buttock down the leg.
- Numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles in the leg or foot.
- Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or bending forward.
- Weakness or heaviness in the affected leg.
- Symptoms that have lingered or keep returning despite stretching, rest, or medication.
About Sciatica & Nerve Pain
What you should know
Sciatica isn't a condition on its own — it's a symptom caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, most often from a disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, or chronic inflammation along the nerve's path. Acupuncture is particularly effective for this type of pain because it works on multiple mechanisms simultaneously: it reduces inflammation around the compressed nerve, calms the hypersensitive pain signaling that keeps the nervous system stuck in a reactive state, releases the deep gluteal and piriformis muscles that often contribute to compression, and improves blood flow to chronically irritated tissue. Unlike medication, which masks symptoms temporarily, acupuncture works upstream — addressing why the nerve is inflamed in the first place.
Our approach
How Acupuncture Treats Sciatica
Treatment is tailored to your specific pattern — whether the compression is disc-related, muscular, or postural. Points are selected along the bladder and gallbladder meridians that track the sciatic nerve's anatomical path, as well as local points in the lumbar spine, sacrum, and deep gluteal region. Electroacupuncture is often used for sciatica because it directly modulates nerve signaling and reduces pain more rapidly than traditional needling alone. Adjunct techniques like cupping and gua sha may be added to release chronically tight muscles in the low back and hip. Most patients notice a meaningful reduction in pain intensity or leg symptoms within 3–5 sessions. A full course of care typically runs 6–10 sessions, with frequency tapering as symptoms resolve.
Acupuncture for sciatica may be a good fit if you have radiating pain from your low back or buttock into your leg, numbness or tingling in the leg or foot, pain from a disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, or chronic nerve irritation, symptoms that haven't fully resolved with chiropractic or physical therapy, or if you're trying to avoid cortisone injections or surgery. We accept most major insurance plans. New patients receive a full intake and neurological screening.
What patients say
Real people, real recoveries
“I was impressed with the compassion and professionalism today. I really appreciated the sense of humor that helps to relax.”
“Every chiropractor and massage therapist I’ve seen here has been exceptional!”
“I couldn’t recommend Chiropractic Remedy more. In fact I have recommended it to many of my friends.”
Calm the Nerve, Quiet the Pain.
Our acupuncturists at Chiropractic Remedy in Burbank, CA have extensive experience treating sciatica and nerve-related pain. Located in Burbank — serving Glendale, North Hollywood, Studio City, and Toluca Lake. Call (747) 245-5421 or book online.
Mon – Thu 8am – 7pm · Friday 8am – 4pm · Saturday 9am – 2pm
Have questions first?
Leave your info and we'll follow up to answer anything before you book — insurance, your condition, anything else.