A herniated disc in your lower back can cause more than just localized pain, it can send sharp, radiating pain, numbness, or weakness down through the leg, a symptom commonly known as sciatica. Simple movements like bending, sitting, or standing up from a chair can suddenly become difficult.
I’m Joseph Alban, a New York City-based Doctor of Acupuncture with over 20 years in practice, and I’ve helped many patients with lumbar disc herniations reduce their pain and avoid more invasive interventions like epidural steroid injections or surgery. Acupuncture works by calming inflammation and stimulating the body’s own healing response, giving the disc the opportunity to heal rather than just numbing the pain.
Below, I’ll explain how acupuncture treats a herniated disc, share the clinical research behind it, and walk through what a personalized treatment plan looks like.
What is a herniated lumbar disc?
In the back, spinal discs are rubbery cushions that sit between the vertebrae, stacking together to form the spine. Each disc has a soft, jelly-like core surrounded by a tougher, more rubbery outer ring. A herniated disc occurs when part of that inner core pushes through a tear in the outer ring, sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disc.
While a disc can herniate anywhere along the spine, the lower back, the lumbar region, is the most common site. Depending on where the herniation occurs, it can press on the spinal cord or a nerve root, causing pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the leg (sciatica) or, if in the neck, down the arm.
A herniated disc can result from age-related wear, excess weight, repetitive movement, prolonged sitting, or lifting something heavy. It’s often characterized by sharp low back pain, sciatica, or both, and inflammation around the affected nerve can add to the pain and numbness.
In many cases, a herniated disc improves on its own or with the help of safe, conservative interventions like acupuncture, which reduces pain and stimulates healing while the body does its own repair work. It pairs well with physical therapy focused on strengthening the surrounding lower back muscles.
How does acupuncture help lumbar herniated disc?
Acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive way to relieve the pain, stiffness, and inflammation of a herniated disc. It works by increasing blood flow to the area, prompting the release of the body’s natural painkillers, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to calm inflammation, and promoting the spontaneous reabsorption of the herniated material itself.¹ Pain relief is often felt right away.
In acupuncture theory, Qi and blood flow through channels connecting the body. Injury slows this flow and causes it to stagnate. Acupuncture clears these blockages, restoring circulation and allowing the body to heal on its own.
In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are closely associated with the lumbar region, considered the “house of the kidneys.” A herniated disc can cause the surrounding muscles to tighten and become reactive, adding to the pain. Wind, damp, and cold can further constrict the channels in this area, disrupting the healthy circulation of blood and Qi, while a general lack of Qi, called Qi vacuity, can also contribute to the condition, whether from injury, aging, or chronic depletion.
When kidney Qi deficiency is present, along with symptoms like cold extremities, weak knees, or fatigue, I add points such as UB 52 and UB Tai Yang to help warm and strengthen the kidney’s Qi. Strengthening the Qi is an approach that can help lead to long term improvements.
What is treatment like
During your first visit, I review your medical history and perform a physical exam. How I approach treatment depends on when the herniation occurred, your current pain levels and symptoms, prior injuries, and what triggers your discomfort. From there, I build a customized plan that may include acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and cupping.
Electroacupuncture adds a gentle electrical stimulation to the needles, promoting Qi circulation, clearing blood stasis, and dispelling wind-dampness in the affected area, while enhancing the treatment’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.² It’s a relaxing, comfortable addition to treatment.
Positioning matters too: during the acute phase, lying on your side is often more comfortable and effective, since it helps relax the back muscles. Treatment length matters as well, shorter sessions of about 18 to 22 minutes work best early on, extending to 22 to 30 minutes as the body heals. During the acute phase, two to three sessions per week gives the strongest pain relief and fastest healing, with pain often significantly reduced within a few weeks. A full treatment course generally runs 8 to 15 visits, though some patients see faster relief and can stop sooner.
Cupping
Cupping is a Chinese medicine therapy that reduces pain and supports healing in cases of lumbar disc herniation. Developed roughly 3,000 years ago, it’s since been shown to improve circulation and immune function without the side effects of pharmaceutical medications.
Treatment uses suction to gently lift the muscles and connective tissue, using either rubber pumps with plastic cups or glass cups warmed with a flame. It’s not painful, though it typically leaves round bruises that last 7 to 14 days.
Cupping relieves back pain and muscle tension, releases fascial adhesions, and increases blood flow to the area, helping muscles relax and reducing the inflammation driving the pain. The suction draws stagnant fluids and cellular waste to the surface, making room for fresh, healthy blood to circulate, bringing nutrients to the area and supporting the body’s natural clean-up process.
Acupuncture Research
A meta-analysis combining the results of multiple randomized controlled trials, totaling 3,503 patients, found that acupuncture was more effective for lumbar disc herniation than traction or steroid injections, and reduced the likelihood of needing surgery.3 In fact, some patients have been able to cancel scheduled back surgeries after a course of acupuncture treatment. Case studies have also documented acupuncture supporting the spontaneous reabsorption of herniated disc material.
Together, clinical experience and modern research confirm that acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment for herniated discs, reducing pain, relaxing muscles, and increasing circulation to support healing, improved mobility, and a better overall quality of life.
Get Relief from a Herniated Disc
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- Li, B., Hu, H., Gao, H., Di, Z., Zhang, Q., & Fang, J. (2021). Electroacupuncture Might Promote the Spontaneous Resorption of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report. Complement Med Res, 28(2), 169-174.
- Li, Y., Yang, M., Wu, F., Cheng, K., Chen, H., Shen, X., & Lao, L. (2019). Mechanism of electroacupuncture on inflammatory pain: neural-immune-endocrine interactions. J Tradit Chin Med, 39(5), 740-749.
- Tang, S., Mo, Z., & Zhang, R. (2018). Acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med, 36(2), 62-70.
Feedback From our clients…
“I came to Dr. Alban after herniating a disc in my lower back. I had sciatic pain going down my legs into my foot. It hurt every time I sat down. I could not sit to drive, watch a movie, or even eat at the table with my family. During the first visit, he made me feel at ease about the treatment and that it was possible to recover without steroid shots and surgery. After a few visits of acupuncture and cupping the intensity started to reduce. Gradually, I got better, and I was able to resume normal activities without pain and discomfort. And I did not need to get steroid shots or surgery. I would recommend Dr. Alban without hesitation.”
~ P.Y., New York City