Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A predictive corticospinal model for pain perception.

Cell reports. Medicine·2026
Same author

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Learning and Memory Deficits in Vascular Cognitive Impairment Rats Through Activation of the Supramammillary Nucleus-Dentate Gyrus Circuit.

CNS neuroscience & therapeutics·2026
Same author

Carbon nanotube fiber electrode-based implantable electroacupuncture ameliorates myocardial ischemia in rats via the FXR/SHP pathway.

Nanotechnology·2026
Same author

Recommendations for the DesIgn of sham acupuncture in RandomizEd Controlled Trials (the DIRECT guidelines).

Journal of integrative medicine·2026
Same author

Peripheral Electrical Nerve Stimulation Rescues Spatial Memory Deficits in Vascular Cognitive Impairment Rats by Engaging a Central Cholinergic Circuit.

Stroke·2026
Same author

[Acupuncture improves leptomeningeal collateral compensatory efficiency in the affected hemisphere and reduces neuronal damage in cortical M5 region in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion].

Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Therapeutic Effects of FSN Treatment – Bridging Research and Clinical Applications in Neuropathic Pain
08:20

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Therapeutic Effects of FSN Treatment – Bridging Research and Clinical Applications in Neuropathic Pain

Published on: June 30, 2023

1.8K

Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Sciatica From Herniated Disk: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Jian-Feng Tu1, Guang-Xia Shi1,2, Shi-Yan Yan1

  • 1International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.

JAMA Internal Medicine
|October 14, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Acupuncture significantly reduced leg pain and improved function in patients with chronic sciatica from herniated discs compared to sham acupuncture. These benefits were sustained for up to 52 weeks, suggesting acupuncture as a viable treatment option.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
08:33

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research

Published on: January 5, 2024

1.1K
Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits
06:05

Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits

Published on: July 21, 2023

483

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Therapeutic Effects of FSN Treatment – Bridging Research and Clinical Applications in Neuropathic Pain
08:20

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Therapeutic Effects of FSN Treatment – Bridging Research and Clinical Applications in Neuropathic Pain

Published on: June 30, 2023

1.8K
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
08:33

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research

Published on: January 5, 2024

1.1K
Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits
06:05

Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits

Published on: July 21, 2023

483

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Medicine
  • Pain Management
  • Integrative Medicine

Background:

  • Sciatica, often caused by herniated lumbar discs, leads to significant pain and disability.
  • While acupuncture is a common treatment for chronic sciatica, robust evidence supporting its efficacy is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for chronic sciatica stemming from herniated discs.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, randomized clinical trial involving 216 patients with chronic sciatica.
  • Participants received 10 sessions of either acupuncture or sham acupuncture over 4 weeks, with blinding for participants, assessors, and statisticians.

Main Results:

  • Acupuncture led to greater reductions in leg pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) compared to sham acupuncture at 4 weeks.
  • These improvements were statistically significant and persisted through the 52-week follow-up.
  • No serious adverse events were reported in either group.

Conclusions:

  • Acupuncture demonstrated superior efficacy over sham acupuncture in managing pain and improving function in chronic sciatica patients.
  • The sustained benefits suggest acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for this condition.
  • Further consideration of acupuncture as a therapeutic choice for sciatica is warranted.