Laser Acupuncture Therapy in Patients with Sciatica: A Case Study

Objective: Sciatica and the disability that results from it are important issues among older patients. This case study illustrates the potential application of laser acupuncture for sciatica. Clinical features: A 55-year-old woman complained of pain in the left buttock radiating to foot. The patient visited the emergency department and orthopedic clinic for initial treatment which was ineffective. Her sciatica and lumbosacral radicular syndrome was diagnosed. Intervention and outcome: The patient was confined to a wheelchair and visited us for further treatment four days later. The gallium aluminum arsenide Handylaser Trion was used to apply 0.375 J of energy to each of the following acupuncture points once daily: GB30, GB34, GB44, BL25, BL40, BL54, BL60, BL67, ST36, and ST45. She experienced pain relief of more than 50% after one treatment, and was able to return to heavy work after eight treatments. She continued to receive laser acupuncture therapy about three times a week and was in complete remission after 56 therapeutic sessions. She was free of sciatica at her one-year follow-up. Conclusion: We believe that an experienced physician may use laser acupuncture as alternative or complementary therapy in patients with sciatica who are ineffective to conventional treatment.