Acupuncture for Sciatica and Sacroiliac Joint Pain Relief in San Antonio, TX

If you suffer from sharp, radiating pain in your lower back, hip, or leg — especially pain that worsens when you sit or stand for long periods — you may be experiencing more than just “sciatica.” At Swan Wellness Center in San Antonio, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a common but often overlooked condition called Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD) that frequently mimics chronic sciatic pain.

What Is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD)?

The sacroiliac joints connect your spine to your pelvis. When these joints become inflamed or unstable, they can refer pain down the hip, glute, and even into the thigh and calf — symptoms often mistaken for sciatica.

Common signs of SIJD include:

Sharp lower back pain when sitting or rising
Pain in the glute or sit bone
Discomfort walking or climbing stairs
Radiating pain down the outer leg
Difficulty sleeping due to spasms or nerve-like pain

How Can Acupuncture Help?

Acupuncture offers a powerful, drug-free solution for restoring function and reducing pain caused by SI joint dysfunction and sciatica-like symptoms.

Our approach includes:

Targeting

local and distal trigger points to reduce inflammation and muscle tightness

Balancing

fascial tension across the lumbar, pelvic, and gluteal areas

Releasing

compensatory muscle patterns that have become ingrained over months or years

Restoring

normal movement of the SI joint and surrounding structures

Mr. R’s Journey: From Wheelchair to Walking Again

When 71-year-old Mr. R came to our clinic in December 2024, he was in a wheelchair, unable to stand without severe pain shooting from his right glute down the back of his leg to his calf. He wrote on his intake form:

Severe pain in lower back, hip and right leg between hip and knee. Cannot walk, stand, or sit for long periods without causing pain. Sleep deprived due to severe back and leg spasms.

Mr. R

He had tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, and opioid medications — all with minimal relief. He was desperate and hesitant but willing to try acupuncture.

Within three treatments, he progressed from a wheelchair to walking with a cane. By his sixth treatment, he was walking independently without assistance.

Today, Mr. R continues with monthly follow-ups and remains pain-free, calling us his “lifesavers.”

“After years of back pain, I finally found real relief. I highly recommend this clinic.”

Mr. R

*Note: Every patient is different. Results may vary. Early intervention offers the best outcomes.*

Whats Included

What to Expect from Treatment

At Swan Wellness Center, most patients with SIJD experience meaningful improvement within 4 to 6 sessions, with significant reductions in pain, improved mobility, and better sleep. Treatments are tailored to the individual and may include:

Acupuncture for trigger

point release

Manual therapies and lifestyle coaching

Cupping or Gua Sha

for myofascial

decompression

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if it’s sciatica or SI joint pain?

Many patients with SIJD experience pain in the same distribution as sciatica, but the root cause is different. A clinical evaluation can identify the true source.