Acupuncture needles can sometimes hurt, just as anything that penetrates the skin can. Generally, if there is any pain it fades away very quickly. You should let your acupuncturist know if the pain is sharp, or burning, and persistent so that they can adjust the needle.

Acupuncture is very effective at treating sciatica pain, and it is one of the most common things many acupuncturists treat. Usually, it does require more than one treatment to get lasting results. Acupuncture is a therapy process, and, like any therapy process, it takes some time and repetition to “set” the intended results.

Good luck, and maybe comment in this question about how it goes.