Homeopathy for Sciatica
Sciatica is a painful condition caused
by pressure on the sciatic nerve, the main nerve that branches off the spinal
cord and continues down into the thighs, legs, ankles, and feet. Sciatica is
characterized by pain in the buttocks and can be caused by a number of factors.
Exertion, obesity, and poor posture can all cause pressure on the sciatic
nerve. One common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc
Symptoms-The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Sciatica includes:
- Pain from the back to
the buttocks and down the backs of the legs
- Lower back pain
- Buttock pain
- Leg pain
- Thigh pain
- Onset of gradual symptoms:
- Stiff back
- Back pain
- Leg pain
- Foot pain
Proper lifting techniques in keeping your back straight while bending your knees to pick up items often help avoid mechanical back problems.
Keep flexibility and muscle tone by performing stretching exercises. These will help keep your back from bothering you. Maintaining your weight within your recommended limits for your height will go a long way to maintaining a healthy back as well.
Homeopathy Remedies-
1. Colocynth. [Coloc]
The most important remedy in sciatica, corresponding to the worst cases. There are pains in the sciatic nerve extending the knee or to the heel, worse from any motion, and especially aggravated by cold. The pain is paroxysmal, followed by numbness and partial paralysis. There is a sensation which has been described as if the thigh were bound with iron bands, or as though screwed in a vise; the muscles are fearfully tense and fixed. Particularly is the right side involved and there are stitches during walking. There is a sense of constriction around the hip. The pains, too may come suddenly and leave suddenly, they may be sticking and burning, and all are worse from cold or damp and at night, when the patient can find no easy position for the limb. Colocynth typifies the sciatica due to nerve changes with no special inflammatory conditions attending it .
The most important remedy in sciatica, corresponding to the worst cases. There are pains in the sciatic nerve extending the knee or to the heel, worse from any motion, and especially aggravated by cold. The pain is paroxysmal, followed by numbness and partial paralysis. There is a sensation which has been described as if the thigh were bound with iron bands, or as though screwed in a vise; the muscles are fearfully tense and fixed. Particularly is the right side involved and there are stitches during walking. There is a sense of constriction around the hip. The pains, too may come suddenly and leave suddenly, they may be sticking and burning, and all are worse from cold or damp and at night, when the patient can find no easy position for the limb. Colocynth typifies the sciatica due to nerve changes with no special inflammatory conditions attending it .
2. Gnaphalium. [Gnaph]
This remedy is quite similar to Colocynthis. It has intense neuralgic pains along the nerve, and numbness. The whole trunk and the main branches seem affected, worse when lying down, worse from motion, stepping and better whiles sitting in a chair. The pains extend to the toes.
This remedy is quite similar to Colocynthis. It has intense neuralgic pains along the nerve, and numbness. The whole trunk and the main branches seem affected, worse when lying down, worse from motion, stepping and better whiles sitting in a chair. The pains extend to the toes.
3 Arsenicum. [Ars]
With this remedy the pain is marked by complete intermissions; it exacerbates every night at a particular hour, and becomes unbearable; it is increased by vigorous and relieved by gentle motion. It is aggravated by cold, but relieved momentarily by warmth. It is a pure neuralgia, neither inflammatory, toxaemic nor reflex. Arsenicum is one of our most reliable remedies in sciatic. Chamomilla should also be thought of in pure neuralgias of the sciatic nerve with unbearable pains, and the more it pains the hotter the patient becomes.
With this remedy the pain is marked by complete intermissions; it exacerbates every night at a particular hour, and becomes unbearable; it is increased by vigorous and relieved by gentle motion. It is aggravated by cold, but relieved momentarily by warmth. It is a pure neuralgia, neither inflammatory, toxaemic nor reflex. Arsenicum is one of our most reliable remedies in sciatic. Chamomilla should also be thought of in pure neuralgias of the sciatic nerve with unbearable pains, and the more it pains the hotter the patient becomes.
4. Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
This remedy typifies sciatic with muscular and ligamentous involvement. It is seldom adapted to recent cases, but comes in later. The pains are tearing and burning, worse during rest, alleviated a short time only during motion. There is lameness and a disposition to muscular twitchings, bowels is constipated. It is rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is the best remedy for a combination of lumbago and sciatica. Sciatica arising from over-exposure to wet or from lifting, wrenching and over-exertion. Great relief from warmth.
This remedy typifies sciatic with muscular and ligamentous involvement. It is seldom adapted to recent cases, but comes in later. The pains are tearing and burning, worse during rest, alleviated a short time only during motion. There is lameness and a disposition to muscular twitchings, bowels is constipated. It is rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is the best remedy for a combination of lumbago and sciatica. Sciatica arising from over-exposure to wet or from lifting, wrenching and over-exertion. Great relief from warmth.
5. Arnica [Arn]
Arnica
is also a remedy for sciatica due to
over-exertion. The acute pains are followed by a sensation as if bruised. Ruta.
This remedy also has shooting pains down the back, down the sciatic nerve on
first moving or on rising after sitting; the patient is obliged to walk about
constantly during the paroxysms of pain. The pains are felt most in the region
of the knee. It is worse during damp or cold weather and from cold
applications. Bryonia has shooting pains worse from motion and relieved by hard
pressure. It is a valuable drug in the treatment of sciatica of rheumatic
origin. Ledum also has sciatic pains mixed with rheumatism.
6. Kali iodatum. [Kali-i]
The pains calling for this remedy are worse at night, and from lying on the affected side, better from motion. When of mercurial or syphilitic origin, it is well indicated and may help, but it is not a very reliable remedy. Kali bichromicum pains are darting in the left thigh relieved by motion. Phytolacca has pains which are darting and tearing, aggravated by motion. It is perhaps better adapted to syphilitic cases. Colchicum has right-sided sharp-shooting pains extending to knee, worse by motion; the patient must keep quite. The pain is sudden, constant and intolerable .
The pains calling for this remedy are worse at night, and from lying on the affected side, better from motion. When of mercurial or syphilitic origin, it is well indicated and may help, but it is not a very reliable remedy. Kali bichromicum pains are darting in the left thigh relieved by motion. Phytolacca has pains which are darting and tearing, aggravated by motion. It is perhaps better adapted to syphilitic cases. Colchicum has right-sided sharp-shooting pains extending to knee, worse by motion; the patient must keep quite. The pain is sudden, constant and intolerable .
7. Ammonium muriaticum. [Am-m]
Sciatica, with aggravation of pain while sitting, somewhat relieved by walking and entirely relieved by lying down. Pains in the left hip as if the tendons were too short. Legs feel contracted. Painful jerks, feet feel as if asleep.
Sciatica, with aggravation of pain while sitting, somewhat relieved by walking and entirely relieved by lying down. Pains in the left hip as if the tendons were too short. Legs feel contracted. Painful jerks, feet feel as if asleep.
8. Pulsatilla. [Puls]
This remedy typifies a sciatica due to venous stasis and is useful in the milder forms where there is a sense of fatigue and heaviness , flying attacks, aching in lions and hips. Uterine sciatica. Here it is akin to such remedies as Sepia, Belladonna, Ferrum, Sulphur, Graphites and Mercurius. Lycopodium is sometimes most useful in chronic cases where there are fine burning or stinging pains, or tearing, drawing or jerking pains worse from rest.
This remedy typifies a sciatica due to venous stasis and is useful in the milder forms where there is a sense of fatigue and heaviness , flying attacks, aching in lions and hips. Uterine sciatica. Here it is akin to such remedies as Sepia, Belladonna, Ferrum, Sulphur, Graphites and Mercurius. Lycopodium is sometimes most useful in chronic cases where there are fine burning or stinging pains, or tearing, drawing or jerking pains worse from rest.
9. Belladonna. [Bell]
Here the inflammation is high and the pains come on suddenly. There is neuritis, and the course of the nerve is sensitive; the pain is especially severe at night, the parts are sensitive to the touch, the least concussion or a draft of air aggravates. Severe lancinating pains coming on in the afternoon or evening; has to change position often; worse from motion, noise, shock or contact; cannot bear the clothing to touch him. Relieved by letting the limb hang down, warmth and the erect posture.
Here the inflammation is high and the pains come on suddenly. There is neuritis, and the course of the nerve is sensitive; the pain is especially severe at night, the parts are sensitive to the touch, the least concussion or a draft of air aggravates. Severe lancinating pains coming on in the afternoon or evening; has to change position often; worse from motion, noise, shock or contact; cannot bear the clothing to touch him. Relieved by letting the limb hang down, warmth and the erect posture.
10. Nux vomica. [Nux-v]
From its action on the spinal cord, Nux is frequently the remedy in sciatica. It has lightning-like pains, with which twitching of the parts. Violent pains, has to change position; pains shoot down into the foot, the limb is stiff and contracted and the parts feel paralyzed and cold. Better when lying on the affected side and from the application of hot water. Constipated bowels and sedentary habit. Plumbum also has lightning-like pains and in paroxysms. Pains and cramps along sciatic nerve, and especially where atrophy is present. Coffea may also be indicated where there is great hyperaesthesia of the senses and physical exhaustion and debility present. If the sciatica be in those of a haemorrhoidal constitution. Sulphur may be the remedy.
From its action on the spinal cord, Nux is frequently the remedy in sciatica. It has lightning-like pains, with which twitching of the parts. Violent pains, has to change position; pains shoot down into the foot, the limb is stiff and contracted and the parts feel paralyzed and cold. Better when lying on the affected side and from the application of hot water. Constipated bowels and sedentary habit. Plumbum also has lightning-like pains and in paroxysms. Pains and cramps along sciatic nerve, and especially where atrophy is present. Coffea may also be indicated where there is great hyperaesthesia of the senses and physical exhaustion and debility present. If the sciatica be in those of a haemorrhoidal constitution. Sulphur may be the remedy.
