SCIATICA
Sciatica refers to pain that begins in the hip and
buttocks and continues all the way down the leg. This condition
is often accompanied by low back pain, which can be more or less
severe than the leg pain. The term "sciatica" indicates
that the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back through
the buttocks and into the leg, is thought to be the cause of the
pain in this condition. True sciatica is a condition that occurs
when a herniated lumbar disc compresses one of the contributing
roots of the sciatic nerve. This type of low back pain is less common
than other causes and conditions that produce back pain.
The most common symptom of true sciatica is posterior thigh, lower
leg or foot pain that can be much worse than the accompanying lower
back pain. Usually a patient will experience moderate to severe
pain, which begins in the buttocks and runs down through the leg
or foot. It is important to know that true sciatica will produce
pain that radiates beyond the knee. Often a patient will have a
previous history of lower back pain beginning a few days or weeks
before the leg pain occurs, then the leg pain becomes worse than
the back pain, and in some cases the back pain will completely disappear.
However, in the case of longstanding history of sciatica, the pain
may gradually become localized to the buttocks and back of the leg.
In this situation, the patient may have a vague aching pain that
does not reach all the way to the lower leg or foot, though it may
have done so earlier in the course of the disease
Homeopathic Medicines & Treatment for Sciatica, Pain in Sciatic
Nerve
#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. It is especially useful in
recent cases, though Aegida cured a case of long standing with the
3d dilution in which there were spasms and violent pains. 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. Here it touches remedies like Arsenicum, Chamomilla, Gelsemium,and
Gnaphalium. The 6th potency will be found to act better than the
lower potencies.
#Gnaphalium. [Gnaph]
This remedy is quite similar to Colocynthis. O'Connor thinks it
is the best remedy in the absence of the other symptoms and many
others consider it specific.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.
Terebinth has exquisite sensitiveness ;of the lower extremities,
with painfulness along the tract of the nerve; ;drawing, tearing,
paralytic pains.
#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.
#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 are constipated. It is a rheumatic sciatica,
the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is a 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. 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 o;f 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.
#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. Darting pains in the left thigh
relieved by motion. Phytolacca. The pains are darting and tearing,
aggravated by motion. It is perhaps better adapted to syphilitic
cases. Colchicum. Right-sided sharp-shooting pains extending to
knee, worse by motion; the patient must keep quite. The pain is
sudden, constant and intolerable. Viscum album has the credit of
curing a number of severe and long standing cases.
#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.
#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. The lithic acid constitution will
decide the remedy.
#Aconite. [Acon]
The congestive variety of sciatica from exposure to colds, dampness
and from suppressed perspiration indicates Aconite. there is much
numbness, perverted sensation, pricking and a sense of coldness
in the parts, especially toes. The pains are very severe and worse
at night; the patient is restless, there is tingling along the affected
nerve. Glonoine. Hale recommends the 6th of this remedy in cases
where there is much throbbing, numbness, heaviness and uneasiness.
#Belladonna. [Bell]
Here the inflammation is high and the pains come on suddenly. There
is a 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.
#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.
Use potencies not lower than the 12th to the 30th. 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.
If dependent on vertebral disease then such remedies as Phosphorus,
Silicea, Natrum muriaticum and Sulphur will need to be prescribed
according to the symptoms. Nor should the tissue remedies be forgotten,
as many undoubted cures have been made with Magnesia phosphorica
and Kali phosphoricum. |