5 best homeopathic medicines for sciatica

What is Sciatica

Sciatica is the name given to the pain due to the irritation of the sciatic nerve. This pain normally radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. A compressed sciatic nerve is the usual cause of sciatica. Before we come to the homeopathic medicines for sciatica, let us understand a little more about the sciatic nerve and sciatica.

What is Sciatic Nerve

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body. It is the major nerve of the lower limb. Nerves from the L4 till the S3 spinal column band together to form the sciatic nerve. This band is almost 2 cm thick. It starts from the lower back, specifically the lumbosacral plexus. Thereafter, it runs through the hip or the buttock, thigh and down to the foot.

The sciatic nerve supplies sensation to almost all of the lateral and posterior side of the leg and also the foot. That is precisely why patients with sciatica feel the pain in back of the leg or side of the leg all the way from the hip to the foot.

Cause of Sciatica

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc from the spinal column. Such a herniated disc impinges on the spinal nerve or a part of it. A disc is a normal cushion between two vertebrae. It helps in movement and flexibility of the spinal column.

It can also occur due to a spinal spur or an overgrowth from the spine. Such a growth can also press the sciatic nerve. In rare cases, a tumor can also cause sciatica. One feels pain in part of the leg corresponding to the nerve root that gets involved.

Risk Factors for Sciatica

Old age- as age progresses, the chances of disc herniation increases. The flexibility of spine decreases over age. Any sudden jerk or lifting of heavy weights can contribute to the problem.
Obesity – it is one of the biggest risk factors. The spine bears all of the weight of the body. As body weight increases, pressure on the spine increases.
Lifting heavy weights – if you lift heavy weights, the slightest of jerks can cause a disc to lose its normal place. This results in pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Sedentary lifestyle – sitting in one position for long hours can contribute to this problem. It has multiple dimensions. Prolonged sitting tends to increase obesity as well as weakens the spinal muscles. Flexibility of the spine also lessens as one keeps on sitting and avoids exercise.
Diabetes- it is again a major risk factor. The way body uses its sugar changes in diabetics and contributes to nerve damage. Diabetic neuropathy is the name for this damage to the nerves.

Symptoms of Sciatica

The most prominent symptom of sciatica is the pain that radiates from the lower back to the hip, thigh, knee and down the leg. This pain may occur anywhere along the course of the sciatic nerve. Some patients feel the pain only from the hip to the knee. Others feel the pain just in the thigh. Still others may feel it from the knee down the leg. Some feel the pain only in the calf muscle.

The character and intensity of pain may vary from patient to patient. Some patients feel a pinching pain, some have a burning pain while others feel a dull pain. The intensity of the pain may vary from a mild ache to severe excruciating pain. The pain usually gets worse on coughing or sneezing.

There may be numbness or tingling along the sciatic nerve in some cases. The sciatic pain usually gets worse on standing or sitting for long. Beginning to walk may again worsen the pain but it may get better on walking for some time. It is quite common to have pain only in one leg.

Management of Sciatica

A couple of easy things can help manage sciatica. Regular walks can help reduce the pain. Hot fomentation can also reduce the pain and spasm. It is important to strengthen the back muscles. Yogic exercises like bhuangasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana and ushtrasana are very helpful in managing sciatica. One should avoid bending forwards and lifting weights or any jerky movements.

Treatment of Sciatica

The usual treatment in the allopathic system of medicine is to keep giving painkillers. This helps in managing the pain. Rest and painkillers are the mainstay of the allopathic treatment. In some cases where this does not relieve, steroidal injections are given. All this is just temporary management of the symptoms. This does not in any way treat the basic cause of sciatica.

Homeopathic treatment of Sciatica

Homeopathy aims at treating sciatica permanently. Therefore it does not believe in giving painkillers or muscle relaxants. Homeopathic medicines try to provide strength to the nerves and muscles of the back that are involved. The culprit disc can slowly slip back into its normal space once the muscles are toned up. Once this happens, there is no pain or discomfort. Since this is not an easy task, it does take some time and requires patience on the part of the patient. Doing regular walk and exercises helps a lot in curing sciatica quickly.