HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SCIATICA
Sciatica
refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which
branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.
Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.
Sciatica
most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing
of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes
inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
Causes--Sciatica occurs when the
sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disk in your spine or by
an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae. More rarely, the nerve can
be compressed by a tumor or damaged by a disease such as diabetes.
Symptoms-Pain
that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back
of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. You might feel the discomfort almost
anywhere along the nerve pathway, but it's especially likely to follow a path
from your low back to your buttock and the back of your thigh and calf.
The
pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or
excruciating pain. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can
be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting can aggravate
symptoms. Usually only one side of your body is affected.
Some
people also have numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the affected leg or
foot. You might have pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another part.
Risk factors-Risk factors for sciatica
include:
Age. Age-related changes in the spine, such as
herniated disks and bone spurs, are the most common causes of sciatica.
Obesity. By increasing the stress on your spine,
excess body weight can contribute to the spinal changes that trigger sciatica.
Occupation. A job that requires you to twist your back,
carry heavy loads or drive a motor vehicle for long periods might play a role
in sciatica, but there's no conclusive evidence of this link.
Prolonged
sitting. People who sit for prolonged
periods or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than
active people are.
Diabetes. This condition, which affects the way your
body uses blood sugar, increases your risk of nerve damage.
Complications -Although most people
recover fully from sciatica, often without treatment, sciatica can potentially
cause permanent nerve damage. Seek immediate medical attention if you have:
·
Loss of feeling in the affected leg
·
Weakness in the affected leg
·
Loss of bowel or bladder function
Prevention--It's not always possible to
prevent sciatica, and the condition may recur. The following can play a key
role in protecting your back:
Exercise
regularly. To keep your back strong, pay
special attention to your core muscles — the muscles in your abdomen and lower
back that are essential for proper posture and alignment. Ask your doctor to
recommend specific activities.
Maintain
proper posture when you sit. Choose
a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. Consider
placing a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its
normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level.
Use
good body mechanics. If you stand for long periods,
rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time. When you lift
something heavy, let your lower extremities do the work. Move straight up and
down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Hold the load close
to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. Find a lifting partner
if the object is heavy or awkward.
HOMOEOPATHIC
REMEDIES
Homoeopathic medicines are
very effective for curing sciatic pain . Some of the important remedies are
given below.
COLOCYNTHIS
200—Colocynthis stands the first remedy of choice for sciatic
pain.It can work wonders in treating sciatica. It is mostly suited in treating
righted sciatica pain. Dul, stitching pains in the hip which come suddenly and
shoot down to the posterior part of the thigh or to knee or foot. Pain is relieved by heat and hard pressure but
worse by touch or motions.
CHAMOMILLA 200-Chamomilla
is another effective remedy for sciatica of very sensitive patients who feel
the pain much more than what it actually is. It is also having a mental symptom
of – I would prefer death rather than the pain.There is a numb feeling
associated with sciatic pain. The pain is more at night and also by motion.
GNAPHALIUM
30—Gnaphallium is prescribed for sciatica when numbness
associated with pain.Numbness alternates with sciatic pain. There is intense
pain in the nerve accompanied by cramps or alternating with numbness. The pain
is worse from lying and walking and better from sitting. The patient
experiences pain in calf and feet.
RHUS TOX
200—Rhus tox is an effective remedy for sciatica due to exposure
to moist cold weather or from muscular exertion. The pain is more on the right
side. The sciatic pain is more in bed at night or when at rest. First movement
gives terrific pain which is relieved after walking a little
MAGNESIUM
PHOS 1000—Magnesium phos is prescribed when the patient experiences
lightening like pain which are better by warmth. The pain comes and goes
rapidly. Magnesia phos is considered to be a right sided sciatic remedy.
ARSENIC ALBUM 200- Arsenic
alb is effective for sciatica when the patient has been subjected to repeated attacks of malaria and the pain is
intermittent. There is violent, drawing , burning, and tearing pain in left hip extending to thighs. There is great
restlessness and is better from hot application.
GINSENG
30-Ginseng is considered to be a
specific for sciatica, when there is frequent desire for micturition. There is
a feeling of contraction ad stiffness in the affected part.
GUAIACUM
OFF. 1000-Guaiacum is tried for
sciatica when well selected remedies fail. There is gouty , tearing ,
lancinating pains and feeling of contraction in the affected limb. It has
acidity, coated tongue, filthy taste and breath.
AMMONIUM
MUR. 30-Ammonium mur is effective for
sciatica of left hip as if the tendons were too short. Legs feel contracted,
limps when walking . Painful jerks, feet feel as if asleep. Pain worse while
sitting but better on lying down.
BELLADONNA
200-Belladonna is prescribed when
there is sudden violent pain and redness and heat of the affected parts. Here
the pains are like jerks or shocks.The lower part of back feels as if
broken.There is a full sensation in buttocks and thighs.There is restlessness
and dry mouth and throat. The sciatic apin is worse fro heat, checked sweat,
jarring, pressure , hanging down the leg , better from bending backward or by
bed rest.
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