Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Sciatica

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that begins in the lower back and travels down the lower limbs traversing the root of the sciatic nerve. It is caused by irritation and compression of the sciatic nerve which is the largest nerve in the human body. It originates in the lower back and runs down the hips, back of the legs, and down to the feet. There is one sciatic nerve on either side of the body and any one of them may be affected when pain is experienced.

Natural and Safe

Homeopathy is a well-renowned system of healing that works wonders in treating various kinds of nerve pains including sciatica. Homeopathic medicines, which are natural and safe, work on the root cause of sciatica for complete, effective healing and cure. These can effectively manage sciatica pain and its other attending symptoms such as numbness, tingling and burning sensation.

Homeopathic medicines are selected individually for every case of sciatica to provide relief. Various factors are kept in mind while prescribing a homeopathic medicine in these cases such as the side of pain, the nature of pain, factors that make the pain worse or better, time when it increases or decreases, any associated symptoms like numbness or tingling and the underlying cause.

Relief in Acute/Chronic Sciatica

Homeopathic medicines can treat acute as well as chronic sciatica cases. In acute cases, homeopathic medicines offer immediate relief in symptoms. In chronic cases, it relieves the symptoms and helps to reduce the intensity and frequency of recurrent episodes of pain and other associated symptoms if the prescribed course of homeopathic treatment is followed for the recommended time. Being free of side effects, homeopathy has an advantage over the conventional method of treatment that uses painkillers, muscle relaxants, and corticosteroids in sciatica cases which carry the risk of side effects due to consumption over a long period. With the use of homeopathic medicines, the dependency on conventional medicines is reduced significantly.

Homeopathy works on treating the root cause of sciatica like disc bulge, disc degeneration, bony spurs, an injury, and muscle spasm to reduce the irritation or pressure on the sciatica nerve. This leads to excellent recoveries in sciatica cases. However, the results vary from case to case depending on the severity and chronicity of the complaints and the presence of complications if any.

In many cases of sciatica, surgery may be recommended. However, homeopathic consultation, if taken on time, could prevent surgical intervention in many cases of sciatica of mild to moderate intensity.

Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines For Sciatica

Some well-recognized homeopathic medicines for sciatica are Colocynthis, Magnesium Phosphorica, Gnaphalium, Rhus Tox, Bryonia Alba and Hypericum.

1. Colocynthis – For Sciatica Of Left Side

Colocynthis is known to greatly benefit left-sided sciatica. It is indicated when a person complains of pain along the course of the left sciatic nerve. The pain starts in the lower back and radiates down the leg to the toes. In some cases, the pain is located in the left hip, or pain in the hip radiates to the knee. The pain may be drawing/tearing/ shooting in nature. In some cases, it may be lightning, shock-like, or cramping. Pressure application may provide relief. Lying on the left side also offers relief in some cases. Some persons requiring Colocynthis may also get relief from warm applications.

When to use Colocynthis?

Its use is advised in patients with left-sided sciatica pain especially when the pain is reduced by pressing the affected area and applying warmth.

How to use Colocynthis?

Colocynthis works wonders in 30C potency. This potency requires frequent repetition, 2-3 times in a day. It also works well in higher potencies like 200C and 1M but it is advisable to consult your homeopathic physician before using higher potencies.

2. Magnesia Phosphorica – For Sciatica Of Right Side

Magnesia Phosphorica is a reliable prescription for right-sided sciatica. The sciatica pain is cutting/ shooting/ stabbing or stitching in nature. Pain starts in the lower back and extends down the right hip, thigh, the hollow of knee and leg. Pressure or warm applications may offer relief. In some cases, uncovering the lower limb worsen the pain.

When to use Magnesia Phosphorica?

Magnesia Phosphorica is indicated for sciatica pain on the right side. The pain worsens while uncovering the lower limb and gets better with pressure and warm applications.

How to use Magnesia Phosphorica?

It can be referred to as a homeopathic pain reliever. It is commonly used in biochemical form in ‘6X potency’, and is taken in tablet form 3-4 times a day.

3. Gnaphalium Polycephalum – For Sciatica With Pain And Numbness

Gnaphalium Polycephalum is the most useful medicine for sciatica pain attended with numbness. It is also indicated where sciatica pain alternates with numbness. Folding thighs towards the abdomen provides some relief. Gnaphalium Polycephalum is also prescribed in sciatica cases where pain is confined to the calves and feet.

When to use Gnaphalium Polycephalum? 

This medicine is an undoubted effective treatment for sciatica when pain is accompanied with numbness.

How to use Gnaphalium Polycephalum? 

In the beginning, its use is suggested in 30C potency and can be repeated twice a day. Its higher potencies are also available but normally, higher potencies are not to be repeated very often.

4. Bryonia Alba – For Sciatica That Worsens While Walking

Bryonia Alba is the most effective homeopathic medicine for sciatica that gets worse while walking. The slightest motion may worsen sciatica in such cases. Lying down still provides some relief. Bryonia Alba is also prescribed when the person feels relief by lying down on the affected side. The hip and leg of the affected side may feel heavy. The pain is tearing in nature from the hip through the back of the thigh and into the calf.

When to use Bryonia Alba?

The main feature of using this medicine is sciatica pain getting worse with the slightest movement but gets better by rest.

How to use Bryonia Alba?

Its lower potency 30C can be used up to 3-4 times in a day.

5. Rhus Tox – For Sciatica That Becomes Painful With Rest

For sciatica pain that gets bad at rest or while sitting, Rhus Tox is the ideal prescription. Lying on the painful side could worsen the pain in such cases. Walking or movement of the affected limb offers relief. Along with severe pain, a burning sensation may be felt in the lower limbs. Rhus Tox also works wonderfully well in treating sciatica that arises from lifting any heavy weight. There is a cramp-like pain in the leg. The patient cannot sit in one position for a long time.

When to use Rhus Tox?

This medicine is prescribed based on the hallmark feature that sciatica pain is worse at rest and gets better with movement. Also, it is indicated for sciatica resulting from lifting any heavy weight.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Its 30C potency can be repeated up to 3-4 times in a day. It is equally effective in 200C and 1M potency but symptoms should be carefully monitored before using these potencies.

6. Hypericum – To manage sciatica occurring after an injury

Hypericum is top-grade medicine when it comes to managing sciatica occurring after an injury. persons who need this medicine often complain of sharp cutting pain in the lower back extending down the legs. A pricking sensation as if occurring from needles can be felt in the feet. In some cases, numbness can be felt in the leg on the left side.

When to use Hypericum?

This medicine can be used as first choice of medicine in cases of sciatica that results from an injury.

How to use Hypericum?

Among its different potencies one may begin with its 30C potency twice or thrice a day initially.

Note You may use the above-mentioned 30C potency after closely monitoring the symptoms but do not self-medicate with higher potencies i.e. 200C and 1M. If no improvement is observed, it is best to consult a homeopath to decide whether the change of potency is required or not.

Causes Of Sciatica

The causes of sciatica could be many, the main among these are as follows:

A disc bulge or a herniated disc: Disc bulge of lower spine can cause pinching, compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. This is the most common cause of sciatica.

Degeneration of the spinal disc: It is the natural wearing down of disc between the vertebrae of spine. This results in shortening the height of vertebrae and resulting in narrowing of nerve passageways (spinal stenosis).

Stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal: This can lead to reduction in the space available for the spinal cord and nerves.

Osteoarthritis: Bone spurs (pointed edges of bone) can form in spines in old age and can compress nerves of lower back. 

Spondylolisthesis: It is the slipping of a vertebra which makes it is out of sync with the one above it, as a result there is narrowing of the opening through which the nerve exits. The extended spinal bone can pinch the sciatic nerve.

Piriformis syndrome: Piriformis muscle is a small muscle that lies deep in the buttocks. Tightening or spasm of this muscle is called Piriformis syndrome that can put pressure and can irritate sciatic nerve.

Tumor in the spine: It causes the compression of sciatic nerve.

Symptoms Of Sciatica

Pain: Sciatica is characterized by pain that travels from the lower (lumbar) spine to the buttock and down the back of your leg. The lower back, buttock, and the back of your thigh and calf are likely to experience pain.

Numbness: There is numbness in legs, feet, buttocks, or lower back may feel numb or weak.

Loss Of Movement: There is less movement and pain that gets worse if the person makes an effort to move.

Pin Needle Sensation: One can experience a feeling of pricking by pins and needles in feet, toes, or legs.

Burning Sensation: Constant or episodic burning sensation down the leg.

Risk Factors For Sciatica

Injury: The chance of developing sciatica increases if you suffer a lower back or spine injury.

Age: The bone tissue and discs in the spine naturally deteriorate as you age. With normal ageing, changes and shifts in bone, discs, and ligaments can put the spinal nerves at risk of being hurt or pinched.

Obesity: Excess body weight can increase stress on the spine. This results in changes in the spine that trigger sciatica.

Prolonged Sitting: The chances of developing sciatica is more common in people who sit for long hours or have sedentary lifestyle than active people.

Diabetes: Your chance of developing nerve damage is increased by this disorder, which alters how your body uses blood sugar.

Smoking: The nicotine in tobacco can weaken bones, cause injury to the spine, and hasten the degeneration of vertebral discs.

Lack Of Proper Posture: Even if you are physically healthy and active, sciatica can still occur if you lift weights improperly or perform other vigorous strength training exercises.

How to diagnose cases of sciatica?

A doctor is able to diagnose sciatica based on the symptom picture and a physical examination. He may check for pain occurring while walking, or rising after squatting. He may also perform a very common test done to diagnose sciatica clinically i.e. SLR test (straight leg raise test). In this test, a doctor asks the sufferer to lie on the table on your back with straight legs. The doctor then slowly raises one leg at a time towards the roof and asks you to tell when you start feeling the pain. This test is considered positive if pain is felt between 30 and 70 degrees when the leg is raised. In cases with severe pain, the doctor may recommend X-ray or MRI to find the underlying cause, like disc herniation and nerve pinching.