Sciatica is a painful condition which results from inflammation and/or damage to the sciatic nerve. The pain can be characterized by an intense stabbing or electric sensation which travels down the glutes, down the back of the leg, into the calf muscle and eventually into the foot- particularly the pinky-toe. In severe and prolonged cases, there is eventually muscle weakness, loss of sensation and “foot-drop”.
ANATOMY OF THE LOWER BACK AND SCIATIC NERVE
The sciatic nerve originates from the Lumbar and Sacral vertebrae at spinal levels of L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3. The nerve roots from all of these vertebral levels all arise from the spinal cord and exit their various levels via the vertebral foramina (holes) and join to form the Sciatic nerve close to the Piriformis muscle. The nerve then enters the leg via the greater sciatic foramen which is located below the Piriformis muscle.
There are two main conditions which may lead to the development of sciatica. These conditions include lower back injury and Piriformis syndrome
LOWER BACK INJURY
We can injure our lower back in many ways such as using incorrect posture when lifting weights at the gym, twisting our back through a fall or incorrect posture when sitting or sleeping.
In certain circumstances the vertebral column is injured and can result in the vertebrae “shifting” out of position. In such circumstances, a protective “cushion” located between the vertebrae (known as the intervertebral disc) may rupture and press on the nerve root. When this occurs, there is severe irritation and compression of the nerve root leading to severe pain which sends further pain signals throughout the nerve resulting in symptoms of sciatica. Cases like this often need surgery to correct the injured disc.
2. Muscle Spasm
Sometimes incorrect posture when sitting or sleeping or a milder back injury can result in muscle spasms in the lower back. This can often result in the individual moving incorrectly as a means of compensating for the pain and stiffness felt in the back. What this often does is cause the spine to shift out of alignment leading to irritation of the nerve roots. When there is injury to the nerve roots this pain is referred to as Radicular pain. Nerve-related pain, such as sciatica, may occur if the injury to the nerve roots is not addressed.
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, a small muscle located in the buttocks, irritates the sciatic nerve. This usually occurs as a result of muscular spasm or swellnig of the piriformis or irritation of the sacroiliac joint.
Due to the spasm and swelling of the muscle, the sciatic nerve will often get compressed and become inflamed and irritated. The inflammation of the sciatic nerve will result in symptoms such as; tingling or numbness in the buttocks and down the leg, deep-seated pain in the buttocks and weakness in the legs. These symptoms are usually made worse when sitting, climbing stairs, running or walking.
HOW TO COMBAT SCIATICA AND LOWER BACK PAIN NATURALLY!
BIOPUNCTURE
Biopuncture is a technique which makes use of injecting homeopathic remedies into injured muscles or around injured joints by means of a subcutaneous needle. This method works by reducing inflammation of injured muscle tissues and joints, reducing pain and improving circulation to injured tissues and joints to promote healing.
For injury and spasm in the lower back, biopuncture works exceptionally well. Patients will often come in hunched over in pain and walk out 10 minutes later as if nothing was wrong to begin with! The injections are NEVER injected directly into the spine or joint- they are instead injected around the spine or joint into the affected muscles.
The most common combinations used include:
STRETCHING
Stretching* really works beautifully to relieve sciatica which is caused by Piriformis syndrome. The great thing about these stretches is that they can be done absolutely anywhere- even at a work desk!
*Always consult with your health-care practitioner before performing any stretches
HOMEOPATHY
Arnica montana: Great for acute injury to reduce pain and bruising. For those needing Arnica, the bed usually feels too hard to sleep on at night due to a horrible bruised-pain sensation felt in the injured area
Rhus Tox: wonderful for sciatica which is worse on the right hand side. There is a lot of burning and shooting pains felt
Kali carb: Great choice to use in cases of sciatica related to pregnancy
Bellis perennis: Beautiful remedy to use in cases of injury to the coccyx and soft tissues
Causticum: Great remedy to use in cases of sciatica whereby the right side is affected. There is usually extreme weakness and loss of sensation.
Hypericum perforatum: always a great remedy to keep in any homeopathic first aid kit! You can always use this for any nerve related injury. There is a lot of shooting electric-type pains felt which shoot downwards and then upwards again.