Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

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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.

  1. Direct injury to the Spine

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:

  1. Traumeel: Great to use in injuries to the joints as it reduces inflammation, reduces bruising and allows for a large reduction in pain
  2. Spascupreel: Wonderful in cases of severe spasm in muscles.
  3. Lymphomyosot: Another great ampoule to use after acute injury as it helps to reduce inflammation by promoting fluid drainage
  4. Discus compositum: I love using this ampoule in cases where there has been a history of disc injury or when there is referred pain.
  5. Zeel: I personally like to use this ampoule in cases of spinal degeneration as a result of arthritic conditions which leads to a loss of joint integrity. Zeel also works wonderfully when there is referred pain. Both Zeel and Discus have the ability to promote joint regeneration

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!

  1. Sit comfortably on a stable chair
  2. Make sure you sit up-right with good posture and eyes facing forward
  3. Place one leg on top of the other in a way that a “figure 4” is created
  4. Place the one hand gently on the knee of the bent leg and the other hand on the ankle
  5. A good stretch will be felt in the hip joint as well as the buttock of the crossed leg
  6. If you are able to and want to intensify the stretch, bend slightly forward at the waist and bring your chest closer to your leg
  7. It is always important to remember to breathe when doing this stretch as a means to relax your muscles.
  8. Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat for the other leg

*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.