Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Complications and Treatment

Sciatica is a pain that moves from the buttocks to the leg and along the path of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica occurs due to compression, inflammation, irritation, or pinching of the sciatic nerve. In most cases, the symptoms of sciatica may resolve on its own or with proper self-care treatments. However, in severe cases, a surgery may be needed. Hot compression, followed by cold compression, is one of the most common self-care treatments to relieve sciatica pain at home. 

The treatment for sciatica depends on its underlying cause. Various conditions like herniated disks, spine injuries, or normal wear and tear can cause sciatica. One of the most common causes of sciatica is a herniated disk or bone overgrowth that adds pressure to the nerve roots in the lumbar spine.

In this article, we will learn in detail about sciatica, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and more. So please keep reading.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a type of nerve pain that arises when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. The pain associated with sciatica may cause back numbness and even radiate down the leg. While the nerve is called the sciatic nerve, it is not a single nerve. It is a bunch of nerves coming together from five nerve roots and branching off from the spinal cord. There are two sciatic nerves on each side of the body, and each nerve moves through the thigh and buttocks and down the leg, ending just below the knee on the side of the body. 

Symptoms of sciatica:

• Sciatica pain is usually felt along the sciatic nerve pathway from the lower back to the buttocks. The pain may also radiate below the buttock at the back of the thing and calf. 
• The individual may also feel a tingling sensation that feels like needles and pins pricking them.
• Another symptom of sciatica is numbness in the areas affected. 
• In severe cases of sciatica, the affected individual may also experience muscle weakness, fecal incontinence, and urinary incontinence. 
• The pain in sciatica may be feeling like burning, stabbing, or shooting pain that can range from mild to severe. Sciatica pain may also get worse upon moving. 

 

Causes of sciatica: 

Sciatica usually occurs when any condition in the body has an effect on the sciatic nerve, causing compression or irritation. Some of the common causes of sciatica include the following, 

• Herniated disks: It is a condition that occurs when the disk of the vertebra is pushed out of its place, adding pressure on one or various areas of the spinal nerves, forming the sciatic nerve. 
• Injury: An injury to the back can also cause sciatica.
• Cauda equina syndrome: This is a rarely occurring type of spinal stenosis that can cause pain in the sciatic region.
• Spinal stenosis: This is a condition where the spinal cord in the lower back becomes narrowed, causing sciatic nerve irritation. 
• Wear and tear: Usual wear and tear of the cartilage and disks in the vertebra is another potential cause of sciatica. 
• Spondylolisthesis: In this condition, the disks of the vertebra slip forward and cause pain. 
• Some other conditions: Certain other conditions that can also cause sciatica include Consus medullas syndrome, cysts or tumors, osteoarthritis, pregnancy, and degenerative disk disease. 

 

Risk factors for sciatica:

There are several risk factors that can cause sciatica. Some of these sciatica risk factors include the following, 

• Recurrent injuries to the back 
• Having excessive body weight or being obese 
• Working on strenuous jobs that require heavy lifting and bending
• Having type 2 diabetes
• Having insufficient core strength
• Improper posture 
• Physical inactivity
• Tobacco consumption 

 

How is sciatica diagnosed?

There are several methods through which a healthcare provider will diagnose sciatica. During a physical examination, a healthcare provider will first check the individual’s muscle strength, flexibility, and reflexes. They may also ask the patient to walk to see changes in their walking pattern and also perform a straight leg test. 

Once a physical examination is conducted, the healthcare provider will perform a few more tests to rule out the possibility of other conditions and diagnose sciatica. Some of these tests include, 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Spine X-rays
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Myelogram
• Nerve conduction velocity studies

 

Treatment for sciatica:

In most cases, sciatica heals with proper rest and time on its own. However, if the pain is severe, then.

• Pain relievers 
• Applying heat and cold compression to areas affected to soothe the pain 
• Physical therapy 

 

Home remedies for sciatica:

Usually, sciatica involving mild pain may get better with time, rest, and self-care at home. It is important to remember that if the symptoms of sciatica also include numbness, tingling sensation, muscle weakness, and moderate to mild pain, then it is essential to seek medical care. 

• Some common self-care treatments include, 
• Using a hot compression such as a heating pad
• Using a cold compression like an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling
• Using hot compression followed by cold compression 
• Performing gentle stretches 

 

Homeopathy treatment for sciatica

Individuals seeking treatment for sciatica have only one goal, to relieve the pain associated with sciatica. Homeopathy treatment dates back to centuries and works by healing the body as a whole. Homeopathy treatment for sciatica helps relieve various symptoms of the problem while focusing on long-term healing. 

Some of the commonly used homeopathic medicines for sciatica include the following, 

• Colocynthis: This homeopathic remedy is great for individuals experiencing pain due to sciatica on the left side of their body. It also helps with left-side sciatica pain that moves down the hips to the knee. 
• Arnica Montana: This homeopathic treatment is given to treat symptoms of sciatica involving severe pain in the lower limbs.
• Belladonna: It is usually given to individuals who have severe throbbing, spasmodic, burning, and shooting pain in their lower back due to sciatica. 
• Magnesia Phosphorica: Individuals with right-sided sciatica are prescribed magnesia phosphoric to relieve the shooting and stabbing pain that extends from their lower back to the hip, thighs, and knees. 
• Hypericum Perforatum: For sciatica pain accompanied by tingling, numbness and burning feeling in the affected leg, homeopathic doctors usually prescribe this remedy. 
• Rhus Tox: This remedy is given to individuals experiencing worsening of sciatica on resting or sitting or due to cold and moist weather. It is also given to those who feel their pain worsens when they lie on their side, walk, or make any movement. 
• Bryonia Alba: This homeopathy remedy is given to people whose sciatica becomes worse upon walking or making any movement. 
• Ruta Graveolens: This homeopathic treatment works in individuals whose sciatica symptoms are worse at night.

 

Homeopathic treatments for sciatica are natural, safe, and have very less to no side effects. These homeopathic remedies work by addressing the root cause of the condition rather than just treating the symptoms. At Dr. Care, our homeopathic doctors provide homeopathic treatments for all conditions, including sciatica. The aim of our doctors is to ensure effective and complete healing of our patients in the long run. We prescribe homeopathic treatments after carefully assessing the health of our patients. Our homeopathic treatments address the underlying issue of the problem our patient is facing. If you are experiencing sciatica and its symptoms, contact our Dr. Care team today to get personalized and effective treatment. 

Complications of sciatica: 

As sciatica occurs due to severe pressure on the sciatic nerve which can cause future complications if the pressure is not relieved. Some of the complications of sciatica include the following, 

• Permanent damage to the nerve
• Loss of bladder function 
• Loss of bowel function 
• A slipped disc or a herniated disc 
• Severe pain 
• Weakness or loss of feeling in the leg affected

 

Conclusion 

Sciatica is a type of pain that occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or pinched. It can cause symptoms like pain on one side of the lower body that radiates down the knees, hip pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, difficulty in walking, and more. Treatment for sciatica often involves addressing the root cause of the problem. Proper rest and hot and cold compression also help relieve the pain at home. 

Among the various available treatments for sciatica, homeopathy is a good option. Homeopathy for sciatica is safe and has very few side effects, making it an effective way of treating sciatica. At Dr.Care, we have a team of homeopathy specialists who provide the best homeopathic solutions for various conditions, including sciatica. If you are looking for homeopathic treatment for sciatica, get in touch with us today.