Sciatica simply means problem with the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body starting from pelvis passing through buttocks, thighs and backside of the leg and ending near the sole of the feet. Typically sciatica affects only one side of the body or only one leg.

Causes of sciatica:

• Compression of the sciatic nerve: When there is bulging (herniation) of disc or extra growth of the bone or bone spur of the vertebra it causes compression of sciatic nerve and this produces symptoms of sciatica.
• Spinal stenosis: The narrowing of spinal canal puts pressure on the sciatic nerve and causes sciatica.
• Trauma: When there is severe trauma to the body resulting in pelvic fracture it causes sciatica.
• In rare circumstances the sciatic nerve can be compressed by a tumor or damaged by disease such as long-term diabetes.

Symptoms Sciatica:

• The peculiarity of sciatica pain is that the pain starts from the lower back to the buttocks and down the legs in one particular line along the nerve pathway.
• Pain could be varying from mild ache to a sharp, electric shock like or burning in nature.
• Constant pain in one leg making it difficult for the patient to sit or stand for a prolonged period of time.
• Feeling of numbness, tingling and weakness of the muscles in the affected leg.
• In severe cases of sciatica patient may experience trouble in controlling the bowels or bladder movement.

Risk factors of Sciatica:

• Prolong standing or sitting: Certain occupations like that of a teacher or bus conductor where there is prolonged standing is required can lead to sciatica in the long run. Same way, some occupations like jewelry making requires prolonged sitting. In long run, this can cause sciatica.
• Obesity: It is seen that people who are obese are more prone to sciatica. The excess body weight puts extra load on the spine and this may act as a triggering factor for sciatica.
• Age: The age related changes like herniation of disc or spur on vertebra can cause sciatica in old age.Diabetes: Long-term diabetes can damage the sciatic nerve and cause the disease sciatica.

Diagnosis of Sciatica:

• Sciatica can be diagnosed by conducting following tests on patient.
• X-ray of the spine
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI helps in producing detailed images of bone and soft tissues and thus helps in diagnosing the case.
• Computerized tomography scan (CT scan): In this particular test a contrast dye is injected in the spinal canal and X-rays are taken then after.

Treatment for Sciatica:

• Physiotherapy: Once the acute pain of sciatica is relieved, the physiotherapist can suggest the patient a few exercises which patient has to do on day-to-day basis. Physiotherapist may also guide on maintaining the correct posture while sitting or standing. Physiotherapist may also guide on doing some strengthening exercises for the muscles of lower back and stretching exercises for improving the flexibility of the muscles.
• Conventional treatment:
  1. Medical treatment: This includes prescribing NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs) and some muscle relaxants for pain relief.
  2. Steroid injections: In severe cases of sciatica, doctor may advise the patient to take steroid injections in the area around the involved nerve root. But, number of steroid shots to be given to the patients is limited because of serious side effects of the same.
• Surgical treatment: In severe cases of sciatica where there is significant damage to the sciatic nerve resulting in bowel and bladder incontinence and in cases where the pain is so severe that it does not come under control with any other therapies, surgeons can perform a surgery on the patient of sciatica.
• Home remedies
  1. Alternate cold and hot fomentation can be tried for 30 minutes 2 to 3 times daily.
  2. Heavy objects should be pushed rather than pulled.
  3. Do not pick up anything heavier than 10 pounds.
  4. The weight of the objects should be taken in your bent legs and arms and not in your back.
  5. During an acute attack sleep with a pillow under the knees.
• Homeopathic treatment for sciatica: Sciatica is a chronic disease.
  1. Homeopathic medicines can play a significant role in relieving sciatica and controlling the disease. The biggest advantage that homoeopathy offers is that it is able to treat the pain very effectively and is able to rectify the compression or irritation on the sciatic nerve. Homeopathic medicines given by an experienced doctor along with regular physiotherapy can give a significant relief to the patients suffering from mild to moderate sciatica.
  2. Another great benefit of using homoeopathy is that along with the treatment of sciatica homoeopathy also aims at strengthening the patient’s constitution in order to prevent further recurrences.
  3. Homeopathic medicine Colocynth stands tall in the homeopathic list of medicine used for treating sciatica. It can work wonders in treating Sciatica. It is mostly used in treating right sided sciatica pain. Whenever there is numbness associated with pain, homeopathic medicine Gnaphlium is a remedy of unquestioned benefit. Rhus tox covers nearly all kinds of sciatica symptoms and many a times it is the first choice. Rhus tox is indicated when the patient feels pain while beginning to move and is little relived by walking.