Colocynth. [Coloc]
The most important remedy in sciatica, corresponding to the worst cases. There are pains in the sciatic nerve extending the knee or to the heel, worse from any motion, and especially aggravated by cold. The pain is paroxysmal, followed by numbness and partial paralysis. There is a sensation which has been described as if the thigh were bound with iron bands, or as though screwed in a vise; the muscles are fearfully tense and fixed. Particularly is the right side involved and there are stitches during walking. It is especially useful in recent cases, though Aegida cured a case of long standing with the 3d dilution in which there were spasms and violent pains. There is a sense of constriction around the hip. The pains, too may come suddenly and leave suddenly, they may be sticking and burning, and all are worse from cold or damp and at night, when the patient can find no easy position for the limb. **Colocynth typifies the sciatica due to nerve changes with no special inflammatory conditions attending it. Here it touches remedies like **Arsenicum, Chamomilla, Gelsemium, and Gnaphalium. The 6th potency will be found to act better than the lower potencies.
Gnaphalium. [Gnaph]
This remedy is quite similar to **Colocynthis. O’Connor thinks it is the best remedy in the absence of the other symptoms and many others consider it specific. It has intense neuralgic pains along the nerve, and numbness. The whole trunk and the main branches seem affected, worse when lying down, worse from motion, stepping and better whiles sitting in a chair. The pains extend to the toes.
**Terebinth has exquisite sensitiveness;of the lower extremities, with painfulness along the tract of the nerve;;drawing, tearing, paralytic pains.
Arsenicum. [Ars]
With this remedy the pain is marked by complete intermissions; it exacerbates every night at a particular hour, and becomes unbearable; it is increased by vigorous and relieved by gentle motion. It is aggravated by cold, but relieved momentarily by warmth. It is a pure neuralgia, neither inflammatory, toxaemic nor reflex. **Arsenicum is one of our most reliable remedies in sciatica. **Chamomilla should also be thought of in pure neuralgias of the sciatic nerve with unbearable pains, and the more it pains the hotter the patient becomes.
Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
This remedy typifies sciatic with muscular and ligamentous involvement. It is seldom adapted to recent cases, but comes in later. The pains are tearing and burning, worse during rest, alleviated a short time only during motion. There is lameness and a disposition to muscular twitchings, bowels are constipated. It is a rheumatic sciatica, the fibrous sheath of the nerve being involved. It is the best remedy for a combination of lumbago and sciatica. Sciatica arising from over-exposure to wet or from lifting, wrenching and over- exertion. Great relief from warmth.
**Arnica is also a remedy for sciatica due to over- exertion. The acute pains are followed by a sensation as if bruised.
**Ruta. This remedy also has shooting pains down the back, down the sciatic nerve on first moving or on rising after sitting; the patient is obliged to walk about constantly during the paroxysms o;f pain. The pains are felt most in the region of the knee. It is worse during damp or cold weather and from cold applications.
**Bryonia has shooting pains worse from motion and relieved by hard pressure. It is a valuable drug in the treatment of sciatica of rheumatic origin.
**Ledum also has sciatic pains mixed with rheumatism.
Kali iodatum. [Kali-i]
The pains calling for this remedy are worse at night, and from lying on the affected side, better from motion. When of mercurial or syphilitic origin, it is well indicated and may help, but it is not a very reliable remedy.
**Kali bichromicum. Darting pains in the left thigh relieved by motion. It is better adapted to the syphilitic cases.
**Phytolacca. The pains are darting and tearing, aggravated by motion. It is perhaps better adapted to syphilitic cases.
**Colchicum. Right-sided sharp-shooting pains extending to knee, worse by motion; the patient must keep quite. The pain is sudden, constant and intolerable.
**Viscum album has the credit of curing a number of severe and long standing cases.
Ammonium muriaticum. [Am-m]
Sciatica, with aggravation of pain while sitting, somewhat relieved by walking and entirely relieved by lying down. Pains in the left hip as if the tendons were too short. Legs feel contracted. Painful jerks, feet feel as if asleep.
Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Michigan Homeopathic Medical College. Member of American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to his editoral work he authored or collaborated on: Boericke and Dewey's Twelve Tissue Remedies, Essentials of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Essentials of Homeopathic Therapeutics and Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics.