Pulsatilla. [Puls]
This remedy typifies a sciatica due to venous stasis and is useful in the ***milder forms where there is a sense of fatigue and heaviness, flying attacks, aching in loins and hips. Uterine sciatica. Here it is akin to such remedies as **Sepia, Belladonna, Ferrum, Sulphur, graphites and Mercurius.
**Lycopodium is sometimes most useful in chronic cases where there are fine burning or stinging pains, or tearing, drawing or jerking pains worse from rest. The lithic acid constitution will decide the remedy.
Aconite. [Acon]
The congestive variety of sciatica from exposure to colds, dampness and from suppressed perspiration indicates Aconite. there is much numbness, perverted sensation, pricking and a sense of coldness in the parts, especially toes. The pains are very severe and worse at night; the patient is restless, there is tingling along the affected nerve.
**Glonoine. Hale recommends the 6th of this remedy in cases where there is much throbbing, numbness, heaviness and uneasiness.
Belladonna. [Bell]
Here the inflammation is high and the pains come on suddenly. There is a neuritis, and the course of the nerve is sensitive; the pain is especially severe at night, the parts are sensitive to the touch, the least concussion or a draft of air aggravates. Severe lancinating pains coming on in the afternoon or evening; has to change position often; worse from motion, noise, shock or contact; cannot bear the clothing to touch him. Relieved by letting the limb hang down, warmth and the erect posture.
Nux vomica. [Nux-v]
From its action on the spinal cord, **Nux is frequently the remedy in sciatica. It has lightning-like pains, with which twitching of the parts. Violent pains, has to change position; pains shoot down into the foot, the limb is stiff and contracted and the parts feel paralyzed and cold. Better when lying on the affected side and from the application of hot water. Constipated bowels and sedentary habit.
**Plumbum also has lightning-like pains and in paroxysms. Pains and cramps along sciatic nerve, and especially where atrophy is present. Use potencies not lower than the 12th to the 30th.
**Coffea may also be indicated where there is great hyperaesthesia of the senses and physical exhaustion and debility present. If the sciatica be in those of a haemorrhoidal constitution. **Sulphur may be the remedy. If dependent on vertebral disease then such remedies as **Phosphorus Silicea, **Natrum muriaticum and **Sulphur will need to be prescribed according to the symptoms. Nor should the tissue remedies be forgotten, as many undoubted cures have been made with **Magnesia phosphorica and Kali phosphoricum.
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.