Backache is also known as sciatica. Very few people live their lives experiencing backache in one form or the other. Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression or irritation of one of five nerve roots that give rise to the sciatic nerve. It can also be caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, or various parts of the leg and foot.

Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important, because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms will often be different, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms as well.

Treatment of Backache in Homeopathy

Aconite 30: This medicine is useful for a sudden, violent attack of backache giving rise to restlessness and acute fear, the patient feeling he is about to die. Pain is so acute that the person tosses about in agony, not being able to bear even light touch or pressure. When a person is suffering from all these symptoms, he or she should continue the medicine for a prolonged time.

Aesculus 30: This medicine is useful for more or less constant pain in the lumbo-sacral region, which gets worse from walking or stooping but better from resting or sitting.

Bryonia 30: For very severe backache that is worse from slightest movement of the body, forcing the victim to keep absolutely still. Gentle massage and applying heat to the back also help. In presence of all these symptoms the victim should continue the medicine named Bryonia 30.

Chamomilla 30: This medicine is useful for acute back-pain, accompanied by numbness of the back and causing inexplicable mental irritability. Backache worsens from application of dry heat. However, cold applications relieve pain in this case.

Cimicifuga 30: This medicine is useful for excessive muscular soreness and aching in the whole back especially lumbar region from sitting for prolonged periods. The pain is relieved by massage or by moving about or also walking.

Colocynth 30: For left-sided sciatica. There is lightning-like pain which starts in the back and spreads into the left leg. Partial relief from pain is obtained by firm pressure or massage, heat-treatment and by lying on the left side or by doubling up, assuming a knee-chest position. When all these symptoms are present in a person, he or she should take the medicine named colocynth 30.

Kali-carb 30: For backache during pregnancy or from abortion, which is worse at night and in the morning, this medicine named Kali carb can be used. The pain is also relieved by warm applications.

Rhus tox: For stiffness, soreness and pain in the back which are worse after rest or inactivity, but gradually diminish after moving about. Application of dry heat also relieves pain. When these symptoms are present, the victim should take the medicine named Rhus tox.

Ruta 30: This medicine Ruta is useful for backache caused by a strain of back ligaments due to unaccustomed exertion or from incorrectly lifting a heavy weight. The pain seems to get worse after a Period of inactivity but improves from pressure lying on the back or massage.