What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body and is made up of individual nerve roots that branch out from the spine in the lower back and then combine to form the “sciatic nerve.” Sciatica Symptoms and Ayurveda Treatment India occur when the large sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed at or near its point of origin.

The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of each leg.
Portions of the sciatic nerve then branch out in each leg to innervate certain parts of the leg—the thigh, calf, foot, and toes.


What Causes Sciatic Pain?

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the Sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower spine and runs down to the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg.

The 6 Most Common Causes of Sciatica

The following six lower back problems are the most common causes of sciatica:

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Irritation of the sacroiliac joint—located at the bottom of the spine—can also irritate the L5 nerve, which lies on top of the sacroiliac joint, causing sciatica-type pain. Again, this is not a true radiculopathy, but the leg pain can feel the same as sciatica caused by a nerve irritation.

Piriformis syndrome

The sciatic nerve can get irritated as it runs under the piriformis muscle in the buttock. If the piriformis muscle irritates or pinches a nerve root that comprises the sciatic nerve, it can cause sciatica-type pain.

This is not a true lumbar radiculopathy, which is the clinical definition of sciatica. However, because the leg pain can feel the same as sciatica or radiculopathy, it is sometimes referred to as sciatica.

Lumbar spinal stenosis

This condition commonly causes sciatica due to a narrowing of the spinal canal. Lumbar spinal stenosis is related to natural aging in the spine and is relatively common in adults older than age 60. The condition typically results from a combination of one or more of the following: enlarged facet joints, overgrowth of soft tissue, and a bulging disc placing pressure on the nerve roots, causing sciatica pain. Lumbar spinal stenosis commonly occurs along with spinal arthritis, and arthritis can also cause or contribute to sciatica symptoms.

Isthmic spondylolisthesis

This condition occurs when a small stress fracture allows one vertebral body to slip forward on another; for example, if the L5 vertebra slips forward over the S1 vertebra. With a combination of disc space collapse, the fracture, and the vertebral body slipping forward, the nerve can get pinched and cause sciatica.

Degenerative disc disease

While some level of disc degeneration is a natural process that occurs with aging, for some people one or more degenerated discs in the lower back can also irritate a nerve root and cause sciatica. Degenerative disc disease is diagnosed when weakened disc results in excessive micro-motion at that spinal level and inflammatory proteins from inside the disc become exposed and irritate the nerve root(s) in the area.

Bone spurs, which may develop spinal degeneration, also may press against a nerve, resulting in sciatica.

Lumbar herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of the disc leaks out, or herniates, through the fibrous outer core and irritates or pinches the contiguous nerve root. Other terms used to refer to a herniated disc are slipped disc, ruptured disc, bulging disc, protruding disc, or a pinched nerve. Sciatica is the most common symptom of a lumbar herniated disc.

What are the Sciatica Symptoms?

Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation.
In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.

Some combination of the following symptoms is most common:

Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg, but rarely on both sides.
Pain that originates in the low back or buttock and continues along the path of the sciatic nerve—down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg and foot.
Pain that feels better when patients lie down or are walking, but worsens when standing or sitting.
Pain typically described as sharp or searing, rather than dull.
A “pins-and-needles” sensation, numbness or weakness, or a prickling sensation down the leg in some cases.
Weakness or numbness when moving the leg or foot.
Severe or shooting pain in one leg, making it difficult to stand up or walk.
Pain and other symptoms in the toes, depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected
Lower back pain that, if experienced at all, is not as severe as leg pain.
Symptoms may intensify during sudden movements, such as a sneeze or a cough, or when changing positions, such as when moving from a sitting position to standing up. Certain symptoms are unique depending on the underlying cause of sciatica.

For example, bending the body backward or walking more than a short distance often triggers symptoms when spinal stenosis is the cause. Bending the body forward may trigger symptoms if the cause is a lumbar herniated disc.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Sciatica At Central India

Vata Kapha Haram
Usna Virya Dravya Prayogam, anulomanam

Ayurvedic Medicines For Sciatica

Sahacharadi Kashayam

This formulation is a highly effective pain reliever in Ayurveda.

Use: It is a concentrated decoction prepared out of herbal ingredients, which consist of water-soluble active principles.
Indication: Effective in the management of vatarogas, sciatica, low backache, disc prolapsed, facial palsy, Paralysis.
Ingredients: Sahacharadi Kashayam is a concentrated decoction prepared out of herbal ingredients, which consist of water-soluble active principles. Sahachara, Suradaru(Devadaru), and Shunti are present in powder form.
Ayurvedic Properties:
Roga karma: Useful in Vatarogas.
Dosha karma: Kaphavatahara.
Agni karma: Pachana and deepana.
Dosage: Kashayam 5 – 15 ml diluted with 15 – 45 ml of water twice daily before food or as directed by the physician. Tablets 1 to 2 tablets twice daily.
Vaiswanara Choornam

It is an Ayurvedic medicine in herbal powder form.

Use: It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, and diseases of the digestive tract. Vaishvanara means fire in Sanskrit.
Ingredients: Saindhava lavana, Yamani, Ajamoda, Ginger, Haritaki etc. in fixed proportions.
Dosage: 1 Teaspoon two times a day with hot water.
Rasonadi Tablet

It is an effective medicine for the pain of sciatic nerves.

Use: It is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, low digestion power, diarrhea, gastroenteritis.
Effect on Tridoshas: It balances vata and kapha, and improves pitta.
Rasonadi vati ingredients: Lashuna, jiraka, saindhava lavana, shudha gandhaka, shunti, pippali, mariachi, ramatha and nimbu swarasa.
Dosage: 2 Tablets two times a day after food.


Sukumara Ghrita

It is an Ayurvedic medicine, in herbal ghee form. This herbal ghee is made from Vidaryadi group of herbs, mentioned in Ashtanga Hrudayam. It is used for the preparatory procedure for Panchakarma and also as medicine, used in the treatment of gynecological diseases. This medicine is prepared based on Kerala Ayurveda principles.

Uses: It is used as medicine and also in a preparatory procedure called snehakarma for the treatment of lower abdominal pain in women, abscess, hemorrhoids, menstrual pain, inflammation, constipation. This will show better results in a hernia and vata based gulma. For those constipated by nature, this will do well if taken daily. In women, it is usually given as a daily tonic in lower doses for overall good health. It is also used to improve skin complexion.
Ingredients: Punarnava, Bilva, Agnimantha, Shyonaka, Patala, Gambhari, Brihati, Kantakari, Gokshura, Shalaparni, and 25 other constituents mixed and heated till Ghrita is prepared.
Dosage: 15ml with Kasayam
Kottamchukkadi Choornam

It is a medicated powder Kerala formulation used for external application.

Use: Application in the form of paste mixed with egg or tamarind leaf juice, rice water or warm water in swelling caused by arthritis, rheumatism.
Ingredients: Equal quantities of herbal powders of Pushkaramoola, Viswa, Vacha, Suradruma, Lasuna, Sigru, Rasna, Kamsamara, Sarshapa and Chinchapatra made to lepa form and used externally.
Dosage: External Application

Cincadi Lehyam

Ingredients : Jirna Cinca, Purana guda, Loha kitta, Viswa, Vidanga, Cinosana, Trayusana, Jirakayugma, Trijiataka, Rasna, Yasti, Jatiphala, Jatidala.
Dosage: For external application

Parijatak and Sciatic Pain Treatment

Parijatak Ayurveda is the best Ayurvedic health care center for Sciatica treatment. You must consult the experts here if the sciatic pain is taking longer to cure. Herbal remedies can be the potent medical cure for sciatic pain.