Both lower back pain and hip pain can cause a lot of discomfort and in some cases both can occur together. Pain can be unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral (on both sides), varying from case to case. Symptoms range in intensity from mild to severe. Depending on the cause behind it, other symptoms may be felt. These include stiffness, numbness, tingling, pinpoint sensation, weakness, decreased range of motion in the back and lower extremities.
In severe cases, serious symptoms such as urinary retention, difficulty urinating, and involuntary urination or bowel movements may occur that require immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications and permanent damage.
Pain in the lower back and hip can have various causes. The first cause may be the pinching of a nerve in the lower back. It refers to irritation or compression of the nerve by muscles, bones, or any other structure that lies near the nerve. A bulge of the intervertebral disc, a herniated disc, arthritis (joint inflammation), degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, bone spurs (extra growths of the bones) or an injury are some of the important reasons for nerve compression. Disc bulge refers to the bulging of the intervertebral disc, i.e. cushions between the two vertebrae, which irritate/squeeze the nerve in the spinal column. A herniated disc means that the inner gel-like material oozes out of the disc through a tear in the outer layer, resulting in the compression of the nerve.
The second reason is sciatica (compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve causing pain in the lower back that radiates down to the hip, thigh, leg and feet). Other reasons include joint inflammation, i.e. arthritis. Another important cause is ankylosing spondylitis and the malfunction of the sacroiliac joint (joint formed by the ilium of the pelvis and the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine). Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that begins in the sacroiliac joint, followed by progression up the spine, causing inflammation and damage to the joints. The main symptom is pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. Other reasons may include muscle strain, injury, piriformis syndrome and lumbar stenosis.
Piriformis syndrome refers to a condition resulting from irritation/compression of the sciatic nerve due to contraction of the piriformis muscle in the buttock region. Lumbar stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar region of the back. In women, this pain can occur during menstruation or due to health problems such as endometriosis (growth of tissue lining the uterus in areas other than the uterus, such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum) and uterine fibroids (noncancerous growths that form in the uterus forms). ).
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathic medicines are found to be very helpful in lower back and hip pain. They come from natural substances and relieve lower back and hip pain in the most harmless way, without side effects. Homeopathic medicines target the cause of the pain and provide long-lasting relief in these cases. They can also relieve associated symptoms, such as stiffness, numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and pain. The homeopathic prescription for such cases varies from case to case, based on the characteristic individual symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to use homeopathic medicines under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor. Self-medication should be avoided. In case of severe symptoms such as urinary retention, difficulty urinating, involuntary urination or bowel movements, one should immediately seek help from the conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has limitations in treating severe cases.
Homeopathic medicines for lower back and hip pain
1. Aesculus – When pain increases with walking and bending
Aesculus is a very effective drug for treating lower back and hip pain, which is aggravated by walking and bending. The pain increases when standing up after sitting. Where this medicine is needed, an aching or tearing pain is felt. The back feels like it will break from pain. There is also marked stiffness in the back, along with pain. The back is also painful to the touch. Weakness in the back and legs may be associated. Aesculus is one of the best homeopathic medicines for treating cases of ankylosing spondylitis, sacroiliac joint problems and hip arthritis.
2. Colocynth – in cases of sciatica
Colocynth is a leading homeopathic medicine for the treatment of low back and hip pain in sciatica. People who need this have lower back pain that radiates to the hip and sometimes to the back of the thighs. The pain makes any position painful, whether sitting or lying down. The pain is worse when you lie on your back. Walking is also difficult and makes the person limp. The nature of the pain can be a tearing and burning type. The warmth of the bed worsens the pain. Cramping pain may be felt in the hips. It gets better by lying on the affected side.
3. Rhus Tox – After an injury
This medication is very suitable for pain in the lower back and hips after a fall injury. In cases where this is necessary, there is a lot of difficulty walking, standing or sitting. The pain gets better when you lie on something hard. There is a problem with weight bearing on the limb due to the injury. The hip is sensitive to pressure. These complaints cause restless sleep at night. Stiffness can also be felt in the back. The back feels like it’s broken. Rhus Tox is also the main drug for treating back and hip pain due to muscle overload.
4. Kali Carb – Along with weakness in the lower back and lower extremities
Kali Carb is of great use in treating cases of lower back and hip pain along with weakness in the back and lower extremities. If necessary, the pain radiates from the lower back to the hips. The pain can be shooting or suffocating. The pain gets worse when walking and standing. The back feels like it’s broken. A very characteristic feature is the worsening of pain in the early morning around 3 am. This medicine is also indicated for lower back pain after a fall.
5. Lachesis – with stiffness
Lachesis is indicated when there is pain from the back to the hips, along with stiffness. Drawing pain in the lower back prevents movement. It gets worse when getting up from a sitting position. Back pain is accompanied by excessive restlessness when stretching arms and legs. The lower back feels weak and sprained. Stiffness is marked in the sacral spine extending to the hip joints. The stiffness worsens when bending, lying down and when starting to move.
6. Ruta – When the pain travels from the back to the hips and thighs
This medicine is useful when pain radiates from the back to the hips and thighs. This pain gets worse when you lie down at night. Ruta is also a useful medicine for back pain after an injury. In such cases, the pain is aggravated by pressure. The pain worsens in the morning before getting up. Weakness is felt in the lower back.
7. Kali Bichrome – For lower back pain extending to the left hip
It is a very useful medicine to help cases of lower back pain, which extends to the left hip. Lower back pain is aggravated by movement and bending in cases where this is necessary. The pain increases at rest and at night. The cutting type of pain is marked in the sacral back, which means the lowest part of the back.