Top 6 Natural Homeopathic Medicines for Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a set of symptoms that arise when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed by the spasms/contraction of the piriformis muscle. Piriformis is a small muscle present deep in the gluteal region (the buttocks). The primary function of this muscle is to rotate and move the thigh externally. The factors that predispose a person to piriformis syndrome include tightness or overuse of piriformis muscle, injury to the hip, inflammation, excessive stress on the piriformis muscle as a result of prolonged sitting and long-distance running or scar on the muscle.

There is a great scope of treating piriformis syndrome in the homeopathic system of medicine. Homeopathic medicines work to relax the contracted piriformis muscle and effectively manage symptoms like pain, numbness and tingling in the buttocks and the lower limb along the course of the sciatic nerve. In mainstream medicine, the treatment for piriformis syndrome includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and corticosteroid injections that give temporary relief and can have side effects with prolonged use. However, homeopathic medicines are made of natural substances and can be safely used without any side effects.

The main action of homeopathic medicines in piriformis syndrome is to relax muscle contraction. It is the key to providing complete recovery in these cases, as contracted muscle is the core problem giving rise to piriformis syndrome. Once this basic cause is treated, the symptoms start to get better and gradually resolve completely in some time, varying from a few weeks to a few months’ duration with proper homeopathic treatment.

There are no fixed remedies in homeopathy to treat piriformis syndrome; treatment and prescription are entirely symptom-based. The most suitable homeopathic medicine for every case of piriformis syndrome is selected on the basis of individual symptoms. The potency and medicine repetition are also decided for each case separately as per the intensity and duration of the problem. So it is advised that homeopathic medicines for piriformis syndrome should be taken after detailed case evaluation by a homeopathic doctor and self-medication should be avoided.

As widely known, homeopathy is a natural healing science; thus it is free from any type of side effects. Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies that act gently as they lack any toxins or chemicals. These medicines give excellent results in cases of piriformis syndrome without worry of any sort of adverse reactions.

Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Piriformis Syndrome

The top homeopathic medicines for symptomatic treatment of piriformis syndrome include Colocynth, Magnesium Phos, Rhus Tox, Gnaphalium, Hypericum and Kali Iodatum.

1. Colocynth – For Pain In left Hip Extending Down The Leg

Colocynth is a natural homeopathic medicine for piriformis syndrome where the symptoms mainly appear on the left side of the body. The person needing colocynthis may experience a cramping pain in the left hip. This pain radiates down the left leg. It may be sharp, shooting, or tearing in nature. Gentle touch worsens the pain, while warm applications help bring pain relief.

When to use Colocynth?

Colocynth should be the first choice of medicine to manage piriformis syndrome with left-sided hip pain that radiates down the left leg that gets worse from touch and better from warm applications.

How to use Colocynth?

Though it can be used in different potencies like 30C, 200C, 1M, it is advised to begin with 30C potency two to three times a day. Use of higher potencies should be done only under the supervision of a physician.

2. Magnesium Phos – For Piriformis Syndrome With Symptoms Of Right Side

Magnesium Phos is a prominent homeopathic medicine for piriformis syndrome when the right side is affected. Magnesium Phos is useful for contracted cramping, shooting-type pain in the right side buttock that may radiate down the calf muscle or feet. Cramping worsens from prolonged exertion.

When to use Magnesium Phos?

Magnesium Phos is the best choice of medicine to deal with right-sided hip pain radiating down the right leg in cases of piriformis syndrome.

How to use Magnesium Phos?

This medicine gives excellent results in 6X power that can be taken three to four times a day as per severity of symptoms.

3. Rhus Tox – For Hip Pain Worse From Lying And Better From Walking

Rhus Tox is a leading medicine that helps with complaints arising from muscle spasms and excessive stress and strain on the muscles. Rhus Tox offers great help in cases of piriformis syndrome when there is hip pain that increases from lying down while it gets relieved from moving around. There also occurs pain along the sciatic nerve that gets worse during the night. In some cases, pricking sensation in the lower limbs may also be present.

When to use Rhus Tox?

This medicine is highly effective to treat muscle spasm and hip pain in piriformis syndrome when it worsens from lying and gets better from walking.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Among its different available potencies, 30C is mainly preferred, which can be taken two to three times a day.

4. Gnaphalium – For Pain And Numbness Starting From Hip Going Down The Leg

Gnaphalium is a wonderful remedy for piriformis syndrome in cases where there is pain and numbness along the sciatic nerve starting from the hip radiating down the legs. The numbness may be present with or alternate with the lower limb pain. The pain is sharp and electric shock-like in nature. In some cases, a burning sensation in the lower limbs may also be present. The person feels better by bending the legs on the abdomen.

When to use Gnaphalium?

Gnaphalium is a prominent medicine to treat pain and numbness from hip down the legs along the course of the sciatic nerve in piriformis syndrome.

How to use Gnaphalium?

It is usually recommended in 30C potency that can be used once or twice a day.

5. Hypericum – To Manage Piriformis Syndrome With History Of Hip Injury

Hypericum is a leading medicine for managing cases of piriformis syndrome with a history of an injury to hip. The major feature to use Hypericum is a sharp, cutting type of pain along sciatic nerve from hip to leg. A tingling and burning sensation in lower limb can attend. A crawling sensation or needle-like pricking sensation in the feet may also be present.

When to use Hypericum?

It is an excellent medicine for treating cases of piriformis syndrome with sharp, cutting pain starting from the hip down the leg (sciatica) when there is a history of hip injury.

How to use Hypericum?

It is advised to take this medicine two to three times a day in 30C potency.

6. Kali Iodatum – For Hip Pain Worse When Sitting

Kali Iodatum is a well-indicated homeopathic medicine for treating piriformis syndrome in cases where sitting worsens the symptoms. People needing Kali Iodatum experience hip pain that radiates down the lower limb. The pain gets worse from sitting and there is relief from walking.  Some people experience worsening of pain during the night. In some cases, formication (sensation of ants crawling) on lower limbs is present along with the pain.

When to use Kali Iodatum?

This medicine should be selected to manage hip pain, which gets worse from sitting in cases of piriformis syndrome.

How to use Kali Iodatum?

One may take Kali Iodatum 30C once a day.

Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome

Pain in the hip is the main symptom of piriformis syndrome. Tenderness over the affected side buttock may be present. Along with pain, numbness in the hip may also be present. The pain and numbness may radiate down the thigh, calf muscles, and foot along the course of the sciatic nerve. Another feature that may be present is a tingling sensation in the buttock or down the lower limb along the path of the sciatic nerve. Weakness in the affected lower limb, a reduced range of movement at the hip joint and difficulty in walking are other symptoms. Piriformis syndrome can be one-sided or be present on both sides. In most cases, the pain gets worse from prolonged sitting. Other factors that may worsen the symptoms include prolonged running, walking, cycling, and standing for long hours. Lying down on the back may relieve the symptoms.