Spine, sciatica and nerve-related pain
This section contains practical instructions for using Smrekovit products for lower back and neck pain, sciatica, as well as pain, tingling and other problems that may originate from the spine.
A spinal origin should be considered especially when the pain spreads down one arm or leg, moves from place to place, is accompanied by tingling, numbness or an electric sensation, or when the area where you feel the pain has no clear local cause.
With these problems, the most important thing is to determine where the pain originates. If the cause is in the spine, applying the product only to the painful leg, arm or shoulder is generally not enough – Smrekovit should be used mainly on the appropriate part of the spine.
If, however, the problem appeared after a clear impact, fall, sprain or another injury, or if the pain is mainly in the joint itself, choose the appropriate instructions for overuse injuries or joint problems.
Spine, sciatica and nerve-related pain – at a glance
- Consider the spine as the possible source especially if the pain spreads down one arm or leg, moves from place to place, or is accompanied by tingling, numbness or an electric sensation.
- If the problem originates from the spine, apply the product mainly to the spine and not only to the area where you feel the pain. For problems in the legs, focus on the lumbar and sacral region; for problems in the arms, focus on the area between the shoulder blades and the cervical region.
- The first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima + Smrekovit dressing. Place the dressing along the appropriate part of the spine and use it for as long as possible.
- The first noticeable changes are often seen within one to two weeks. During the first 2–3 days, the pain may temporarily become stronger or change in character.
- With sciatica, lower back pain may settle first, while the symptoms in the leg may continue to move downward for some time. Continue using the product on the spine as long as symptoms in the leg are still present.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is an important exception: with a confirmed diagnosis, Smrekovit is used locally on the wrist area.
- If there is marked muscle weakness, new problems with bladder or bowel control, or other rapidly progressing neurological signs, an immediate medical examination is required.
General instructions for pain that may originate from the spine
When should you suspect that the pain originates from the spine?
The place where you feel the pain is not necessarily its source. Based on our many years of practical experience, when there is pain in the muscles of the arms or legs without a clear cause, we often consider the possibility that the problem originates from the spine.
This is especially worth considering if one or more of the following are present:
- pain in only one leg or one arm,
- pain that spreads along the limb,
- pain that moves from place to place,
- tingling or numbness,
- an electric sensation down the arm or leg,
- pain in the buttock,
- occasional lower back pain together with pain in the leg,
- more pronounced pain down the leg when coughing or sneezing.
The more of these signs are present together, the more attention we pay in practical guidance to the possibility that the problem does not originate only from the painful area.
When is it more likely that the problem does not originate from the spine?
A spinal origin is less likely when there is a clear local cause of the problem, for example:
- an impact or fall,
- a sprain,
- a clear sports injury,
- sudden muscle overuse,
- pain that is clearly limited to the joint itself.
In such cases, first follow the instructions for overuse injuries or joint problems.
Which part of the spine is important?
For problems in the legs, practical use focuses mainly on the lumbar and sacral region of the spine. For problems in the arms, the main focus is on the area between the shoulder blades and the cervical spine.
There is no need to identify one individual vertebra. Based on our experience, it is generally better to treat a sufficiently large area of the spine rather than too small an area.
The most common mistake in use
The most common mistake is applying the product only where it hurts. If pain in the leg, arm or shoulder actually originates from the spine, the appropriate area of the spine should always be included when using Smrekovit.
You can additionally apply the product to the painful area of the limb, but this does not replace use on the area where, based on our practical observations, the problem originates.
What do we recommend and where should Smrekovit be applied?
For problems that, based on our practical experience, originate from the spine, the first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing. The key is to use the product mainly on the appropriate part of the spine and not only where you feel the pain.
Problems in the legs: lumbar and sacral region of the spine
If pain, tingling or other sensations occur in the leg, buttock or foot, use Smrekovit mainly on the lower part of the spine.
Based on our practical experience, it is better to treat a sufficiently large area than to look for a single painful point or vertebra. For problems in the legs, we usually apply the product to the area from the beginning of the gluteal cleft upwards, almost to the level of the shoulder blades.
Problems in the arms: between the shoulder blades and the cervical region
If problems occur in the arm, hand, fingers or shoulder and we suspect that they originate from the spine, we focus mainly on the area between the shoulder blades and the cervical spine.
Here too, there is no need to look for an individual vertebra. Apply Smrekovit to a sufficiently wide area around the region from which, based on our practical observations, the problem may originate.
First choice: Smrekovit 365 Prima + Smrekovit dressing
Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing and place it lengthwise along the spine, so that the longer side of the dressing runs parallel to the spine.
As a rule, use the entire Smrekovit dressing measuring 17 × 24 cm. The purpose of the larger surface area is to treat a sufficiently large part of the spine rather than just one point.
How much cream should be applied to the dressing?
For the first application, use a little more Smrekovit 365 Prima – practically enough for the cotton part of the dressing to be well covered with cream. In our internal instructions, we often illustrate the amount with the phrase “like margarine on bread”.
For subsequent use, a thinner additional application is sufficient, as the cotton part of the dressing is already saturated with the product from previous applications.
Which other products can you use?
Smrekovit Klasik can be used on its own or on a Smrekovit dressing. Because of its greasier base, most users find it somewhat less practical for use on the spine, so we generally recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima first.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter. It can be used on its own or on a Smrekovit dressing.
If you do not want to use the dressing or cannot use it, the most important thing is regular repeated application. For this type of use, you can choose Smrekovit 365 Prima or Smrekovit 365 Ekstra, which gives a cooling sensation due to the menthol and camphor.
Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under a Smrekovit dressing.
In short: if you suspect that the problem originates from the spine, first make sure that you are using the product on the correct and sufficiently large area of the spine. Applying it only to the painful leg, arm or shoulder is the most common mistake with this type of use.
Sciatica – pain from the lower back into the leg
For sciatica, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing on the lumbar and sacral region of the spine. You can additionally apply the product to painful areas of the leg, but the main area of use should remain the spine, where based on our practical experience we look for the source of the problem.
How can you recognise typical sciatica?
Sciatica is especially likely when the pain starts in the lower back or buttock and spreads down one leg. It may be accompanied by tingling, numbness, stabbing sensations or an electric sensation.
It is also characteristic that the pain may change depending on body position and, in some users, may become more pronounced when coughing or sneezing.
If the pain appeared after a clear impact, sprain or another injury to the leg and remains locally limited to the injured area, it makes more sense to first check the instructions for overuse injuries.
How to use Smrekovit for sciatica?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the entire Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the dressing lengthwise on the lumbar and sacral region of the spine.
- If possible, keep the dressing in place during the day and overnight.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
- You can additionally apply the product to painful areas of the leg about 2 to 3 times a day.
If you cannot use the dressing during the day, apply it at least overnight and regularly apply the product to the lumbar region during the day.
What if the lower back no longer hurts but the leg still does?
Continue using the product on the spine for as long as pain, tingling or other symptoms in the leg are still present. This also applies if the pain in the lower back itself has already settled.
Based on our practical experience, with sciatica the pain in the spine often settles first, while the symptoms in the leg may continue to move further down towards the calf, foot or toes for some time.
When can you expect the first changes?
During the first few days, the pain in the spine may temporarily become somewhat stronger or change in character. Based on our practical experience, it then generally begins to gradually settle.
It makes sense to assess the first more noticeable changes after about one to two weeks. Symptoms in the leg may then continue to gradually subside over several more weeks.
What if there is no improvement after one to two weeks?
First check whether you have been using Smrekovit mainly on the lumbar and sacral region of the spine and whether the dressing has been kept in place for long enough. The most common mistake is that the user mainly applies the product only to the painful leg.
If the product has been used correctly and consistently enough but the condition is not improving or the symptoms are becoming worse, reassess the cause of the problem and, if necessary, seek a professional examination.
Read more about what sciatica is, its characteristic symptoms and the most common causes in the article Sciatica: pain down the leg – causes and what you can do.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
For confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing directly on the wrist area. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an important exception among nerve-related problems: in this case, Smrekovit is not used primarily on the spine, but locally at the site of the problem.
Carpal tunnel syndrome or a problem originating from the spine?
Tingling, numbness and pain in the hand or arm can occur for various reasons. If you have a confirmed diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, follow the local instructions below for the wrist.
If the diagnosis has not been confirmed and the symptoms spread along the arm, move from place to place, involve the shoulder or upper arm, or are accompanied by neck problems, also consider the possibility that their source is not only in the wrist. In this case, read the general instructions for pain that may originate from the spine.
How to use Smrekovit for carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly on the wrist or carpal tunnel area.
- If possible, keep the dressing in place during the day and overnight.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of cream to the dressing.
- If you cannot use it during the day, apply it at least overnight and apply the cream to the wrist several times during the day.
What is the easiest way to secure the dressing on the wrist?
A very practical solution is a cotton or wool glove with the fingers cut off. The glove keeps the dressing in place on the wrist without requiring a lot of adhesive tape or bandaging.
Which other products can you use?
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter on the dressing.
If you cannot use the dressing and only want to apply the product directly, you can use Smrekovit 365 Prima or Smrekovit 365 Ekstra. Due to the added menthol and camphor, Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under a dressing.
When can you expect the first changes?
For carpal tunnel syndrome, it makes sense to assess the result of correct and sufficiently intensive use after about 14 days.
During the first few days, based on our practical experience, pain or sensitivity may temporarily increase slightly, after which the condition should begin to move towards improvement.
What if there is no change after 14 days?
If there is no concrete improvement at all after about two weeks of correct use, it does not make sense to simply continue unchanged for several more weeks. Reassess the diagnosis and the degree of nerve compression and consult a doctor about further treatment.
Stiff neck or acute neck tension
For an acutely stiff neck, we primarily recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima, applied directly to the painful and tense area several times a day. A Smrekovit dressing is generally not necessary for this problem.
How does an acutely stiff neck usually present?
It involves sudden tightness, pain and limited neck mobility, making it uncomfortable or difficult to turn or tilt the head.
Based on our practical observations, this type of problem often occurs in connection with cold, draughts, sweating and muscle spasm.
How to use Smrekovit?
Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima directly to the painful and tense area of the neck and upper shoulders or back, and repeat the application several times a day.
For this problem, regular direct application is usually more important than prolonged use of a dressing. If you prefer a cooling sensation, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra for direct application.
When can you expect the first changes?
Based on our practical experience, a typical acutely stiff neck may improve very quickly, often within just one day.
However, if the pain does not seem like ordinary muscle tightness, spreads down the arm, is accompanied by tingling or numbness, or the condition does not improve, reassess whether the problem may originate from another part of the spine.
Tingling, pain and an electric sensation in the arm
If pain, tingling, numbness or an electric sensation spreads along one arm and there is no clear local cause, when using Smrekovit in practice we consider the possibility that the problem originates from the spine. In such cases, use Smrekovit mainly in the area between the shoulder blades and on the cervical part of the spine; the painful arm can be treated additionally.
Which signs may indicate that the problem originates from the spine?
We pay particular attention to a possible nerve-related origin when the problem:
- occurs mainly in one arm,
- spreads from the shoulder or upper arm towards the forearm, hand or fingers,
- moves or changes location,
- appears as tingling, numbness or an electric sensation,
- occurs together with pain or tightness in the neck or between the shoulder blades.
With this type of pattern, it does not make sense to use Smrekovit only on the hand, forearm or another area where you currently feel the problem.
How to use Smrekovit?
Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to a Smrekovit dressing and place it lengthwise over the area between the shoulder blades or the cervical part of the spine.
If possible, keep the dressing in place for as long as possible. Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing. If you cannot use it during the day, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the appropriate part of the spine several times during the day.
You can additionally apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to painful or tingling areas of the arm. For direct application, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra.
What if the problem originates from the wrist?
Confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome is an important exception. In this case, the problem is treated locally at the wrist rather than in the same way as problems originating from the spine.
If you have confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome, follow the instructions for carpal tunnel syndrome.
What if the pain is mainly in the shoulder?
If the pain is mainly limited to the shoulder joint, without spreading along the arm, tingling or other characteristics of nerve-related pain, also check the instructions for shoulder joint pain and problems.
If the pain appeared after an injury, sudden movement or greater physical strain and mainly affects a muscle, tendon or other soft tissue, the instructions for overuse injuries are more appropriate.
When can you expect the first changes?
For nerve-related problems, it makes sense to assess the first noticeable changes after about one to two weeks of regular use.
If there is no improvement at all after about two weeks of correct use, reassess primarily the source of the problem and whether you are using Smrekovit on the correct area.
When is a medical examination necessary for spine-related problems?
With back pain, sciatica and other nerve-related problems, pay particular attention to changes in muscle strength and to problems with bladder or bowel control. Such signs may indicate more serious involvement of the nervous system and are not suitable for independently trying different methods of use.
When is an immediate examination necessary?
We recommend an immediate medical examination especially if any of the following occur:
- marked muscle weakness in an arm or leg,
- new problems with bladder or bowel control,
- another pronounced or rapidly progressing neurological sign.
In such cases, Smrekovit should not be a reason to delay medical evaluation.
What if the condition is not urgent but is not improving?
If there is no improvement at all after about one to two weeks of correct and sufficiently regular use, reassess whether you have correctly identified the source of the problem and whether you are using Smrekovit on the appropriate part of the spine.
If the product has been used correctly but the condition is not improving or the problems are getting worse, it makes sense to have a professional or medical examination and reassess the cause of the problems.
Tingling alone is not the same as loss of muscle strength
Tingling, numbness and an electric sensation can be part of the nerve-related problems described in these instructions. An important difference is when these sensations are also accompanied by actual marked muscle weakness or a reduced ability to use the arm or leg. Such changes require greater caution.
About these instructions
These instructions are based primarily on many years of practical experience using Smrekovit products, user feedback and knowledge gained through the development and use of the products.
Where we describe specific methods of use, product selection, the expected course or other practical details, these are based primarily on our practical experience. This is not equivalent to the results of clinical research and does not guarantee that every user will respond in the same way.
Where necessary, we verify and supplement general information about individual problems using professional sources. Where these are important for understanding the content, we cite them on the page.
We regularly supplement and update the instructions based on new experience, user feedback and available professional knowledge.