Are you suffering from pain in the neck, shoulder, or a headache? Are you experiencing muscle spasms? If yes, you might be suffering from cervical spondylitis. And, if you are wondering what cervical spondylitis is, think no further. Read on to learn all about it.
What is Cervical Spondylitis?
A medical condition of the human body wherein degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc or secondary degeneration of intervertebral joint occurs and is commonly identified with symptoms caused by the spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessel damage.
Common Symptoms of Cervical Spondylitis
- Neck Type: The main symptoms are abnormal feelings in head, neck and shoulder pain accompanied by corresponding pressure points. Neck stiffness, pain, and inflexibility of the neck are also identified as common symptoms in this condition.
- Nerve Root Type: Numbness in the patient’s hand or arm, pain, or bating of the grip occur when the disease is severe. Increased pain resulting in sleeplessness is also experienced.
- Spinal Canal Artery Type: Symptoms, such as migraine headaches, dizziness, or chest tightness, followed with chest pain is experienced in this type of cervical spondylitis.
- Sympathetic Nervous Type: Normally, it is characterized by dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, hand numbness, and tachycardia.
Identified Preventive Measures:
- Pay attention to the correct position of the head, shoulder, and back with a conscious effort to keep the spine straight. Try to practice leaning back the head during work hours and rest of the cervical vertebra. Do periodic movement of the neck and shoulder muscle as far as possible.
- Keep the neck and shoulder warm. Avoid holding heavy things with the head or neck. A common mistake we practice is to sleep with a high pillow on the bed.
- Encourage physical activity, such as swimming, as it is seen that while swimming the head is in a backward position and without any burden in the water. Also, there will not be any damage to the intervertebral disc while the body is traversing in the water.
- A few of the other simple body exercises which can ease the pain of cervical spondylitis are as follows:
- Neck stretch
- Neck tilt (Forward)
- Neck tilt (side-to-side)
- Neck turn
These exercises can help to minimize the pain and ease the feeling of stiffness. However, these are all temporary measures and can yield the desired result in the initial stages of the disease. It is always suggested to consult a medical practitioner to have a permanent relief in the disease.
Homeopathic Remedies for Cervical Spondylitis
Homeopathy works wonder in the patients suffering from cervical spondylitis. These remedies provide symptomatic relief in cervical spondylitis. The medicines are selected as per an individual’s symptom presentation and manage various symptoms, such as pain, stiffness in the neck, numbness in the upper limbs, and vertigo, with near to excellent results. These medicines are also found to halt the further progression of any degenerative process in the spine that may happen due to cervical spondylitis. Here are some best homeopathic remedies for cervical spondylitis.
- Rhus tox: Rhus tox is the most commonly prescribed and used medicine for cervical spondylitis. The medicine is prescribed as a common remedy for treating the symptoms, such as pain and stiffness of the body part. When the pain is generally aggravated by first motion, lying posture, cold damp atmosphere and gets relieved by any warm application, Rhus tox is indicated. The other common symptoms are numbness or tingling sensation in the arms that this remedy can address. When the pain gets aggravated in the damp, cold weather conditions, this medicine can work wonders. Also, keeping or maintaining the arm in a stable, resting position induces more pain to the patient, however, the movement does not cause it. If these are the symptoms noticed, the patient is prescribed the medication of Rhus Tox.
- Cimicifuga: Cimicifuga or Actea Reacemosa is a common remedy for the patients complaining of the pain in the neck portion. When these discomforting symptoms originate from work-related issues, such as continuous usage of fingers like those who work on computer keypads for long hours with an odd posture, individuals who play piano boards for long hours, or for those who stitch or knit hours together, Cimicifuga is recommended. Also, when these patients also complain about more pain in the neck portion when the head is bent forward or in the event of bowing associated with more pain and stiffness in the shoulder areas, Cimicifuga may help.
- Ranunculus Bulbous: Ranunculus Bulbous is recommended for the patients complaining of the pain at the neck area and, sometimes, when it spreads downwards towards the chest. When the pain aggravates more during the morning hours with any sort of movement increasing the same, Ranunculus Bulbous may help. When a slight movement of the head and even deep breathing cause severe pain, this homeopathic remedy may provide relief. Also, when the pain is normally associated with the numbness feeling of arms as seen in cimicifuga where the pain is originated due to long hours of typing on the laptop keyboard, I-pad, and playing of musical instruments, Ranunculus Bulbous is indicated.
- Kalmia: Kalmia is identified as one of the most important medicines for cervical spondylitis, ideally when the pain is associated with numbness of the part. When the patient complains of pain originating at the neck portion and spreading downwards to arm and fingers, Kalmia is indicated. The pain comes in a paroxysmal way and not as dull, persisting pain noticed with the recommended dose for Rhus tox. When the patient encounters symptoms, such as vertigo or dizziness while looking or leaning downwards, Kalmia may help have relief.
- Colocynth: The characteristic symptom for a patient to be put under the dosage of colocynth for cervical spondylitis is the pain arising after some emotional disturbances, such as getting angry or being offended which can impact in his/her sentiments or the suppression of anger. When these are stimuli or trigger factors to initiate the neck pain, Colocynth is indicated. Cases have been reported wherein pain in the cervical or neck portion gets relieved by the application of pressure or massage on the affected area.
Now that you know how to preventive measures for cervical spondylitis, follow them. Also, if you happen to suffer from cervical spondylitis, count on homeopathy without a second thought.
- Written by Dr. Ashitha A., Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah
