Cervical Spondylosis And Its Homeopathic Treatment

Neck Pain? It Could Be Cervical Spondylosis

Dr. Vikas Sharma

Neck pain is very common and most of us do experience this at some point in our lives. It can last from few days to weeks and is usually caused by straining or overuse of neck muscles. Such acute strains are usually due to incorrect postures on work with computers or while reading or driving. Acute conditions of neck get over within few days or weeks and usually require little or no medications. Pain that lasts more than few weeks need to be considered seriously, as it can be a sign of chronic neck pain also called as cervical spondylosis.

Cervical spondylosis results from chronic degeneration of the cervical spine (bones of the neck), As one ages, the intervertebral discs( cushions between the neck bones) lose their elasticity and become drier this causes them to become more brittle .Along with the degeneration of disks, bony out growths also form on the vertebrae which are called as osteophytes. These changes collectively lead to the compression of the nerve arising out of the spinal cord. This compression or irritation of the nerve leads to symptoms of pain, stiffness and numbness in the neck, arms and shoulder. The main symptoms in cervical spondylosis are pain in the neck( which may radiate to arm and shoulder) ,loss of sensation or numbness or abnormal sensation in the arms, hands or shoulders, Neck Stiffness , sensation of imbalance while walking, headache in the back part of the head extending from the back of the neck.

Neck injuries are one of the major causes of early cervical spondylosis. Aging is also one of the major contributors to the degeneration of cervical bones and discs. Men are more prone than women to suffer from it.

Homeopathy offers a very effective solution in controlling and treating the mild to moderate cases of cervical spondylosis. The amount of degenerative changes determines the time it would take for the case to respond to the homeopathic medicine. Early stages of cervical spondylosis respond very favorably and may take only few weeks for the patient to become better. Moderate levels of changes can take few weeks to few months to show appreciable results. Severe cases may or may not show any changes at all.

As homeopathy is primarily a ‘symptom dependant system of medicine’; the kind of symptoms depicted by the patient determines the choice of medicine. Pain and stiffness in the neck are very effectively treated with Rhus Tox, Lachnanthes, Guaiacum and Cimicifuga. Numbness and tingling sensation in the arms responds very well to Kalmia and Paris Quadrifolia. Sensations of imbalance or vertigo are well treated with Conium Maculatum. Degenerative changes and osteophytes respond to Acid Phos and Calcarea Flour respectively. Hypericum is often required to ease out the effects of injury to the nerve.

Please remember that prevention of cervical spondylosis lies in preventing repeated stress to the neck muscles. Repeated strain on muscles that support our cervical spine slowly leads to spondylytic changes; thus an ergonomic posture and an active life style is must in maintaining a healthy cervical spine and also in controlling further damage if already spondylytic changes have started.