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A common problem, neck pain sometimes becomes a niggling issue and may spread to shoulders and arms as well. It can arise from different reasons. One of the common reason behind it is a pinched or a compressed nerve in the cervical spine (cervical spine is made up of 7 cervical vertebra means 7 bones stacked one over the other in the neck, intervertebral discs, muscles, tendons and ligaments). Nerve pinching in cervical spine is also called cervical radiculopathy.
The nerve can get compressed due to various causes. Firstly, nerve pinching can arise from disc bulge or disc herniation. Discs or intervertebral discs are the cushions that lie between two vertebrae (bones stacked one over the other) in the spine. The disc is made up of a tough outer layer known as nucleous fibrosus and a soft gel like center called nucleus pulposus. In case of disc bulge, intact (unruptured) disc bulges out from its place and pinches the nerve in spine.
On the other hand, in case of herniated disc, the soft inner gel like matter protrudes out from a crack in the tough outer layer and compresses the nerve in the spine. Secondly, the nerve may get pinched from bone spurs (extra small bony growths that form on the ends of the bones). Next, it may occur from wear and tear means degeneration of structures in the neck usually as a part of the ageing process.
Other reasons include muscle strain (overstretched, pulled or torn muscle) in the neck or injuries to the neck including whiplash injuries (this happens from a forceful and rapid back and forth movement of the neck that usually occurs in rear end car accidents). Another reason is cervical stenosis means narrowing of the spinal column in the neck. The pain in the neck, shoulder and arm mostly worsens from movement in most of the cases. Depending on the cause some other symptoms may attend, including numbness, pin-needle sensation and tingling sensation in the neck that radiates down the arms up to the hands; weakness that may be felt in the neck, shoulders or arms and dizziness.
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathy offers a highly effective treatment for cases of neck pain extending to the shoulders and arms. Homeopathic medicines target the root cause behind the complaint and boost the body’s natural self-healing mechanism to overcome health issues naturally. These treat complaint of neck pain extending to shoulder and arms with zero side-effects. With use of these medicines, the intensity and frequency of the complaint decreases gradually. Along with pain, any associated symptom like stiffness, numbness, tingling and weakness are also dealt quite effectively with these medicines. Homeopathic prescription varies from case to case depending on the characteristic individual symptoms. So, it is advised to get any case of neck pain evaluated by a homeopathic physician and take homeopathic medicines under the guidance of a homeopathic physician. It is advised to avoid self–medication with any of the homeopathic medicines.
Homeopathic Medicines For Neck Pain Extending To Shoulders And Arms
1. Kalmia – Top Remedy
Kalmia is a top-recommended medicine to help cases of neck pain extending down to the arms. Besides, there is numbness, pricking and tingling sensation in the arms. Weakness in the arms can also be there. Neck is sore and tender to touch. Neck muscles are painful on movement. Pain in the neck is worse in the early part of night. Stiffness in the neck is present along with pain. Mostly stitching type of pain in the neck is there in cases needing this medicine.
2. Rhus Tox – With Neck Stiffness
This medicine is very effective in managing neck pain extending to shoulders and arms along with stiffness. The symptoms get better from movement or exercise of the neck. Stiffness is relieved from massage or warm application on the neck. It is very effective for neck pain and stiffness following muscle strains or neck injury. Rhus Tox is also a top recommended medicine for managing cases of whiplash injury.
3. Paris Quadrifolia – With Numbness In Hands
This medicine is well-indicated when the pain from the neck extends to shoulder, arms and fingers. The pain tends to occur on both sides of the neck. The pain gets worse from exertion, while it gets better by rest. A very characteristic feature that attends it is numbness in the fingers. A sensation of weight is felt in the neck. Stiffness in the neck is also felt on turning the neck. Heat is also felt in the neck region. Weakness may be felt in the arms.
4. Hypericum – After An Injury
This medicine is recommended when there is neck pain after an injury especially after a fall. The neck pain extends down the arm. The neck is markedly sensitive to touch in cases needing it. Slightest movement of the neck or arms worsen the neck pain. A crawling sensation in the hands can accompany the above complaints.
5. Bryonia – For Neck Pain Extending To Arms
This medicine is highly valuable to manage neck pain extending to the arms. Neck is also stiff. The pain in neck is worse from movement of the head towards the shoulders. Pain gets worse from touching the neck. Bending the neck also increases the pain. The complaint is worse mostly on right side of the neck in cases needing Bryonia.
6. Gelsemium – For Neck Pain Extending To Shoulders
Gelsemium works well in cases of neck pain radiating to the shoulders. The cervical vertebrae are sensitive to touch. In cases needing it, the pain may also radiate to the head from neck. There is weakness and stiffness in the neck muscles. There is relief by bending head forward. Dizziness may be felt in cases requiring this medicine.
7. Sanguinaria Canadensis – When Complaint Worsens At Night
This medicine proves effective when pain in the neck, shoulders and arms get worse at night time. The neck is also sore to touch. Neck is stiff as well. Neck pain is worse from movement besides night time. Raising the arm is also very painful. Neck and shoulder pain is better by lying still. In cases requiring this medicine, pain from the neck may also radiate to the head.
8. Nux Vomica – When Pain Is Worse In Morning
Nux Vomica is an important medicine when pain in the neck extends to arms and gets worse in morning. Besides, stiffness is felt in the neck. In some cases, touch worsens neck pain. Heaviness in the neck region may attend the above complaints. Drawing type of pain in the neck predominates where Nux Vomica is required.
9. Cocculus Indicus – With Weakness Of Neck Muscles
This medicine is indicated for neck pain extending to the arms along with weakness. The cervical muscles feel very weak in cases needing this medicine. Stiffness is also felt in the neck muscles. Stiffness is worse from neck movement and also on yawning. Cracking sensation can be felt in the cervical vertebrae (seven bones stacked over one another in the neck). Along with above symptoms, there may occur heaviness in the head in some of the cases.
I am an avid gardener, and during the past two years’ hot dry weather I have injured or torn the tops of both biceps where they attach at the shoulder from carrying endless water pitchers and buckets. I’ve been to an orthopedic shoulder specialist who showed me the X-rays, pointing out that the joints themselves were perfect in the pictures. I have a great deal of pain in the areas when I get up in the mornings and can barely move my arms. Indeed, my arms feel too heavy for my shoulders to bear. This improves as the day progresses. The orthopedic doc gave me some exercises to strengthen the biceps’ other attachment at the armpit area, but I am already a consistent exerciser and these additional exercises only exacerbated my pain. His suggestion was to sever the biceps connection at the rotator cuff, about which he mentioned it was “cosmetically” unappealing for some. I’m not ready for this, as I’ve seen the results in others, but if it would actually alleviate my pain while allowing me to continue my normal activities, I may reconsider.