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Exostosis refers to a new, bony growth on the surface of a bone. It is also known as osteoma and bony spur. It is a benign growth, meaning a non-cancerous growth. The main reasons behind it is irritation of the bone for a prolonged time period and injury to the bone. Homeopathic treatment for exostosis is recommended in cases of benign extra bony growths, but should be strictly followed by conventional treatment in cases of malignant or cancerous growth. 

Having a family history of exostosis also predisposes a person to it. It may also occur without any known cause. Some of the common locations where it can develop are ankle, ear canal, long bone of the legs, paranasal sinuses and jaw. The exostosis can be sessile or pedunculated. In sessile exostosis the bone growth is fixed and broad. In pedunculated type the new bony growth is connected to the existing bone by a narrow stem.

Types 

1. Surfer’s ear (exostosis of external auditory canal)

In this type extra bone growth occurs in the ear canal. It can be on one or both sides. This occurs from irritation of the bone from exposure to cold wind frequently or water. It can lead to hearing loss.

2. Haglund’s deformity (Heel exostosis)

It refers to new bony growth that occurs on the back of the heel bone. This deformity is also known by other names including retrocalcaneal exostosis and Mulholland deformity. Its main symptom is heel pain. Some of the factors that contribute to it are tight achilles tendon that connect the lower part of calf muscle in the back of the leg to the heel bone, high arch in the foot and genetics. Most commonly it occurs in middle aged women. This deformity may also develop from rubbing of the shoe against the heel bone for a long time. That is why it is also called a ‘pump bump’.

3. Buccal exostosis (mouth or jaw exostosis)

It is a rare type in which bony overgrowth occurs on the upper or lower jawbone. It usually results from injury to gums and underlying bones.  Mostly it develops in early adolescence and is mostly painless. 

4. Paranasal sinus osteoma

In this bone growth occurs on the paranasal sinus wall (paranasal sinuses refers to four pairs of air filled spaces inside the skull which surrounds the nose). 

It may have no symptoms, or in some cases it can be painful from pressure put on the nearby nerve. The sufferer may feel pressure or congestion in sinus due to obstruction in sinus drainage by the bony overgrowth. 

5. Osteochondroma 

It is very common in which new  bone growth occurs on the long bones of the leg, shoulder, pelvis. This type is seen during the growth time, when bone develops in childhood or teenage.

People experiencing it may have one leg or arm shorter than the other, their height may be below normal as compared to what is considered normal for their age, and they may have soreness of muscles that are located near the affected bone. During exercise they may experience pain.

6. Subungual exostosis

In this type bony growth occurs underneath the nail bed. It usually occurred in the big toe. This may arise from an infection or injury to nail bed.

7. Hereditary multiple exostosis (also called osteochondromatosis and diaphyseal aclasis)

It is one which is related to heredity and persons with family history of it are at risk. In this there occurs abnormal bone growth on more than one bone. It is a rare condition and the growths in it occurs on arms, fingers, legs or toes.  It is diagnosed in childhood mostly by the age of 5yrs old. In this the shape of bone appears abnormal. Next there may occur pain on movement, bowed legs or arms, stiffness, different length of limbs and less than normal height as per age.

Symptoms 

The symptoms depend on the location and size of bone overgrowth. In many cases no symptoms occur and the bony outgrowth is accidentally found when an X – ray is done for some other reason. But in some cases it may cause pain in the affected bone area. The intensity of pain varies from mild to moderate. Pain usually occurs when the bone growth puts pressure on the nearby nerves or blood vessels. Rest of the symptoms depend on the type of exostosis.

Complications 

In some cases of exostosis complications can occur. In the case of a surfer’s ear the complications that can arise are hearing loss and predisposition to infection. 

In case of Osteochondroma complications can occur from pressure on the blood vessels. This includes cramping in legs (claudication), inflammation of vein, blocked blood supply. Lastly, there is risk (around 1 – 5 %) of benign exostosis in hereditary multiple exostosis to turn cancerous. When it turns cancerous it is known by the name of osteosarcoma.

Homeopathic Treatment for Exostosis 

Homeopathy offers a very natural, effective safe treatment for exostosis cases. The homeopathic medicines help to gradually dissolve the bony overgrowth. Along with this they help to manage associated pain and soreness if present. The best suitable medicine in homeopathy for treating exostosis is decided for every individual case after complete detail analysis. The homeopathic medicines are selected considering the location of bony outgrowth and the attending symptoms. Use of homeopathic medicines is recommended in case of benign extra bony growths but in case the growth is cancerous it is strictly advised to take help from conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has limitations in treating such cases.

1. Calcarea Fluor – Top Grade Medicine

It is a leading medicine in homeopathy for dissolving extra bony growths, bone spurs. It is well indicated for bony overgrowth on the feet, knees and fingers. Next it is indicated for such growths on head, back or ribs. Exostosis that occurs after a bone injury is also indicative of its use.

2. Hecla Lava – For Bony Outgrowth on Jaw, Head and Legs

It is the next important medicine having marked action on the bones. This medicine works well in cases of overgrowth of bone occurring especially on the jaw, head and legs. Cases of bone growth over upper jaw from injury respond well to this medicine. In this case the upper jaw may be painful to touch. In legs mostly growth on the tibia bone calls for using this medicine. Severe continuous pain may be felt in the leg in these cases. Apart from above it gives good results in case of exostosis on the fingers.   

3. Aurum Met – For Exostosis on Skull, Pelvis, Arms, Legs

This medicine is prominent to treat cases in which the bone overgrows mostly on skull bone. Boring type of pain attends it. It worsens from touch.
The bone may outgrow the bones of the pelvis. It may also occur on the arms and the legs where this medicine is required.

4. Phosphorus – When Bone Overgrowth Occurs on Skull, Spine, Lower Limbs

Phosphorus is a beneficial medicine to dissolve bony overgrowths that arise on the skull, spine and lower limb. In case of lower limb the bone growth is seen in femur bone present in thigh and tibia bone in leg. While in skull involvement the extra bone forms on frontal and occipital bones.

5. Merc Sol – For Skull Exostosis Attended with Soreness

It is a very useful medicine for exostosis on skull bone attended with

soreness to touch. Worsening of pain at night in bed may also be present. Sometimes a peculiar sensation of ulceration accompanies it.

6. Fluoric Acid – For Bone Growth in Face, Head

Use of this medicine is considered when the bony outgrowths occur in the head or bones of the face. Exostosis which is painful especially at night is also a characteristic symptom for using it. 

7. Mezereum – For Pain in Head from Bone Overgrowth in Skull 

This medicine is prepared from fresh bark (gathered just before the plant flowers) of the plant Daphne mezereum also known as Spurge Olive. It belongs to the family thymelaeaceae. In cases needing it pain in the head is present from extra bone growth on skull bone. The skull bones are elevated in many places.

8. Rhus Tox – For Exostosis on Sacrum and Bone of Arm

It is helpful for painful exostosis occurring on sacrum (a triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column). It is also a significant medicine for new bone growth occurring in the bones of the arm. Along with this a burning sensation may be felt in the arms.

9. Angustura-  For Exostosis on Lower Jaw

This medicine is prepared from the bark of plant Angustura Vera, also known as Bonplandia trifoliata. The family of this plant is rutaceae. It is highly valuable medicine for cases in which extra bone grows on the lower jaw.

10. Argentum Met – For Exostosis on Skull

This medicine is well indicated for treating cases of exostosis on skull bone.

11. Staphisagria – For Bone Outgrowth in Fingers and Toes

It is prepared from seeds of a plant Delphinium staphisagria having the common name Stavesacre. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is well indicated to help dissolve the extra bone growth occurring in bones of fingers and toes. 

Deltoid pain is the pain felt in the deltoid muscle which is a large, triangle – shaped muscle lying over the uppermost part of the arm at the top of the shoulder. It is composed of three regions named the front (anterior), middle, and back. This muscle is attached through tendons to the collarbone (clavicle), shoulder blade (scapulae) and the upper arm. This muscle is responsible to lift the arm and rotate the arm. Homeopathic treatment for deltoid pain is recommended in cases of mild to moderate intensity.

Causes

The main reason for it is straining this muscle, injury to muscle or its over use without taking proper rest. Straining can occur from lifting heavy weights, playing certain sports, doing intense exercise that involves the shoulder, swimming, excessive typing on the computer without taking frequent breaks. The injury can occur from repetitive use of the deltoid muscle and the shoulder mostly in the athletes, and from an accident like a fall on the shoulder. 

Symptoms 

A person may feel deltoid pain on the front, side or back of the shoulder. The pain may radiate from the tip of the shoulder to the upper arm on lifting the arm. The intensity of the pain can be mild to severe in intensity. Next tightness may be felt in the muscle region. Along with pain the mobility of the shoulder and the arm may be hindered or restricted. There is difficulty in lifting the objects. Swelling over the deltoid muscle can also be there. The deltoid muscle may be sore and tender to touch in some of the cases. Sometimes weakness of the shoulder may be felt in addition to the above symptoms.

Deltoid Strain – Grades 

The deltoid strain is divided into three grades depending on the intensity of the symptoms:

Grade 1 – In this there occurs tightness in the muscle and slight swelling is present. Along with this pain may be felt on using the arm. The movement of the shoulder is not restricted and a person can use the arm normally.

Grade 2 – In this grade there occur partial tears in the deltoid muscle and pain and swelling are increased in intensity. The movement of the shoulder gets restricted. Using or lifting the arm leads to pain in this grade.

Grade 3 – it occurs in serious injuries where complete tear of the deltoid muscle is present. In this the pain and swelling are of severe intensity. The shoulder movements may be intensely restricted or not possible at all.   

Homeopathic Treatment for Deltoid Pain 

Homeopathic medicines are very beneficial to relieve the deltoid pain. These medicines gradually relieve the pain and its attending symptoms. These medicines are prepared from naturally occurring substances, so are very safe to use without any side effects. Use of these medicines is recommended in cases of mild to moderate deltoid pain. These help in healing the muscle strain of mild to moderate degree. But in case of serious deltoid injury or severe muscle tear it is recommended to take urgent help from conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has limitations to treat such severe cases.

1. Rhus Tox – Top Grade Medicine

It is one of the best medicines for managing cases of deltoid pain. It is well indicated when the complaint arises from muscle strain, repetitive activity that puts pressure on the muscle and from over lifting. In cases requiring it the pain in the shoulder occurs which is accompanied with stiffness as if from a sprain. Next pressure on the shoulders is felt as from a heavy weight. The pain can be tearing, burning or stitching type. This worsens while lying and when at rest. Moving about helps to give relief in the pain. This medicine also is useful for cases in which the shoulder pain gets worse in cold weather. 

2. Sanguinaria Can – For Right Sided Pain

This medicine is prepared from plant Sanguinaria canadensis commonly known as Blood root. It belongs to the family papaveraceae. It is a very effective medicine for pain in the deltoid muscle of the right side. Persons needing it have pain in the right shoulder and upper part of the right arm. This pain gets worse from lifting things. They are unable to raise their arms. Worsening of the pain is also there at the night time and when turning in the bed. The pain wakes them from sleep. The pain may be specifically cutting type in some of the cases. The deltoid area is very sensitive and tender to pressure. The right deltoid is also stiff in addition to above. This is worse when raising or turning the arm. 

3. Ferrum Met – For Left Sided Pain

Ferrum Met works well in cases of left sided deltoid pain. People who need it experience increased pain during night time. Motion helps to relieve the pain. Along with pain they have restricted arm movement and the problem in raising the arm is present. Putting the hand behind their back is also impossible for them. Mostly they have tearing or shooting type of pain. The pain may radiate from the shoulder to the upper arm. The deltoid muscle is also sore with above symptoms. 

4. Ledum Pal – When Pain Worsens on Lifting Arm

This medicine is prepared from plant Ledum Palustre commonly known as wild rosemary and marsh cistus. This plant belongs to family ericaceae. It is beneficial when the shoulder pain gets worse on lifting arms. The pain can be stitching, lancinating or throbbing type. Next with pain pressure is felt in the shoulder. This is worse from motion.

5. Phytolacca – For Pain Worsening at Night

It is prepared from plant Phytolacca decandra commonly known as Poke root and also Red Ink Plant. It belongs to family phytolaccaceae. It is useful when the shoulder pain gets worse at night time. The pain can dull aching or shooting in nature for using it. Stiffness can attend it. Difficulty in raising the arm is also present.

6. Bryonia – For Pain in the Right Shoulder 

It is prepared from the root of a plant Bryonia alba commonly known by the name of wild hops or white bryony. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is a very helpful medicine for right sided shoulder pain, similar to the remedy Sanguinaria. It is indicated when there is painful tension feeling in the right shoulder.  A sensation of pressure on the top of the right shoulder is also felt with this. This worsens on touch.  In a few cases needing it there occurs tearing pain in the shoulder and upper arm with tension and swelling. Sometimes the pain is drawing type in the upper arm.

7. Zincum Met – For Tearing Pain in Shoulder and Upper Arm

This medicine is well indicated for cases in which there is tearing pain in the shoulder and the upper arm. The pain worsens on raising the arm. Along with this heaviness and pressure is felt in the shoulders. The shoulder also feels tensed. Other than this it is indicated for drawing from top of the shoulder going down the arm. Next in cases having stitching pain in the shoulder this medicine proves useful. 

8. Rhododendron – When Pain Worsens from Motion

It is prepared from fresh leaves of plant Rhododendron chrysanthum. Having the common name yellow Snow rose. It belongs to family ericaceae. It is useful when the pain in the deltoid muscle gets worse from motion. The pain is mostly left sided for using it. The type of pain is usually boring or tearing in nature.

9. Silicea – When Pain is Better by Warm Covering

This medicine is specifically indicated when the shoulder pain gets better from warm covering. It is mostly worse at night where it is required. Use of this medicine is also considered when there is sharp pain in the right sided shoulder.

10. Chelidonium – For Pain in Right Shoulder on Movement

It is a natural medicine prepared from fresh plant Chelidonium Majus. Commonly known as Greater Celandine. It belongs to the family papaveraceae. This medicine is used for right sided shoulder pain that worsens on movement of the arm. The pain is tearing in nature. Sometimes this medicine is also used for left shoulder pain with a feeling of being sprained. This is often accompanied with a cold feeling in the upper arm.

11. Agaricus – For Pain that Worsens on Moving Joint Backward

Agaricus is a beneficial medicine for cases in which the pain in the  deltoid gets worse from moving the shoulder joint backward. It is mostly present on the right side. With this a sprained feeling in the deltoid may be felt. Lastly a sensation of splinters in the deltoid muscle can be there when lifting the arm.

12. Asarum Europoeum – For Contractive, Tensive Pain

It is prepared from plant commonly known as Asarabacca and Hazelwort. It belongs to family aristolochiaceae. This medicine works well when there is contractive tensive type of pain in the deltoid muscle. Apart from this stitching pain in the shoulders is also indicative of its use. 

Altitude sickness refers to a group of symptoms that can arise in a person from going at higher altitudes too quickly. It happens due to low levels of oxygen at high altitudes. It is also known by the name of mountain sickness.  This condition usually occurs at altitudes of 8,000 feet (ft) or higher. People who live at high altitudes are adapted to low oxygen saturation, but persons who travel to higher altitudes than their body is used to can develop altitude sickness. Climbing, hiking, driving at higher altitudes too rapidly or climbing at too high altitudes poses a risk of it because the body doesn’t get enough time then to adjust to the decreased oxygen levels. Homeopathy for altitude sickness can help manage symptoms, with homeopathic remedy Coca being the first-aid medicine, popularly known as ‘the mountaineer’s remedy.’ 

Anyone can get it who hurry into ascending at high altitudes, without giving their body enough time to adjust to the changes in air pressure. The chances of it are increased if the climb is difficult and takes excessive energy compared to an easy climb needing less energy. Risk is increased in persons having a history of this complaint. The risk is lowered if a person ascends at high altitudes in a gradual manner. Mountain sickness can be acute or chronic. In acute type  symptoms are felt shortly after ascending quickly at high altitude. While in chronic type the symptoms develop after a person remains at higher altitude of more than 8200 feet for an extended time. The chronic mountain sickness is also known as Monge’s disease. 

Symptoms 

The symptoms of this condition occur between 6 to 24 hours after reaching higher altitudes. The intensity of symptoms depends on various factors that include age of the person, weight of the person, general physical fitness levels, the speed at which a person climbed the higher altitude and how much time is spent by a person at  the high altitude. A person is said to have altitude sickness if he gets a headache and at least one other attending symptoms of altitude sickness at a height of 8000 ft. Other than headache the symptoms of this condition when in mild condition includes  dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (tiredness, weakness), sleeplessness (insomnia), loss of appetite, general malaise, feeling sleepy, increased heart rate and shortness of breath on doing exertion. The symptoms  tend to get better in a day or two as the body adjusts itself to altitude change. But in severe cases serious symptoms may develop. These serious symptoms are severe headache, shortness of breath  even at rest, chest tightness, skin discolouration, cough, coughing of blood, loss of coordination, unsteady gait means problem in walking, confusion and decreased consciousness.

Classification of Altitude Sickness

It is classified into three types:

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) :

It is the  most common and the mildest form of altitude sickness. Its symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea and muscle aches.

High – Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE):

This form occurs if AMS is not treated well in time and it persists. In this type fluid fills the brain leading to its swelling and hindering its normal functioning. This fluid leaks from blood vessels into the brain that occurs from low oxygen levels resulting in brain swelling. This type needs immediate treatment because it can cause death if not urgently treated. Its symptoms include intense drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, fever, trouble walking and hallucinations (a symptom in which a person sees or hears things not present actually in reality

High – Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

In this type excessive fluid builds up in the lungs and hinders its normal function. This type is also life threatening and if not treated immediately can cause death. The symptoms of this type are difficulty breathing even at rest, blueness of skin or lips (cyanosis), persistent intense cough, chest tightness / congestion, rattling or gurgling noises in lungs when breathing, confusion and  weakness.

Homeopathy for Altitude Sickness

There are some medicines in homeopathy that are beneficial for cases of altitude sickness. These can be considered in these cases of mild intensity. In cases where any of the symptoms are very severe /serious and are indicating HACE and HAPE it Is advisable to take immediate help from conventional treatment. Homeopathic medicines can help mild cases with symptoms including headache, exhaustion, dizziness, sleeplessness, palpitations, anxiety and mild difficult breathing. The first aid homeopathic medicine best fit for managing these symptoms is Coca also popularly known as “The mountaineer’s remedy’’. 

1. Coca

This medicine is prepared from leaves of the plant Coca Erythroxylon that belongs to family linee. It is top listed medicine for cases of altitude sickness. It is the best homeopathic medicine for managing cases of mild to moderate intensity. The key features to use this medicine in these cases are headache, dizziness, sleeplessness, palpitations, anxiety, exhaustion and difficulty breathing. This medicine is helpful when any of these symptoms arise from ascending high altitudes. Its use is also recommended as a preventive for altitude sickness in persons having a history of this condition any time in the past.

2. Calcarea Carb 

Calcarea Carb is another well indicated homeopathic medicine for cases of altitude sickness. It is mainly indicated for vertigo (a symptom in which a person feels as if he is moving or the surrounding objects are moving but actually they are not) when climbing high altitudes or going up a hill. For using it the vertigo can be felt on suddenly turning the head. The vertigo is attended with a sensation of falling. Along with vertigo, headache nausea and vomiting can be present too.   

3. Carbo Veg 

Carbo Veg is the next valuable medicine for altitude sickness. One of the main actions of this medicine is centred around the complaints arising from lack of proper oxygenation of blood. In cases of mountain sickness it is beneficial for complaints of mild difficult breathing. This can be used only in mild cases and not severe ones. Persons needing it have quick, short breathing. This is attended with desire to take a deep breath. Breathing difficulty worsens from walking. They may desire to be fanned to get more air. Palpitation can be felt with the above symptoms. Another attending symptom that they may have is weakness and exhaustion.

4. Gelsemium

It is a natural medicine prepared from the bark of the root of plant Gelsemium Sempervirens commonly known as yellow jasmine. This plant belongs to family loganiaceae. This medicine can help in managing the complaint of dizziness. Persons needing it feel Lightheadedness or vertigo. It worsens from sudden movement of head and also from walking. The head may feel heavy with it. Next it works well to manage excessive drowsiness or feeling sleepy. Lastly, it is an effective medicine for managing fatigue, tiredness, weakness. 

5. Belladonna 

This medicine is prepared from plant deadly nightshade. It belongs to family solanaceae. It is a beneficial medicine to manage headaches. Persons who require it feel throbbing, pulsating pain in the head usually in the temples (sides) of the head. Congestion, fullness, heat in the head accompanies it. They may feel better in pain from applying pressure on the head.

6. Conium

This medicine is well indicated to manage dizziness and vertigo with whirling sensation in the head. In cases needing it the vertigo is felt when turning the head or when rising from a seat or walking. Along with this a pressure sensation is also felt in the head.

7. Arnica

It is prepared from a plant named Arnica Montana having the common name Leopard’s – bane or fallkraut. It belongs to the family composite. It is a very beneficial medicine for managing muscle aches. The main characteristic symptom for using it is sore bruised pains in the body. It feels as if the body is beaten. It helps to relieve the muscle pain and soreness very effectively.

The term formication is derived from Latin word ‘formica’ meaning ant. Formication is a sensation of having insects crawling/biting on or under the skin. It doesn’t mean that insects are really present which are causing the sensation. It is actually a specific form of tactile hallucination, meaning a false perception of touch in the absence of any external stimulus or physical cause for it. These help in reducing the intensity and frequency of this sensation gradually. Homeopathic medicines for formication help in reducing the intensity and frequency of this sensation gradually.

In some cases the sufferer has a fixed delusion of parasitosis. In this case he has a firm and persistent belief that he is infested with parasites, insects or bugs when no such infestation is present. He may even say that he has seen worms or bugs crawling on or under the skin. This delusion is most common in case of formication of drug induced origin and occurring in middle aged or elderly women.  

Formication is characterised under type of paraesthesia which means abnormal sensation on the skin with no apparent physical  trigger behind it. Paraesthesia also includes some other sensations including tingling, prickling, burning, numbness, coldness or pin needle like sensation. These sensations can affect any of the body parts but most commonly occurs in hands, feet, arms and legs. The reasons behind paraesthesia include pressure on a nerve, poor blood circulation, nerve damage.

Symptoms

Person affected may feel itching on the skin. This may lead to scratching and picking on the skin area where crawling is present. Scratching may sometimes be very severe to cause bleeding and excoriations of the skin. Scratching or picking also can damage the skin and cause cuts on the skin. It can get infected and lead to open wounds and skin ulcers. Depending upon the cause formication may occur with other symptoms. These include fatigue, body aches, stiffness in the body, tremors of the hands, difficulty concentrating, depressed feeling, or feeling agitated.

Causes

Formication can be a symptom of various medical conditions. First, it can be a symptom of anxiety. Next, it may occur in case of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage that occurs in case of diabetes). Other conditions that may have a symptom of formication are fibromyalgia (disorder in which widespread pain in the body occurs which is attended with sleep problems, tiredness and issues with mood and memory) and parkinson’s disease (Degenerative neurological disorder that begins with tremors, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement and stooped posture). It can also occur in shingles also known as herpes zoster (A viral infection caused by varicella zoster virus. In this a painful, blistering skin rash occurs that affects one side of the body). Next medical condition that can lead to it is Lyme disease (an infectious disease caused by a bacteria of the type borrelia transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected black – legged / deer tick).

Apart from above it can appear in cases of skin cancer. Females who are around perimenopause age can also experience it.  It may also arise from use of some medicines (used for treating depression) or recreational drug use (eg. Cocaine and crystal meth). Other causes are pesticide exposure, mercury poisoning, hypocalcaemia, diseases of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Lastly it may arise from withdrawal of using alcohol or stopping use of certain drugs.

Complications 

It can lead to poor sleep quality, tiredness, concentration difficulty, frustration, anxiety, depression. The complications that can arise from constant scratching of skin includes skin infection, skin ulcers, gangrene, fever and sepsis in severe cases.

Homeopathic Remedies for Formication 

People with complaints of formication may find homeopathy to be very useful for managing the symptoms. The medicines used in homeopathy for managing it are prepared from naturally occurring substances. Hence they are very safe and gentle to use with zero side effects. There is no specific medicine in homeopathy for managing it and the best suitable homeopathic medicine for any case of formication is selected as per the individual symptoms of the sufferer. It is advised to get a homeopathic medicine prescribed by a homeopathic doctor for a case of formication after a detailed case analysis. In case of severe complicated cases it is advised to get help from conventional mode of treatment.

1. Zincum Met – When it is Better by Rubbing

This medicine is beneficial for cases persons who have general formication which is better by rubbing. They feel as if they are covered with ants. Other than this it is useful for crawling sensation in both the calf muscles extending to toes. Formication in the feet along with coldness especially at night is also a guiding symptom to use it. Lastly, it is used when there is a sensation of bugs crawling from feet up to knees or even thighs disturbing the sleep.

2. Agaricus – For Formication Along the Spine

This medicine is best indicated for sensation of ants creeping along the spine. Along with this there may be a burning sensation in the back. It is also a prominent medicine for formication in the feet along with heaviness or weakness. Persons having crawling sensation in upper and lower limbs can also be benefited with it.

3. Aconite – When it Shifts from One Place to Another

It is a natural medicine prepared from plant Aconitum Napellus commonly known as monkshood. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is well indicated medicine to manage formication in various body parts when it shifts from one part to another. For using it the crawling sensation may be present in upper and lower limbs. Next there may be crawling in the spine as from beetles. Thirdly formication is felt on the scalp specifically relieved by heat. Creeping in the fingers while writing is another characteristic symptom.

4. Cocainum Hydrochloricum – For Sensation of Foreign Body or Worms under Skin

It is the next prominent medicine used where a person has sensation of foreign bodies or worms under the skin. He may also have a sensation of bugs on his body or clothes. There may be a specific symptom of formication in the hands and forearms attended with numbness. Apart from these it is also indicated for cases of parkinson’s disease and delirium tremens. 

5. Ranunculus Bulbosus – When it Affects Scalp or Fingers

It is prepared from plant Ranunculus Bulbosus having the common name buttercup. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is a valuable medicine for crawling, creeping sensation in the scalp. Burning sensation in the scalp may also be there with this. Another symptom where it is helpful is crawling sensation in the skin of fingers.

6. Hypericum – For Crawling in Hands and Feet

It is a natural medicine prepared from fresh plant Hypericum perforatum having the common name St. John’s Wort. It belongs to the family hypericaceae. This medicine is suitable for managing crawling sensation in the hands and feet. Sometimes needle-like sticking is also felt with this. In some cases numbness is experienced along with crawling sensation. Lastly pain in the fingers and toes may accompany the above symptoms. 

7. Picric Acid – When it Affects Head, Legs or Ears

It is another effective medicine for these cases. It is most helpful for persons having a crawling sensation on the head. They feel as if there are ants all over the head surface. It is also beneficial for persons who have crawling in the legs. Numbness may attend it. Next symptom that can accompany this is a pricking sensation as if from needles. Trembling is yet another symptom that can be present with this. Lastly people having a sensation of worms crawling in their ears can be benefited with it. 

8. Causticum – For Crawling Sensation in Soles of Feet

This medicine is suited for cases having crawling sensation in the soles of the feet. There feels as if something alive is present in the soles where it is required. Next characteristic symptom for using it is the crawling sensation in the ball of the great toe. This burning is also felt in the big toe. Sometimes it can be attended with pressive or stitching pain in it.

9. Cistus – For Sensation of Ant Crawling all over the Body

This natural medicine is prepared from plant Cistus Canadensis also named as  Helianthemum canadense. It is commonly known by various names like Rock rose, Ice plant and Frost weed. It belongs to the family cistacae. It is an effective medicine when there is a sensation of ants running through the whole body. For using it this sensation is most marked in the evening or at night time. This sensation may be accompanied with itching. It is also well indicated medicine when an ant crawling sensation is attended with anxiety.

10. Secale Cor – For Formication in Spine, Limbs, Finger Tips, Tongue

This is a good medicine for managing formication in the spine. This may be accompanied with coldness in the back. Secondly, it is indicated to manage formication in the limbs. Prickling, tingling or numbness may be felt with this. Third characteristic for using it is a crawling sensation in tips of fingers as if something alive is creeping under skin. The fingertips may be sensitive to cold with this. Another guiding symptom to use is painful tingling or sensation of crawling of ants on the tongue. Apart from all above this is indicated for managing crawling tingling sensation as from ants which is relieved from rubbing.

11. Sulphur – For Crawling Sensation in Hands and Feet

Sulphur is a valuable medicine for managing crawling sensation in the hands and feet. People requiring it may also have crawling on the tip of their fingers. Prickling sensation may also be felt in fingertips. This tends to get worse on hanging arms down. In case of feet initially heated burning sensation is felt. This is followed by itching and crawling in them.  Sometimes crawling occurs specifically in the heel of the right side. This is marked in the evening in bed.

Hemifacial Spasm is a nervous system disorder characterized by involuntary twitching (sudden, brief, uncontrollable, jerky movement) of muscles on one side of the face. It results from irritation of the facial nerve that causes involuntary muscle contraction. Another name for these spasms is ‘tic convulsif’. Initially there occurs twitching of the eyelid, mouth or cheek muscles and with time they spread to other areas of the face and in some cases the entire face. These spasms are said to be typical when the spasm starts in the eyelid and afterwards spreads to the lower part of the face. In case of atypical form, the spasm begins in the cheek bone area and then spreads to the eyelids.

Homeopathic medicines are very effective in managing cases of hemifacial spasm. These medicines help relax facial muscles for excellent recovery. The intensity and frequency of the complaint reduces gradually. In conventional mode, botox injections, anticonvulsant medicines and surgical intervention is advised in cases of hemifacial spasm that can have side effects. Homeopathy is a great alternative mode to treat hemifacial spasm in a very natural way without any side effects.

Homeopathic medicines act as muscle relaxants

Homeopathic remedies for hemifacial spasm help in relaxing the facial muscles and provide relief. These cases respond exceedingly well to natural homeopathic treatment.  With regular use of homeopathic medicines for recommended time period as guided by a homeopath, excellent results occur in such cases. Homeopathic medicines can offer great cures in mild to moderate cases. While in severe cases, these only play a role in managing the severity of the problem. Homeopathy offers helps for recent as well as long-term cases of hemifacial spasm.

Individualised medication brings best results

According to homeopathic law of individualization, the homeopathic medicines are always selected individually for every case of hemifacial spasm as per the characteristic symptoms rather than giving the same medicine for every case on the basis of diagnosis of complaint. The best suitable homeopathic medicine is decided after detailed case analysis in every individual case. This brings wonderful recoveries as it suits a case requirement particularly.

Natural medicines with zero side effects

Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural sources. So, they are free from any side effects. These medicines work in a very natural way. By stimulating the self-healing mechanism of the body, these help the body overcome health issue on its own in natural manner.

Top 7 Homeopathic Remedies for Hemifacial Spasm

The top recommended homeopathic medicines to manage hemifacial spasm are Zincum Met, Agaricus, Cuprum Met, Causticum, Bryonia, Opium and Ignatia.

1. Zincum Met – Top Grade Medicine

Zincum Met leads the chart of homeopathic medicines to deal with numerous nervous system disorders including hemifacial spasm. It is beneficial when there is twitching of the lower eyelid especially of the left side. It is also helpful for managing jerking in the left eyebrow. Twitching in the upper lip on the left side is another symptom calling for its use. Next, it works well when there are spasms and twitching of muscles of the face attended with nausea and at times vomiting. Jerk-like stitches can also be felt in the face.

When to use Zincum Met?

Zincum Met is one of the best medicines to manage hemifacial spasm with twitching of the lower eyelid and upper lip, especially on the left side.

How to use Zincum Met?

This medicine is mainly used in 30C potency. The dose varies from once a day to just once / twice a week depending on severity of complaint.

2. Agaricus – Effective Medicine for Twitching of Eyelids and Cheek Muscles

Agaricus is another good remedy for managing these cases. Firstly it is indicated when there is twitching in the eyelids. Eyelids jerk and twitch. It is frequent. Along with spasm, watering may occur from the eyes. Secondly, it is indicated for facial muscles twitching. Here twitching of the right cheek is indicative for using it.

When to use Agaricus?

Agaricus offers great help for managing twitching of eyelids and cheek muscles in cases of hemifacial spasm.

How to use Agaricus?

It is mostly recommended in 30C potency once or twice a day as per the severity of the problem. Its higher potencies like 200C, 1M are also available but they should not be used without a doctor’s prescription.

 3. Cuprum Met – For Spasm in Eyelids and Muscles near Lower Jaw

It is the next important medicine for managing spasms in various body parts. It is helpful for frequent twitching of eyelids specifically on the left side. Next, it is useful for spasm in lower jaw muscles.

When to use Cuprum Met?

Its use is highly suggested to manage hemifacial spasm with twitching of eyelids (left sided) and that of muscles of lower jaw.

How to use Cuprum Met?

This medicine can be used once a day in 30C potency.

4. Causticum – For Facial Muscle Twitching on Left Side

Causticum also has a marked action on the muscles. It offers help to manage twitching of muscles of the face especially on the left side. Burning sensation may also be felt on the face. Numbness in face at times appear.

When to use Causticum?

This medicine proves effective for cases of muscle twitching on left side of the face in cases of hemifacial spasms.

How to use Causticum?

It is advised to take Causticum 30C once a day.

5. Bryonia – For Twitching of Face on Right Side

Bryonia is a highly beneficial medicine to manage hemifacial spasm of right side.

In cases needing it, twitching is felt in the right-sided cheek. The twitching may extend to the right side of the head. A pressure feeling and pain in the cheek can be present too. Heated sensation or bloating may appear on the face.

When to use Bryonia?

This medicine should be considered to manage right-sided hemifacial spasm especially with twitching of the right cheek.

How to use Bryonia?

It can be used in either low and high potency among which the most preferred is 30C potency twice or thrice a day, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

6. Opium – For Facial Twitching at Corners of Mouth

Its use is highly recommended for managing twitching at the corners of the mouth that may appear distorted. It may also be recommended in case of twitching of other facial muscles. There occurs spasmodic motion of facial muscles with trembling in such cases.

When to use Opium?

Opium should be selected to treat twitching occurring at the corners of the mouth due to hemifacial spasm.

How to use Opium?

One may use this medicine once a day in 30C potency.

7. Ignatia – For Twitching of Eyelids, Lips

This medicine is prominent to manage twitching of the eyelids and lips. Besides, it also helps when there is twitching at the corners of the mouth. Last indication for using it is spasm in the cheek.

When to use Ignatia?

Its use should be preferred to deal with twitching appearing in eyelids and lips in cases of hemifacial spasm.

How to use Ignatia?

Ignatia 30C can be taken once or twice a day as per case intensity.

Causes

The facial muscles are under the control of the facial nerve. This nerve carries signals from the brain to facial muscles to cause its contraction or relaxation. But if something causes irritation of this nerve or puts pressure on this nerve, then it can affect the nerve signals that are being carried to the face. Then it can lead to twitching or contraction of muscles at other times when they are not supposed to contract. Mostly, it arises when a blood vessel touches a facial nerve. Other than this, it may also happen from a tumour putting pressure on this nerve. Also, injury or damage to the facial nerve may also be a cause. In many cases, there is no specific cause. In very rare cases, it may be an initial symptom of multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disorder in which the immune cells attack and damages the myelin sheath that covers the nerve fibers). Both males and females can be affected with hemifacial spasm. But mostly women above the age of 40 years are affected with it.

Symptoms 

The main symptom is involuntarily twitching of muscles on one side of the face. It generally starts in the eyelid known as blepharospasm. The intensity varies;   initially there are mild twitches, and with time can become more severe. In severe cases, they may cause complete closing of the eye due to spasm. Anxiety and tiredness tend to worsen the twitching. The twitches tend to come and go but later they persist. Afterwards the twitching involves other areas of the face of the same side. These include cheeks, eyebrow, parts around the mouth, lips, jaw, chin and upper part of the neck. The spasm may pull the mouth to one side. Sometimes these twitches involve all the muscles on the entire one side of the face. The spasms may also occur during sleep. The left side of the face is usually more affected as compared to the right side. Some symptoms that can accompany are pain in ear usually behind the ears, ringing noises in the ear and difficulty in hearing.

Menstrual migraine is a term to describe migraine experienced by a woman every month any time between two days before beginning of the menses to 3 days after its onset. Migraine refers to a throbbing or pulsating headache that occurs mostly on one side of the head. It is usually attended with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Menstrual migraine is diagnosed when a woman gets such a headache for at least 2 out of 3 consecutive menstrual periods. Homeopathic Remedies for menstrual migraine gradually reduce the frequency and intensity of the headache in chronic cases.

Causes 

Menstrual migraine occurs from hormonal changes. Drop in the female hormone estrogen that occurs just prior to a menstrual period triggers these headaches.

It doesn’t occur from low levels of oestrogen in a female but from drop in levels of oestrogen from one level to another. In some women taking birth control pills can trigger these migraine attacks. This is because during 3 weeks time from a given month women take pills that supply the body with hormones regularly. But when it’s time to take no pills during pill free / menses week the estrogen level drops right away at high speed leading to headache.

Next around a woman’s perimenopausal time there occur a series of drastic changes that can trigger this migraine. 

Though these headaches decrease in frequency during menopause but women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause may also get frequent headaches. During pregnancy these headache may get better.

Symptoms 

Its main symptom is one sided headache. It is usually felt as a throbbing type of pain. To this nausea and vomiting may accompany. Other than this sensitivity to light and sound may be experienced during headache. In some cases a set of symptoms called aura occurs before headache.

Symptoms of aura might include tingling or pins / needles like sensation in the face, arm or leg; bright spots, flashes of light or different shapes before the eyes, temporary vision loss ; Weakness / numbness in the face or one side of the body.

1. Pure menstrual migraines –  these are experienced only around the periods and at no other times. 
2. Menstruation-related migraines – these are the ones that occur around periods but also occur at other times too.

Homeopathic Remedies for Menstrual Migraine 

Homeopathic medicines are very effective to treat cases of menstrual migraine. They offer great help in managing the acute attacks to provide relief and are also beneficial to reduce its future recurrences in long term cases. The homeopathic medicines to treat it are of natural origin so they treat the condition in a very safe, gentle and natural way without any sort of side effects.

1. Natrum Mur – Top Grade Medicine

It is a prominent medicine for treating headache before and during menses.  The headache feels as if thousands of hammers are knocking on the brain. With this there is nausea and vomiting. The face gets red. The eyes also feel heavy. Visual disturbance may be felt sometimes with headache. The pain worsens from motion and also from eye movement where it is needed. It feels better after sleep and pressing on the eyes. 

2. Pulsatilla – For Headache Attended with Vomiting

It is a natural medicine prepared from a plant Pulsatilla Nigricans commonly known as wind flower. This plant belongs to family ranunculaceae. It works well in cases in which headache is accompanied with vomiting. Mostly it is helpful when a headache occurs two or three days before the menses. There is also dimness of vision. Headache is one sided and is pulsating type for using it. Watering from eyes on the side affected may sometimes be present. Menstrual flow may be scanty. There may be some relief in the headache by walking in the open air. It is also a great medicine when headache is felt at the appearance of the menses. Here pain is mostly felt at top of head and the pain is mostly pressing or throbbing in nature.

3. Sepia – For Headache during Menstruation

This is another useful medicine for treating headache at menstrual time. In cases needing it the pain is stinging type in one side of the head. It is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain worsens in a room and feels better in the open air. It is also better by lying on the painful side of the head. The menses may be scanty and last for too short a duration in cases requiring it.

4. Belladonna – For Throbbing Type of Headache

This medicine is prepared from a plant deadly nightshade. It belongs to family solanaceae. It is a very beneficial medicine for managing a throbbing type of headache. With this there feels fullness sensation and heat in the head. Mostly the headache gets worse from light exposure and noise where it is indicated. It may also worsen from cold air exposure. Pressure on the head may relieve the pain.

5. Glonoine – For Congestive, Throbbing, Bursting Headache

Glonoine is a very effective medicine for congestive throbbing and bursting headaches. Females needing it can feel the pain before, during or at the end of their periods. The eyes and face may be red with the pain. Sometimes pain is tearing in nature. Nausea occurs with pain. They may get relief in pain from sleep. 

6. Lachesis – For Headache before and during Menses

Use of this medicine is considered when headache occurs before and during menses. When it occurs before menses it is felt as throbbing pain in the left temple. When it occurs during periods it is felt as beating in the head. Along with this burning sensation on the top of head is experienced. Dimness of vision or flickerings before the eyes is felt with headache. 

7. Sanguinaria can – For Right Sided Headache

It is a natural medicine prepared from fresh roots of plant  Sanguinaria canadensis having the common name Blood – root and Puccoon. It belongs to the family papaveraceae. It is a significant medicine when pain in the head occurs specifically on the right side. The headache begins from the back of the head and radiates to the front of the head and settles over the right eye. There occurs a sensation as if the head would burst or the eyes would be forced out of the head. The face gets red and hot during a headache. The menstrual blood is bright red with clots and has an offensive smell. It may be scanty. 

8. Nux Vomica – When Menses are Preceded and Attended with Pressure in Head

This medicine is specifically indicated when menses are preceded and attended with pressure in the head. This is marked in front of head and top of head (vertex). Headache during menses that worsen from lying down is also indicative for using it. Females needing it also have cramping pains in the uterine region during menses. With this excessive nausea is felt.

9. Graphites – For Headache over Eyes

Graphites is indicated when headache is felt over eyes during menses. The pain is severe. With this nausea and burping is there. The periods are scanty and blood flow is thin in females needing it.

10. Lycopodium – For Headache and Abdominal Bloating before Periods

This medicine is prepared from plant Lycopodium Clavatum commonly known as club moss. It belongs to the family lycopodiaceae. It is well indicated for females who complain of headache and abdominal bloating before periods. They have gas in their abdomen. They also have nausea with this. Next they can have pain in the abdomen and tiredness. Mostly pain is felt in the temples (means sides of head).

11. Carbo Veg – For Early, Profuse Periods with Headache

This medicine is indicated in cases in which the periods occur early and are copious attended with headache. The headache is violent. It is accompanied with nausea. Lastly great weakness occurs along with above symptoms.

12. Kreosote – For Headache with Profuse Menses

This medicine is valuable for cases in which the headache occurs during menses and the menstrual flow is profuse. Clots may be present in the blood. Along with headache rushing sound in the ears may be present. In some cases the headache occurs before menses. Before menses  vomiting of mucus, abdominal bloating and pain around the navel may be present too.

13. Ignatia – For Heaviness in Head along with Heat

This medicine is used when there is heaviness and heated sensation in the head. This may be present before or during periods. In some cases severe pressing pain in the forehead is experienced. Mostly sensitivity to light accompanies. Some other symptoms that may attend are ringing in the ears, cramping in the abdomen and excessive weakness in the whole body.

14. Magnesia Carb – For Headache, Chilliness and Weakness during Menses

The chief feature for using this medicine is headache, chilliness and weakness during menses. The face appears pale with this. Sometimes spasmodic or pressing pain in the abdomen are present too. Other than above it is also indicated for pain in  the head at commencement of menses.

Shoulder blades medically known as scapulae refers to flat triangular bones one on either side in the upper back below the shoulders. These bones are also known as wing bones. Shoulder-blade pain can be felt within, above, below, over, under the shoulder blades or in between the blades. Homeopathic medicines for shoulder-blade pain can gradually reduce the intensity of pain by treating the root cause behind it.

The pain can occur suddenly or develop gradually depending on the cause behind it. The pain can radiate to other body areas too. In some cases numbness or tingling sensation can accompany the pain. Lastly, crepitus (grating sound that appears when the shoulder moves or on pressing it) may be present.

Causes

It can arise from various reasons ranging from mild to severe ones.

Firstly, it may arise from straining or injuring the muscles or tendons (tough band of fibrous connective tissue which connects muscle to bone). The injury or trauma may occur from a blow, accident or a fall. The straining can follow lifting heavy objects, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, excessive exercise involving upper back, upper limbs and shoulders or working on the computer for long periods of time continuously without any break.
Other reasons include disc bulge in the spine, degeneration of disc of spine, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) and nerve compression. Another reason is fibromyalgia (a disorder in which there occurs widespread musculoskeletal pain attended with weakness, memory issues, sleep problems and mood issues). Apart from above it may occur from scoliosis (an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine). Other than these it may arise from osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint condition in which the cartilage at the ends of bones in the joints which helps in smooth frictionless motion of joint deteriorates) in joints around neck or ribs. It can also result from shingles (an infection caused by varicella-zoster virus that causes a painful skin rash), myofascial pain syndrome (Long term pain disorder in which pressure on sensitive points in the muscles result in muscle pain and in some cases pain in some unrelated parts of the body), acid reflux  (condition in which stomach acid rise up into the food pipe), rotator cuff injuries ( means injury to group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint) and frozen shoulder (a condition in which there occurs pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint).

Other reasons are snapping scapula syndrome (in this there occur a loud popping sound, grating or grinding sensation on raising the arm overhead), fracture of scapula, whiplash injury (neck injury that arise from forceful, rapid back and forth movement of the neck commonly seen in rear end car accidents). 

It may also occur from referred pain means pain in the shoulder pain may be felt from problems in some other part of the body. For example it may be arising from some lung disorder, liver problem or a gallbladder disease. It may be present from serious causes like certain cancers like lung cancer, liver cancer, esophagus cancer. Some other serious causes that need immediate medical help right away include heart attack, pulmonary embolism ( a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in lungs usually caused when a  blood clot from deep veins in the legs travel to the lungs and block blood flow to the lungs), rupture of thoracic aorta.

Homeopathic Medicines for Shoulder-blade Pain

Homeopathic medicines are very effective to manage pain in the shoulder blade. As the reasons behind it vary from mild to serious it is best to take any homeopathic medicine under guidance of a homeopathic physician who after detailed case study will find if the case can be helped with these medicines or help from conventional treatment is required. Homeopathic medicines can be used when the pain is from mild to moderate intensity and no serious cause is linked with it for example Muscle or tendon injury / strain, joint issues, frozen shoulder, fibromyalgia). But in case of severe pain and when any serious cause is suspected or present (like heart attack, cancer, pulmonary embolism) then it is strictly advised to take immediate help from conventional mode of treatment. Some of the symptom indicative of serious issue that needs urgent medical help from conventional system includes shoulder blade pain  accompanied by difficulty in breathing, chest pain, coughing of blood, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, increased sweating, fever, difficulty in speaking, one sided body paralysis, sudden vision loss and loss of consciousness. 

1. Rhus Tox – Top Grade Medicine

It is a leading medicine for managing shoulder blade pain. Persons needing it feel pain between the scapula. They feel better in pain from warmth. Along with pain the area between shoulder blades feels tensed.  It may be sensitive to touch. It is also indicated for pain felt on top of the scapula. Rhus Tox is an effective medicine for managing complaints that follow over – straining or injury of the muscles or tendons. It is also prominent for complaints that arise from joint problems. 

2. Bryonia – For Stitching Pain

It is prepared from a plant named Bryonia alba or wild hops. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is a very beneficial medicine for cases presenting with stitching pain between the shoulder blades. Next it is helpful for managing pain beneath the right scapula at the lower angle. This pain can be sharp, aching or dull. Other than this it works well when pain is localised between inferior angles of the scapulae. Lastly a pressing sensation between scapulae is also indicative of its use.

3. Ruta – For Pain in Nape of Neck and Shoulder Blade

Homeopathic medicine Ruta is prepared from a plant named Ruta graveolens commonly known as garden rue. The natural order of this plant is rutaceae. This medicine is well indicated for cases in which there is pain in the nape of neck and shoulder blade. The pain of using it is mainly drawing type. Next it is indicated when there is pain specifically below the right scapula. Persons needing it have worsening of pain by movement of right arm and also after exertion. They feel relief from pressure. Lying on the right side also gives relief to them. Like medicine Rhus Tox it is also a great medicine for managing conditions arising from overstraining the tendons or inflamed tendons and joint complaints. 

4. Chelidonium – For Pain under Inner and Lower Angle of Right Scapula

It is prepared from plant Chelidonium majus also known as Greater Celandine. It belongs to the family papaveraceae. This medicine is specifically indicated for pain felt under the inner and lower angle of the right scapula. The pain can be bruised or aching type. Next indication is stitching pain  beneath the right scapula. This gets worse from the motion of the arm. Last indication is a cramp like pain in the internal border of the right scapula.

5. Ranunculus Bulbosus – For Pain along Lower Margin of Shoulder Blades

This natural medicine is prepared from plant buttercups. This plant belongs to the family ranunculaceae.Use of this medicine is considered for managing pain along the lower margin of the shoulder blades. The pain is of muscle origin. With pain burning sensation may be present. Apart from this, the contusive type of pains in between shoulder blades also guides its use. The last indication for using it is stitching pain in and between shoulder blades.

6. Arnica – For Complaints Arising after Injury, Trauma

It is prepared from a plant named Arnica Montana commonly known as Leopard’s – bane or fallkraut. It belongs to family compositae. Use of this medicine is highly recommended for complaints that follow an injury (specifically from blunt objects) trauma, blow, fall. In general sore, bruised pain as if beaten is felt in injured places where this medicine is required. This medicine helps to relieve pain, heal the injured place and help recover from injury in a very effective manner. Other than this pressive pain between scapulae is another guiding feature for using it.

7. Colocynth – When Shoulder Blade Pain Extends to Neck

This medicine is prepared from pulp of fruit Citrullus colocynthis also known as cucumis colocynthis and bitter apple. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. This medicine is helpful when pain from shoulder blades extends to the neck. Along with this tension is felt in neck and shoulder blades. Its use is also beneficial for drawing pain in the region of the right scapula. Apart from these pain under the right scapula better from pressure is another characteristic symptom where it offers help. 

8. Kali Carb – For Shoulder Blade Pain and Stiffness

This medicine gives benefit when the shoulder blade pain is accompanied by stiffness. In cases needing it the stiffness can be present between both the shoulder blades. In some cases the stiffness begins in the left side of the nape of the neck and extends down to the left inner scapula. This is most worse after waking up. Another symptom for using it is pain in the right scapula of tearing nature felt in the morning. It is also used for stinging type of pain in the right scapula during motion.

Polymyositis is a type of inflammatory myopathy that causes muscle inflammation and leads to muscle weakness on both sides of the body. Homeopathy for polymyositis can be used along with conventional treatment to improve muscle function, muscle strength, and reducing muscle pain.

The exact reason behind it is still unknown. However it is thought to be an autoimmune disease (autoimmune means where the immune cells attack the body’s own healthy tissue and damage it out of a mistake). People having certain diseases are at risk of developing this condition. It firstly includes  rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily causes joint inflammation but may also affect other organs). The second example is lupus (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in various body systems including joints, skin,  heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, brain). Next is scleroderma (a rare disease that leads to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues). Others are Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disorder having two most common symptoms that includes dry eyes and a dry mouth) and HIV. This condition is usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 to 60 years. Women are more often affected with this condition as compared to men.

Symptoms  

The symptoms in this condition result from inflamed muscles.

Its main symptom is muscle weakness that worsens gradually. The muscles commonly involved are those nearest to the trunk of the body as of thighs, hips, neck, upper back, shoulders and upper arms. The weakness occurs on both sides of the body. Person with it may have difficulty in going upstairs, rising from a chair or lifting arms, lifting objects. In some cases pain and tenderness in areas of muscle weakness may be present. As the disease progresses there may be wasting (atrophy) of the muscles. Other than above there may be fatigue, weight loss, fever, joint pain and raynaud’s phenomenon (a condition that causes coldness and discolouration of fingers on exposure to cold temperature). As the disease progresses, in some cases the muscles located away from the trunk of the body may also get affected. 

Complications 

Its first complication is difficulty swallowing if muscles of esophagus are affected. Next complication is breathing trouble if the muscles of the chest are involved. Lastly it may result in aspiration pneumonia (in case of difficulty swallowing the food or liquids may get into lungs leading to pneumonia) and respiratory failure. Some other conditions that can be associated with it are cardiovascular disease (it includes inflammation of muscular walls of heart called myocarditis, congestive heart failure and arrhythmias) and interstitial lung disease (it causes scarring of lung tissue leading to stiffness of lungs). People with polymyositis are at risk of osteoporosis, autoimmune conditions and cancer.

Homeopathy for Polymyositis

Homeopathic medicines offer good supportive help to manage symptoms in cases of polymyositis. These medicines can be used along with conventional treatment for improving muscle strength, muscle function and reducing muscle pain. These medicines help by moderating the overactive immune system which is causing muscle inflammation and its resulting symptoms. These medicines are recommended when the symptoms are mild to moderate in intensity and no complications are present. But in severe cases or where some heart related or lung related issue is there, cancer is associated or any sort of complications are present then it is strictly advisable to take help from conventional mode of treatment. Homeopathy has a limitation in treating such cases.

1. Arnica – For Weak Neck Muscle

It is a natural medicine prepared from a plant named Arnica Montana having the common name Leopard’s – bane or fall kraut. It belongs to family compositae. It is a great medicine for cases where muscles are inflamed and mainly neck muscles are weak. With this pain is also there in neck muscles as if bruised. Soreness, lame feeling in the limbs is another guiding feature for using it. Pain in limbs and back also calls for its use. Here it feels as if the back and limbs are bruised and beaten.

2. Rhus Tox – To Manage Muscle Pain

This medicine is very suitable to manage muscle pain in these cases. Firstly it is well indicated to manage pain in shoulders and also for pain between the shoulders. Secondly it is helpful for constrictive pain in dorsal muscles. This worsens while sitting and bending forward where it is required. With this there may be painful tension between shoulder blades. Heavy weight like pressure on shoulders is another attending symptom. In some cases the arms feel lame. Thirdly it is useful for managing tearing or drawing type of pain in the hip that extends to the knee.

3. Causticum – For Limb Weakness

It is one of the most effective medicines for managing cases having progressive loss of muscle strength. It offers benefits where limbs feel heavy and weak.  With this drawing, bruised and tearing pain in thighs can be present. Persons needing it feel soreness in the hips and thighs on the side laid upon that necessitate the need to turn over to the other side. Tearing pain in the neck and shoulder blades is also indicative of using this medicine.

4. Gelsemium – For Muscle Weakness and Pain

This medicine is prepared from the bark of the root of plant Gelsemium Sempervirens commonly known as yellow jasmine. This plant belongs to family loganiaceae. It is a well indicated medicine for managing muscle weakness and pain. The weakness is present in limbs where it is indicated. The muscle pain is deep seated in cases needing it. There is aching, tiredness and soreness in the muscles. Muscle ache occurs from over exertion. There is deep seated pain in muscles of hips and bruised pain in the muscles of the neck for using it. Shoulder pain especially at night is also indicative of using it. Lastly there is drawing, contracting pain from thighs into toes. this gets worse when from motion or when walking. This is accompanied with great soreness of thighs.

5. Bryonia Alba – For Weakness and Pain in Neck

It is a natural medicine prepared from a plant named Bryonia alba or wild hops. This plant belongs to family cucurbitaceae. This medicine is well indicated for cases having weakness and pain in nape of neck together. Other than this it is a great medicine for cases having dull stitching pain in the upper back between scapula. Another indication to use it is great weakness of the thighs that cause difficulty in going upstairs. In some cases needing it there is stitching pain in the hips. Lastly it is useful for managing lame and bruised sensation mainly in the right hip in morning time. 

6. Stannum Met – For Weakness of Thighs, Upper Arms and Neck

This medicine is prominent to manage weakness and heaviness in thighs. The weakness is marked when going downstairs. Next, it is highly valuable for managing weakness of the upper arms. In such cases the arms  become fatigued easily from slight exercise. Weakness in the arms is also felt even from holding light weight that too for a short time. Other than above it is also significant to manage weakness in the nape of the neck. 

7. Phosphorus – For Weakness in Upper Arms

Use of this medicine is considered in cases in which weakness in upper arms is present. Along with this drawing pan in the muscles of shoulder and upper arm accompanies. In some cases, severe pains in the muscles of the right shoulder are present, and they extend to the elbow. Apart from above it is also used in cases where weakness and heaviness in the lower limbs is present. This is most marked when going upstairs.

8. Belladonna – For Upper Arm and Thigh Pain

This medicine is prepared from plant deadly nightshade. This plant belongs to family solanaceae. It is beneficial to manage pain in upper arm and thigh. Persons needing it also feel drawing, tearing, heaviness and pressure in the upper arms. Sometimes they have bruised pain in the upper arm. Next they may have pain in thighs as if it is beaten. Lastly they can have cutting or stitching pain in thigh mainly right side when sitting.

9. Calcarea Carb – For Pain and Weakness in Thigh Muscles

It is a suitable medicine for managing cases of pain and weakness in the thigh muscles. For using it the weariness of muscles is felt in the morning on beginning to walk. This is attended with pain in the middle of thighs as if beaten when going upstairs. This pain may also be felt in the upper arms. Along with above symptoms there may be loss of muscle mass in thighs.

10. Aesculus – For Weakness in Back of the Neck

This medicine is prepared from the kernel of a plant named as Aesculus Hippocastanum commonly known as horse – chestnut. This plant belongs to the family sapindaceae. It is indicated for cases in which lameness and weakness in the back of the neck is present. In cases needing it pain in neck and between the shoulder blades is also there. Sometimes there is pricking sensation in the neck and shoulders.

Traveler’s Diarrhea is a gastrointestinal disorder that leads to diarrhea which means loose stools and abdominal cramps while travelling. It occurs from consuming contaminated food or water. Homeopathic treatment of traveler’s diarrhea is highly effective to manage cases and to boost the natural defense mechanism of the body to fight with the infectious agent and bring natural recovery. 

Reasons

It mostly develops from an infection. It can be from a bacterial, viral or a parasitic infection contracted from ingesting contaminated food or water. Other than this it may also arise from stress of travelling or changes in diet that occur while travelling. Persons while travelling to other places face climate change and also have different sanitary practices that put them at risk of it. Some of the destinations that are high risk for traveler’s diarrhea include Africa, Central and South America, Mexico and The Middle East

People living in these countries where risk of traveler’s diarrhea is marked are not affected because they have developed immunity over the time against the infectious agent that causes traveler’s diarrhea.

The chance of getting traveler’s diarrhea is high in persons who have a weak immune system that makes them prone to infection. It is also high in persons suffering from certain medical conditions for eg diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease. Other than this, the young adults are at high risk as compared to other age group people. Lastly persons who take medicines like acid blockers or antacids are also a high risk.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms include sudden onset of loose stools, abdominal cramps. Other symptoms that can accompany includes urgency to pass stool, nausea, vomiting, excessive gas, abdominal bloating and fever. Its symptoms can arise all of sudden during travelling or after returning home.

Most people get better in a day or two. However, in case the pain in abdomen is severe, or vomiting is persistent, fever is high, blood passes in stool, and symptoms of dehydration are there then it is advised to immediately go to a doctor. Dehydration (from loss of vital fluids, salts and minerals) is a complication linked with it. Some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration include excessive mouth dryness, excessive thirst, scanty or no urination, dizziness, dryness of skin and intense weakness. Some serious consequences linked with it include shock, organ damage and coma.

Homeopathic Treatment Of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Homeopathic medicines are highly effective to manage cases of traveler’s diarrhoea. These medicines work to boost the natural defence mechanism of the body to fight with the infectious agent and bring natural recovery. These medicines are beneficial to manage its symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdomen pain, gas, abdominal bloating in a remarkable manner. The suitable medicines for each and every case of traveler’s diarrhea are selected as per the set of symptoms present. The use of homeopathic medicines are recommended in cases where the symptoms are mild to moderate in intensity. But in cases where the symptoms are intense, serious or attended with complications like dehydration, then it is strictly advisable to take urgent help from conventional mode of treatment to prevent serious health effects.

1. Arsenic Album – Top Grade Medicine

It is one of the best medicines for these cases. It is indicated when there is diarrhea. Stool is thin, slimy, and offensive smelling where it is required. It is attended with excessive weakness. Cutting pain in the stomach is experienced with this. Burning sensation around the umbilical region before and during stool may also be felt. Sometimes mucus passes in the stool. In some cases stool passes involuntarily. Next vomiting may be present with loose stool.  

2. Aloe – With Sudden Urge To Stool

This medicine is prepared from gum of the leaves of plant Aloe Socotrina. It belongs to family liliaceae. It is another very effective medicine for managing diarrhea. Its use is considered when there is sudden urgency to pass stool. The character of stool is mushy, watery, lumpy. Mucus can be present in the stool. Rumbling and gurgling is marked in rectum with this. A constant bearing down in the rectum and urging for stool is also felt. In some cases stool passes involuntarily while passing gas.

3. China – For Diarrhoea With Weakness

It is prepared from dried bark of the plant Cinchona Officinalis commonly known as Peruvian bark. It belongs to the family rubiaceae. It is a leading medicine to help cases in which diarrhea is attended with weakness. Persons needing it have frequent, profuse, loose stool. It is brownish and may be frothy too. It also has undigested food in it. Next it is putrid smelling. Most of the time it is painless. They also have excessive emission of gas which is very fetid.

4. Podophyllum – For Profuse, Watery, Gushing Stool

It is a natural medicine prepared from the root of the plant Podophyllum peltatum commonly known as may apple. It belongs to the family berberidaceae. Its use is recommended when there is passage of profuse, watery, gushing stool. It is green or yellow coloured and has a very fetid, offensive smell. There may be undigested food particles in the stool. Gas passes with stool. Urge to pass stool is also sudden. Excessive nausea and loud gurgling in the abdomen is felt before stool. Excessive weakness occurs after passing stool.

5. Croton Tiglium – For Sudden Gushing Stool After Eating Or Drinking

It is well indicated for cases in which there occurs sudden gushing stool soon after eating or drinking. Excessive gas passes with gushing stool where it is required. There is constant urging to stool. The stool is sudden, gushing which is shot out of rectum. The colour of the stool is dirty green or yellow and has an offensive smell. The stool may have tenacious mucus or sometimes whitish flakes in it. During stool nausea and colic are felt.  

6. Gambogia – For Profuse Diarrhea With Colic

It is another natural medicine prepared from resinous gum obtained from a tree Gambogia Morella also known as Gamboge and Gummi Gutti. It belongs to family guttiferae. It is very helpful when diarrhea is accompanied with colic. Persons requiring it have yellow and green loose stool mixed with mucus. With this they have colicky pains in navel region during stool. Before passing stool they usually feel excessive cutting pain around the umbilicus. Stools is highly offensive and passes with a gush all at once. Next this may be attended with burning pain in the rectum. Great tenesmus (continuous ineffectual urge to evacuate the bowels) is also there.

7. Veratrum Album – For Loose Stool, Nausea And Vomiting

It is prepared from root-stocks of plant White Hellebore that belongs to family melanthiaceae. Its use is highly recommended to manage cases having loose stool and nausea, vomiting. In cases needing it there is passage of frequent watery greenish or brownish stool mixed with flakes. Stool is gushing and profuse. It may be involuntary while passing gas in some cases. Rumbling in the abdomen occurs with this. There may be complaints of chilliness, pinching colic before stool.  During stool nausea, vomiting is there. Burning in anus may also be present. After stool there is weakness.

8. Colocynth – to manage abdomen pain, cramps

This medicine is prepared from pulp of fruit of a plant Citrullus colocynthis also known as cucumis colocynthis and bitter apple. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is a great medicine for managing abdomen pain and cramps. Persons who need it mostly feel that the pain worsens from consuming any food or drink. They feel better in pain from hard pressure. Abdomen distension may accompany it. Stool is yellow, watery, and frothy with this. Stool smells sour. Gas passes along with the stool .

9. Lycopodium – To Manage Excessive Gas And Abdominal Bloating

Lycopodium is prepared from plant Lycopodium Clavatum commonly known as club moss. This plant belongs to family lycopodiaceae. It proves highly beneficial to manage excessive gas and abdominal bloating. The bloating is felt soon after eating even a little. Much noisy gas passes with this. Stool is thin, brown, pale or yellow with this. It is putrid smelling. In some cases thin stool is mixed with hard lumps.

10. Carbo Veg – For Watery Stool With Mucus

It is a useful medicine when the stool is watery with mucus. The stool is highly offensive smelling. Sometimes it is involuntary. In some cases there is ineffectual urging to stool but only gas passes. A painful pressure in rectum is felt at the same time. Burning pain in rectum can also appear. Lastly marked abdominal distension, burning in stomach, sour belching and cramping in stomach may be there.

11. Ipecac – To Manage Nausea And Vomiting

It is prepared from the dried root of a plant Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. It belongs to the family rubiaceae. It works very well to manage nausea and vomiting. In cases needing it the nausea is constant. There is vomiting of watery fluids. With this cutting, pain in the stomach may be felt. Diarrhea is present in which the stool is yellow greenish or brownish. It may also be covered with slimy mucus. In cases needing it the stool spurts out with much gas.

Costochondritis refers to inflammation of the cartilage that attaches ribs to the sternum (means the breastbone). These areas of joining are called costochondral junctions. Costochondritis is also known as costosternal syndrome or chest wall pain. It results in chest pain and the pain can be mild or severe in intensity. The pain sometimes can be so intense as to mimic a heart attack. Homeopathic remedies for costochondritis offer a very safe, natural and effective solution for cases of costochondritis.

Causes

The exact reason behind it remains unknown for most of the cases. However there are certain conditions that can lead to it. It firstly includes an injury / trauma to the chest like from a fall, a blow to the chest.
Second reason is over use of the arms, physical strain as from activities like intense exercise that involves the upper limbs and chest wall, heavy lifting and severe coughing.
Next cause is joint infection with bacterial, viral or fungal infectious agents. Some examples of such infections include syphilis and tuberculosis. Another cause behind it is arthritis (means joint inflammation). Some of its examples include rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder in which there occurs inflammation, swelling, pain and stiffness of the joints.
But it can also affect other body parts including the eyes, lungs, skin, heart and blood vessels), osteoarthritis (joint inflammation arising from wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones) and  ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory autoimmune joint disease that usually begins with inflammation of sacroiliac joint and over the time causes fusion of the joint. Other than the above joints, it tends to affect vertebrae in the lower back, hip joint, shoulder joint and the cartilage that joins ribs with the breastbone).
It may also arise from tumours of the costosternal joint area. Other causes include history of chest infections, history of any surgery affecting the chest wall. When no cause is found then this condition is called as idiopathic costochondritis.

Symptoms 

The main symptom of this condition is chest pain on either side (usually occurs on the left side) of the breastbone that can be mild to severe. The pain can be aching, stabbing, burning, or sharp in nature. Sometimes it just feels like a pressure sensation. The pain may radiate to the back or the abdomen. Movement, deep breathing, coughing or stretching tend to make it worse. In some cases the chest may be tender to touch. More than  one rib is affected with this. Among the twelve pairs of ribs the second to fifth ribs are most commonly affected. People older than 40 years of age are commonly affected with this. In some cases of severe intensity the pain may shoot down the limbs.

Homeopathic Medicines for Costochondritis

Homeopathic medicines help to reduce the inflammation of cartilage and bring symptomatic relief in such cases. With use of these medicines the frequency and intensity of the symptoms is gradually reduced. These medicines aim at targeting the root cause behind it to bring great recovery in these cases. One should never self medicate in these cases. Any sufferer should visit a doctor to differentiate if the chest pain is because of costochondritis or some heart-related issue. A doctor can best diagnose it and provide appropriate medicine for it. In case of mild to moderate cases of costochondritis homeopathy is beneficial but in case of heart related issues it is advised to take conventional treatment. Also one should seek immediate help from conventional mode of treatment if the chest pain is continued or  chest pain is radiating to the arms, neck, shoulder, jaw, or back or if the chest pain is accompanied with trouble breathing,  high fever, nausea, sweating, dizziness/lightheadedness, dark coloured sputum or blood in sputum or there are signs of infection like pus, redness, tenderness, swelling at the rib joints.

1. Argentum Met – For Pain in Right Side of Chest

This medicine is useful when there is pain in the right side of chest and breastbone. The pain is usually shooting type. It worsens when stooping forward. A sensation of pressure is also felt in the chest. Lastly it is indicated for pricking pain felt in the chest.

2. Bryonia – For Stitching Pain in Chest

It is a natural medicine prepared from roots of plant Bryonia Alba commonly known by the name of wild hops or white bryony. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is a highly effective medicine for cases where stitching pain is felt in the chest. Persons requiring it feel worsening of pain from taking deep breath. They also feel increased pain when coughing,  movement or when turning in the bed. They get relief from taking rest. This pain may go from chest through to back. A fullness sensation is felt in the chest. Next the chest may be sore and sensitive to pressure. Lastly heat or burning sensation in the chest may be present.

3. Ruta – For Chest Pain Resulting from Injuries

This medicine is prepared from a plant named Ruta graveolens commonly known as Rue. The family of this plant is rutaceae. Use of this medicine is considered when chest pain follows injury. Persons who need it have chest pain that may be aching, biting or burning type. It is attended with a sensation of fullness in the chest. The sternum may be painful to pressure.

4. Belladonna – For Painful Pressure in Chest Extending to the Back

Belladonna is prepared from plant deadly nightshade. It belongs to family solanaceae. Use of this medicine is considered when there is painful pressure in the chest extending to back. Apart from this it is used when there is sharp, shooting or stitching pain in the chest when coughing. Last indication for using it is burning pain especially on the right side of the chest. 

5. Arnica – For Chest Pain Worsening from Movement, Breathing or Coughing

It is prepared from a plant named Arnica Montana commonly known as Leopard’s – bane or fallkraut. It belongs to family compositae. It is very significant medicine for cases in which chest pain worsens from movement, breathing or coughing. There are aching pains in the chest where this medicine is required. People needing it often feel pain in all the cartilage attachments of the chest. They feel as if this area is beaten or bruised. Lastly, a burning sensation in the chest may occur along with the above symptoms. It is also one of the best medicines for complaints that follow trauma or injury from blunt objects.

6. Ledum Palustre – For Soreness to Touch on the Chest 

This medicine is prepared from plant Ledum Palustre commonly known as wild rosemary and marsh cistus. This plant belongs to family ericaceae. It is beneficial medicine when the chest is sore to touch. Along with this burning sensation or stitches are felt in the chest. In some cases shootings pain in the chest is there which occurs usually from raising or moving the arms.

7. Rhus Tox – For Chest Pain Worsening from Using Arms

Rhus Tox offers great help when chest pain gets worse from using arms. Other than this it is helpful for stitching pain in the chest. This worsens from deep breathing,  sitting bent, sneezing and at rest. It is one of the best medicines for complaints that arise from over straining a part, over stretching and over lifting.

8. Ranunculus Bulb – For Sharp, Cutting, Stitching Pain in Chest

This medicine is prepared from plant Ranunculus Bulbosus commonly known as buttercup. This plant belongs to family ranunculaceae. This medicine is recommended when a person has sharp, cutting, stitching pain in the chest.  In some cases pressure is felt in the lower part of the chest. This worsens from movement and stooping. Its next guiding symptom is bruised pain in chest and abdomen. On slight movement these pains become cutting and sharp in nature.

9. Silicea – When Chest Pain Worsens from Coughing or Sneezing

It is a very useful medicine for cases presenting with chest pain from coughing or sneezing. The pain can be aching type. Next there can be shooting or pricking in chest. This may sometimes go across the back.

10. Natrum Mur – For Sore Pain or Bruised Feeling in Chest

Use of this medicine is recommended when there is a sore pain or bruised feeling in the chest. Next it is given for sharp chest pain experienced while coughing or during deep inspiration. In some cases needing it the pain from the upper region of chest may go to the shoulders.

11. Merc Sol – For Chest Pain Extending through to Back

Merc Sol is a homeopathic medicine that works well in cases in which the chest pain extends through to the back. This happens specifically on sneezing or coughing. Mostly the nature of pain is stitching type.

12. Phosphorus – For Burning Pain in Chest

This medicine is indicated when there is burning pain in the chest. With this soreness is present in the chest. Next it is indicated when there is pain in the right side of chest that worsens from pressure and lying on the left side.