Top 6 Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Writer’s Cramp

Writer’s Cramp refers to an involuntary muscle contraction in the fingers or hand while writing leading to uncontrollable movements. Since there is no muscle coordination, it becomes difficult to hold a pen. The main symptom is tight gripping of the pen along with flexion (inward movement towards the body) of the wrist. In Writer’s Cramp, the brain sends false signals to the muscles leading to increased muscle contractions and abnormal hand posture while writing. At times, there is a pain in the hands or shaking of the hand. The main reason is the overuse of hands.

Homeopathy offers highly effective treatment for cases of Writer’s Cramp. The homeopathic remedies for this disease cramp are made of natural substances hence are totally safe to use. These medicines work on the root cause to help in relaxation of the muscles of the hand. Signs of improvement appear within the first few months of homeopathic treatment. In conventional mode of treatment, anticholinergic drugs and botox injections are usually recommended for Writer’s Cramp. These medicines offer temporary relief and can result in several side effects as well. While homeopathic medicines have zero side effects and Writer’s Cramp can be rooted out completely with the continuous intake of these remedies in most cases having mild to moderate intensity.

Homeopathy relies on the characteristic signs and symptoms present in each case of Writer’s Cramp. The same medicine cannot be prescribed in every case and the most suitable medicine has to be decided from amongst the various medicines recorded in homeopathic therapeutics for treating this condition. And the medicine selection is solely based on the individual’s symptoms. For this, a detailed case history is prepared followed by its evaluation to finalise the correct homeopathic prescription.

Homeopathic treatment strengthens the nerves and muscles of hands to prevent involuntary muscle contractions and uncontrollable movements. Initially, it manages the symptoms followed by long-term relief and cure. However, the results vary depending on the duration and intensity of the complaint and response of the sufferer to the medicine.

Homeopathic medicines are free of any chemicals or toxins which is the major advantage of using them. Therefore, there are no chances of side effects of any kind. One more advantage of using homeopathic medicines is that these are non-habit forming. These can be easily stopped when the desired results have been achieved.

Top 6 Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Writer’s Cramp

The top homeopathic remedies for treating Writer’s Cramp are Stannum Met, Magnesium Phos, Cuprum Met, Gelsemium, Kali Phos and Cyclamen.

1. Stannum Met – Top Grade Medicine

Stannum Met is one of the best remedies for Writer’s Cramp. It is indicated when one feels cramps in hands and fingers while picking up the pen and writing is started. There is sudden tightness in the muscles of hands and fingers which remain in the same position for a while. Along with this, jerking in hands while writing is marked. Stannum Met is highly recommended when the complaint arises from overuse of hands, as in the case of professional writers and typists. Along with cramps, the hand and arms also feel heavy while writing. Weakness in the hand of paralytic type may be felt.

When to use Stannum Met?

It is the best choice of medicine for treating Writer’s Cramp with sudden tightness in the hands and finger muscles along with shaking of hands while writing. It is also highly recommended for this complaint arising from the overuse of hands like from excessive typing work.

How to use Stannum Met?

It is advised to use Stannum Met 30C once a day.

2. Magnesium Phos – For cramps in hands with pain

Magnesium Phos is a great muscle relaxant (helps release contraction of muscle). It is an ideal natural medicine for Writer’s Cramp when pain occurs along with contracted muscles in the hand. The pain can be stitching, shooting or cutting in nature. A peculiar characteristic feature is relief from warmth or applying pressure over the hand. This medicine is equally effective in treating cramps in hands that arise from playing instruments with hands like violin, piano, etc. It is also beneficial for cramps in other body parts like abdomen, legs and feet. Cramps that occur from prolonged exertion are well treated with this medicine. Magnesium Phos is of great help in strengthening the muscles of hands as well as relieving contractions and pain.

When to use Magnesium Phos?

This medicine should be used when there are cramps in the hands along with marked pain that can be shooting, stitching or cutting type. Relief in pain from warmth and pressure application is noted.

How to use Magnesium Phos?

This medicine is mostly used in 6X potency. Depending on the intensity of the problem, it can be taken three to four times a day.

3. Cuprum Met – For finger cramps with thumb clenching and hand shaking

It is another highly useful medicine to treat Writer’s Cramp cases, especially in fingers. It is also a magnificent medicine to help relax muscles. Jerking of hand may attend it. There may occur clenching of thumb in palm. Besides, it is indicated to help cases of cramps of feet, toes and calf muscles.

When to use Cuprum Met?

This medicine can be considered for cramping in fingers with hand jerking and thumb clenching in the palm.

How to use Cuprum Met?

One can take this medicine once a day in 30C power.

4. Gelsemium – With marked hand weakness

This natural medicine is well indicated for Writer’s Cramp that is accompanied by a significant weakness of the hand. Gelsemium is the ideal medicine when cramps appear in the hand, fingers or forearm while writing. It seems as if the muscles cannot be controlled and they are working without the will of the person.  There is a sudden spasmodic contraction of muscles of hands or fingers, with weakness in hands. The person feels fatigued even after little exertion in writing. Jerking or trembling of hands may be noticed in such cases. Anxiety may worsen this condition.

When to use Gelsemium?

This medicine is apt for cases of Writer’s Cramp where cramping in hands is accompanied by marked weakness in hands.

How to use Gelsemium?

Two to three doses a day of Gelsemium 30C can be taken as per the intensity of complaint.

5. Kali Phos – When exertion of hands worsens complaint

Kali Phos can be used to improve the nerve power in hands. It also helps to remove muscle contractions due to overuse of hands. Kali Phos is the best natural remedy when even a slight exertion of the hand leads to cramping condition and results in contraction of muscles. Numbness may also be felt by the person along with contracted muscles. Stress may make the condition worse.

When to use Kali Phos?

Kali Phos is beneficial for Writer’s Cramp cases where overuse / exertion of hands makes the condition worse. Additionally, stress of any sort also aggravates the problem.

How to use Kali Phos?

This medicine is usually preferred in 6X power that can be used three to four times a day.

6. Cyclamen – For marked contraction of right thumb and index finger

This medicine is of great help when there occurs contraction of right thumb and index finger. They remain in a contracted position and can be extended with the application of force. A painful drawing sensation is also felt in the wrist.

When to use Cyclamen?

Its use is suggested for Writer’s Cramp where there is contraction of the right thumb and index finger that can be attended with drawing type of pain in the wrist.

How to use Cyclamen?

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

Signs And Symptoms

Initially, there is difficulty in writing intermittently but as the medical condition progresses, cramping is felt soon after one starts writing. The following signs and symptoms are noted in Writer’s Cramp:

Tight gripping of pen/pencil

Flexion (bending) of wrist and elevation of elbow

Extension of fingers at times resulting in falling of pen from hand when writing

Discomfort in wrist, fingers and forearm

Lack of muscle coordination of hand, inability to obey commands by hand and fingers

In some of hand dystonia cases, sustained hand posture may occur like a clenched fist and bent wrist

Due to above complaints, writing becomes untidy

Types Of Writer’s Cramp

1. Simple Writer’s Cramp:  When symptoms appear only while writing and only the ability to write is affected. The hand twists in strange postures while writing.

2. Dystonic Writer’s Cramp:In this type, the symptoms appear even while doing tasks with hands other than writing, for example, it may appear while doing other activities like eating, applying makeup, buttoning a shirt,etc.

Causes Of  Writer’s Cramp

It is a type of specific type of focal dystonia. Dystonia is involuntary and sustained muscle contraction, focal means affecting only one body part (here hands and fingers) and specific means it occurs specifically while writing. It is also known as ‘task specific dystonia’ or ‘focal hand dystonia’.

1. It usually starts between ages of 30 to 50 yrs. Simple Writer’s Cramp is a more common type. It is linked with overuse of hands like excessive writing for years together.  Other factors that play a role are holding pen inappropriately and keeping poor posture of hands while writing. Stress and anxiety can worsen the symptoms.

2. It has been found in research that in persons suffering from Writer’s Cramp, there is decreased brain tissue (gray matter) in those brain areas (cerebellum, thalamus and sensorimotor cortex) which control hand movement on the affected side. However it is still not understood well if these changes are the cause or the result of this condition. Besides, there is a theory that suggests that brain changes might be a part of adaptation due to sustained repetitive hand movement.

3. Dystonic writer’s cramp is the less common type and occurs usually as a part of generalised dystonia affecting multiple body parts.

4. Writer’s Cramp may have a genetic component. It is estimated that in about 20% of the persons having writer’s cramp, there is a family member having a complaint of dystonia. A gene DYT1 is linked with generalised dystonia.

5. In some cases, hand dystonia may be acquired from some injury, lesions of spinal cord and peripheral nerve damage. In such cases, symptoms are experienced even when the hand is at rest, pain may be felt and symptoms may occur in body parts other than the hand.