Our back is the most important yet highly abused part of our body. It bears a load on our bodies throughout our time. Any kind of strain, whether physical or psychological, on the spine should not be overlooked. Hence, it is rightly mentioned that when any unpleasant situation arises during the life cycle of a person it is referred to as it has ‘broken his back. Most of the time it is the back that bears the trauma of any fall or physical injury, which alters the whole lifestyle of that person. The trauma may be due to limitations in doing certain tasks or to the extent of complete paralysis or a bedridden condition. So why take even a small pain in the back lightly and suffer later from the consequences?
Instead, get up and take care of it right away before it gets too late. Our backbone or the vertebral column protects our spinal cord which is the nerve center for all the major activities in our body and is the link between our body and brain. A very common disorder of the spine, spondylosis, commonly occurs in the cervical and lumbar vertebrae i.e. the neck and lower back. It can be defined as an inflammatory and degenerative condition of the spine which is very painful and can upset a person’s regular routine life.
Spondylosis literally means the stiffening or fixation of the bony building blocks of the spine as a result of a disease process like osteoarthritis. Spine degeneration is a natural part of the aging process that is most common in the flexible and strong lower back and neck. Over the years, natural wear and tear break down the spinal anatomy, which results in a loss of flexibility and mobility, stiffness, and minor aches and pains.
However, when cervical or lumbar spondylosis is accompanied by nerve compression, a wider variety of painful symptoms can follow. The lumbar spine and cervical spine are most prone to deterioration. Both segments of the spine are extremely flexible and are required to support a significant weight of the body. This combination of stress and mobility is the reason that neck and lower back pain is so common – particularly as people grow older.
Causes of Spondylosis
- As mentioned before spondylosis is major as a result of degeneration due to aging but it can also occur due to sudden trauma or accident.
- It is more commonly seen in males and mostly both cervical and lumbar spondylosis occur simultaneously when the process is degenerative and age-related due to prolonged stress the onset of symptoms is usually gradual, but if not taken care it may lead to severe problems later.
- With age and the wearing down of the bones of the spine, there is the formation of bone spurs which give rise to pain.
- The intervertebral disc degenerates and weakens, leading to disc herniation and bulging of discs.
Symptoms of Spondylosis
Certain symptoms which are common to both cervical and lumbar spondylosis are:
- Pain in the affected part i.e. back or neck along with stiffness is the first sign of spondylosis.
- Pain is either due to nerve compression or bone spurs on the facet joints causing the narrowing of the holes from where the nerve roots exit from the canal.
- Bulging discs can cause local inflammation and sensitization of the nerves of the spine.
- The attempt of the spine itself to splint because of reaction to pain causes local tenderness, muscle spasms, and trigger points.
In the Case Of Lumbar Spondylosis
- If there is a large disc herniation it compresses the sciatic nerve root giving rise to pain that originates in the lower back and travels down one leg into the foot. This is known as Sciatica.
- This pain is typically worse with prolonged standing, sitting, and forward bending and is often better by changing positions and walking.
- Breaking or severe back pain due to osteoarthritic changes are worse from walking and standing and is relieved by lying down and sometimes forward bending.
- Symptoms of tingling and numbness along with poor reflexes are felt when a nerve is severely pinched.
- In case of severe nerve compression symptoms of loss of control of bladder and bowel movements are observed and this calls for an emergency.
Homeopathy for Spondylosis
- Homeopathy offers a very safe and encouraging cure for spondylosis though the treatment is often long-term but is without any side effects which are normally occurring because of strong painkillers and in severe cases even steroids.
- In cases where the changes are mild, the cure is faster and in advanced cases the recovery is slow but any further degeneration is arrested and the pain and other symptoms of patients are taken care of by safe medicines which can be consumed for longer periods without any problem.
- Medicines like Rhustox, and Guiacum are very effective in treating stiffness of the neck and pain.
- Specific remedies like Kali carb and Zincum meat are indicated for back pain and stiffness, while wonder medicines like Conium take care of vertigo, Kalmia gives relief from the tingling and numbness in extremities.
- Considering the concept of individualization and treating patients as a whole, Homeopathy gives relief from the initial stages of stiffness and muscle pain when there is a predisposition in cases with a history of Osteoarthritis in the family.
- Certain biochemical remedies prevent further disc degeneration, and the formation of spurs and provide essential minerals for bone and nerve health.
- The regular homeopathic medication improves the general health of the patient and they are relieved of acute symptoms and are able to perform their regular routine work and duties.
Homeopathic medicines have proven to help most individuals by reducing muscular spasms/stiffness and relieving the intensity /frequency of pain, without any long-term adverse effects.
The medicines prescribed may be taken alone or along with your regular medicines prescribed by your physician. Over time the need for painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can subside and the overall condition of the bone and disc can be improved.
Symptoms are caused by a combination of pressure on the nerve root and muscle spasm, and treatment is centered on relieving both of these factors.
Typically, the treatment offered at HRD involves the following:
- Prescribing purely Homeopathic medicines (No Steroids or NSAIDs) which have a specific action on relieving nerve inflammation Prescribing essential Biochemic remedies (Minerals) which prevent further disc degeneration and bone damage. Biochemic medicines are made from Calcium, Magnesium, etc.
HRD patients typically experience the following benefits:
- Relief in pressure and inflammation of the affected nerve
- Disappearance in pain and tingling sensation radiating down the arm
- Relief in headaches and stiffness of associated shoulder muscles
- Improvement in the ability to function as normally as possible