Cervical Spondylosis

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"Early diagnosis of arthritis and rheumatism and immediate treatment

can arrest physical handicaps later and cure the disease fast" says

Dr Prakash Pispati, the chief of Asian Pacific League of

Rheumatology. He warns that arthritis can strike at early age. Even a

child aged 6 months was diagnosed with this condition. The first

symptom can be swelling on the neck. The progress of the disease

causes swelling to reach to joints. Juvenile chronic arthritis also

causes permanent handicaps. While rheumatoid arthritis is seen more

in ladies, gout is more common in gents. 25% of people above age 55

are suffering from some or other form of arthritis in India. Proper

diet, regular exercise, correct posture of the body and reduction of

obessity are often the recommendations. Amongst various types of

arthritis, the cervical spondylosis differs from others and is the

topic of this post.

 

Cervical Spondylosis

 

A specific form of arthritis, which attacks vertebrae and connecting

bony, and ligament structures, is known as Spondylosis. Obesse and/or

working ladies are specific victims. Frequently it occurs in the

cervical vertebrae. The spines of majority of people above the age of

50 have certain degree of osteo arthritic changes. But they seldom

cause acute symptoms. Certain precipitating factors like trauma,

incorrect posture of the body, pressure while sleeping and excessive

intake of sour food usually precipitate these attacks. In ayurveda

this condition is known as Griva Sandhigata Vata.

Pain in the back of neck, shoulder and arms, stiffness of the neck

and even paraplegia occur due to this condition. The movement of the

spine generally aggravates the pain of the neck. It is often

associated with loss of memory and sleeplessness.

 

Treatment:

Any external massage is not of much use. Violent massage with deep

pressure is very harmful for the patient. Only gentle massage over

the muscles of the neck and shoulder joints should be applied and for

this Mahanaarayan Taila is best suited. One can prepare an oil using

ginger powder, turmeric, camphor, ajwain etc. This gentle massage can

be given 2-3 times a day .In winter season; this medicated oil should

be gently warmed before application. Else, after applying the oil

for 10 minutes, one can apply heating pad in low heat mode.

Guggulu, gum resin extracted from the plant is the best medicine for

the treatment of this condition. Ayurvedic physicians for the

treatment of this condition popularly use a compound preparation

named as simhanada guggulu. It is given in a dose of 2-4 tablets, 4

times a day. Usually hot water or hot milk is given to the patient

after the administration of this medicines. This medicine has

slightly laxative effects. For the patient to recover from this

ailment, it is necessary that this bowel should move clearly and

regularly. This medicine is very much helpful for this purpose. For

patients having clear motions, this medicines should be given in a

dose of 2 tablets and constipated patients the dose should be 4

tablets. If the constipation is not relieved even by taking 4 tablets

the dose can be further increased to 6 tablets.

 

At night some medicines should be given to the patients, which will

act as a purgative. Triphala powder is the best medicine for this

purpose. One teaspoonful of triphala should be given to the patient,

mixed with a cup of warm milk and one spoon of sugar. In the motions

become regular by the intake of simhanada guggulu, then triphala

powder should be given only twice a week otherwise it can be given

every day. Another option is the mixture of Haritaki, Ginger powder

mixed with a piece of jaggery. Haritaki is an ingredient of Triphla

powder. Ginger mixed with Jaggery reduces Vata and also causes

Deepana effect, so that digestion improves. Further, Jaggery reduces

Pitta vitiating tendency of ginger powder.

 

Hot fomentation on the vertebrae of the neck is very useful for this

condition. In a big handkerchief about 500gms of salt or beach sand

should be kept over a frying pan (after tying the knot) till it

becomes tolerably hot. Then this should be applied over the neck.

Care should be taken to see that it not too hot. In that case, it may

cause burns. Sometime patients suffering from cervical Spondylosis

(especially if diabetes is also present) develop some anesthetic

patches in the back, neck, shoulders and arms because of the pressure

from nervous systems. the patient is therefore not able to feel the

quantum of heat applied during fomentation. It should therefore be

the responsibility of the attendant to examine the heat before

applying it it on the affected parts. This fomentation should be

continued about ½ an hour every day. After fomentation the affected

part should not be exposed to cold wind. In winter season therefore

immediately after fomentation, the affected part should be covered

with some woolen garment. In other seasons also the affected part

should be kept covered with some cotton garments after fomentation.

It is very convenient to take the fomentation before bedtime. After

the fomentation the patient should go to sleep so that he does not

run the risk of exposure. The electric heating pads available in the

chemist shops are also convenient, if they can be afforded and

electricity supply is stable.

 

 

Other Options

 

Yogaraj guggulu, Patented medicines such as Rheumaraj, Rheumanil,

Rheumasyl and Mahanarayan oil can be tried. Avoid Yogaraj Guggulu if

patients Agni is already strong. Mahavishagarbha Taila is also

effective for some patients.

 

Diet: Sour items, particularly curd strictly prohibited. Fried items,

pulses and their preparations are contraindicated. Drumstick (better

if bitter), bitter gourd, neem flowers are useful. Brinjal, Tomatoes

and Potato without skins should be avoided. Wheat, barley is better

than rice. Avoid maida, suji as they cause constipation.

 

Exposure to cold, cold bath and exercise of neck muscle should be

avoided. Avoid lifting heavy weights. Maintain comfortable posture at

all times. Woolen scarf around neck is benificial during morning

walks.

 

Cervical sponylosis is sometimes attended by Vertigo, titinus and

then it becomes more difficult to treat. A relative of author, a

disbeliver in Ayurveda, after suffering seven years from such a

complex condition, turned to ayurveda and took 14 months to get cured

fully. Now she is the student.

 

The Rheumatoid arthritis treatment without using any medicines will

be the subject matter of next week post.

 

Regards

Dr Bhate