What is Cervical Spondylitis?

  What are the causes of Cervical Spondylitis ?

  What are the symptoms of Cervical Spondylitis ?

  Homoeopathic Treatment To Cervical Spondylitis

  Do’s & Don’t’s

What is Cervical Spondylitis?

Cervical spondylitis is a common degenerative condition of the cervical (neck) spine that most likely is caused by age-related changes (wear and tear) in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae of the neck.

'Spondylo' is a Greek word-meaning vertebra. Spondylitis (or Spondylosis) means changes in the vertebral joint characterized by increasing degeneration of the intervertebral disc with subsequent changes in the bones and soft tissues. Most often in people above the age of 40, the intervertebral discs get progressively dehydrated and they becomes more compressible and less elastic. Mineral deposition starts occurring in the intervertebral disc resulting in secondary changes. Although majority of individuals over 40 years of age demonstrate significant radiological evidence of the above changes, only a small percentage develop symptoms of the same.

The above changes result in compression of the nerves leading to symptoms of pain, numbness, weakness and loss of reflex due to compression and irritation of spinal nerve.

What are causes of Cervical Spondylitis ?

Repeated occupational trauma e.g., carrying loads on head, professional dancing, gymnastics may contribute. Predisposition to development of cervical spondylitis has been reported in certain families; a genetic cause is possible.

Smoking also may be a risk factor. Doing work that demands minute concentration, people who constantly work by bending their neck Computer professionals, bike users, Travellers who travel a long distance and sleep, in sitting position. Telephone operators or persons who often use the phone on the shoulder. Habit of holding neck in one position, drivers who keep the neck in the same position for a long time, watching TV in abnormal positions or when lying down in Old people

What are the symptoms of Cervical Spondylitis?

The most common symptom is intermittent persistent neck and shoulder pain. The pain can be chronic or episodic, associated with long periods of remission. Neck pain is often accompanied by stiffness which progressively worsens. Pain may also radiate to the shoulders or to the occiput. Many patients present with interscapular pain, pain in the arm, forearm, and/or hand pain. Non-specific headaches occurring mostly in the sub-occipital region (lower part at the back of head) and this pain radiates to the base of the neck and to the vertex (top) of the head. Patients without any history of trauma present with pain, loss of sensation, abnormal sensations and weakness, or a combination of these symptoms. These symptoms are often present in the shoulders, arms and rarely in the legs. Occasionally, the pain may be a typical and present as chest pain or breast pain (false angina).

Clinical examination
The patient shows limited ability to bend the head to sides/front/back and to rotate the head. Stiffness of neck is the predominant sign, found in many of the patients. Weakness in muscles and altered sensations are found in severe cases. Muscle reflexes are reduced.

Homoeopathic Treatment To Cervical Spondylitis

Homeopathic treatment can offer great relief to the sufferers of cervical spondylitis. In the initial period of the disease, the results are very promising in most cases. In chronic cases or those cases where treatment has not been sought early, Homeopathy can relieve the symptoms due to the congestion of the spine and compression of the nerves. The treatment also helps in arresting the progression of the degenerative changes. In advanced cases where the spine has been deformed, it can only help in the management of pain, i.e. Homeopathy can play only a palliative role. The treatment is without any kind of side-effects and is completely safe.

Homeopathy is a scientific medical alternative for treating a wide range of chronic ailments. The basic approach in homeopathy is to evaluate the disease of cervical spondylitis in its whole extent, whereby a lot of emphasis is given to the patient as a whole besides minutely studying various detailed aspects of the cervical spondylitis.

Homeopathy firmly believes in enhancing body's own healing mechanism to maintain health. As per classical homeopathy, we believe in constitutional treatment. This calls for individual case study in every case of cervical spondylitis. There is no single specific remedy for all the cases of cervical spondylitis. The exact treatment is determined only after an in-depth evaluation of each individual case. The case-study is the most vital part of the treatment, whereby various aspects of the patient's lifestyle, personality, food habits, emotional make-up, personal and the family history are evaluated appropriately to decide on the correct medication to treat cervical spondylitis.

Do’s & Don’t’s

Do's
Wear a cervical collar during the day.
Use firm mattress, thin pillow.
Do turn to one side while getting up from lying down position.
Regularly walk or engage in low-impact aerobic activity.
In order to avoid holding the head in the same position for long periods, take break while      driving, watching TV or working on a computer.
Use a seat belt when in a car and use firm collar while traveling.
When in acute pain take rest, immobilize the neck, and take medications as directed.

Don'ts
Do not lift heavy weights on head or back.
Avoid sitting for prolonged period of time in stressful postures.
Avoid running and high-impact aerobics, if you have any neck pain.
Avoid bad roads, if traveling by two or four wheelers.
Do not drive for long hours; take breaks
Avoid habit of holding the telephone on one shoulder and leaning at it for long time.
Do not take many pillows below the neck and shoulder while sleeping.
Do not lie flat on your stomach.
In order to turn around, do not twist your neck or the body; instead turn around by moving     your feet first.