Ideal Ayurveda

Natural Herbal treatment for Cervical Spondylosis

Ø In Cervical Spondylosis,any external massage is not of much use.

Ø Violent massage with deep pressure is very harmful for the spondylitis patient. Only gentle massage over the muscles of the neck and shoulder joints should be applied and for this purpose Mahanarayan taila is best suited.

Ø This gentle massage can be given 2-3 times a day .In winter season; this medicated oil should be gently warmed before application.

Ø Guggulu, gum resin extracted from the plant is the best medicine for the treatment of cervical spondylosis.

Ø 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.

Ø Usually hot water or hot milk is given to the patient after the administration of this medicines. This medicine has slightly laxative effects.

Ø For the patient to recover from cervical ailments, it is necessary that this bowel should move clearly and regularly (As according to ayurveda “sarve roga aapi mandaagni” – all the dieases occur due to less or very less digestive fire, so for the best outcome os ayurvedic medicine one’s aagni should be normal) .

Ø This medicine is very much helpful for this purpose. For patients having clear motions, this medicine should be given in a dose of 2 tablets and constipated patients the dose should be 4 tablets.

Ø If the constipation is not relieved even by taking 4 tablets the dose can be further increased to 6 tablets.

Ø At night some medicines should be given to the patients, which will act as a purgative. Triphala powder is the best medicine for spondylitis. One teaspoonful of triphala should be given to the patient, mixed with a cup of warm milk and one spoon of sugar.

Ø If the motions become regular by the intake of simbanada guggulu, then triphala powder should be given only twice a week otherwise it can be given every day.

Ø Hot fomentation on the vertebrae of the neck is very useful for cervical pains. In a big handkerchief about 500gms of salt should be kept over a frying pan till it becomes tolerably hot. Then this should be applied over the neck. Care should be taken to see that it should not be too hot. In that case, it may cause burns.

Ø Sometimes patients suffering from cervical Spondylosis 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 of the bolus before applying it on the affected parts

Ø 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 wool engarment. 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.

Ø After the fomentation the patient should go to sleep so that he does not run the risk of exposure.

Regarding Diet

Ø Sour things particularly curd, are strictly prohibited.

Ø Fried things, pulses and various preparations of pulses are also contra- indicated in this condition.

Ø Bitter vegetables like bitter variety of drumstick, neem flowers and bitter gourd are very useful.

Ø Wheat is better than rice for the patient.

Ø One should however; avoid taking refined wheat which is known as maida (flour) and suji (semolina). To some extent they are constipated and do not help the patient in the recovery.

Ø Lifestyle Exposure to cold, cold bath and any violent exercise of the neck muscles, including pressure, are very bad for the patients of Cervical spondylosis.

Ø Under the impression that this pain is being caused by some defects in the muscles, people undertake different types of neck exercises .

Ø While reading and writing ,one should maintain a comfortable posture. Morning walk gives some relief to the patient, but if it is cold outside the patient should always use a woolen scarf around his neck while going out of the house.

Ø The explanation of Cervical Spondylitis may seem weird to modern world people but Ayurveda is an ancient healing science utilizing herbs for centuries.

Ø Most of the patients respond very well to Ayurvedic treatment of Cervical Spondylitis as the principles of healing are focussed on balancing the "Vata" - the culprit behind pain due to nerves.

Ø So vitiated vata is controlled by herbs like Kaishore Guggul, Aloe vera juice (Kumari Saar), Yograj Guggul and Stress Support, as stress also causes stiffness in neck joints and Ashwagandha is the herb which is beneficial in stress related muscle stiffness.

Ø It is also a good natural anti-inflammatory herb without any side effects. Vata- the kinetic energy of the body is regulated by regular massage with Ayurvedic oils, internal consumption of medicated Cow's ghee. Anti-inflammatory herbal tablets like Sinhnaad Guggul, Swarn Guggul (Guggul with Gold), Kaishore Guggul, Yograj Guggul, Arthriits Support is useful in managing pain and inflammation in Cervical Spondylitis.

Ø There are sometimes very painful conditions in Cervical Spondylitis, that pain and inflammation needs to be tackled quickly.

Ø There are very common herbs for painful joint which work insantly.

Ø The herbs are very common like Dry Ginger, Turmeric (curcumin), Fenugreek, Ashwagandha, Sallaki (Boswellia), Guggul, and Giloy (Tinospora). The extracts of these herbs are more effective in reducing the pain and inflammation of all types of arthritis and joint pains.

Ø Constipation must be avoided at all costs in Cervical Spondylitis.

Ø Constipation leads to vitiation of Vata and formation of gas, which may increase bouts of increased pain in neck.

Ø Sonth (Zingiber officinale): It is commonly known as dry ginger. Dry Ginger is another useful anti-inflammatory herb.

Ø It also improves appetite and good for digestive and respiratory system.

Ø Dry gingers remarkably reduce markers of inflammation in the blood and is a very potent analgesic and is a remarkable herbal treatment for pain of cervical Spondylitis.

Ø 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 purpose Maharayan tailam is best suited.

Ø This gentle massage can be given 2-3 times a day .In winter season; this medicated oil should be gently warmed before application.

Ø Guggulu, gum resin extracted from the plant is the best medicine for the treatment of this condition.

Ø 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.

Ø Usually hot water or hot milk id 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.

Ø This medicine is very much helpful for this purpose. For patients having clear motions, this medicine should be given in a dose of 2 tablets and constipated patients the dose should be 4 tablets.

Ø 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 tbsp 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 simbanada guggulu, then triphala powder should be given only twice a week otherwise it can be given every day.

Ø Hot fomentation on the vertebrae of the neck is very useful for this condition. In a big handkerchief about 500gms of salt should be kept over a frying pan till it becomes tolerably hot.

Ø 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.

Ø Sometime patients suffering from Cervical Spondylosis develop some anesthetic patches in the back, neck, shoulders and arms because of the pressure from nervous systems.

Ø 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 of the bolus before applying it on the affected parts.

Ø 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.

Ø 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.

Ø After the fomentation the patient should go to sleep so that he does not run the risk of exposure.

Ø Relief from pain can be obtained by taking lemon juice mixed with common salt twice or thrice daily. A piece of the chebulic myrobalan(harad) taken after principal meals also gives quick relief.

Ø Other measures found valuable in cervical spondylosis are mild oil massage to the neck, shoulders and hands, hot fomentation for five to 10 minutes twice a day or five to 10 minutes of exposure to the Infra red rays

Ø Extension and flexion is especially helpful when you feel your neck and back stiffen. While sitting, place your hands on your knees and push down.

Ø Slowly arch your back and bend your back backward. Then slowly slump forward. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Ø Side bends increase your side-to-side flexibility. Start by placing your fingers together and pointing your elbows outward.

Ø Bend at the waist, tilting your body to one side as far as you can.

Ø Then bend your head and neck in the same direction. Repeat on your other side. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Ø This exercise increases the flexibility of your entire spine. To begin, place your fingers together and point your elbows outward.

Ø Slowly and gently twist at your waist, rotating your head and neck to the same side. Repeat toward the other side. Repeat this exercise 10 times..

Ø The diet of elderly persons suffering from spondylosis should consist of salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce and at least two steamed or lightly-cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach and plenty of fruits. The patients should have four meals daily.

Ø The patient should avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods, sour curd, sweets, sugar, condiments as well as tea and coffee.

Ø Those who smoke and take tobacco in any form should give up completely.

Ø Proteins and Vitamin C are necessary for the development of a healthy bone matrix. Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorous and the essential trace minerals are essential for healthy bones. Foods that have been processed for storage to avoid spoiling have few nutrients and should be eliminated from the diet.

Lifestyle

Ø Exposure to cold, cold bath and any violent exercise of the neck muscles, including pressure, are very bad for the patients. Under the impression that this pain is being caused by some defects in the muscles, people undertake different types of neck exercises .While reading and writing, one should maintain a comfortable posture. Morning walk gives some relief to the patient, but if it is cold outside the patient should always use a woolen scarf around his neck while going out of the house.

Ø Certain safety measures, especially for people in sedentary occupations, are necessary to relieve and prevent spondylosis. The most important of these is exercise which improves the supply of nutrients to spinal discs, thereby delaying the process of deterioration that comes with age and eventually affects everybody. Safe exercises include walking, swimming and bicycling. The latter should be done keeping the back upright.

Ø Other exercises found beneficial in the treatment of cervical spondylosis are joint movements like folding and unfolding of fingers, moving the wrists up and down, rotating them in both clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, folding and unfolding of the forearms and rotating the shoulder clockwise and anti-clockwise;. head and neck exercises like moving the neck up and down, moving to the sides, rotating the neck clockwise and anti­clockwise and nodding the neck from one shoulder to another; and shoulder exercises like lifting the shoulders up and down, moving the shoulder in clockwise and in anti­clockwise directions. All these exercises should be undertaken three times daily.

Ø Those with sedentary occupations should take a break to stand up every hour. Soft-cushioned seats should be avoided and position should be changed as often as possible. Elderly persons with spondylosis should sleep on a firm mattress on their sides with knees bent at right angles to the torso. They should use thin pillows or avoid it altogether, if possible. They should take care never to bend from the waist down to lift any object, but instead should squat close to the object, bending the knees but keeping the back straight and then stand up slowly.

laxative - products that promote bowel movements.

purgative - Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

hot fomentation - warm application.

bolus - a concentrated mass of pharmaceutical preparation

Yograj guggul - Contents:
Vidang (Embelia ribes)
Ushir (Vetiveria zizanoides)
Devdaru (Cedrus deodara)
Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum)
Chavya (Piper chaba)
Ela (Elettaria cardamomum)
Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris)
Dhanyak (Coriandrum sativum)
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
Bhibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
Sunthi (Zingiber officinale)
Marich (Piper nigrum)
Pippali (Piper longum)
Puified Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)

Doses:
1-2 tablets for 2 to 3 times daily.

Uses:

• Useful in Paraplegia, Hemiplegia, Gout and Sciatica.

• Very effective in joint pains, arthritis.

• Effective in spondilytis & lumbago also

• Regular use helps subside inflammation.

• Gives long lasting relief.

simhanada guggle contents:

Triphala or Triple Myrobalan 120 gm

Purified Sulphur or Gandahak 15 gm

Purified Guggul extract 30 gm

Castor oil 10 gm

Dosage

The daily dosage of simhanada guggul is 350-1000 mg two to three times a day.The dosage ranges from 1000 mg to 2000mg per day. These tablets should be taken with lukewarm water or milk or herbal decoction.