An article on Cervical Spondylitis by Dr. Vikram Chauhan – MD (Ayurveda)

What is Cervical spondylits ?

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HERBAL REMEDIES FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS

An article on Cervical Spondylitis by Dr. Vikram Chauhan – MD (Ayurveda)
What is Cervical spondylits ?

Cervical Spondylitis is also known as cervical osteoarthritis or cervical Spondylitis. It generally affects the men and women older than 40 and progresses with age. People with less bone density or low calcium diet are prone to this condition. Cervical Spondylitis is agening related degenerative osteoarthritis of the neck vertebrae. Cervical Spondylitis is a chronic degeneration of the neck bones but also the cushions or the inter vertebral discs are also involved.

The degeneration in cervical Spondylitis is a result of wear and tear on the vertebral column in neck due to ageing. The bony spurs or the osteophytes are the degenerative changes which are seen in the x-ray (radiogram) of the neck vertebral column. The osteophytes (small bony spurs) of cervical bones can lead to pressure on the spinal nerves and, sometimes, the spinal cord itself, leading to pain in neck, pain radiating to arms and hands and sensation of needles and pricks in the arms and fingers.
Mild cases of cervical Spondylitis often require no treatment or may respond to conservative treatment, including wearing a neck brace and taking home remedies for cervical Spondylitis. More severe cases of cervical Spondylitis, however, particularly those involving pressure on the spinal nerves or cord, may require treatment ranging from neck traction to stronger medications to surgery.

Cervical Spondylitis Pain Management

The explanation of Cervical Spondylitis may seem weird to modern world people but Ayurveda is an ancient healing science utilizing herbs for centuries. 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. 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. 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 are useful in managing pain and inflammation in Cervical Spondylitis. There are sometimes very painful condition in Cervical Spondylitis, that pain and inflammation needs to be tackled quickly. There are very common herbs for painful joint which work insantly. 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.

Constipation must be avoided at all costs in Cervical Spondylitis. Constipation leads to vitiation of Vata and formation of gas, which may increase bouts of increased pain in neck.

Herbs for Cervical Spondylitis

Signs and symptoms in Cervical Spondylitis-

Stiffness and neck pain that gets progressively worse with time may be an indication of cervical Spondylitis. The pain may range from mild to severe and debilitating. The condition may last for several months before improving, or it may become chronic. Other signs and symptoms may include:

Neck pain that radiates to the shoulders and arms
Numbness or tingling sensation or weakness in the arms, hands and fingers
Headaches that radiate to the back of the head
Loss of balance, vertigo
Numbness or weakness in the legs, if lumbar vertebrae are involved and if the spinal cord is compressed
Loss of bladder or bowel control, if the lumbar vertebrae are involved and if the spinal cord is compressed

Causes of Cervical Spondylitis-

Ageing is the chief factor for Cervical Spondylitis.With growing age, the discs of your spine become drier and less elastic.According to Ayurvedic principles of healing, the dryness and inelasticity can be checked by using ghrit- medicated butteroil or cow's ghee in moderation. The degeneration can cause some of the discs to bulge out and can cause the central cartilage of the discs to protrude through a crack in the ring that surrounds the disc (herniate). The surrounding ligaments become less flexible, and the vertebrae may develop bone spurs.

These degenerative changes may be a result of wear and tear throughout your life. An earlier injury to neck may predispose you to this degeneration. By age 55, most people will show signs of cervical Spondylitis on X-ray, although they may not have signs or symptoms.

Cervical Spondylitis is degenerative disease of the bones and discs in the neck, which can lead to a variety of problems, including herniated discs.

There are many herbs which are described in Ayurveda for cervical Spondylitis. These herbs are useful in all types of arthritis like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint conditions as well as cervical Spondylitis. Some of them reduce the pain, some reduce inflammation while herbs like Giloy (Tinospora and Ashwagandha) are helpful in many other autoimmune disorders as well.

Nirgundi (Vitex negundo): Vitex negundo is described in Ayurveda as one of the most potent natural anti-arthritic herbs. It is very effective in controlling pain and inflammation particularly in arthritis, painful joints and sciatica patients.

Shallaki (Boswellia serrata): Boswellia serrata is a very popular natural anti-inflammatory herb used by Ayurveda physicians all over the world. It is commonly known in India as ‘Salai Guggul'. The resin obtained from the tree is purified and then used for pain and inflammation.It relieves cervical Spondylitis and other arthritis pains naturally without causing any side effects.

Guggul (Commiphora mukul): Commiphora mukul is a known anti-inflammatory agent used by Ayurveda physicians worldwide. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory action is almost immediate. Guggul is also used in weight loss formulas and is effective in reducing weight, thus it also helps osteoarthritis patients as well as cervical Spondylitis pains.

Sonth (Zingiber officinale): It is commonly known as dry ginger. Dry Ginger is another useful anti-inflammatory herb. It also improves appetite and good for digestive and respiratory system. Dry ginger 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..

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): Tinospora is considered as one of the leading immuno-modulator. In Ayurveda, this herb is known as “Amrita”. Amrit literally means “elixir for long life span”. Recent studies explains it is useful in auto-immune disorders especially Rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Ashwagandha is popularly known as Indian ginseng in the west. It has known anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-stress activities. The plant steroids exert anti-inflammatory action where as another active ingredient of this herb root is Withaferin, Which act as a potent stress buster.

Arthritis Support
(Herbal remedy for all types of Arthritis )

Arthritis Support is a blend of unique herbs described in Ayurveda as best anti-inflammatory herbs. These rare herbs are nature's answer to moderate to severe forms of inflammation, swelling and pain. Arthritis Support contains extracts of Nirgundi, Shallaki, Guggul, Ginger, Giloy and Ashwagandha. These herbs act together in a synergistic manner and control acute and chronic inflammatory reactions.

Herbs in Arthritis Support: Arthritis Support is purely a herbal formulation without any chemicals added into it. The ingredients are frequently used in Ayurvedic system of medicine since 5,000 B.C. without any side effects.

Price: $ 22.95 | Quantity : 60 Veg Caps |

Ingredients in Arthritis Support

(Capsules Arthritis Support contains pure herbs for Arthritis, explained above)

Other Herbal remedies for Cervical Spondylitis -

There are so many other useful herbal remedies for Cervical Spondylitis which give excellent results in joint pains and inflammation. These herbal remedies are also effective in many other forms of arthritis.

Herbal remedies for Osteoarthritis, Cervical Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis Cervical Spondylitis, Sacroileitis, Paget's disease and other painful joint conditions -

Commiphora mukul is a very unique and powerful anti-inflammatory herb and is very effective in all types of arthritis. Some of the tablets containing this herb are mentioned below. These herbal tablets are purely classical herbal remedies for arthritis and are used in Ayurveda since ages.

1. Tablets Kaishore Guggul - The main ingredient of these tablets is the herb Commiphora mukul. These are pure herbal tablets and are can be used along with Arthritis Support in cases of severe acute and chronic pain in Cervical Spondylitis and other forms of joint pains. Kaishore Guggul can be used with AamVaatantak Churna (Herbal powder for Rheumatoid arthritis) even if the HLA B-27 is negative and Ankylsoing Spondylitis is diagnosed. These can be consumed along with arthritis support and Kumari Saar. Rheumatoid arthritis also responds very well to this combination of these 3 herbal formulations.

2. Tablet Yograj Guggul - These are herbal tablets useful in chronic inflammation of joints. These can be used for long term arthriits herbal remedy in cases of rheumatoid arthritis and Cervical Spondylitis. In cases of Rheumatoid arthritis Yograj Guggul should be combined with arthritis support and Aamvatantak Churna.Curcumin (Turmeric- curcuma longa) is a very useful herb for Cervical Spondylitis.

3.Tablet Lakshadi Guggul- These are herbal tablets contain guggul and are very useful in cases of fractured bones, strains and sprains in muscles, tendons. These tablets hasten the healing in case of muscle rupture, ligament sprain. It is also very useful natural remedy for osteoarthrits and other arthropathies.

4. Punarnava Mandoor- These herbal tablets contain Boerrhavia diffusa which reduces the inflammation remarkably. It removes excess body fluid through kidneys. It strengthens immune system and improves haemoglobin levels. It contains the natural iron. The tablets are useful in inflammatory Cervical Spondylitis and rheumatoid arhritis, which is usually associated with anemia. These tablets should be used along with aamvatantak churna, yograj guggul and syrup Kumari Saar (Kumari saar is pure aloe vera juice)