How To Cure Cervical Spondylosis Permanently With Ayurveda
Modern lifestyles have seen an increase in lifestyle-related diseases. People have largely moved away from manual work and spend their days tied to a desk and hunched over a phone or computer. Our skeletal system was not designed for such unnatural positions held over a period of time. This results in joint, bone, and degenerative diseases affecting people of all ages.
Prolonged sitting or standing postures, working on computers for long hours, and lack of physical exercise has become part and parcel of our current lifestyles. Not surprisingly, several problems related to the musculoskeletal system have become commonplace now. Degenerative diseases that were mainly seen in elderly people are now affecting people in their early and middle ages. Cervical Spondylosis is one such spinal problem that is generally seen in age groups over thirty. This article discusses the causes, remedies and cervical spondylosis home treatment that you can follow.
Cervical Spondylosis Ayurvedic Treatment
We owe the ease with which we perform our daily activities at home and at work to technology. However, the same technology has made us less active physically. We spend much of our time hunched over keyboards or peering at a smart device. Even leisure activities are enjoyed on electronic devices. Our bodies were not designed for sedentary lives bent over static objects. The spine and muscles are particularly vulnerable to bad posture and habits. Musculoskeletal health problems are no longer confined to people of retirement age. It is not uncommon to find young people suffering from neck and back pain brought on by prolonged bad posture and lifestyles
Cervical spondylosis is caused by the war and tear of the discus in the cervical area of the neck. Ayurveda refers to it as Sandhigata Vata in Ayurveda. This is no longer an age-related problem. The body also tends to react to these unnatural neck positions by growing bone spurs. Cervical spondylosis in Ayurveda is caused by a Vata Dosha aggravation. This is caused by bad habits and a Vata aggravating lifestyle and food. So treatment for this issue focuses on calming the Vata Dosha.
Sometimes the body tries to compensate for weakness by trying to strengthen the spine with bone growth. This causes the formation of bone spurs that cause pain. Sitting in the same position for hours all day can also cause the tendons in the neck to stiffen. Smoking aggravates the symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Lack of physical activity also weakens the muscle structure that supports the skeletal frame. This fails to adequately relieve the strain that is put on the bones and joints.
Cervical spondylosis in Ayurveda is a Vata problem. It is caused by a Vata aggravating diet and lifestyle. Ayurvedic treatment for spondylosis uses herbal formulations to calm the Vata Dosha. The patient is also given diet advice to avoid the intake of Vata enhancing foods. Medication for the problem is also supplemented with the topical application of Ayurvedic oil for cervical spondylosis. More severe cases require external Ayurvedic medicine for cervical spondylosis Panchakarma treatments.
A poorly functioning digestive system causes a metabolic waste called Ama to be formed. When this penetrates the joints it causes inflammation and compounds joint problems. So one should correct the diet and food habits so that digestion is at its best. Ayurvedic treatment of Cervical spondylosis includes herbs to relieve and eliminate Ama. This should be supported by spondylosis home treatment, lifestyle changes, and diet that prevents the formation of more Ama. Ayurvedic anti-inflammatories and analgesics help to relieve the pain caused by the joints. Sometimes external treatments are also required to relieve Ama. These can be the application of treatment oils such as Mahanarayana Thailam and hot fomentation, steam therapy, Navarakizhi, or Greeva Basti treatments.
Gentle stretches and having a more active lifestyle help to strengthen the muscles and the bones in the body. The treatment of cervical spondylosis in Ayurveda also involves medication to nourish the bones and the cervical discs. Sleeping properly and eating freshly prepared nutritious food prevents Ama formation in the body and reduces the inflammation and pain in the joints.
Home Remedies to Manage Cervical Spondylosis
In addition to eating a balanced and nutritious diet, one can also use certain herbs and spices as home remedies for cervical spondylitis.
Due to their strong anti-inflammatory properties, the herbs and superfoods mentioned below act as the best home remedies to manage cervical spondylosis.
Castor oil: A tablespoon of castor oil once or twice a week before bed helps in cleansing toxins and balancing Vata.
Garlic: Eat a few raw garlic buds on an empty stomach every day in the morning. Alternatively, you can also heat two to three crushed garlic cloves in a pan with some vegetable oil, let it cool, and then use it to massage the affected area. Once you are done with that, take a warm bath.
Turmeric: Turmeric is one of the best home remedies for spondylosis. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk and heat it on low flame for around five minutes. Let it cool down. Add a little honey to it before drinking.
Sesame oil: This oil has been a home remedy for joint problems since time immemorial. It is warming and nourishes the joints. It can be warmed and gently massaged into the area as one of the home remedies for spondylitis neck pain. It is light and penetrates the tissues very easily.
Ginger: Drink ginger tea twice a day. To make ginger tea, add a tablespoon of thinly sliced ginger in 2 cups of water and boil it for ten minutes. Now strain it, add some honey and drink it.
Cayenne Pepper: A mixture of 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder and 2 tablespoons of olive oil can be applied to the affected area and covered with a cloth. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight.
Ghee: Add a bit of ghee to your food. It is a natural Vata pacifier and nourishes the nerves as well.
Herbal juices: Drink aloe vera and amla juice to improve the immunity of the body naturally.
Herbs: Some of the herbs that can be used as home remedies for cervical spondylosis are:
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Bala (Sida cardifolia)
- Prishniparni (Uraria picta)
- Gambhari (Gmelina arborea)
- Rasna (Pluchea lanceolate)
- Shallaki (Boswelia serrata)
- Castor root (Ricinus communis)
Things to avoid
- Avoid sour foods and Vata aggravating foods like semolina and white flour.
- Avoid carrying heavy-weights that put pressure on our head and shoulder region.
- Going to bed early at night is healthy and important. Also, try to avoid sleeping during the day.
- Too much air conditioning may result in dryness in the body. Try to stay longer in naturally open environments.
- Remember to have the correct posture while reading, writing or working on your computer.