About Cervical Spondylitis

Cervical osteoarthritis, otherwise known as cervical spondylitis, most commonly occurs in men and women who are above 40 years of age. The effects increase as the person’s age increases. The disorder is the result of chronic degeneration of the bone of the vertebrate in the neck. Even the cushions between the bones (intervertebral discs) are also affected by this disorder. This degeneration of bone in the neck mainly arises in people who suffer from low bone density or low calcium levels.

In some cases, the osteophytes (bone spurs) on the neck bones apply more pressure to spinal nerves and the spinal cord. This in turn causes pain to radiate to the arms, shoulders, hands and fingers. In this case one must undergo surgery if proper treatment was not obtained in the beginning stages.

Symptoms of Cervical Spondylitis

The following are the symptoms of cervical spondylitis.

• Radiating pain from the neck to the shoulders and arms
• Numbness in arms, hands and fingers
• Frequent headaches which radiate to the back of head
• Vertigo
• Numbness of legs caused by compression of the lumbar vertebrae
• Loss of control of bowel and bladder function, if the lumbar vertebrae are compressed

Factors Which Lead to Cervical Spondylitis

• Age
• Wear and tear on the neck bones
• Lifting heavy weights
• Workouts in the gymnasium
• Prolonged bending
• Genetics in a few cases

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet
4. Other Precautions

Home Remedies for Cervical Spondylitis

Garlic as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: As a popular antibiotic and antibacterial, garlic is one of the best natural remedies for various diseases. Allicin, the major ingredient of garlic, is solely responsible for its antibacterial property. Garlic is a diaphoretic, a diuretic, a stimulant and a vermifuge. It strengthens the heart and blood vessels. Garlic serves as a cure for cancer and tumors. The sulfur compound of garlic boosts the immune system. It is also an ideal cure for flu and the common cold. Garlic effectively cures not only diabetes but also its opposite, hypoglycemia.

Use of Garlic as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

There are two kinds of cure for cervical spondylitis using garlic. They are as follows:

• Eat 1-2 garlic cloves on an empty stomach in the morning regularly to prevent the effects of spondylitis.
• Add 10 garlic cloves to 50 ml of mustard oil and fry until they become brown. Apply the oil to the neck and surrounding area. Leave it on for 3 hours and take baths in warm water to reduce the pain caused by cervical spondylitis.

Lemon as a Home Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Lemon is among the most effective home remedies for healing bleeding gums and wounds. It is an excellent purifier and helps nourish the skin. Being rich in antioxidants, lemon slows down the aging process. It soothes the stomach due to its digestive properties. It is an excellent cure for rheumatism. It is also antiseptic and anti-scurvy. Besides being an expectorant, lemon also cures mouth ulcers.

Use of Lemon as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Make a fresh juice out of lemon and salt. Drink this juice 2- 3 times everyday to reduce the effects of cervical spondylitis.

Nirgundi as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Nirgundi is one of the finest natural remedies for healing various ailments like arthritis, glandular and rheumatic swelling. It effectively controls the pain of sciatica. Being slightly bitter in taste, nirgundi is anti-inflammatory in nature and is a good tonic for the stomach. It is also an astringent and is anthelmintic by nature. It serves as a cure for asthma and for an enlarged spleen. It cures headaches effectively. It is also a vermifuge and an expectorant. It is also a cardiac tonic by nature.

Use of Nirgundi as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Apply a handful of nirgundi oil extract to the bones in the neck and the areas surrounding them. Massage gently. Continue this treatment for 10 days. This is the perfect way to get relief from spondylitis pains.

Shallaki as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Shallaki is well known for its anti-arthritic properties. This herb is sweet, cooling and a good tonic. Being diuretic by nature, it serves as a cure for jaundice and urethritis. The presence of boswellic acid in its gum resins plays a vital role in reducing inflammation and reducing the pain caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The extracts of this herb also stabilize the blood cholesterol levels. It is the one of the finest natural remedies for enhancing the immune system.

Use of Shallaki as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Shallaki herb can be taken in the form of tablets (600mg) 1 or 2 times daily for 10- 15 days to treat cervical spondylitis.

Ginger as a Home Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Ginger is renowned for both its culinary and medicinal properties. It strengthens the respiratory system and acts as a cure for flu and coughs. It is among the best home remedies for controlling blood clots. It also combats cardiovascular disease and soothes the digestive system. It is an excellent cleanser of bowels and the bladder. Ginger root aids the uterus for disorders such as cramps and menstrual problems. A tea prepared with ginger acts as a diaphoretic, inducing sweating. It is also a natural aphrodisiac.

Use of Ginger as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Boil a few ginger roots in a cup of water to get a decoction. Add a teaspoon of castor oil to the decoction and consume it every evening before going to sleep. This will definitely provide relief from the pain of cervical spondylitis.

Tinospora Cordifolia as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: This herb is one of the best natural remedies for strengthening the immune system. Its ingredients are all phytochemicals. As it is a good antioxidant, it heals cancer and tumors effectively. It is also diuretic in nature. Being anti inflammatory, it is widely used in reducing the pain and swelling caused by arthritis and rheumatism. It also acts as a cure for aches and wounds. It is an excellent blood purifier.

Use of Tinospora Cordifolia as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

This herb is available as an extract in various leading herbal shops. Take the herb as per the instructions given on the bottles or tablet strips.

Indian Ginseng as a Home Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Ashwagandha, otherwise known as Indian Ginseng, is widely used in home remedies for curing a large number of health ailments. Withanolides, the major compound in this herb, is solely responsible for its medicinal properties. It is a relaxant, a sedative, and an anti-inflammatory by nature. It is ideal for increasing the body’s energy. Besides being diuretic, it also reduces hypertension. Withaferin, the ingredient in the herb root, will act as a stress buster. Women should take care when using Indian ginseng as it is known to cause miscarriages and abortions.

Use of Indian Ginseng as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Paste prepared from this herb’s leaves can be applied around the neck and shoulders to get relief from the pain caused by cervical spondylitis. The Ashwagandha extracts available in herbal shops should be taken per the instructions given with the medicine.

Ink Nut as a Home Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Ink nut is one of the most well-known home remedies for curing digestive related disorders. Tannins, chebulic acids, glycosides and steroids are the constituents of the ink nut. Its fruits are astringent by nature. It is considered a laxative, an adaptogenic and an expectorant as well as being a stomach and general tonic by nature. It also controls the blood sugar levels. Due to its chebulic acid content, it is the best anti-inflammatory in nature. Because it is an anticaries agent, it is used as mouth wash. It also soothes the digestion system and acts as a cure for ulcers.

Use of Ink Nut as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Include Ink nuts in daily meals while preparing smoothies or salads. This will effectively combat the symptoms of cervical spondylitis.

Guggulu as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Guggulu is one of the most effective natural remedies for curing disorders in Ayurvedic treatments. It serves as a cure for tuberculosis. It is vital energy-providing herb. It is a wonderful vermicide. It cures skin infections and prevents hair from turning grey. It aids in preventing obesity. It controls blood cholesterol and prevents the thickening of artery walls. It also reduces the pus of acne.

Use of Guggulu as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Gum resin extracted from this herb will do wonders for cervical spondylitis. It is available as tablets in herbal shops. Take 2-4 tablets four times a day to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by cervical spondylitis.

Triphala Powder as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Triphala powder is well known as a natural remedy for curing constipation and colon cleansing. It is rich in Vitamin C. It is highly fibrous. It also strengthens the immune system and cures diseases like diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels and diarrhea. It also efficiently controls the loss of hair and also cures dandruff. Its high vitamin C level will boost up the energy levels of the human body.

Use of Triphala Powder as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Mix a teaspoon of this herbal powder with a cup of warm milk and add one teaspoon of sugar to this mix. Consume this milk daily to get relief from the effects of cervical spondylitis.

Neem Flowers as a Natural Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Neem is one of the most astonishing natural remedies for curing disorders caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Besides being well known for its anti-microbial properties, it is also ideal because of its anti-arthritic and anti- inflammatory properties. It serves as a cure for malaria and tumors. Its flowers control morbidity and skin ulcers. It soothes the digestive system. It stimulates the immune system and effectively controls blood sugar levels.

Use of Neem Flowers as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Take a teaspoon of Neem flower powder regularly on an empty stomach to alleviate the symptoms of cervical spondylitis.

Camphor Oil as a Home Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: Being analgesic by nature makes camphor oil a therapeutic. Camphor oil is a well-known home remedy for arthritis and hypertension. One should be careful with camphor oil since it is neurotoxin. Pregnant women must not use it since it can induce labor or abortion and is harmful to the liver and nervous system of an unborn child. Diuretic, antiseptic, carminative and antidepressive are some of the characteristics of camphor oil. It also eases bowel movements as it is also laxative in nature. It effectively treats rheumatism, pain and sprains.

Use of Camphor Oil as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Mix any kind of oil such as coconut or almond with camphor oil and massage gently into the neck and its surrounding areas to reduce the pain caused by cervical spondylitis.

Pirant Oil as a Home Remedy for Cervical Spondylitis

Properties: This herbal oil is known for its healing powers. It reduces chronic inflammation and swelling caused by arthritis and joint pain. It also acts as a muscle relaxant. It reduces the pain and swelling of sciatica.

Use of Pirant Oil as a Treatment for Cervical Spondylitis:

Apply a handful of oil over the affected area and massage gently. This will relieve the pain caused by cervical spondylitis.

Other Home Remedies for Cervical Spondylitis

Fomentation will provide good relief from cervical spondylitis.

Massage using the Mahanarayana Thailam over the neck and its surrounding area will reduce the symptoms of cervical spondylitis.

Diet for Cervical Spondylitis

Raw vegetable salad will be the perfect diet for older people suffering from this disorder.

Steamed cauliflower, carrot and spinach can be included in the diet to reduce the effects of cervical spondylitis.

Exclusion of tea and coffee from the diet for treatment of cervical spondylitis is advisable.

Oily and spicy foodstuffs must be excluded from the diet for treating this disorder.

Processed food must not be included in the diet for treating cervical spondylitis.

Foods which are rich in vitamin C and D must be eaten as part of a diet for this disorder.

Plenty of fruits are a must in the diet for healing cervical spondylitis.

Other Precautions Against Cervical Spondylitis

Do not lift heavy loads.

Avoid working in a bending position for a long period of time.

Avoid work which puts more pressure on the neck.

Include more calcium-enriched food in the diet.

An uncomfortable sitting posture which stresses the neck should be avoided.

Persons with sedentary jobs should stand up and relax muscles at regular intervals.