Alleviate the Pain with Simple Natural Treatment Methods
Do you suffer from bouts of severe neck pain and stiffness in your neck? It may be Cervical Spondylosis, commonly referred to as neck arthritis. It’s a painful condition that occurs both in men and women as they cross 40.
In fact, more than 85% of people above 60 suffer from this debilitating condition. While there are no medications to combat cervical spondylosis, with the right lifestyle changes and proper care and treatment, you can be freed from the pain.
How to find out if you have Cervical Spondylosis?
Some people experience mild to no symptoms, while others have severe chronic pain. If you experience any of the following symptoms, then consult your physician and have an X-ray or other diagnostic tests done, to detect the condition accurately.
- Neck and shoulder pain, especially when you stand, sit, sneeze, cough or tilt your head backwards.
- Headaches that start above the neck and reach the top of the forehead.
- Pain that usually flares up during certain periods and reduces the rest of the time. However, 1 in 10 sufferers experience chronic pain too.
- Other less frequent symptoms include loss of bladder and bowel control, loss of balance.
Why does it occur?
Our spinal disks are made up of 80% water. As we age, the discs begin to lose their water content starting at the age of 40. This makes the disks brittle. The bulging discs cause pain when they come in contact with a nerve root.
This degeneration of the spinal vertebrae is natural and occurs in almost everyone and not all experience the symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
Why do some people suffer, whereas others don’t?
Age is one of the biggest risk factors. Cervical spondylosis is most common among the middle-aged and the old. Other factors that increase the chances are:
- Genetics – You are at a higher risk if your family has a history of neck pain
- Smoking has been linked to different types of neck pain
- Occupational hazards like professional dancers, martial arts practitioners, gymnasts suffer from this condition
- Previous neck injury can aggravate the condition
- Anxiety, stress or depression
Ways to Treat Cervical Spondylosis Naturally
It’s true that cervical spondylosis hampers your lifestyle. But, the good news here is that you can minimise the pain associated with this condition with a few simple lifestyle changes and other effective natural treatments.
1. Yoga Asanas
Some of the best yoga asanas to cure this condition are crocodile pose, cobra pose, striking cobra pose, fish pose, infant’s pose, half-locust pose, cat pose and elbow rotations. Practising Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) regularly help patients recover quickly.
Always practice yoga asanas only with the help of a qualified practitioner. Don’t trust YouTube videos or self-help books to help you, as it’s often harmful than effective.
Here’s a simple exercise to relieve Cervical Spondylosis pain:
Sit in a comfortable position with your neck and back straight. Inhale while you tilt your head to the back slowly and exhale as you come up. Don’t lean forward. Do it 10-12 times.
2. Massages
In patients suffering from Cervical Spondylosis, the muscles surrounding the neck vertebrae are tensed causing pain. A trained massage therapist can help to relieve your tight muscles and relax them. This reduces inflammation thereby controlling pain. A massage not only calms down your muscles but also soothes your mind.
3. Hot or Cold Compress
Another way to reduce the inflammation of the neck muscles is to apply hot water or ice packs to the area. This soothes tired muscles and reduces soreness and stiffness. You can also wear a soft neck brace if the pain is too much. However, remember that regular dependence on these braces can weaken your neck muscles.
4. Herbal Remedies
Several natural Ayurvedic remedies are quite effective in combating cervical spondylosis. Some of them are:
- Ginger – The anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent solution. Cut a few pieces of ginger, steep in hot water to brew ginger tea. Drink 2-3 cups of this tea daily for the best results. Ginger can also be used as a hot compress. Mix mustard and ginger oil, heat it mildly and apply this oil on the affected area. Do it 3-4 times per day.
- Neem – Grind fresh neem leaves into a powder and make a paste with cold water. Heat this paste and apply it on your neck, to reduce the pain.
- Sesame Oil – Take a cup of cold water and add one teaspoon of sesame oil in it. Boil this mixture and apply it warm on your neck. Massage to relieve pain.
- Garlic – Take raw garlic and cut it into small pieces. Take it with a glass of water on an empty stomach. You can also apply garlic oil on the affected area.
- Cayenne Pepper – Mix two teaspoons of cayenne pepper with tea or warm milk and drink it three times a day. You can also mix it with water and drink it before and after breakfast for best results.
A Few Do’s and Don’ts for Cervical Spondylosis
Do’s
- Don’t slouch. Keep your posture erect while standing or sitting.
- Relieve stress and tension by practising meditation and breathing exercises like Pranayama.
- Make sure to include calcium-rich foods like milk, dairy products, fish, and other green leafy vegetables in your diet.
Don’ts
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it can add an extra burden to your neck. Don’t do any exercises that cause strain to your neck like intense jogging, running and strength training without the supervision of a qualified trainer.
- Skip soft pillows and beds.
- Don’t resort to painkillers as they can cause stomach ulcers.
The Bottom Line
Cervical Spondylosis is nothing but the “Wear and Tear” that occurs with age. While reversing the condition is impossible, you can overcome the discomfort and pain, easily and efficiently, with the help of naturopathic treatments.
Wave off your Chronic Neck Pain & Gain back your Life!
Reference Links:
