Ayurvedic Insight and Remedies for Cervical Spondylosis

What is Cervical Spondylosis?

Cervical Spondylosis is a condition in which the bones in the neck (vertebrae) and the disc between them gets degenerated, putting pressure on the spinal cord in the neck. Cervical spondylitis is very common disease which gets worse with age. It happens due to wear and tear of the cartilage and bones found in cervical spine.As per Ayurveda explanation Greeva graham (Cervical Spondylosis) predominantly caused by vitiated Vata which is related to movement in the skeleto-muscular system and the nervous system.

What causes Cervical Spondylosis?

• The cause of Cervical Spondylosis occurrence is chronic degeneration, or wear-and-tear of the cervical spine.

Possible reasons for this condition include:

• Bone spurs
• Dehydrated spinal disks
• Bulging (herniated) disks
• Ligament Stiffness
• Occupations or hobbies involve repetitive movements or heavy lifting

Risk Factors includes:

• Advancing age
• Past neck injuries
• Genetic factors
• Smoking

Ayurvedic View:

• In Ayurveda, this condition is known as Greeva graham, where Greeva is neck and Graha is stiffness. As Ayurveda explains that increased Vata results in depletion of body tissues. (As, with advancing age Vata increases and body tissues start degenerating.) The dryness and degeneration caused by Vata decreases

Kapha Dosha:

• Sleshaka Kapha acts as a cushioning factor in between bone joints. Hence disc degeneration sets in leading to spondylosis.

What are the symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis?

• Mostly the individuals with Cervical Spondylosis do no show specific symptoms. In case symptoms appear, vary from mild to severe and changes are gradual or may occur suddenly.
  One of the common symptom is pain and some stiffness in the neck, sometimes headache may occur and this pain may disperse from the neck to shoulders, arms and hands, and the base of the skull. The pain might get worse while moving head. Patients will complain of pain along the arm and in the fingers.

The pain might increase while:

• Standing
• Sitting
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Tilting your neck backward

Another common symptom is muscle weakness. Weakness in muscles makes it hard to lift the arms or grasp objects firmly.
Less frequently occurring symptoms may comprise loss of balance and a loss of bladder or bowel control. These symptoms need immediate medical attention.

Herbal Remedies for Cervical Spondylosis

Common herbs are:

• Chandershoor (Lepidium sativum):is a nutritious medicinal herb having anti-inflammatory and analgesic property that makes it to be useful herbal remedy for Cervical Spondylosis to alleviate pain and inflammation.
• Kalaunji (Nigella sativa):is an herb whose seeds have vata pacifying features and very useful in bringing relief from body pains, back pain and stiff joints.
• Methika (Trigonella foenumgraecum):herb is efficient to regulate the enzyme secretions and this way improves digestion and maintains vata in the body which means no pains or stiffness. This results in relaxation from body pains, muscle pains, joint pains, stiffness and fatigue.
• Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi):herb consists of vata pacifying properties that help to reduce body pains, and body stiffness and thus is helpful in Cervical Spondylosis.
• Nirgundi (Vitex nirgundo): in Ayurveda is known as one of the efficient natural anti-arthritic herbs. It has property of controlling pain and inflammatory conditions.
• Shallaki (Boswellia serrata): is a very useful natural herb having anti-inflammatory property. Its resin in purified form is effective to relieve pain and inflammation in cervical Spondylosis.
• Guggul (Commiphora mukul): is also anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic agent that shows immediate effects and thus helps to get relieve from Cervical Spondylosis pains.
• Sonth (Zingiber officinale):the dry ginger is another beneficial herb that consists of anti-inflammatory activity and is even a potent analgesic agent which forms a beneficial herbal treatment for pain of cervical Spondylosis.
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera):is an herb with so many medicinal properties that possess natural rejuvenating activities to the body helps to reduce the inflammation of joints.
• Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica): is anti-inflammatory in nature and can lessen swelling and also rejuvenates body and has ability to pacify vata dosha.
• Pippali (Piper longum): is having anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Devdaru (Cedrus deodara): oil consists of anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial in alleviating joint pain.

All these herbs are present in Planet Ayurveda ‘s Cervical Spondylosis Care Pack.