MANAGING CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS WITH AYURVEDA

The work-from-home format as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to several health issues, and a common one is neck pain. When you’re working from home, it leads to bad posture, and it aggravates degenerative changes or wear and tear. Since many tend to work sitting on a sofa or bed, they end up slouching, rounding up their shoulders, or putting their head forward. Long hours of sitting increases pressure on the intervertebral discs. It can lead to undue strain on the tissues resulting in chronic neck pain and cervical spondylosis.

While many opt for over-the-counter pain killers to get rid of the pain, it’s terrible in the long run. But Ayurveda can help you get relief from cervical pain and stiffness. In the long term, Ayurveda treatment can help you live a pain-free life.

People with cervical spondylosis experience severe pain, stiffness, and numbness in the neck area radiating to the upper limbs, a grinding sensation while moving neck, headache, loss of balance, weakness in the hands, and bladder or bowel issues. 

Ayurveda considers aggravation of Vata as the cause of degeneration of tissues and the neck joint. Cold and acidity-inducing food, astringent foods, long meal gaps, smoking, and low food consumption can increase the Vata dosha.

With age, the risk of developing cervical spondylosis also increases. Prolonged sitting can put excess pressure on the neck joint and can cause bone erosion. If left untreated, it can cause complications.

Ayurveda says that spondylosis can be due to dish dehydration, herniation or bulging of the disc, bone projection, or fibromyalgia. An Ayurveda doctor will assess the cause and suggest the best Ayurvedic treatment for cervical spondylosis.

Often, the Ayurvedic doctor does a physical and clinical examination to locate the source of pain. The Ayurvedic treatment for cervical spondylosis is given only after a thorough analysis of the patient and confirmation of the root cause. Then the Ayurveda specialist will offer customized treatment plans for cervical spondylosis according to the health condition of the patient.

The Vata dosha responsible for the condition is balanced through different combinations of Ayurvedic medicines and a proper and adequate diet plan to improve digestion and enhance the digestive fire. The Ayurvedic medicines improve body tissue rejuvenation, and the Panchakarma massage helps the body get back to a state of balance and harmony.

The treatment may also include Ayurvedic therapies for stress relief, yoga asanas, and medications that help rejuvenate the complete body and mind. Ayurveda Panchakarma therapies for cervical spondylosis include Abhyanga swedam, Elakizhi, Nasyam, Shirovasti or Shirodhara, Sarvangadhara, Navara kizhi, and Pizhichil to relieve pain, inflammation of muscles and ligaments and to improve the flexibility of neck bone joints. However, treatments are prescribed depending on the condition of the patient and the severity of the issue.

Foods to Avoid If You Are Suffering From Cervical Pain

Saturated fats and arachidonic acids are key drivers of inflammation in the body, and these fats are commonly present in meat and dairy products. Reducing your intake of high inflammatory foods and substances can significantly help you relieve cervical pain. High-fat dairy products can also cause inflammation. People should avoid processed foods for better results. Consumption of alcohol and smoking are two things can make your bones weak and brittle. Alcohol causes the body to lose magnesium and calcium through urine, whereas smoking causes bone deterioration.

Your well-being of your body is a result is a what you do and what you don’t. To follow the right path to a healthy lifestyle talk to our Ayurveda practitioners.