Spondylosis is also called spinal arthritis and is a result of joint and bone degeneration caused by wear and tear of spinal joints as people get older. While it is not a life-threatening disease, it can excessively affect the quality of life and can lead to immense pain. Some of these degenerative changes include intervertebral disc degeneration, bone spurs and herniation in the spinal cord.
Spinal and Cervical Spondylosis
Spondylosis comes from the word Spondylo which means vertebrae and lysis, which means disintegration. While it can affect people of all ages, the occurrence in mature and aged people is relatively higher as compared to young people. Check out the number of people affected by Spondylosis (age-group) as per the latest studies:
- Under 40 years: 25%
- 40 to 60 years: 50%
- Above 60 years: 85%
Symptoms of lumbar or spinal Spondylosis:
- Grinding feeling during spine movement
- Weakness in the hands or legs
- Poor body coordination
- Muscle pain and spasms
- Headaches
- Loss of balance and difficulty in walking
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
When the Spondylosis is limited to the neck region, it is called Cervical Spondylosis, and it is caused by age-related damages occurring in the neck region. It is characterized by osteophyte growth in the spine that causes pain originating in the back of the neck and radiating towards upper limbs. The patient can also experience vertigo (mild or severe) while bending downwards. In some cases, the patients can also experience numbness and sensory loss in the upper limbs.
Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis:
- Headache
- Pains on back of neck & shoulders
- Stiffness in the neck
- Tingling & Numbness in arms
Here, we discuss how Ayurveda can help you overcome the disease and its symptoms and the various types of treatments you can have for them.
Spondylosis – Ayurvedic Perspective and Diagnosis
Spondylosis is called Sandhigata Vata in Ayurveda. Cervical Spondylosis is called Grivasandhigatvata in Ayurveda and is believed to be caused when age-related wear and tear of neck vertebrae is coupled with trauma and incorrect posture (sitting or sleeping). The ayurvedic treatment works on the root cause of the disease by balancing the doshas and strengthening Asthidhatu.
Ayurveda also recognizes the cervical spondylosis caused by the growth of bone spurs. The condition has its roots in Vata Dosha aggravation, which is a result of bad eating habits and a lifestyle that is Vata aggravating. So, the Ayurvedic treatment focuses on calming the Vata Dosha and correction of eating habits and lifestyle etc.
Further, as per Ayurveda, when our body is weak, it tries to compensate for the same by trying to strengthen the spine via bone growth. This leads to the formation of bone spurs. This can cause a lot of pain. If you have a sedentary lifestyle and you have to spend the majority of your day while sitting in the same position for hours, the tendons in your neck can stiffen and aggravate the condition.
Eating and lifestyle habits also have a lot of effect on the patient, such as smoking can aggravate the symptoms and lack of physical activity can weaken the muscles supporting the skeletal frame. Thus, the bones and joints fail to get relieved from the strain and become stiff or even get damaged.
Ayurvedic Treatment
As the disease is caused by the aggravation of the Vata element, the patient is advised to avoid Vata aggravating foods, such as cold foods and beverages, raw vegetables, and greens etc. The patients are advised to stop consuming alcohol and smoking as well. Lifestyle habits are suggested by the Ayurvedic practitioners and the application of Ayurvedic oils is also prescribed.
In severe cases, the patients are prescribed to undergo external Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma treatments as well.
Ayurveda also links spondylosis to the poor digestive system as well. Poor digestion generates a metabolic waste – Ama, that can penetrate the joints, and cause inflammation and joint problems. So, it is important to correct the dietary and lifestyle habits to keep your digestive system working perfectly.
The Ayurvedic treatment for spondylosis also includes herbal formulations that relieve and eliminate Ama and boosts digestion. The medicines are supported via home remedies, lifestyle changes, and a diet that balances the Vata elements to avoid the further generation of Ama in the body.
The Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicines to relieve joint pain and application of oils such as Mahanarayana Thailam, etc. Hot fomentation, Navarakizhi, Steam therapy or Greeva Basti treatments are also prescribed depending on the severity of the disease.
The patients are advised to do gentle stretches daily and lead an active life to strengthen the body muscles and reduce stiffness. Proper sleep and other healthy habits are also prescribed to keep the disease at bay.
Home remedies for spondylosis:
- Castor Oil
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Sesame oil
- Ghee
- Herbal Juices
Foods to avoid in Spondylosis:
- Sour and cold foods and drinks
- Semolina
- White flour
- Ice Cream and cold drinks
What makes Ayurveda the best cure for Spondylosis?
Ayurveda works on the root cause of every disease, including Spondylosis and ensures that the patient never encounters them again. With a gradual removal of the root cause, the patient can always avoid the triggers and keep himself away from the disease. As Ayurveda focuses on lifestyle and dietary changes, the patients learn a new way to lead a healthy and disease-free life.
So, it is not about taking medicines and controlling the symptoms, but complete removal of disease and its causative factors.
This also ensures that there are no future occurrences of the disease and no relapsing episodes as well. Also, there is no dependency on medicines to alleviate pain or disease symptoms.
So, if you are suffering from Spondylosis, or you know someone suffering from it, then opt for Ayurvedic treatments and ensure permanent and robust recovery.
Choose Ayurveda, choose healthy life!
