Spondylosis
- Overview
- Introduction
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Complications
- Homoeopathic Treatment
- Do's and Don'ts
- Diet and Nutrition
What is Lumbar spondylosis?
Lumbar Spondylosis is a degenerative joint disorder affecting the lumbar region of spine/lower back. It is one of the most common illnesses affecting the elderly.
The main cause for spondylosis is due to aging and degeneration. In most cases, there are no symptoms and low back pain is the only presentation.
Lumbar spondylosis has no definite cure but can be managed to some extent with right therapeutic measures.
WHAT HAPPENS IN LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS?
- Common after age of 40
- Mild to severe back pain
- Stiffness in morning lasting for more than 30 minutes
- Pain radiating from lower back to lower limbs
- Difficulty in performing daily activities like lifting, bending
- Abnormality in posture and gait
- Sciatica – Severe pain at the back of the leg proceeding downward till foot
- Foot drop – dropping of forefoot due to nerve irritation and weakness
WHAT CAN LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS LEAD TO?
- Spinal Stenosis
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Prolapsed Intervertebral disc
- Disc herniation
- Chronic disability
HOW CAN HOMEOPATHY HELP IN LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS?
- Homeopathy system believes in a dynamic approach when it comes to treating illnesses including spondylosis.
- Lumbar spondylosis due to degeneration and osteoporotic changes can impair the daily functioning of the patient. Homeopathic medicines work at much significant deeper level of joints and tissues in order to reduce the inflammation and promote healthy healing to a certain extent.
- Lumbar spondylosis is an age related illness and has no permanent cure in conventional medicine.
- With the help of Homeopathic Treatment for Lumbar Spondylosis , physiotherapy and dietary modifications, patient continue to live a relatively normal life without complications and disability.
Few of our homeopathic remedies for lumbar Spondylosis include:
Bryonia – Joints red swollen hot with stitching type of pain. Pain in back severe with slightest motion aggravating patient’s complaints. Pain stitching on pressure, motion and better resting.
Rhus tox – Pain and stiffness in the back region which comes on from sitting, bending, exertion. Sensation as if lying on something hard. Hot swelling of joints with intolerance to cold air and damp weather. Better in warm climate and change of position.
Ruta – Good remedy for back ache with lumbago. Pains worse in morning and better by pressure and lying on back.
Calcarea Phos – Excellent remedy for bone and joint complaints and has marked action on joints, cartilage and tissues. Numbness and soreness in lumbo sacral region as if broken. Stiffness with severe pain with cold numb feeling, worsens from change of weather.
Symphytum - A good remedy for healing of fractures and mending broken bones, non –union of fractures. This remedy stimulates the growth of epithelium on ulcerated surfaces.
Spondylosis is a form of spinal osteoarthritis due to degeneration affecting all regions of spine – neck, mid back and lower back.
When spondylosis occurs in lower back region of spine, it is termed as Lumbar Spondylosis.
Spondylosis – (Spondy – spine, losis – problem)
Joints lose their wear and tear mechanism eventually as one gets older due to degenerative processes occurring in bone and spine. This causes loss of normal spine shape and function in patients as disease progresses.
Lumbar Spondylosis is common above the age of 60 years and tends to get worse over the time if not treated on time.
Lumbar spondylosis has no permanent cure and is irreversible. But it is excellently managed with homeopathic treatment, physiotherapy, proper dietary advice and lifestyle modifications.
Most of the patients have following symptoms of lumbar Spondylosis:
- 37 % of patients suffering from Lumbar Spondylosis do not have any symptoms initially.
- Pain in the back - mild to severe.
- Stiffness especially in morning lasting for more than 30 minutes.
- Pain radiating to lower limbs which progresses gradually and worsens later on.
- Difficulty in performing daily activities like lifting, bending
- Tenderness to pressure on lower back.
- Abnormality in posture and gait
- Sciatica – Severe pain at the back of the leg proceeding downward till foot.
- Foot drop – dropping of due to nerve irritation and weakness.
- Neurological manifestations include –
- Tingling and numbness in toes
- Abnormal sensations in lower limbs
- Loss of sensations in lower limbs
- Difficulty in balancing and poor coordination
- Weakness of leg muscles, poor or weak muscle tone in legs
- Poor bladder or bowel control
The most important cause of Lumbar Spondylosis is degeneration/aging. With age, degeneration processes cause the discs to become thinner and harder. They then provide less support to the vertebrae resting on the discs. Body compensates for this by producing small lumps of extra bone called osteophytes to better support your spine and stiffen the spine. Osteophytes can cause the spine to become too rigid leading to the symptoms of stiffness and pain. Changes in bone structure can also compress nearby nerves and blood vessels leading to pain and pressure symptoms.
Other causes of lumbar Spondylosis may also be due to injury to spine or past spinal surgery.
- Prolapsed intervertebral disc : A prolapsed disc is also called as slipped disc which commonly affects the lumbar portion of the spine. The inner softer part of the disc (the nucleus pulposus) bulges out (herniates) through a weakness in the outer part of the disc. The bulging disc may press on nearby structures such as a nerve coming from the spinal cord. This is the most common complication of Lumbar Spondylosis.
- Spinal Stenosis – Abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal leads to a neurological deficit. Symptoms include pain, loss of sensations and loss of balance.
- Cauda equina syndrome : This is a serious neurological condition in wherein there is pressure on the spinal nerves which can lead to paralysis if not treated. . It is a medical emergency.
- Chronic Debility – Chronic back pain in elderly can lead to restriction of daily activities and immobility which can cause debility in long term.
- Degeneration being the main cause of Lumbar Spondylosis ; is taken care of by homeopathic medicines by altering the further mechanisms and reducing the damage to a certain extent.
- Homeopathic treatment for lumbar Spondylosis has special action on joints, lumbo sacral region of spine and cartilage. They further help in strengthening the ligaments and cartilage in order to provide better support to the inflamed joints and prevent complications.
- In certain patients, lumbar spondylosis is observed at an early age due to genetic predisposition and early degenerative changes. Homeopathy works excellently in such cases by arresting early degenerative processes and reduces the genetic load of the individual.
- Some homeopathic medicines prevent fragile bone structure from breaking and promote healthy healing of ligaments, bones and cartilages.
Few of our homeopathic remedies for lumbar Spondylosis include:
Bryonia: Joints red swollen hot with stitching type of pain. Pain in back severe with slightest motion aggravating patient’s complaints. Pain stitching on pressure, motion and better resting.
Rhus tox: Pain and stiffness in the back region which comes on from sitting, bending, exertion. Sensation as if lying on something hard. Hot swelling of joints with intolerance to cold air and damp weather. Better in warm climate and change of position.
Ruta: Good remedy for back ache with lumbago. Pains worse in morning and better by pressure and lying on back.
Calcarea Phos: Excellent remedy for bone and joint complaints and has marked action on joints, cartilage and tissues. Numbness and soreness in lumbo sacral region as if broken. Stiffness with severe pain with cold numb feeling, worsens from change of weather.
Symphytum: A good remedy for healing of fractures and mending broken bones, non –union of fractures. This remedy stimulates the growth of epithelium on ulcerated surfaces.
Most importantly, homeopathic treatment for lumbar Spondylosis can prevent you from the complications that could follow the disease.
Homeopathy has more than 100 remedies to control the backache, some of them include
PAIN:LUMBAR REGION, LUMBAGO:
1 Abrot, 1 Acan-p, 1 Achy, 4 ACON, 1 Act-sp, 3 Adeps-s, 1 Aegle, 1 Aegle-f, 1 Aego-p, 4 AESC, 4 AETH, 4 AGAR, 1 Agar-ph, 2 Agath-a, 1 Agav-t, 1 Agki-p, 1 Agn, 2 Agri, 1 Aids, 1 Ail, 1 Alch, 1 Alco, 1 Alet, 2 All-c, 1 All-s, 2 Alli-m, 4 ALLOX, 4 ALOE, 4 ALUM, 1 Alum-p, 1 Alum-sil, 2 Alumn, 1 Am-br, 4 AM-C, 1 Am-caust, 4 AM-M, 4 AMBR, 1 Amet, 3 Aml-n, 1 Ammc, 1 Amor-r, 3 Anac, 2 Anag, 1 Anath, 4 ANDROC, 4 ANG, 3 Ant-c, 1 Ant-o, 1 Ant-s, 4 ANT-T, 1 Anth, 3 Apis, 3 Apoc, 1 Apoc-a, 1 Aq-des, 3 Aquil, 1 Aquila-a, 1 Aran, 1 Aran-ix, 1 Arbu, 4 ARG-M, 4 ARG-N, 1 Arg-s, 1 Arge-p, 1 Arist-cl, 4 ARN, 4 ARS, 3 Ars-h, 1 Ars-i, 1 Ars-met, 1 Ars-s-f, 1 Arum-d, 1 Arum-t, 1 Arund, 4 ASAF, 4 ASAR, 1 Asc-t, 1 Aspar, 1 Aspart, 1 Atista, 4 AUR, 1 Aur-ar, 1 Aur-i, 2 Aur-m, 1 Aur-s, 2 Aven, 4 BA-SV, 1 Bacch-a, 1 Bad, 4 BAMB-A, 3 Bapt, 3 Bar-acet, 4 BAR-C, 1 Bar-i, 1 Bar-s, 1 Bart, 4 BELL, 3 Bell-p, 1 Benz, 1 Benz-ac, 4 BERB, 1 Berb-a, 1 Beryl, 1 Blatta, 3 Boerh, 3 Bol, 4 BOR, 2 Bos-s, 1 Both-a, 1 Bov, 1 Brach, 1 Brass, 3 Brom, 1 Bruc, 4 BRUCEL, 4 BRY, 4 BUFO, 3 But-ac, 2 C-di-o, 3 Cact, 4 CADM, 1 Caes, 1 Caesal-s, 1 Cahin, 1 Caj, 1 Calad, 4 CALC, 3 Calc-ar, 1 Calc-caust, 4 CALC-F, 1 Calc-i, 4 CALC-P, 3 Calc-s, 1 Calc-sil, 1 Calen, 1 Calx-b, 3 Camph, 3 Cann-i, 1 Cann-s, 4 CANTH, 4 CAPS, 1 Caras, 4 CARB-AC, 4 CARB-AN, 4 CARB-V, 4 CARBN-S, 1 Carc, 3 Card-m, 4 CARL, 1 Casc, 1 Cass, 4 CASSI-S, 1 Cast, 1 Cast-v, 1 Cath-a, 3 Caul, 4 CAUST, 2 Cean, 1 Cedr, 3 Cench, 1 Cent, 1 Cer-c, 4 CHAM, 4 CHEL, 1 Chen-v, 4 CHIN, 1 Chin-ar, 3 Chin-s, 1 Chion, 1 Chir-f, 1 Chloram, 1 Choc, 1 Chr-ac, 1 Chr-o, 1 Cic, 4 CIMIC, 3 Cimx, 3 Cina, 1 Cinis-p, 1 Cinnam, 4 CINNB, 1 Citl-l, 3 Clem, 4 COB, 1 Cob-n, 4 COC-C, 1 Cocain, 4 COCC, 3 Cocci-s, 2 Coch-o, 1 Cod, 3 Coff, 1 Coff-t, 4 COLCH, 4 COLOC, 1 Colocin, 1 Com, 4 CON, 1 Conch, 1 Conin, 4 CONV, 1 Convo-d, 1 Cop, 1 Cor-r
[BACK]STIFFNESS:
1 Abrom-aug, 1 Acan-p, 4 ACON, 1 Adam, 3 Adon, 1 Aego-p, 3 Aesc, 3 Agar, 4 AGATH-A, 1 Alli-m, 4 ALLOX, 1 Aloe, 4 ALUM, 1 Alum-p, 3 Alum-sil, 1 Am-c, 1 Am-i, 4 AM-M, 4 AMBR, 2 Amet, 4 ANAC, 1 Anath, 3 Androc, 4 ANG, 1 Ant-c, 2 Ant-t, 3 Apis, 1 Apoc, 1 Apoc-a, 1 Aq-mar, 1 Aran, 3 Aran-ix, 1 Ard-h, 3 Arg-m, 1 Arg-n, 1 Arg-s, 1 Arge-p, 1 Arist-cl, 4 ARS, 1 Ars-i, 1 Ars-s-f, 1 Arum-t, 1 Asaf, 1 Asar, 1 Aspart, 1 Astac, 3 Aur, 1 Aur-m, 3 Aur-m-n, 3 Aur-s, 1 Aza, 1 Ba-sv, 1 Bad, 4 BAMB-A, 3 Bapt, 1 Bar-acet, 4 BAR-C, 1 Bar-s, 4 BELL, 3 Bell-p, 3 Benz-ac, 4 BERB, 1 Bol, 1 Bos-s, 4 BOV, 1 Brach, 1 Brass, 2 Brom, 4 BRY, 1 Bufo, 1 Bung-f, 1 But-ac, 1 Buth-aust, 3 C-di-o, 1 Cact, 1 Calad, 4 CALC, 1 Calc-acet, 2 Calc-ar, 1 Calc-caust, 1 Calc-f, 1 Calc-i, 4 CALC-P, 4 CALC-S, 3 Calc-sil, 1 Calop-s, 1 Calx-b, 3 Camph, 1 Camph-br, 1 Cand-a, 1 Cann-i, 3 Canth, 3 Caps, 1 Carb-ac, 3 Carb-an, 4 CARB-V, 1 Carbn-s, 1 Carc, 3 Carl, 3 Cassi-f, 1 Cast, 1 Caul, 4 CAUST, 3 Cedr, 1 Cer-c, 3 Cham, 4 CHEL, 3 Chin, 1 Chin-ar, 1 Chin-b, 3 Chlorpr, 3 Choc, 1 Chr-ac, 1 Chrysan, 3 Cic, 4 CIMIC, 1 Cina, 1 Cinch, 1 Cinnb, 1 Citl-l, 1 Clad-r, 1 Cob, 4 COCC, 1 Coenz-a, 1 Colch, 3 Coloc, 1 Com, 3 Con, 1 Cop, 1 Cor-r, 1 Coriand, 2 Corv-c, 1 Crot-h, 1 Cupr, 1 Cupr-acet, 2 Cupr-ar, 1 Cupr-s, 2 Cur, 4 CURC, 1 Cycl, 1 Cygn-c, 1 Cyni-c-g, 1 Cypra-e, 1 Dendro-p, 4 DES-AC, 1 Dicha, 2 Dig, 1 Dios, 1 Diox, 3 Dros, 4 DULC, 1 Elaps, 1 Emer, 1 Eup-pur, 4 EUPH, 1 Euph-pu, 3 Eupi, 1 Excr-can, 1 Fago, 4 FALCO-P, 2 Ferr, 1 Ferr-ar, 3 Ferr-i, 1 Ferr-p, 1 Fic-i, 1 Fic-m, 2 Fic-sp, 3 Fl-ac, 1 Form, 1 Frax, 1 Fum, 1 Galeoc-c, 3 Gels, 1 Geoc-c, 1 Get, 3 Gink, 1 Gins, 2 Glon, 3 Graph, 1 Gua, 4 GUAI, 1 Guare, 3 Haliae-lc, 3 Harp, 3 Hell, 2 Helod-c, 3 Helon, 3 Hep, 1 Herin, 1 Hippo-k, 1 Hoch, 1 Hura, 3 Hydr, 1 Hydr-ac, 3 Hydrog, 1 Hyos, 3 Hyper, 4 IGN, 1 Impa-w, 4 IND, 3 Iris, 1 Iris-foe, 1 Jac, 1 Joan, 1 Jug-c, 3 Kali-ar, 3 Kali-bi
- 4 marks- most effective,
- 3 marks- quite effective,
- 2 marks- less effective,
- 1 mark- least effective.
Do’s
- If your job requires sitting for long hours, sit only for short period, taking breaks in between.
- Place a supportive towel roll at the belt line of your back when sitting in a car.
- Sleep on a good firm surface.
- Keep your back straight when performing activities like vacuuming, sweeping, etc.
- Bend backwards to increase the curve of your back while you cough or sneeze.
- Lift heavy loads as a team and not alone.
- Try sleeping on your side with your knees slightly bent and a comfortable pillow placed between the knees, this helps to avoid exerting the back.
Don’ts:
- Do not lift heavy objects, bend forward or down in lifting or keeping things.
- Avoid too much movement and restrict your activities as much as possible till the inflammation undergoes healing.
- Do not perform any exercises without the guidance of your therapist or your doctor as this can cause muscle sprain and do more harm than good.
- Do not self-medicate yourself and do not neglect your medications and physiotherapy exercises.
Foods to Include:
- Calcium: Calcium is the most essential nutrient needed for guarding and strengthening our bones. It also helps in building the necessary support structure in our bones. Foods like dairy products like milk,;dark green vegetables, peas and beans, salmon are good sources of calcium.
- Vitamin D: Foods rich in vitamin D include mushrooms, egg yolk, salmon and sardines
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps in collagen formation. Collagen is an essential component needed to form cartilage which weakens in Lumbar Spondylosis. Foods rich in vitamin C are orange and red colored fruits,vegetables like oranges, lemons, grape fruits, papaya, carrots, pumpkin etc. can be consumed.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E stimulates the cartilage building proteins in our body to reduce the inflammation and help relieve the stiffness and pain. Sunflower oil, wheat germ oil is good sources of vitamin E and should be included in your diet.
- Ginger and Garlic have natural anti-inflammatory properties which can be made a part of one’s diet.
- Minimize the intake of salt and sugar in your diet as much as possible.
- Drink plenty of water up to 10 glasses per day and stay hydrated.
- High fiber diet rich in green leafy vegetables, low in proteins and fats is the best choice of diet.
Foods to Avoid:
- Avoid processed and canned foods as much as possible.
- Do not consume foods with artificial colors, additional preservatives in foods as they are known to affect your health eventually.
- Patients with increased uric acid in their blood or those with uric acid diathesis should avoid foods like urad dal, toor dal, grapes, citrus fruits, beans, cauliflower, sweets, and nuts.
- Avoid high protein and high fat filled foods.