Female Patient 56yrs old short stature 58.5kg presented with complaint of severe neck pain radiation to left upper limb associated with head ache since 3years.she took temporary medicines for pain management now since 1month patient is unable to bare the pain . After local examination, to rule out Cervical spondylosis MRI was done and diagnosed same.

The prevalence of cervical spondylosis differed significantly among the urban, suburban, and rural populations (13.07%, 15.97%, and 12.25%, respectively). Moreover, it was higher in females than in males (16.51% vs 10.49%).  It is estimated that more than 85 % of people aged above 60 years are suffering from cervical spondylosis.  The highest prevalence was in the age group from 45 to 60 years old.

In most of the people, the condition causes no signs and symptoms, Initial symptoms are often characterized by neck ache and pain in the shoulders. Treatments are relatively conservative and typically do not involve surgery.

The most common symptoms of cervical spondylosis include:

• Stiffness and pain in the neck
• Headaches that are caused by neck pain
• Pain in the shoulder and/or arms
• Lack of movement in the neck or the inability to fully turn the head
• Grinding sensations when the neck is turned
• Numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders, and/or arms
• Radiating pain from neck to both upper limb
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

Complications

Those with cervical spondylosis are at a higher risk for possible complications such as cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy.

The causes of cervical spondylosis include the following:

Chronic degeneration of the cervical spine:

1. Herniated discs: This causes bulging of discs, compresses the spinal cord and nerve roots.
2. A previous neck injury can predispose to a person to cervical spondylosis.
3. Carrying loads on your head
4. Ligament stiffness: The cords that connect your spinal bones, called as ligaments, become stiffer gradually affecting the movement of your neck
5. Others like: obesity /Overweight people, dancing in inappropriate posture etc.

Best Ayurveda treatment for cervical spondylosis:

 Ayurvedic treatment for cervical spondylosis not only controls symptoms but also prevents progression of the disease, minimises disability, improvises the quality of life and also resolves the causative factors which lead to complications.

Ayurveda has a broad spread of treatments based on severity of the disease from acute to chronic.

Based on the severity of the condition, external Pain management of cervical spondylosis is divided into two phases.

Phase 1: Acute pain and stiffness in the neck due to excessive daily activity like Carrying loads on your head, work place stress, repetitive strain injury ETC…

Treatment plan for 5/7days: 

• Abyanga (Medicated oil application )
• Lepa – application of various herbs and its extracts

Phase 2: 

A. Mild chronic or long standing pain and stiffness in the neck

Treatment plan for 7/14days: 

• Abyanga (Medicated oil application )
• Lepa – application of various herbs and its extracts
• Greeva Basti – retaining of medicated oil on cervical region for specific duration
• Various herbal fermentations like:PPS (patra pinda sweda) fomentation with varies herbs –helps in reducing pain and stiffness.SSPS (Shashtika shali pinda sweda ) fomentation with medicated milk+ herbs+ rice(Navara)– helps in reducing pain ,stiffness and also nourishes muscles ,bones  and nerves.

B. Severe chronic or long standing pain, stiffness in the neck, numbness in shoulders and radiating pain from neck to both upper limbs. 

• Along with above mentioned treatment like Abyanga, Lepa, Greeva Basti PPS and SSPS, one amoung five Penta trio purification (Panchakarma) Nasya karma is done for 7days.

Ayurveda internal medications in the form of tablets, capsules, decoctions, powders etc. and used for around 45days to treat cervical spondylosis. Therapeutic yoga (cervical spondylosis exercise), Diet and lifestyle modifications based on individual and disease specific.

Note: All the above mentioned treatment plan is depend on patient condition and severity of disease under specialist supervision.

Dr.Sidra Thul Muntaha
RISA Bangalore