Healing Cervical Spondylitis/Spondylosis: The Ayurveda Way

What is Cervical Spondylitis & Spondylosis

In Ayurveda, it is known as Greevasandhigatvata. Greeva means neck, sandhi means joints. Vata is Vayu.

Causes of Greevasandhigatvata

Greevasandhigatvata is a condition in which Aggravated Vata Dosha causes the degeneration of tissues and the joints of the neck & limits the mobility of the same causing the inflammation & pain.

Causes of Vata aggravation: intake of dry, cool, light, stale, and gas forming foods; having food in small quantity; fasting; having more of bitter, sour and astringent foods; sleeping the late night; smoking; stress; and overindulgence in physical, mental, and sexual activities.

Symptoms

• Stiffness in the neck  & shoulders
• Pains on back of neck & shoulders
• Headache/heaviness in head
• Tingling & Numbness in arms
• Vertigo / nausea

Treatment for Cervical Spondylosis/ Spondylitis

Treatment for Cervical Spondylosis /Spondylitis is to eliminate the causes. At initial stage, Cervical pain is easily manageable by modifying Diet & Lifestyle.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice:

Figure out your cause of pain, whether it is Indigestion, over physical/mental exertion, improper sleep, Age-related degeneration or combination of any. Accordingly, change your Diet & lifestyle.

1. Take Care of your Digestion: indigestion causes aggravation of Vata.

• Eat easily digestible food prepared in natural oil (non-refined oil), drink vegetable soup.
• Increase intake of methi, garlic, ajwain & Hing.
• Avoid Animal Products, refined flour, grams, kidney beans, Dry packaged food items and other foods which are hard to digest & can cause flatulence.

2. Relax your Mind & Body: Exertion aggravates Swelling & pain.

• Do gentle neck exercises
• Avoid physical Exertion & mental stress.
• Avoid using electronic Gadgets half an hour before sleep.
• Go to bed early for proper sleep.

3. Body oiling: oiling pacifies Vata & increases flexibility.

Make a habit of gentle body massage with lukewarm mustard/ sesame oil &

Ayurvedic Treatment for Cervical Spondylosis/ Spondylitis

Ayurveda treatment focuses on Root Cause of disease. In case of Cervical Spondylosis/ Spondylitis, best Advice is Vata Shamak medicines & Panchakarma therapies. Ayurveda medicins & therapy gives the Following benefits :

• • Pacifies the aggravated Vata Dosha.
  • Reduces pain,
  • reduces stiffness,
  • regains mobility,
  • improves flexibility,
  • increases blood supply,
  • Releases nerve compression.

Ayurveda Medicines for Cervical Spondylosis/ Spondylitis

• Painash Capsule: Pain is a symptom of Aggravated Vata. As the Capsule name says Painash, so it helps to release Pain & stiffness by pacifying Vata & regains the mobility.

           Dosage: 1 capsule morning & evening after food.

• Painash Oil: this medicated oil is for local application. Application of this oil increases blood supply, releases nerve compression, reduces pain & stiffness & increases mobility.

           How to apply: apply Painash oil to the affected area clockwise twice a day.

• Painash Potli: Potli is made from 26 herbs. Combination of herbs used is best for releasing pain, stiffness & swelling

          How to use: After application of Painash oil, give hot fomentation to Painash Potli. (it can be heated on hot iron or pan on gas)

Panchakarma Therapies for Cervical Spondylosis/ Spondylitis

Greeva Vasti: Greeva means neck; Vasti means to hold.

Pool or compartment is constructed over the back of the neck using Udat dal or gram flour and then hot medicated oils are poured into it for a particular duration of time.

Benefits: It gives magical relief from pain & stiffness. Hot medicated oil increases the lubrication and regains mobility & increases flexibility.

Time duration : 20 min /session

Nasyam: The nose is the direct pathway through which prana (life force) enters the body. Nasya involves the administration of herbal oils through the nasal passage.

Benefits: Nasyam helps to cleanse all the channels & improves the flow of prana. Nasya is a very important treatment for cervical as it releases the obstructed Vayu, detoxify above shoulder body & strengthens the neck & shoulder muscles.

Time duration : 10 min/ session

Abhyangam: Ayurveda massage with medicated oil gives on back, shoulders, neck & head.

Benefits: Abhyangam helps to increase blood flow by clearing all the channels, releases stiffness, enhances lubrication, thus increases mobility.

Time duration : 15 min/session

Swedanam: Swedanam is a procedure to induce sweating. It can be done by medicated steam or by Hot Potli fomentation.

Benefits: releases the ama (toxins) through sweat. Cleanse the channels, increases the blood supply.

Time duration : 10 min/session