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Home Remedies for neck pain (cervical spondylosis)

Cervical spondylosis is a disorder of the neck and back that restricts movements of the neck and causes pain.

xray of neck with cervical spondylosis
 Pic credits: Wikipedia




Caustative factors: 

Ageing, sleeping on a soft bed, using high pillows, lack of exercise and bad posture are the causative factors. It is the result of a fast paced, tense, competitive and mechanical life.

Signs and symptoms: 

Discomfort in the shoulder, chest, arm or hand with or without associated weakness, are important signs of cervical spondylosis. In acute cases, it will usually be a painful and stiff neck. Headache is also another common symptom. Also there may be a loss of bladder or bowel control.

Mayo clinic suggests to seek medical attention if you notice a sudden onset of numbness or weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Suggested remedies:

In order to get temporary relief, pain killers are taken which are not free from side effects. Various types of cervical collars and braces, bed rest and traction are used to keep the cervical spine still.

Hot packs and diathermy help to reduce the pain and promote healing. Hot Turkish towels applied for 10-20 minutes, several times a day are the most effective and the least expensive therapies.

A light massage may also give temporary relief. Homeopathy is also found to be effective in this case. The best way to cure cervical spondylosis patient is to adopt the nature cure method.

If you're going to crack your neck you need to be careful about how you do it.

It is always better to be aware of the factors that could possibly aggravate the neck pain. This will be beneficial to ensure a successful therapy that will provide relief. However general precautions and measures should be followed to avoid serious damage.

woman with neck pain

Nature cure method for cervical spondylosis:

* Turn your neck slowly from side to side, then rotate clockwise, anticlockwise for 10 times. Practise this in the morning, at lunch time and evening everyday.

* Do not sit with the chair and table in front constantly for more than one hour and use a table lamp so that the neck is not bent for longer durations. Relax with both hands clenched with thumb under the chin for every one to two hours of work on the table.

* Lie on your abdomen folding hands behind your back and raise your head slowly for 15-20 times. Do this every morning and evening.

* Shoulders should be rotated slowly in the clockwise and anticlockwise direction.

*Use hard bed without any pillows.

* Spinal yogic exercises under a yoga expert can fully cure cervical spondylosis patients.

* Avoid driving on rough and bumpy roads and go slow if it cannot be avoided.

* Do not carry heavy objects, shopping bags or brief cases etc.

* Morning walk is also highly recommended by Ayurvedic doctors. It does provide some relief to the sufferer but if it's cold outside, it's better to wrap a woolen scarf around neck while going out of house.

Ayurvedic diet recommnedation for cervical spondylosis

Sour, acidic and pungent  things like citrus fruits, curds and buttermilk, red meat, potatoes etc should be avoided as far as possible.  Deep fried eatables, certain pulses are also contraindicated in this condition.

Bitter vegetables like , neem flowers, methi seeds, bitter gourd etc. can be helpful. This healthy herbal neem kashayam beverage might also be helpful.

Avoid eating chilled and cold foods just taken out  from the refrigerator.

Avoid refined wheat such as maida as they lead to constipation. Take care not to get constipated and eat fibrous foods.

Final Note:


Cervical spondylosis is on the rise because of desk jobs that  make professionals to glue to their desk perching in their seats for hours together in a single posture. It is recommended to take frequent breaks from work and not sit in one posture for a long time.

So did any of you suffer from the excruciating neck pain of cervical spondylosis? How did you cope up with it? Besides medication, what all natural remedies, therapies, home remedies and exercises did you try ? And what actually helped you? Do share in the comments.

See also: Home remedies for headache / Home remedies for common cold / Home remedies for dandruff /Home remedies for eczema / Home remedies for flatulence / Home remedies for anemia

Comments

  1. Bhavya6:02 PM

    For mild neck pain or stiffness: - Take a long, hot shower every day. Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Wear a cervical collar (which you can buy in a drugstore) during the day. Regularly walk or engage in low-impact aerobic activity

    ReplyDelete
  2. Varijaksh5:40 PM

    milk can help prevent you from getting further osteoarthritis, but otherwise it has yet to be cured.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vanamala5:53 PM

    Stiff neck, most often one of the very first signs. Neck stiffness tends to grow progressively worse over time.
    Radiating pain to the bottom of the skull and/or to the shoulder and down the arm. This radiating pain may seem like a stabbing or a burning, or it might present itself as a dull ache. Along with pain, cervical spondylosis can be accompanied by parathesias and muscle weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms and hands, and a syndrome called “numb, clumsy hands”. In cases of cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, the legs may be affected, leading to an interruption of stability while walking. Loss of balance might also occur. When myelopathy is present, incontinence may become a problem. Muscle wasting also accompanies cervical spondylosis with myelopathy.
    Unfortunately, cervical spondylosis is a condition that gradually gets worse. In very advanced cases of this condition, often mobility can only be achieved with a cane or walker.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the post!The post is very much informative.Flex Protex is very essential for improving our joint health. It is quite common now a days to have problems with our joint health. Flex Protex is the natural way to get rid of the pain without experiencing any side effects.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have to say, every time I come to your blog there is another interesting post to read.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10:21 AM

    If you haven't injured the area, it may be simply muscle tension/stress. Ibuprofen works well for pain and inflammation. Heating pad, or rice socks will generate circulation, helping heal the muscles. Valerian works well for muscle tension/strain, take as directed. Purchase a foam cervical collar to wear at home after work. It will help support your head and give your neck time to heal. They cost about 20bucks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. unknown9:26 AM

    Ice it for 30-40min then run hot water on it for 30-40 min that usually works for me.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ayushman9:14 AM

    One of the simplest ways to relieve the pain is to lie down and give your muscles a chance to recover, says Martindale. Be sure not to use a thick pillow that crimps your neck.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous9:15 AM

    Ice effectively numbs pain and decreases inflammation.
    “A lot of our muscle tension comes from emotional stress,” says Martindale. “Learn to read the symptoms when you’re holding your body tensely. Find out what makes you tense up. Recognize when you’re in a stressful situation, and learn new ways to respond.”

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shrinath9:56 AM

    Khaskhas has been known to be beneficial in relieving pain. Khaskhas has a sedative action and helps in muscle relaxation and alleviating the pain

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gourish10:47 AM

    Place your hands behind your head touching your fingers. Press into the back of your neck with them and hold the pressure on them. After 45 seconds slowly lower your head until your neck is fully extended. Release the pressure but hold your head there for another 30 seconds.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11:53 PM

    Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog
    and I am impressed! Very useful info particularly
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    I was seeking this particular info for a very long
    time. Thank you and good luck.

    ReplyDelete

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