The world has changed over the past few months and we all are experiencing the effects of Covid 19 pandemic. The measures taken to tackle this pandemic in form of strict lockdowns suddenly saw many of us working from our home. The dining table or the sofa and coffee table suddenly changed into our office space. Though it ensured safety of our family and us, it came with its own disadvantages. Most of us are seen slouching in front of the laptop or hunching while looking at our smart phones and tablets. Spine pain is one of the most leading cause of disabilities worldwide and the incidence has increased over past 2 decades and more so over past 2 months. The number of patients coming in with neck pain at Home of Homeo have increased by 11% as compared to 2019.
Listen to your body
If you pay close attention to your body you will see the early signs and symptoms of neck and upper back pain. If unheeded it may further develop into cervical spondylosis and add to your disability. The most common symptom that patients present with is neck and upper back pain extending to either arm. In case of nerve involvement there may be tingling or numbness in one or both arms. In severe cases the pain radiates right up to the finger tips, with heaviness numbness in the affected hand and sometimes loss of power. Loss of power in either of the limbs of any degree must be immediately attended to.
Why and How of neck pain?
Poor posture such as forward head, slouching, hunched upper back can cause neck pain due to straining of the muscles and ligaments that support the neck. The forward head posture where the head is placed in front of the shoulders and the neck is slanting more than 10 degrees is an incorrect posture. The longer the poor posture continues the greater is the wear and tear of the spine and intervertebral discs. A group of muscles supporting the neck and upper back overwork to balance the pull of the forward head posture. As a result, the repeated pull and overuse can lead to spasms and later on injury. The initial strain and overuse of muscles if unchecked can progress to degenerative change of the spine and herniation of the intervertebral disc. This bulging disc can lead to pressure symptoms on the nerve roots such as tingling and numbness.
Your cervical spine has a natural forward curve where in the spine is curved slightly in a C shape. Straightening of cervical spine and loss of normal curvature puts you at a greater risk of injury, inter-vertebral disc herniation and cervical spondylosis.
The Three-pronged Approach.
We at Home of Homeo help patients take care of their spine with a combined approach of homoeopathic medicines, posture correction and exercise. It is only when all three aspects are checked does complete recovery occur.
Homoeopathic medicines
Medicines such as Cimicifuga are helpful in cases where there is pain in neck and back muscles due to excessive use, the pain extending to the affected arm is also relieved by this remedy. Rhus Tox is another remedy which is beneficial in cases where the neck pain has extended to the back of the affected arm on to the elbow. Lachesis is useful in patients above 40, especially females with low bone mineral density. Other medicines such as Arnica, Belladonna, Lachnanthes are helpful and must be consumed under guidance of a homoeopath. The doses and duration of homoeopathic treatment is decided according to intensity and severity of complaints, side affected, age of patient and over-all health of patient.
Posture Correction
Most of the cervical spine complaints can be done away with simple posture corrections while sitting, sleeping, working at desk. The work place must always be ergonomically correct where in the desk/table and sitting area must be at a height so that the top of the laptop or desktop screen must be at eye level. Choose a chair that supports your spinal curves so that your feet rest flat on the floor/ foot rest and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Adjust the armrest so that your elbows are well rested. A good head position is when your ears are directly above your shoulders with the chest open and shoulders back. Use a telephone headset so as to avoid holding your phone between our shoulder and ears as you type. Place your screen directly in front of you to avoid twisted neck positions. Your work posture is not the only one that needs correction. Sleep on your back with a medium to thin pillow to support your neck. Avoid sleeping on your abdomen or sides with with your arm below head position.
Exercises
Your cervical spine needs support from the neck muscles to maintain its normal curvature. Isometric exercises help strengthen the muscles and support the cervical spine. Cervical stabilization exercises such as chin tuck can be performed in neutral neck position. The exercises must be performed in the morning and after you finish your work in the evening holding each position for 30 seconds. The physical training exercises in school can come in handy. Physiotherapy interventions such as traction is used in severe cases.
References:
1. Materia Medica by W. Boericke
2. Textbook of Orthopaedics by J.Ebnezor
3. Homoeopathic therapeutics by Lilienthal.
4. Head Posture and neck pain of chronic non-traumatic origin: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.