Homeopathic Medicine for Spine Problems

SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Several things happen when a spinal cord is injured:

1. Death of nerve cells These highly specialized cells make up our central nervous system (CNS). When injured, they lose their ability to divide. Some cells die during the trauma that causes the injury, others later. Without these cells, functional connections cannot be made. Helper or “glial” cells, in the CNS inhibit regeneration, whereas the helper or “Schwann” cells, from the peripheral system stimulate regeneration. Death to nerve cells in the CNS is also a major concern in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s diseases.
2. Nerve path disruption the axons carry signals up and down the cord. If they are cut, damaged or break down after an injury, the parent nerve cells and axons often survive up the side of the injury. This is also a factor in brain injuries.
3. Demyelination (loss of axon insulation)

Axons are insulated by myelin sheaths, which help speed the messages. Some axons and nerve cells are still intact after injury and need only to be remyelinated. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by the loss of myelin sheath.

Note: Part of the complexity of spinal cord injuries is that each differs, involving any or all of these types of damage.

The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system. Different sections control the functions of various parts of the body.

Pain in the lower back is the most common of all pain complaints. It is a medical fact that once discs get injured, they seldom heal. Homeopathic treatment has succeeded in several cases. In order to understand the problem, it may be understood that the spine is the weakest but the most important part of the body. It is made up of a column of bones that are called vertebrae. One on top of the other, they cover and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a part of the nervous system attached to the brain that controls all the body functions. In between each vertebra is a disc which is made up of a jelly-like substance known as the nucleus. Nucleus is covered with many strong outer layers called annuals. The discs function as shock absorbers to protect the bones and surrounding nerves. Unlike other organs of the body, the discs do not have blood vessels to nourish them. Discs depend upon fluids rich with oxygen and nutrients passing back and forth from the bones above and below them. The fluid exchange depends upon the difference of pressure between the inside of the discs and blood vessels in the bones around them. When the pressure drops inside the disc, fluids and nutrients rush in. This is why all disc nutrients and regeneration takes place while lying down when pressure is taken off the discs. Wear and tear of the disc takes place greater than its ability to heal and regenerate. With advancement of age, the annual layers become weaker, causing injuries including repeated scarring. This weakens the annuals which cannot handle the pressure coming from inside the discs. Some of the discs break. The inside jelly-like material oozes out and this is called herniation. This internal damage of the disc can cause backache, sciatica, tingling along the nerves and loss of sensation in the skin. Following repeated injury, discs dry out, scar and degenerate over time thus losing their shock absorbing properties, and pressure is exerted over bones and joints leading to arthritis.

Elaborate treatment for backache, sciatica, arthritis and pains are given in the appropriate sections of this book.

Aesculus hip. (Thrice a day): Constant dull backache across sacrum and hips, worse on walking and stooping.

Agaricus mus. (Thrice a day): Tingling and burning in the spine as if cold needles were thrust into the spine. Twitching in various parts of the body, specially eyelids. Stiffness of the entire spine. Numb feeling in the spine.

Alumina (Thrice a day): Pain on account of degeneration of the spinal cord. Feels as if walking on cotton. Patient constipated.

Argentum nit. (Thrice a day): Useful in hardening and wasting of the spine.

Arnica mont. (Thrice a day): Spine very sensitive. Spasms of the muscles of the neck and back. Feels bed is too hard.

Belladonna (Thrice a day): Constant backache with burning of the spine.

Calcarea carb. 200 (One dose only) Repeat after a week: Caries of the spinal cord.

Causticum (Thrice a day): Pain in the coccygeal region with numbness better by warmth.

Cimicifuga (Thrice a day): Sensitiveness to pressure on the upper and lower cervical vertebrae. Pains change about from one part to the other and are sometimes accompanied by nausea. Pain in the lumbar region, the patient cannot lean back on a chair. Weakness in the legs.

Cocculus ind. (Thrice a day): Paralytic weakness of the spine and that of motor nerves when the lumbar region is affected. Weakness in the small of the back which gives out when walking. Weakness of the entire lower extremities. Knees give out when walking. Soles feel asleep. Thighs ache. Weakness of the cervical muscles. Can hardly hold the head. Heaviness of the head.

Conium met. (Thrice a day): Ill-effects of bruises and shocks to the spine. Pains worse on walking on the uneven surface. Paralysis from below upwards. Vertigo from turning the head sideways. Slow loss of power in the legs.

Formicum acidum (Thrice a day): Pain in the spinal cord (myalgia).

Gelsemium (Thrice a day): Deep-seated muscular pain, stiffness of neck and nape. Numb feeling in feet.

Hekla lava 3x (Thrice a day): It is of great use in rachitis – inflammation of the spine.

Hypericum (Thrice a day): Pains on account of injuries to the spine, pain shooting up and for local soreness when injuries are in the upper portion. Burning pains. Impotency due to injuries to the spine. Pain in the coccyx.

Natrium mur. (Thrice a day): Great sensitiveness between the vertebrae, relieved by pressure and by lying on a hard surface. Restlessness with debility and morning aggravation.

Nux vomica (Thrice a day): Backache in the lumbar region. Burning in the spine worse 3 to 4 AM. Has to first sit up in order to turn in bed. Spinal weakness due to sexual excesses. Sudden loss of power in legs in the morning.

Picricum acidum (Thrice a day): Weakness and pain in the back, in the lumbar region due to degeneration of the spinal cord. Pin and needle sensation in the extremities. Heavy, tired feeling.

Pulsatilla nig. (Thrice a day): Body feels stiff. Back feels as if bandaged tightly.

Silicea (Thrice a day): Inflammation of the lower parts of the spine. Pain of the coccyx.

Strychninum phos. 3x (Thrice a day): An excellent remedy for anemia of the spinal cord. The patient is disinclined to use the brain. Lack of control, uncontrollable desire to laugh. Aching and burning of the spine. Mid-dorsal region tender to pressure.

Sulphur (One dose daily): Pain in the spine on a little movement due to suppression of menses.

Symphytum off. (Thrice a day): A blow on the back from a fall, etc, causing slight dislocation in the spine is speedily cured by a dose per day in 30c potency. Application of the mother tincture relieves swelling and protuberances of the spine.

Tarentula cub. (Thrice a day): Caries of spine (Pott’s disease).

Theridion (Thrice a day): Degeneration of the spinal cord with vertigo.

Thiosinaminum 2x (Thrice a day): Wasting away of spinal marrow, which causes lightening pains, is improved by use of this remedy.

Zincum met. (Thrice a day): Pain in the spine, worse siting. Burning in the spine. Dorsal vertebrae mostly affected.

CURVATURE OF THE SPINE

Calcarea carb. (Thrice a day): For patients who are fat, chilly and pale.

Cicuta vir. (Thrice a day): Bending of head, neck and spine backwards.

Phosphorus (One dose daily): In dark eyed patients with a pigeon-like chest (i.e. narrow chest).

Silicea (Thrice a day): When the patient is thin and weak.

NOTE: A prolonged rest on the back on a hard bed and without a pillow helps remove the curvature in a shorter time.

ABSCESS OF THE SPINE

Bacillinum 200 (One dose only): Start the treatment with this remedy and it may not be repeated for at least a week.

Calcarea sulph. (Thrice a day): Abscess discharging pus specially of yellow color.

Pyrogenium 200 (One dose only): Abscess turning septic. Give only one dose a week.

TUMOR OF THE SPINE (SPINA BIFIDA)

Bacillinum 200 (One dose only): Do not repeat it before a week.

Calcarea phos. 6x (Four times a day): Then give this remedy three times a day.

NOTE 1: If the tumor is too large due to the fluid contained in it, put a bandage or any other support to avoid its hanging down and putting a weight on the spine. If in spite of the treatment, the size of the tumor increases, refer the case to a competent surgeon.

NOTE 2: Spina bifida is a defect in the walls of the spinal canal caused by lack of union between the laminae of the vertebrae. Lumbar portion is chiefly affected. It occurs when a hole develops in the tissue covering the spine. Hind brain herniation is a common complication and is a leading cause of hydrocephalus. Every fetus’s spine is open when it first forms but that opening normally closes around the 29th day after conception. In spina bifida, however, the opening never closes completely.

NOTE 3: Spinal cord is a powerful cable inside the body that gives life to the body. It is an extension of the brain which controls tone of the muscles, beating of the heart and regulation of lungs. A slight compression in it causes back pain, headaches and sometimes serious health problems.

SPINAL STIMULANT

Heracleum s. 3c (Thrice a day): Use of this remedy increases the functional activity of the spine. It is a stimulant for the spine.