Osteoarthritis (oa) is a degenerative disease that affects the various bone joints, leading to painful movement and thereby limiting the patient's mobility. Knees, hips, joints of hands and legs are affected.

Symptoms of oa

The symptoms revolve around the bones and joints including:

 Pain and stiffness of the joints
 Swelling of the joints
 Inability to form a clench
 Difficulty holding things 
 Stooped posture 
 Weakness of legs and hands
 Reduced height over time

Treatment options in allopathy are limited to nonsteroidal analgesics to control pain and in severe cases, surgical correction, in case of oa. However, homeopathy takes into account the triggering symptoms, the associated symptoms, and the status of the immune system before deciding on a treatment regimen.

With this holistic approach, homeopathy achieve the following:

 Reduce the pain, swelling and stiffness
 Slows the pace of further degeneration
 Improves mobility of the affected joint (s)
 Improves the body's overall immune system, thereby allow the body to promote healing on its own
 Homeopathic intervention in the early phases is particularly helpful, as it will arrest disease progression
 It also enable better absorption of minerals and nutrients essential for bone health. This allows healing of existing bone fractures and avoids further bone damage by strengthening the bones
 Homeopathic treatment also enables the body's chemical state to withstand stress and illnesses better
 It vitalizes the body's natural healing and ability to repair itself, to create a better state of health and well-being

Some of the popular homeopathic medications based on areas and associated symptoms are listed below:

Knee joints:

 Bryonia alba: pain worsened with movement, relieved with rest; associated with swelling and stiffness of the joints; difficulty in climbing stairs.
 Calcarea carbonica: swelling and pain that is worsened when getting up from a seated position. The joints feel cold and painful.
 Sulphur: worse with climbing stairs, prolonged standing, feeling of warmth in the knees. 

Hip joints:

 Colcynthis: cramping pain improved by pressure.
 Rhus toxicodendron: pain when getting up from a seated position.
 Pulsatilla nigricans: associated with muscle stiffness and cramping.

Finger joints:

 Antimonium crudum: the pain pain gets worse in cold weather, improved by applying something warm) 
 Benzoic acid: there is an associated crackling sound when the fingers are moved or if there are nodes in the area of joints. The urine is highly offensive in these people. 
 Calcara fluorica: there are stony hard nodes formed in the joint area, greatly reducing the mobility.

These medications are safe, completely natural, do not induce habit formation, and are approved by fda. They don't just treat the symptoms but help manage the patient as a whole. This justifies why homeopathy is definitely a good option in treating osteoarthritis.

Homeopathy for Osteoarthritis: Why is it a Good Option?

The medical term  spina bifida  or spinal bifida refers to a congenital defect in the spine. In simpler terms, spina bifida is a defect in the neural tube. Based on the severity of this disease, spina bifida can be divided into three different types:

Myelomeningocele
Meningocele
Occulta
The symptoms of spina bifida vary depending on each of these three types. Let's take a closer look at its symptoms here:

Myelomeningocele

Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. In this type of neural defect, spinal canal of the baby remains open in the middle or lower back along a few vertebrae. Due to this opening, a sac is formed at the back of the baby at birth, which exposes the baby to several life-threatening infections.

Some of the common symptoms of this type of spina bifida are:

Seizures
Presence of uneven hips
Deformed feet
Curved spine or scoliosis
Bladder and bowel problems
Muscle weakness
Paralyzed leg muscles.
Physical deformities from moderate to severe levels are also very common in this type of spina bifida.

Meningocele

Meningocele is a ratherrare form of spinal bifida in which a sack of fluid stays in open at the back of the baby. Here the protective membranes that usually stay around the spinal cord push out through the vertebrae s opening. Though this sack contains no part of the spinal cord, it may cause minor disabilities.

Some common symptoms of this kind of spina bifida are:

Membranes forming a visible sack on the back at birth
Presence of a small opening in the baby's back
The good news is that this sack can be removed through surgery without hampering the normal development of the spinal cord.

Occulta
Spina bifida occulta is the mildest form of spina bifida, which, in majority of the cases, often stays hidden as its symptoms are rarely visible. As it doesn t even cause any form of disabilities, it generally goes unnoticed. It doesn t cause any damages to the nerves or the spinal cord.

Some common symptoms of occulta are:

Presence of a gap between the vertebrae
An area on the back formed with extra fat
Acluster or small group of hair on the back
A dimple or birthmark on the back.
In this kind of spina bifida, neither any sack of fluid is formed, nor are there any visible opening in the back. Sometimes, people who have spina bifida are not aware of it due to its minimal symptoms.
Spina bifida usually affects a child before birth, when the brain or the cord or the protective covering over them fails to develop completely. Knowing about the symptoms can be one of the best ways to identify and diagnose this disease and opt for proper treatment solutions. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Neurosurgeon.

Spinal Bifida - Know The Signs That Indicate It!

Spondylitis includes swelling of the vertebra. It happens because of wear and tear of the ligament and bones found in your cervical spine, which is in your neck. While it is to a great extent because of age, it can be brought on by other reasons too. Side effects incorporate pain and stiffness starting from the neck to the lower back. The spine's bones (vertebrae) get fused, bringing about an unbending spine. These changes might be mellow or extreme, and may prompt a stooped-over posture. Some of the non-surgical methods to treat spondylitis are as follows-

Exercise based recovery/physiotherapy: Your specialist may send you to a physiotherapist for treatment. Non-intrusive treatment helps you extend your neck and shoulder muscles. This makes them more grounded and at last, relieves pain. You may neck traction, which includes using weights to build the space between the cervical joints and decreasing pressure on the cervical disc and nerve roots.
Medications: Your specialist may prescribe you certain medicines if over-the-counter medications do not work. These include:
Muscle relaxants, for example, cyclobenzaprine, to treat muscle fits
Opiates, for example, hydrocodone, for pain relief
Epileptic medications, for example, gabapentin, to ease pain created by nerve damage
Steroid infusions, for example, prednisone, to decrease tissue irritation and diminish pain
Home treatment: In case your condition is less severe, you can attempt a couple of things at home to treat it:
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, for example, acetaminophen or a calming medication, for example, Advil or Aleve.
Use a warming cushion or an ice pack on your neck to give pain alleviation to sore muscles.
Exercise routinely to help you recover quickly.
Wear a delicate neck prop or neckline to get transitory help. In any case, you shouldn't wear a neck brace for temporary pain relief.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment used to mitigate back and neck pain. Little needles, about the extent of a human hair, are embedded into particular points on the back. Every needle might be whirled electrically or warmed to improve the impact of the treatment. Acupuncture works by prompting the body to deliver chemicals that decrease pain.
Bed Rest: Severe instances of spondylitis may require bed rest for close to 1-3 days. Long-term bed rest is avoided as it puts the patient at danger for profound vein thrombosis (DVT, blood clots in the legs).
Support/brace use: Temporary bracing (1 week) may help get rid of the symptoms, however, long-term use is not encouraged. Supports worn for a long time weaken the spinal muscles and can increase pain if not continually worn. Exercise based recovery is more beneficial as it reinforces the muscles.
Lifestyle: Losing weight and eating nutritious food with consistent workouts can help. Quitting smoking is essential healthy habits to help the spine function properly at any age.

Spondylitis - Can Non Surgical Methods Help You?

Ankylosing spondylitis is typically associated with inflammatory back pain that can impair movements and reduce the quality of the patient s life. Here are 5 exercises that can be used to treat ankylosing Spondylitis.

Walking: Walking is a low impact workout that can be very beneficial for ankylosing spondylitis patients. This is the ideal way to ease the body into exercising. Start with a short 5-10 minute walk and gradually increase the duration of your walks to half an hour at a stretch. Try and keep your spine as straight as possible and hold your head high while you walk. Walking can help relieve pain and increase the range of movements.
Swimming: Swimming is another low-intensity workout that can help. This type of exercising helps strengthen the muscles and heart while minimizing joint pain. Swimming puts no pressure on the joints and hence is ideal for ankylosing spondylitis patients. The breaststroke can help build chest expansion and make your neck and shoulders more flexible. For a little extra pampering, you could go for a swim in a heated pool.
Lightweight Training: Look for lightweight training exercises that help strengthen your muscles without putting pressure on the joints. Plank exercises are great as they work many muscle groups simultaneously. You could also try lifting light weights or household canned goods to strengthen your limbs. Exercise machines can be helpful but must be used with caution. The key to exercising is to start slowly and gradually increase the duration of time you hold a position and the number of repetitions.
Yoga: Yoga is very beneficial for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. It reduces pain, increases flexibility and helps open out the joints to make them more mobile. Yoga also helps boost mental health and reduces stress and anxiety. When practising yoga, start by stretching the muscles and gradually work your way through the asanas. Do not be in a hurry to move from one position to another. You should ideally aim to fit in half an hour yoga into every morning.
Dance: Dancing is the most fun way to exercise. This helps burn calories that in turn helps with weight management. The lower your weight, the lower the pressure on your joints. Pick a tempo that you are comfortable with and limit repetitive motions to avoid straining any part of your body. If you like you could even join a dance class.

5 Exercises For Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis!

Arthritis, which is quite a common ailment among people aged above 40, is painful regardless where it affects a person, be it the hands or the toes. However, the Ayurvedic field of medicine has come up with historic ways of treating the issue. Over the course of time, these methods have proved to be quite effective, and especially popular as they have no side effects. A person only needs to spend a little time to get to know how to go about using Ayurveda to cure the arthritic aches and pains, which plague daily life!


One of the best things about Ayurveda is the fact that the solutions are generally made using ingredients that are very easy to source. For example, there is a solution for arthritis, which involves mixing a cup of mustard oil with about 10 grams of camphor and then heating the combination. This oil mixture then needs to be massaged on the affected areas. Now, isn t that simple?


The common potato, long considered to be a vegetable of the masses, also finds its use in Ayurveda when it comes to treating arthritis. If you soak a few unpeeled slices of potato in a glass of water overnight and drink this water the following morning, you are sure to find an improvement in your condition quite soon. 


Additionally, there are a few other food items that are recommended in the Ayurvedic treatment. These include bitter gourd, which is not only low in calorie content, but also very high on vitamins and ginger which improves metabolism. Consuming garlic and buttermilk is also considered advantageous. 


Moreover, you may also need to make some changes to the lifestyle habits, which have been deeply ingrained. For instance, sleeping as per a regular schedule and not going to sleep very late at night has a positive impact.


As you have probably be discerned, when it comes to health, the devil is in the eating! If a person who has arthritis makes an effort to conform to a good and healthy diet, which does not contain fried or sugary food, or even those which have spices in excess, he or she will not only find the pain symptoms of arthritis reducing, but also gain a general sense of health.


As long as a person has the patience to follow the way of treating arthritis set out by Ayurveda, the benefits will truly be bountiful!

Arthritis - How Ayurveda Can Help Treat it?

When other treatments fail to provide relief, the last resort to treat spine problems is the spine surgery. Spine surgery is conventionally referred to as open surgery which indicates that the area that needs to be operated is opened with a long incision so that the surgeon is able to view and have access to the anatomy.

In the recent times, advances in the field of medical science have made it possible to treat back and neck conditions through minimally invasive surgical techniques that don t involve an elaborate incision. Let us understand more about it.

How is minimally invasive spine surgery carried out?
Minimally invasive spine surgery fusions and decompression processes are performed by exploiting different approaches. The most commonly utilized technique involves the use of the tubular retractor. In this process, the surgeon makes a small incision and then inserts the retractor through the skin right into the spinal column. It leads to a tunnel to the accurate area where the problem persists in the spine. The functionality of tubular retractor lies in the fact that it helps in holding the muscle open throughout the procedure.

A number of particular processes have been designated for the minimally invasive spine surgery. Some of the most common options include spinal decompression, discectomy, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Each of these processes is different and only an expert in this arena can determine what s suitable for you.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is also called less invasive spine surgery where surgeons make use of special instruments. One of the most compelling drawbacks of open surgery is that the pulling of the muscle can lead to damage to both the muscle and the tissues in close vicinity. On the other hand, minimally invasive spine surgery allows the surgeon to see the precise location of the affected area. Besides, it also leads to smaller incisions, reduced bleeding and short stay in the healthcare facility.

Consulting an expert about the surgery:
It is very important on part of the patients to discuss the suitability of minimally invasive spine surgery with their doctors since it is not a good option for all patients. It is generally suggested for patients having spinal tumours, spinal instability, spinal infections, vertebral compression fractures, lumbar spinal stenosis and spinal deformities like scoliosis.

When you know that you will have to undergo the surgery, it pays to gather information about the surgery and what you may expect from the recovery process. The most commendable benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include better cosmetic results owing to lesser skin incisions and reduced dependence on the medications. Moreover, it is performed as an outpatient procedure and it makes use of local anaesthesia only. Thus, there is also a reduced chance of suffering from an adverse reaction to general anaesthesia.

So, depending on the pros and cons and depending on the individual condition, your doctor will decide on the course of action.

Everything You Need To Know About Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery!

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