Spondylolisthesis refers to the condition which affects your spinal bones or lower vertebrae. Due to this condition one of the lower vertebrae overlaps the bone directly beneath it. Although a painful condition, it can certainly be treated with both surgical and therapeutic methods.

People with spondylolisthesis often find it difficult to perform routine activities. They usually encounter symptoms such as- persistent pain in the pelvic region, lower back; stiffness in the legs, hamstrings and hip muscles.

What causes spondylolisthesis?
The causes of spondylolisthesis can vary with lifestyle, heredity and age. Children may develop this condition due to an injury or birth defect. Nevertheless, people belonging to all age groups are susceptible to spondylolisthesis if the condition is genetic.

Over exercise or strenuous physical activities can cause spondylolisthesis because over stretching and carrying heavy weight or strain puts too much stress on the lower back.

Participating in sports like football, gymnastics, weightlifting are likely to trigger spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis can also be triggered due to sondylolysis. The vertebrae safeguard the spinal cord and work with tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles to provide flexibility, structure and support to the neck. Any sort of damage or wear and tear in the protective cartilage and bones in the neck can lead to cervical spondylosis, which in turn leads to spondylolisthesis.

What is the treatment for spondylolisthesis?
Treatment of spondylolisthesis depends on the severity of the pain. While non-surgical methods help ease the pain, a surgery is recommended when the bone has slipped to such an extent that your spine doesn’t respond to medications.

Non-surgical treatment includes the following-

1. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to ease pain.
2. Practicing a few physiotherapy exercises to reduce lower back pain.
3. Use of minimally invasive Epidural Steroid Injections (EPIs) to get relief from lower back pain and pelvic pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves. When over-the-counter medications fail to treat tSpondylolysthesishe condition or ease the symptoms, then a surgery is inevitable.
4. Discectomy- It is a surgical procedure that makes small incisions to remove a part of the damaged disc to relieve pressure from the surrounding spinal cord or nerve root.
5. Laminotomy- This refers to a minimally invasive procedure that removes a part of the lamina which is the upper surface of the vertebra. This process is used to create more space within the spinal canal.
6. Foraminotomy- With this method excess bone tissues are removed so that they don’t make the foramen narrow and compress the nerve root. Removing these extra tissues reduce back pain and ease symptoms triggered by nerve compression.

Medical attention is crucial for countering symptoms of spondylolisthesis. Although this condition may not seem life-threatening, if left untreated, it can lead to chronic, persistent pain and permanent nerve damage.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

The difficulties associated with cervical spondylosis go far beyond spelling it correctly! The problem of cervical spondylosis can be extremely painful making it difficult to sit or walk. As if cervical spondylosis alone was not enough to put up with, it can often be accompanied by severe headaches. Bone spurs can be said to be a rather unusual phenomena but they can be one of the causes of cervical spondylosis is quite a few cases. This occurs when an extra bone grows to make the body stronger.

What causes cervical spondylosis?
While the causes of cervical spondylosis may vary, few causes are just as direct as injury is. A fall, or an accident can hasten the process of ageing and bring on cervical spondylosis sooner than what would have been usual. Sometimes, the nature of work can also lead to cervical spondylosis, as is the case with a lot of construction workers who suffer from it. Generally, as a person gets older, he or she can expect to suffer from cervical spondylosis. As a matter of fact, it affects about eighty five per cent of people over the age of sixty! One good thing though, is the fact that only in certain, chronic cases is the condition life altering, as most people are able to get on with their normal lives after taking some measures.

Cervical Spondylosis

Definition-

• Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs).
• Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. More than 85 percent of people older than age 60 are affected by cervical spondylosis.

Symptoms-

• For most people, cervical spondylosis causes no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically include pain and stiffness in the neck.
• Sometimes, cervical spondylosis results in a narrowing of the space needed by the spinal cord and the nerve roots that pass through the spine to the rest of your body. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched, you might experience:
• Tingling, numbness, and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet
• Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel contr

Causes-

• As you age, the bones and cartilage that make up your backbone and neck gradually develop wear and tear. These changes can include:
• Dehydrated disks. Disks act as cushions between the vertebrae of your spine. By the age of 40, most people's spinal disks begin drying out and shrinking, which allows more bone-on-bone contact between the vertebrae.
• Herniated disks. Age also affects the exterior of your spinal disks. Cracks often appear, leading to bulging (herniated) disks — which sometimes can press on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
• Bone spurs. Disk degeneration often results in the spine producing extra amounts of bone in a misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the spinal cord and nerve roots.
• Stiff ligaments. Ligaments are cords of tissue that connect bone to bone. Spinal ligaments can stiffen with age, making your neckless flexible.

Risk factors-

• Risk factors for cervical spondylosis include:
• Age. Cervical spondylosis is a normal part of aging.
• Occupation. Jobs that involve repetitive neck motions, awkward positioning or a lot of overhead work put extra stress on your neck.
• Neck injuries. Previous neck injuries appear to increase the risk of cervical spondylosis.
• Genetic factors. Some individuals in certain families will experience more of these changes over time, while others will not.
• Smoking. Smoking has been linked to increased neck pain.

Complications-

If your spinal cord or nerve roots become severely compressed as a result of cervical spondylosis, the damage can be permanent.

Homeopathic remedies for cervical spondylosis-

• Conium
• Kalmia
• Gelsemium
• Kali carb
• Rhustox
• Ruta
• Bellis perennis

Ayurveda tips to treat Cervical Spondylosis (Osteoarthritis of Neck)

Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative condition of the cervical spine which is caused by age-related changes in the cushion between the joints of the neck and the neck bone. It is also called as Osteoarthritis of neck. In this disease intervertebral disc which acts as a cushion between two vertebrae gets damaged due to age-related changes or other reasons. As disk degeneration occurs, movements of neck get restricted; also edges of vertebra get damaged & these changes increase pressure on nerves originating from cervical vertebrae. Due to this there are many symptoms found in this disease.

According to Ayurveda, this condition occurs due to Sandhigata vata of Neck. Vitiated vata dosha causes following symptoms.

Symptoms-

Pain in the back of neck, shoulder and arms, stiffness of the neck and even paraplegia occur due to this condition. The movement of the spine generally aggravates the pain of the neck.

Pain along the arms and fingers while standing, sitting, coughing and tilting the neck backward, Problem in lifting the arm or grasping something firmly, Headaches which occur mostly at the back side of the head as well as Feeling dizziness or loss of body balance is often found as symptom in this disease.

Tips for treatment-

1. Avoid amla (Sour), kashay(pungent), highly acidic foods like red meat, citrus fruits and even white potatoes which increases vata dosha in body which further damages bones.

2. Avoid Constipation at all cost, it increases pain & stiffness of neck. Ayurveda uses anulomana medicines during treatment, which avoids constipation & also pacifies vata dosha. For that medicated castor oil, Rasna erandadi kashaya, Nimba amrutadi eranda taila, triphala is used according to condition & severity. 

3. Cows ghee is best vata shamak & acts best in degenerative diseses, so snehapana (oleation therapy) should be done with medicated cow ghee like- Panchatikta ghrut, Mahatikta ghrut etc.

4. Also (Snehana-swedana) external application of medicated oil followed by steam relieves muscle spasm around neck & pain can be minimized.

5. Ayurvedic Basti/ Vasthi (medicated enema) has been described as best treatment for vata diseases. Ayurveda classics had mentioned Panchatikta kshir basti in treatment of osteoarthritis which is also found very beneficial in treatment of cervical spondylosis. 8 days treatment with such basti shows marked improvement in this disease.

6. Manya Basti or greeva basti can also be done for treatment of cervical spondylosis. In Manya Basti neck region is bathed in pool of medicated warm oil for 30 minutes.

7. Avoid diet that’s very high in protein. It can interfere with the absorption of calcium. Also, avoid salt, phosphorus (from fizzy drinks), caffeine and alcohol can affect calcium obtained.

8. Exposure to cold, cold baths and any violent exercise of the neck muscles are very bad for the patients.

9. Ayurvedic medicines like shallaki, Rasna, Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shunthi (Ginger) as well as some rasa medicines like vata vidhvans rasa, bruhat vata chintamani rasa are best medicines for treating cervical spondylosis but these must be used with experts advice.

10. During study or office work your sitting posture should be straight, don’t lean too much while reading or during office work.

11. Sleep on a firm mattress that keeps your head level. The pillows should not bend the back more than 15 degrees. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it extends the neck. It is ideal to sleep on your back or your side.

12. Yoga postures like Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), Matsyasana (Fish pose), Dhanurasana (Bow pose) are extremely beneficial for cervical spondylosis.

Ayurvedic Advise for cervical spondylosis-

1)Patient should be advised to sleep in supine position with small pillow.

2)Computer operators must be taught to do flexion, extension, and rotation once in every half an hour for two - three times

3)Bed rest is advised for 3 days.

4)A smooth massage js recommended.

5)Lumbar traction is more useful in clinical practice than cervical traction. (Cervical neck traction aggravates the problem)

6)While giving massage, pressure should not be given.

7)All other physiotherapies are not much useful

8)Keeping hand as pillows must be avoided.

9)It is better to use small pillows

10)Don't keep your hand under head while you are watching TV.

11)Use the towel slowly and carefully over the scalp once you finish bathing.

12)Reduce using two-wheelers like bike, etc.

13)Don't use cell phone while driving.

14)Took proper diagnosis by ONLY Ayurvedic doctors

15)Do Panchakarma vaman,virechan,basti , SHIRODHARA as your ayurvedic vaidya(doctor) suggest.