A specific form of arthritis which attacks vertebrae and connecting bony and ligament structures is known as spondylitis. Cervical spondylitis is of three types. The osteoarthritis type of spondylitis is known as spondylosis. Frequently it occurs in the cervical vertebrae. The spines of majority of people above the age of 50 have certain degree of osteoarthritis changes. But they seldom cause acute symptoms. Certain precipitating factors like trauma, incorrect posture of the body, pressure while sleeping and excessive intake of sour food, usually precipitate these attacks. In Ayurveda this condition is known as griva sandhigata vata.
Pain in the back of neck, shoulder and arms, stiffness of the neck and even paraplegia occurs due to this condition. The pain of the neck is generally aggravated by the movement of the spine. It is often associated with loss of memory and sleeplessness.
Treatment: any external massage is not of much use. Violent massage with deep pressure is very harmful for the patient. Only gentle massage over the muscles of the neck and shoulder joints should be applied and for this purpose Mahanarayana tailam is best suited.
A compound preparation named Simhanada guggulu is popularly used in ayurveda for the treatment of this condition. It is given in a dose of 2-4 tablets four times a day. Usually hot water or hot milk is given to the patient after the administration of this medicine. This medicine has a slightly has a laxative effect. For the patient to recover from this ailment, it is necessary that his bowels should move clearly and regularly. This medicine is very useful for this purpose. For the patient having clear motions, this medicine should be given in a dose of 2 tablets and for constipated patients the dose should be 4 tablets. If the constipation is not relived even by taking 4 tablets, the dose can be further increased to 6 tablets.
At night some medicine should be given to the patient which will act as a purgative. Triphala powder is the best medicine for this condition. One teaspoonful triphala should be given to the patient, mixed with a cup of warm milk an done spoon of sugar. If the motions become regular by the intake of simhanada guggulu, yhen triphala powder should be given only twice a week; otherwise it can be given every day.
Hot fomentation on the vertebrae of the neck is very useful for this condition. In a big handkerchief, about 500 gm of salt should be applied over a frying pan till it becomes tolerably hot. Then this should be applied over the neck. Care should be taken to see that it not too hot. In that case, it may cause burns. Sometimes patients suffering from cervical spondylitis develop some anaesthetic patches in the back neck, shoulder and arms because of the pressure from nervous system. The patient is, therefore, not able to feel the quantum of heat applied during fomentation. It should, therefore, be the responsibility of the attendant to examine the heat of the bolus before applying it on the affected parts. This fomentation should be continued for about half an hour every day. After fomentation, the affected part should not be exposed to cold wind. In the winter season, therefore, immediately after fomentation, the affected part should be covered with some woolen garment.
Diet: sour things particularly curd, are strictly prohibited. Fried things, pulses and various preparations of pulses are also contra indicated in this condition. Bitter vegetables like bitter variety of drumstick, neem (Azadirachta indica) flowers and bitter gourd are very useful. Wheat is better than rice for the patient. He should avoid taking refined food as flour (maida) and semolina (suji) etc. These may cause constipation and do not help the patient in the recovery.
Other regimens: Exposure to the cold, cold bath and any violent exercise of the neck muscles, including pressure are very bad for the patients.
